came q

s if something had pulled her out of sleep. For a moment,

of it was clear. Only the heavy and suffocating fee

ther. Turning onto her side, as she pu

ured, though her voice sounde

zzed on the bedside table. 6:

. With a small groan, Aria pushed herself upright,

rough the curtains. She swung her legs off the bed, stretching slow

ine had always

en, the kettle whistled softly. Amaya leaned ag

s displayed

rt of her routine. She had expenses to cover. And her part-time shift at the con

tes, her thumb p

ministrative Assis

swept her face.

ore than once thr

her league. But Amaya tapped on the listing anyway. The Requirement

o." She exited the page once again, and set t

ed at her. That name, Blooms Global. It felt... familiar. No

mind. Like a word on the tip of her tongu

tered. Yet still, she picked up he

bus, gripping the overhead rail as it lurched forward. The usual crowd filled the

t enough time for her to zone out. Watchi

walked the rest of the way to the convenience store. The moment

from last night said, glanci

ed. "Could

. "Join t

ot to work. Restocking shelves, to organizing the drinks, and down t

e morning had faded. Until the door chim

lly out of place as he stepped in. He sure w

erately swept the store a

something tightened in her chest. The man smile

aid casually, walkin

replied, forcing

g one hand lightly against the cou

itated. "

p, more like assessing.

nds." She

tretched between them. Then, he sof

." Amaya

longer than necessary. Then, just like th

d briefly throu

awareness of his presence hit from behin

brushed. Amaya flinched. The contact, s

ring. Her breath hitched. And the

moothly said, catchi

a split second. And something dark flic

led her hand back, her heart pou

" she m

atching her. Just like that

minute but the air he le

" her cowo

nked. "Ye

pale."He

n't. The rest of her shift continued but she couldn't

ragged by with no special happening. That ev

en in front of her. The Blooms Global listing

that stood out.

"Just give it a try," she whispered to her

ng to her. She exhaled slo

still seated behind his desk. It wa

pression unfazed. But the air aroun

again,"

stiffened. "Si

ort, his voice still calm and

silence. "Yes, s

riefly to the city beyond the glass. Something was

incts...were

into a dimly lit office. He loosened his tie, his ex

image from Two years ago. The girl looked young, frightened and covered

ound

her hand, hit t

r application