Semua Bab IN BED WITH THE RUTHLESS HOCKEY CAPTAIN: Bab 101 - Bab 110

DEVIN.I arrive at the small café almost thirty minutes early because I cannot stop thinking about the message he sent me the night before. He had agreed after I had assured him I would come alone and after he had made me promise not to record the conversation. The café sits just outside the city beside an old highway where almost nobody from school ever comes. I choose a table near the window and keep checking the entrance every few seconds, afraid they might change their mind before they even walk through the door. My notebook lies open in front of me, but my hands shake so badly that I cannot even hold my pen steady.A few minutes later, the café door opens, and Ben steps inside. He looks older than the graduation pictures Whitney found online, but I recognize him immediately. His eyes search every corner of the room before he slowly walks toward me. Instead of sitting down right away, he glances behind him one last time as if expecting someone to follow."You came alone?" he asks

CARLOS.As I left my meeting, I cannot stop thinking about the new discoveries Devin informed me had made me. The missing week no longer feels like a mystery hidden behind locked doors. It feels alive again, as though every memory I tried to bury has started following me wherever I go. When Whitney sends me a message asking if I was done with my meeting so we could take a walk before going home, I agree almost immediately. The evening air is cool, and the streets around the park are quiet, giving us the privacy we both need. We walk side by side without speaking at first, and somehow the silence between us no longer feels like the silence of two enemies.Whitney finally breaks it.“I hope I didn't disturb your schedule or something,” she begins.“Nope,” I answer. “I was thinking of coming over to join you guys if I could.”She nods."Well, I've been thinking about everything we found today.""So have I.""I keep wondering why you never defended yourself."I let out a small laugh that

DEVIN.I sit outside the same café where I met the former volunteer before, staring through the glass at the empty table in the corner. The recovered records are inside my backpack, protected by a thick folder because I refuse to take any chances with them. Since finding the photograph, I have barely slept because every clue keeps leading to the same missing week. Carlos and Whitney are finally seeing the same pattern I see, but we still have no idea what happened inside those private meetings. The former volunteer might be the only person left who can tell us, and today I am determined not to leave without asking one final time.When he finally arrives, he looks even more nervous than before. He glances over his shoulder several times before sitting across from me, and I notice how tightly he holds his bag against his chest. I place the folder on the table but do not open it immediately. I want him to understand that I am not here to trap him or force him into saying something his is

"I can't believe you made me do that to her," Alec says when he reenters my office, a frown etched onto his face. He runs a hand through his shoulder-length black hair, sighing with frustration."Are you suggesting I should have done it myself?" I retort, arching an annoyed eyebrow.I don't get what his deal with my secretary is. Sure, she was the best, but her work contract was bound to end someday. It's just abrupt that today was that day."You should've seen her... She looked extremely sad when I told her," he says warily, settling into the chair in front of my desk.I grumble in response. "I saw her."Alec studies me with furrowed brows, probably wondering what's going on in my head. I can see the unasked questions floating around in his mind, but I still have no intention of explaining myself to him.He must figure that out because he asks, "So what now? Do you already have a replacement for Anita, or should I start searching for a new secretary for you?""I already told you not

WHITNEYI can't believe I'm really going through with this shit.Well, it's not like I have a choice. He didn't exactly give me one when he came in last night.Annoyance bubbles within me at the memory of his disturbing nonchalance when he presented me with my new job offer.He didn't even give me the chance to say no, like he said to me the first time I asked him. He must be used to getting whatever the fuck he wants, always.Anyway, as much as I hate his guts, I remind myself I'm not doing this for him.I'm doing this for me. I'm simply choosing to pick my own battles.A scowl forms on my face even as I dust off excess makeup from my cheeks.I'm staring at my reflection in the dressing mirror, and there's no trace of enthusiasm on my face whatsoever. If anything, I look very annoyed.Normally, anyone in my shoes would be excited at the idea of finally getting some fresh air after being locked up for so long—finally escaping this prison of a room. However, knowing it's just leaving h