ANMELDENNicole's POV I was just stepping out of my last class, the late afternoon sunlight slanting across the schoolyard, when I saw the black car parked neatly at the curb. My stomach dropped in a way.It was Adrian.I froze for a second, my backpack slipping slightly off my shoulder. From the corner of my eyes, I caught a familiar presence lingering near the school fence. “Why is Frank watching me?” I thought to myself.Frank's sharp, calculating gaze followed us as I hurried toward the car, my pulse quickening. I forced myself not to look directly at him, not to give him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction.Adrian stepped out of the car before I could even reach it, his usual calm confidence radiating like a shield. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice echoing across the pavement.I hesitated, unsure how to react, then slid into the passenger seat, trying to act casual. “Why… why are you here?” I asked, my voice a mix of curiosity and guardedness.His eyes softened as he leaned slight
Third Person Pov Ethan pushed open the door to his favorite little shop, the smell of coffee and warm pastries instantly familiar. He liked it there.It was quiet, unpretentious, and the perfect place to escape the constant chaos of his life.But today, the quiet was broken.Zara was there, leaning casually against the counter, her arms crossed, one eyebrow arched, watching him like she had been waiting all day.Ethan froze mid-step, eyes narrowing. “Zara?” His voice was sharp, yet laced with uncertainty. “What are you doing here? Are you… stalking me?”Zara didn’t flinch. She let out a soft hum, as if the accusation were a joke. “Stalking you? No, Ethan. I’m… just coincidentally here.” She smiled, playful, teasingly.Ethan exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right… coincidentally.” He tried to move past her toward the counter, but she stepped slightly closer, forcing him to stop.“And while we’re coincidentally together,” she said, leaning forward slightly, “how about d
Nicole's POV I sat on the edge of my bed, with my phone in hand, the screen glowing softly in the dim room. The video notification blinked.Adrian had posted an update about the party. My fingers hovered over it for a moment. I didn’t want to watch… but I decided to. I needed to see him, hear him, even if it was just through a screen.I tapped play.Adrian appeared, sitting upright, looking as composed as ever, though I knew better. He couldn't have just healed from the gunshot, so he is still working despite the pain.The bright studio lights hit his face, highlighting every sharp angle.I hated to admit the fact that I missed it a lot.I sat my phone down, the screen going dark, and sat back against my chair. Silence filled the room, but my chest still felt tight, as if I were carrying the weight of everything Adrian had said and everything he had gone through. I couldn’t help the small ache in my chest as I thought about him. I missed him more than I realized.I had hoped h
Nicole's POV The next morning, I was walking through the crowded school corridor, my bag slung over one shoulder, when I felt a sharp tap on my arm. I turned, and my stomach dropped. It was the girl I saw with Liam at the party, Anna.There was a smile plastered across her face.“Nicole, you must be Liam's girlfriend.” she said sweetly, but there was a venom beneath it that made my skin crawl. “We need to talk.”I stopped, crossing my arms. “About what?” I asked, trying to keep my tone polite.I was already pissed off seeing her.She leaned closer, lowering her voice so only I could hear. “Stay away from Liam.” Her tone was firm, almost like a warning. “He doesn’t love you. He’s just… using you to pass time. You think you mean something to him, but you don’t. Not like I do.”I felt heat rise in my chest. “What are you talking about? You just come here spouting trash, clearly you are jealous.” I retorted back at her.“I'm trying to save you from being heartbroken.” She scoffed.“Li
Third Person PovLeo King lounged in the dimly lit office, the city lights flickering through the blinds. His eyes, cold and calculating, were fixed on the man standing rigidly in front of him. Frank shifted nervously, aware of the intensity of Leo’s stare.“Sit,” Leo said to him, gesturing to the chair opposite his massive desk. Frank obeyed immediately, careful not to make a wrong move.“You were at the party,” Leo started, his voice low and dangerous. “I’ve been watching. You handled yourself… well enough. But now, there’s work to be done. And I want no mistakes.”Frank nodded, keeping his expression neutral. “Understood, sir. What exactly do you want me to do?”Leo leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “We have… obstacles. People who complicate things. My property, my influence… Your step in this will be decisive. You’re going to keep tabs on Oliver Locke's daughter, Nicole. And if anything threatens my plans, you neutralize it. Quietly.”Frank’s fist tightened, but
Nicole’s POV The warm sunlight spilled through the shop windows, glinting off the neat stacks of invitations and decorations, but I could barely focus on the pretty arrangements. My mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts I didn’t want anyone to see.“Nicole, can you grab the ribbon over there?” Zara’s cheerful voice pulled me back to the present. I moved, picking up the spool and handing it to her, forcing a smile. “Here you go.”Zara paused, studying me for a moment. “You seem… distracted today. Something on your mind?”I hesitated, biting my lip slightly. I didn’t want to reveal too much. “It’s… personal,” I said finally.Her eyebrows raised, curiosity written all over her face. “Personal, huh? You know you can tell me anything.”I shook my head lightly, glancing down at the decorations I was sorting. “It’s about someone I need to find out more about… someone I should know better.”Zara tilted her head, leaning casually on the counter. “Someone, huh? Is this… a friend? Family?”







