Mia sat on the rooftop, the evening wind tugging gently at her hair. Her cracked phone lay in her hands, the network flickering unpredictably. She tapped the screen again and again, frustration rising with each failed attempt.
"The network is a mess," she muttered, teeth clenched.
The memory of her call with Ethan replayed in her mind, the clipped words, the calm authority in his voice, the way he always seemed to command every situation without raising it. Her chest tightened at the thought.
She rubbed her palms together unconsciously, trying to ground herself, though it did little to calm her racing heartbeat.
Her gaze flicked to the cracked screen. The names on her contact list blurred before her eyes. With trembling fingers, she finally managed to press Auntie Ann's number, and just as relief began to seep in, the network stabilized.
She exhaled slowly.
Then a new message appeared from an unknown number, pulling her attention away.
"Wow… looks like the message has been there for a while. This stupid phone," she muttered.
She tapped on it, her pulse quickening. She already knew who it was from.
Without thinking further, she hurried down from the rooftop, almost stumbling in her haste. A sharp smell of smoke hit her as she nearly collided with someone.
"Slow down, queeny," Maxine teased with a playful smirk.
"Sorry, sorry," Mia said, forcing a small smile.
"Enjoy your date," she winked.
"Oh, please," Mia mouthed.
"I'll treat both of you next time," Mia quickly said, already hurrying off. She didn't look back.
"No worries," Maxine replied, she watched her leave, a faint, knowing smile resting on her lips.
At home, Mia pulled open her wardrobe. Practicality over style, she didn't have the luxury to care tonight. A pair of jeans and a faded top were enough. She tied her hair into a high ponytail and applied a quick swipe of lip balm.
That would do.
Her mind was already racing ahead.
Minutes later, she was in a taxi, the city lights blurring past. She leaned back, forcing herself to breathe steadily.
One step at a time.
-------
The restaurant was quiet. Completely empty. Soft lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the polished tables. Glasses shimmered faintly, chairs perfectly aligned, not a single detail out of place. No voices. No footsteps. Just stillness.
Ethan had booked the entire place.
He sat at the center table, posture rigid, fingers lightly brushing the polished surface. A glass of untouched wine sat before him. Fifteen minutes passed, and the staff moved silently, careful not to disturb him.
When the doors opened, Mia stepped in, slightly out of breath. Her eyes scanned the empty room before settling on him. She walked over and sat down across from him.
Their eyes met.
His gaze was sharp, piercing, almost as if he could see through her.
"Fifteen minutes late," he said flatly.
"You ended the call abruptly. I saw your message late," she replied, brushing her hair back, trying to steady her hands.
The silence between them felt heavy.
"You broke a rule," he said.
"What?" Mia frowned. "That wasn't in the contract. And besides, you caused the delay."
"It wasn't stated," he replied calmly. "I added it."
Mia leaned forward slightly. "Almighty Mr. Ethan, that's a joke. I didn't break any rule and I'm not paying a fine."
"Nobody said you were."
Mia scoffed under her breath.
Ethan leaned back, studying her without saying a word. His gaze was steady, calculating, as if weighing something unseen.
"Why did you ask me to meet you?" he finally asked.
"Now you're talking," she said lightly, a small smile forming.
A flicker of annoyance crossed his face, but it disappeared just as quickly.
"Am I staying with you during the contract?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Why can't I stay separately?"
"It's in the contract. You apparently skipped that part," he said evenly. "Gold-digger habits, I assume."
Mia blinked. "Oh, really? Then when am I moving in?"
"Tonight."
She stiffened. "Can I ask for a favour? Give me a month. Just a few weeks to prepare. It's important."
"Don't negotiate," he said firmly. "Tonight."
His gaze held hers, leaving no room for argument.
--------
Across the city, the mansion was silent. Sebastian stepped into the dim hallway, his shoes crunching lightly against broken glass. The metallic scent in the air made him pause.
Blood.
His eyes moved over the scene, overturned furniture, shattered frames, dark stains spreading across the floor.
"Clean job," he muttered with a faint smirk.
He pulled out his phone, attempting to call Ethan, but there was no signal.
"He's probably with her," he said quietly, a knowing look crossing his face.
His fingers moved quickly as he typed a message.
Back at the restaurant, Mia sat still, her fingers tightening around her bag. Her thoughts drifted to Brielle. Everything had to be arranged. Auntie Ann needed to take full charge.
Ethan studied her for a moment before his phone buzzed.
He glanced down. For a brief second, something changed.
His expression hardened. Subtle, but clear.
Colder than before.
Mia noticed, but she didn't ask.
It wasn't her place.
She simply looked away, pretending not to see.
Ethan locked his phone and placed it back on the table. When he looked at her again, his face was calm, controlled, as if nothing had happened.
And somehow, that made it worse.