conversations woven a web of invisible intrigue. Alice was at the center of this scene, tra

if he'd just seen a ghost. It wasn't surprise, or eve

a light hand on the small of her back. A subtle gesture, almost impe

at, he whispe

hat sent shivers down her spine. It was the certain

chin, refusing

asked in

nothing to bring

o him, her b

nows something I

a smile that neve

to understand ho

pagne from a waiter's t

ice. Enjoy

't take

on't want to

be a pawn inst

nched h

iel? What are y

ly, leaving something

ho sees the ches

answer, leaving Alice alone in t

her emotions. But something was wrong. She could fee

noticed t

oom, near a marble column

covering half of his face. He didn't m

t her hea

ed on his heel and disa

ing, she set

her as she made her way through the guest

h a discreet door at

a split second,

k cor

was now muffled, the atmosp

ters in front of her, his fac

sked, her voice firm

answer i

, almost unrec

in dange

cy wave run d

his a

warn

ds her and she insti

an is not who y

e a nervo

I had alread

shook

a what you just g

ding her discomfort behi

nlight

ence st

ally, he

you because he orchestrate

t her sto

ould he

, as if hesita

more than just a

n envelope i

But never sho

, but he was already walking away, hea

d down at t

er bag, just before an icy h

ju

l was

was more pierc

he party and I find yo

re was a hint of warning be

eeded

r a long time, as i

n a sha

in conversations

the tension

k

just learned, but he knew she w

d herself

little

slightly, but his expr

is a weakn

tilting her face up so she

an't afford

ugh her, but she

his hold and turn

ve attracted e

him, her he

thing wa

longer play