LOGIN(Rayner)I stand under the shower, letting the water run down my skin.Cold.Relentless.But it does nothing to quiet my mind.The moment keeps replaying.Over and over again.The way she rushed toward Amara, reaching for her armMy jaw tightens, anger bubbling as her face flashes in my mind again, blending with the same face I’d seen reaching for Amara at the mall in Switzerland.My chest tightens instantly, and before I even realize it, my hand shoots forward and I shut off the shower.Silence fills the bathroom.Heavy.I grab a towel, wrap it around my waist, and step out.I couldn’t say anything to her. I couldn’t even bring myself to say anything to her.Because if she’d lied to me before, then she could still lie again about it.Without any concrete proof about what really happened, then I can’t say anything.I will no longer have to deal with assumptions.I pick up my phone and dial the only person I trust with something like this.Ruben.“Hey man,” his voice comes through, rel
(Isha)It has been a while since Nathan excused himself.And now… even Amara isn’t back.My breath hitches, my thoughts spiraling before I can stop them.Could they be—No.But the image forms anyway, sharp and unwanted.My chest tightens.I rise abruptly. “I need to use the restroom.”“Hmm… is there something interesting going on tonight, or is everyone suddenly best friends with the restroom?” Stella says after me, her voice laced with suspicion.I turn, forcing a cheeky smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Relax. I’ll be back.”Then I walk away.The moment I am out of sight, my steps quicken. My heart pounds harder with every second, my mind racing ahead of me.Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking.Where could they even be?I turn the corner leading to the restroom—And freeze.Nathan.He is standing there.Moving toward Amara.Instinct takes over. I slip behind the wall, pressing my back against it, holding my breath. My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest, I’m sure I could
(Isha)“Why did you have to invite Amara?”Stella’s voice cuts in beside me.I turn to her slowly, a smile already forming on my lips.“Because I’m bored,” I say lightly. “And I need someone to play with.”She frowns. “Play?”My smile deepens.“You’ll see.”Moments later, we pass through the restaurant’s foyer. The one Stella had me book for tonight. Everything is polished, perfect, exactly the kind of place meant for tonight.We are led to our table.I pause.“A table for four?” I ask, my voice laced with mild surprise, like I am only just noticing.The staff hesitates, about to speak.I don’t let her.“I thought I requested for it to be changed to a table for six.” My tone hardens instantly. “How could you people not do your job properly?”She stiffens. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We didn’t receive the message on time.”“Then fix it,” I reply sharply. “Get us a table for six.”“I’m sorry, ma’am… we won’t be able to.”My eyes narrow. “Why? Isn’t that what I requested?”She lowers her gaze. “T
(Amara)The air feels tight around me, like it’s pressing into my lungs.I barely notice the figures approaching. My heart is too loud, too fast.Rayner has seen us.Finally.A truth I have been carefully hiding for weeks now, exposed in the worst way possible.Maya’s fingers curl around mine, trembling slightly, but I don’t let it shake me. I tighten my grip instead and lift my chin, locking eyes with him.If he knows… then let him know fully.Let him see that nothing changes.I expect something. A question. A reaction.But he says nothing.His gaze moves between Maya and me, slow, measured. Almost like he is trying to piece things together.Or… maybe he hasn’t.A flicker of hope stirs in me.Maybe he doesn’t recognize her. He only saw her once at the mall. It was brief.A small, dangerous excitement creeps in.But just as quickly, it dies.Because this is Rayner.He’s one to notice everything and hardly forgets things.I know that better than anyone because I’ve been working for him
(Rayner)My grip tightens around the steering wheel as I drive, my mind replaying the moment at the office over and over again.The glass falling.Shattering.Right at her feet.The way her face twisted in pain.I saw it. I saw the exact second Stella loosened her grip on that glass. It wasn’t an accident. She did it on purpose.And I said nothing.My jaw tightens.Now I’m here, driving away, heading to dinner like everything is normal… while Amara is still there. Hurt.The thought sits wrong.Unsettling.How bad did it even get?I exhale sharply, dragging my fingers across my lips, my grip tightening even more on the wheel.Stella and Isha are talking, their voices filling the car, but I don’t hear a word they say. My mind feels… off. Heavy.Wrong. Like something isn’t sitting right.Why am I even bothered?I shouldn’t be this bothered.She said she could handle it. Didn’t she?And yet—Before I even realize what I’m doing, I turn the wheel sharply.The tires screech.“What’s it
(Isha)My eyes stay locked on my phone.Refresh. Nothing.Again and still nothing.My chest tightens a little more each time the screen loads empty, like I’m waiting for something that should have come by now.“What are you checking so tensely like this?”Stella’s voice cuts through my thoughts.I jerk slightly, quickly pulling my phone behind me, forcing a small smile onto my lips.“Is there anything you want me to help you with?” I ask, changing the topic before she can look too closely.“Yes,” she says, dropping onto the bed beside me. Her face lights up instantly. “Let’s go for dinner.”“Sounds good,” I reply.“But with Rayner.”My smile fades before I can stop it.“Rayner?” I repeat. “I thought you both went out yesterday.”“Yeah,” she pouts. “But I miss him already. And besides…” She flicks her hand dismissively. “It was interrupted by some trash, so we didn’t even enjoy it properly.”“Some trash?” I echo, confused.She waves it off like it’s nothing. “Never mind.”Then she turns







