X

ep voice cutting through

ying to steady the panic bubbling inside of

od by the desk in his all-black outfit, trying and failing to look inconspicuous

acob was scrutin

th his cap pulled low, hands casually tucked into h

to me, and I could feel his unsp

ked, raising an eyebrow as his ey

d. He took two quick steps toward Jacob, extending his hand with an

e, clearly not expect

guy! You know, fixing laptops, troublesho

mpletely caug

tone skeptical as his sharp gaze m

me earlier today to help with some technical issues on his system

s flicked between Dennis and me, clearly

s, uh... that's right. Dennis is helpi

g to be the obedient technician. "I'll get back to it, si

d slipped out of the room with a calm stride. The doo

but I knew I wasn't

ine. His dark eyes seemed to drill into my soul, searchi

s tone casual, but there was an edge t

d IT stuff. My laptop's been acting up, a

ing into the faintest hint of a smirk. "You s

hough my voice cracked slightly. "J

eached into the inside pocket of his suit jacke

epeated softly,

k with deliberate slowness,

the tiny paper. What was on

b said finally, his to

f the office, leaving me staring at the note on

trembled as I reached out to pick it up, the weight of his strange behavior pressing down on

blades gleaming as if they were real. My breath hitched. The crude yet

mean?" I muttere

a threat? A challenge? Was Jacob onto something? My chest tightened a

be good,"

drawing wasn't just a meaningless sketch. It symbolized conflict

er in me, a creeping coldness that made me feel l

told myself, s

t hours before the ball? I looked at the clock. Only an hour and a few minutes remai

t to a fashion store. The streets weren't really dark as I focu

ted by a well-dressed attendant,

n I assist you today?" the

my voice. "Something classy, sharp...per

ingly. "Right this way, s

than the last. I began trying them on, one after the other. The first

" I muttered,

suit. It looked stylish bu

I said, but I