elaney greeted a coworker she passed in the hallwa
ropped the files she was carrying,
hing to gather the papers. Delaney chuckl
you're getting comfortable around
ng relieved. "I'll t
uredly. "Just get the files orga
r system and start working. The familiar glow of the screens and the hum of t
a coffee for herself; it helped h
ent reports when the door to her small
is
fortless chaos, she leaned against the doorframe, arms
sley announc
w. "Just us, or is T
Delaney swore she saw them rotat
or
coffed. "
rin. "So... I can in
shot her
to cover the bill, and since I can't tole
d knowingly, t
on't like him. I just like fr
Delane
ver. I'll be in my office. Five minutes." And wi
her attention to her screen. Just as she reached for her coffee
yl
omach
he picked
Laney!
d sugary as ever, and Delaney imm
out to ask," Delaney said,
laug
aught up, and Alex and I were talking about you last night. He thin
elaney frown
er with us. I'll cook. We can talk, you know, t
old t
eyes. "How many times do we have to ca
mm
y sighed, exhalin
added quickly, her voice softening.
hed. "Fine.
l text you
rig
! Love
ed at her phone for a moment before muttering, "Gues
ughts, her door opened again. Tyler strolle
up. "Paisley a
iting me?" T
o, actually. She to
knew she couldn'
ing." Delaney chuckl
ned wider. "So, w
before Paisley e
ey pushed aside the uneas
*
NACLE INTE
tional reflected the steel-gray sky, standing as a s
flipping through documents as his secretary stood in f
etbacks with the Singapore branch. Nothing critical, but the board expects a ful
ex asked witho
s,
oo
before continuing. "Ther
y glanced u
m a few weeks ago. Nothing got through, but IT flagged it as highly sophis
fingers tapping against the des
erst
Go
slightly before stepping out. The door remained ajar
time n
ened. His jaw tightene
"Relax. Just thou
fingers curling into
*
ER MANSION
ing in the modern architecture, the pristine lands
eath. Kayla's really
thoughts, she kn
, Kayla answe
it!" The
rced a smi
me
shed elegance of the home-the high ceilings, the marble flo
before Kayla looped an arm around he
excited to finally meet yo
at the table filled with feast Kayla pre
how's
d, swirling the drink in h
a be
's so much to do. The dress fittings, th
ed from the staircase. Alex descended, his eyes fixed on his phone as he typed out a
is gaze sweeping the room before settling on Delaney
elay," he said, po
d deliberate. Delaney watched him, her eyes narrow
his eyes locking onto Delaney's for a
did I
ing m
. "It's good to final
ed, without
?" Alex asked,
d a shoulder.
eing modest. She's actu
hum
o you do?" He asked
a second. "Marketing.
irked s
of any business. A weak brand presenc
little caught off g
She force
ed. "See?
la's upcoming wedding plans. Delaney found herself watching Alex closely, t
ere halfway th
one vi
st. But then it buzz
ket. His face darkened for a split second
as he strode tow
rk. He's always busy. Sometimes I feel lik
sently. But somet
es pa
idn't
e table. They loaded the dishwasher, and Kayla started c
g room," Kayla said, rinsing a
a moment, she said, "Actually
ownstairs is under repai
hands on a dish towel bef
A voice. Alex's voice. Low, sharp. She crept close
of him myself." Alex's voice came throu
ath caught. W
move. Then- Silence. She barely had time
as com