ith quiet authority, black suit sharp against the glass walls that lined the corridor. The

d, focus was the l

k hair spilling across white sheets. Her bare back turned toward him as he buttoned h

nd broken images that r

is memory picked at itself, trying to fill the gap after he left his apartment yesterday evening. He r

meone sliced the memor

e hall, thoughts

. Not when everything I've built

still lingered in his chest - a bitter sweetness he couldn't shake off. He didn't

whose name he didn't know. A mistake he neve

e told himself, sh

secretary stood waiting outsi

y. " Miss Selene is waiti

under his breath. "W

ed her eyes. "She s

light poured over his sleek black desk, where Selene sat gracefull

eeted warmly. "

is suit jacket, settling into his chair with practic

keynote and thought I'd check on you. It's be

t twist, and her ivory suit was tailored to perfection. She looked exa

and law. She was the daughter of Marcus Vaughn, his mother's closest friend and longtime ally. Growing up, S

owing praise. "Selene is your future, Ri

ons, Riven found himself distracted again. The memory of last n

on but didn't ask. She never asked

tanding smoothly. "But dinner thi

lly. "Of course. I'll h

ened. "I look

boredom settle in his chest. He knew he would go. He knew he would pay f

something he e

nt entered swiftly. Julius – loyal, sharp, and alway

t in hand. "I have prelimi

his chair, dark eye

inute to Club Altere. Reservation was made under the c

mmed slowly on the

e have hallway footage showing you entering

htened. "And in

tage. But there was no sign of

office, humming c

d calm. "I don't remember a thing. I want every detail, Ju

d quickly. "

ckmail. Or worse. His company had just finalised the acquisition that positioned them as the leadi

a headline," he said co

ed his throat softly,

ls. The room was reserved un

tly. The name felt

she?"

rising influence in local circles. Twenty-one, unmarried,

w York skyline beyond his window. The late morning sun

day. In a restaurant, VVIP only. No leaks, no

ied, bowing slightly be

st night flashed through his mind again - long hair, soft skin, war

ardened. No one