Check!

Alora's Pov

Our plan is already in motion by dawn. Unfortunately, so is my anxiety.

I get lost twice trying to find Lucien's office. It's not the directions. In fact, Leyla is whispering them into my ear with the patience of a saint through our video call.

It's the building. The glass corridors feel like a maze designed to unsettle you, reflections folding into one another until I didn't know which way was out.

"Left now,” Leyla says through my earpiece. “The small door beside the massive one.”

I turn right, and a sigh crackles through the speaker.

"Your other left."

"I knew that."

"You absolutely did not."

"I had a fifty-fifty chance."

"Well, you failed the fifty."

I roll my eyes.

"Small door beside the giant one. That's the elevator."

This time, I find it.

"See?" I say. “I’ve got it,” I lie, wiping my damp palms on my dress.

“Alora, if you want us to stop...”

“I don’t.”

The elevator opens onto the top floor. It’s actually quieter up here.

"There’s no one at the reception,” I murmur. “Just a corridor and one door at the end.”

"That’s his office,” Leyla says, her voice tightening now. “Wait for his secretary before you go in. Don’t just walk...”

I end the call before she can get worse.

A small waiting area sits outside the office. Two leather sofas, a coffee table, and one lonely magazine that looks old enough to vote.

I sit.

Immediately stand.

Then sit again.

My knee starts bouncing. I force it to stop.

GIRLLL ACT LIKE YOU BELONG HERE.

Footsteps echo down the corridor. A woman appears. Mid-twenties, dark-skinned and elegant.

Perfect posture, makeup, and probably... life.

She looks like the kind of woman who sends emails that change people's futures.

I watch her without meaning. This is the kind of job I always want for myself. Ughhhh! She’s practically a better version of me.

She instantly notices me, and apparently, she doesn't like me.

“You again?"

Well, good morning to you too.

"Another appointment?" She asks.

“I was asked to come today.”

She looks at me up and down, murmuring almost to herself. “I wonder what business you have with Mr. Vale."

Ouch.

Then, louder, “Weren’t you here yesterday?”

“Me?” I laugh, way too loudly. “You’re probably mistaking me for someone else.”

She stares. I stare back. Neither of us blinks.

“You're Leyla Blackwood.”

Right, I'm an idiot. Fantastic start, Alora.

I force a smile, "correct. Can I go in?”

"Sit,” the words hit like an order. “He’ll see you when he’s ready.” She says, already walking away.

I drop into the chair. If this is how she treats Leyla…

God help me.

*****

Time passes. Then more time. Then, enough time for me to start reconsidering every decision I've ever made.

At some point, I fall asleep.

When I wake up, my neck hurts, and my mouth feels like sandpaper.

I glance at the clock.

Two hours. Two whole hours.

"You've got to be kidding me."

The secretary doesn't even look up.

“Excuse me?”

Nothing.

"Is he actually here?"

“Yes.”

I wait. She keeps typing.

“I’ve been sitting here for two hours!”

That finally gets her attention. She leans back with a mocking smile on her lips. “Mr. Vale’s schedule is selective. And appointments aren’t guarantees, especially for people who work... after hours.”

Oh.

This... this hits home. She thinks I'm Leyla, the "stripper sister." My jaw tightens, as my temper is about to volunteer for battle, but I shove it back down.

“I’ll wait."

The words have barely left my mouth when the office door opens.

The entire room changes, ridiculous... but I hate that it's true.

But it does.

Lucien Vale steps out.

His gaze lands on me immediately.

“You slept for an hour and twenty-nine minutes."

My stomach drops. My entire body wants to bolt, but the memory of George’s face holds me captive.

“You still lean to your left when you’re asleep."

My pulse stutters.

"And you grip your bag whenever you're nervous."

He pauses.

"Which is interesting," his eyes move slowly over me. "Because Leyla doesn't do that."

The secretary looks between us. I consider throwing myself through the nearest window.

“I was told to wait,” I manage to say.

“I know.”

He doesn’t need to raise his voice. One look from him and the secretary practically triples her typing speed. Lucien steps past me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off him.

“Come in."

That's it. No explanation whatsoever.

I follow him into the office and shut the door. He walks around his desk and slides a folder toward me. I look down, and my blood turns cold.

The tab reads: LEGAL BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN LUCIEN VALE AND ALORA BLACKWOOD.

The sight of my own name feels like a physical blow. Lucien settles into his chair and leans back. Watching and waiting.

He's enjoying this far more than he should. Then he tilts his head slightly.

"Tell me, Alora. Did you really think a different dress and ten years of absence would fool me?"