fore he left for one of the b

nity his parents

ing to school until t

g any lasting connections, but he tho

was busy as students ru

her standing by a set of lockers, holding he

us, as if she was still trying to figu

ay she was trying so hard to blend in, her discom

nothing like the girls who

ething about her

me time before shakin

dn't

one wee

fore everyt

-

he saw her was a

on the textbook lying on the table

her innocence and beauty. The way sh

ching from across the roo

-

was the day bef

and her books slipped through her h

wn quickly,

ut it, he had already stepped forw

or a second, th

u,"inaudibly , then hurried of

,something stirri

t know h

er reall

r innocence, her be

about her

t day, he knew he was leaving b

girl he barely knew-but

wonde

ever see

e now worked in one of his comp

e her way to her old workspace. It was time to pack

vy

e Theo walking over,

us anymore, mind if I get your cont

urprised, then nod

ed numbers,

not to get into trouble. After work, she qui

---

kered open. She reached for the phone

Blackwood Tower. Be there before 10

d Tower was across the cit

and styled her hair with extra care. She grabbed her bag

quiet. She sat at the back of th

ab pulled up in front

ng about Blackwood Tower screamed power and elegance. She took the ele

sleek desk, eyes on the s

ect you on what to do," he said co

d to leave, his v

it.

stop

his eyes scanning her sl

ng," he said simply, then re

looking like that. You

ce, following the man silently

aura around the building

d to know in her new role. How to

about Zay

re in the car, heading to an upscale b

, the man gave the sale

eading Ivy to an exclusi

urrounded by racks of pe

d dresses, and elegant heels. The entir

bags, perfume etc) were packaged and ha

f shopping bags handed to them. "Isn't t

it was over, she wa

ike lavender and e

r. She was led to a chair. The stylist asks her what sh

e murmured. That's a

iled and said,

gers worked through her hair, by the en

home, to tell Maya how

elped her to carry the rest of the bag to

grabbed her phone, dial

p, Ivy didn't even say h

elieve what hap

irl," Maya s

t someone outside, and the next thing I know, I'm being briefed like I'm about

ped. "Sh

perfumes I couldn't even pronounce. I'm not even sure I

an my rent, Maya. And dresses

ng, the tension of th