When Abraham saw that Zooni's breath was truly hitching and her nerves had reached their breaking point, he abruptly eased the pressure. He pulled his hands back from the wall where they had been pinned and let out a deep, magnetic laugh.
**Abraham:** (Laughing as he stepped back) "Hey, hey... **Relax!** I was only joking, Zooni. Breathe... there's no need to be that scared."
He placed a hand lightly on her head, the way one would comfort a child. His tone, which only moments ago had been laced with an intense obsession, was now soft and friendly.
**Abraham:** "Just relax. I told you I'd try to make you laugh. I just wanted to see if your 'boldness' was limited to Snapchat or if it existed in real life, too. But it turns out, you really are quite innocent."
Zooni exhaled a long, shaky breath, as if she had just been granted a new lease on life. Her heart was still hammering against her ribs, but the panic was beginning to sharpen into anger.
**Zooni:** (Straightening her clothes, fuming) "Abraham! Are you insane? I was terrified! What kind of joke is that? Do you have any idea how scared I was?"
**Abraham:** (Still smirking) "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But you look so stunning in emerald green that I couldn't resist teasing you a little. Come on now, wash your face and come out... your business is waiting for you. I'll be standing right outside."
Abraham unlocked the restroom door and stepped out, but before leaving, he turned back one last time. Catching her eye, he gave her a wink.
**Abraham:** "But remember... it won't be a joke every time."
Zooni stood frozen, staring at her flushed face in the mirror. She couldn't decide whether she wanted to slap him or fall even harder for his devastating charm.
.