TER

ouse, 5:40 PM

for the crisp click of cu

shimmered faintly beneath the dim lighting, like midnight velvet. He adjusted his collar

the door c

They'll be watching you tonight," she said, of

s fingers brushing he

d. "And if

Just lo

he same mistake

choing against marble floors, headed straight

-

8:12 PM, Va

across a sea of black gowns and tailored tuxedos. Champagne flo

nt - in Zayne's mind -

a

ng just enough to ignite memory and mystery. Her eyes scanned the r

even

or a breath.

- or maybe she had and c

hing the tension unfold with quiet amusement. "Let th

ed. Dignitaries arrived. Board

's world

rough whispers and wine, toward the woma

eyes l

d, a subtle smile p

s glass. "Didn't expect t

ering his voice. "I wa

her w

music swelled, couples twirled, and und

between what was and what stil

THREE (C

a Grand

silver trays balanced like art. Laughter echoed from polished corners, where billio

oward the edge o

ing a hand - not just as a gentleman

ack up. "That depends. Will you tell

t's a conversation bett

cepted

d never stopped dancing. Like time

His jaw was tight, his grip on the wine glass tighter. At his side, an ele

Zayne and Zara -

eporter from a gossip tabloid stood near the floral

e reporter whisper

," said a soft

m-in-her-eyes look as Zara, but sharper. Observant. Aware. Her eye

member and longtime business associate, stood speaking to a cluster of forei

ther inte

e. Zayne took it and unfolded it with one han

nned the wor

ala isn't just a party tonight, Z

igna

it into his inner jacket pocket. His jaw set. "We

o?" sh

dn't

-

- The

ir. The city below pulsed with lights.

already there -

," kene said, swirling his

"Should I be worried

e got secrets

ilence. Ten

built an empire, Zayne. But remember - e

ty, leaving Zayne with the echo

-

side -

A singer crooned something haunting. Sh

sipping wine and trying no

ve him," Lana

hed. "What make

n't breathe around him

idn't

the light

ief. Barely n

ot by

that f

eone was playing a v

-