orway, her heels tapping against the polished wood floor. The sharp scent of gin mingled with the faint sweetness perfume and the bitterness of coffee

at a corner table, one hand casually resting on the back of a chair. His tailored navy suit fit perfe

ickening. As she sat down, Thompson's eyes flicked

n?" he asked, sign

" she replied, her voice

orry-I won't judge. Much." He turned to the bartender

the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of ice against glass, and the occasional burst of l

is often, do you?" Thompson asked

ve a small laugh, tucking a

"A little. But it's refreshing. Most people here..

just trying to find my footing," she adm

oftening. "Starting over can be tough. But

glimpse of something deeper beneath his polished exterior. She found herse

about her struggles and dreams, her voice growing steadier with each word. Thompson listen

the table. His hand brushed hers, warm and steady, sending an unexpec

e," he murmured, his thu

d, a voice cut through

omp

rd their table, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. Her

xpectedly. His voice was calm, but

demanded, her gaz

ing. She opened her mouth to

e rising. "So this is why you've been

hands raised in a placating gestur

e trembling with fury. "I trusted you, T

that wasn't hers. She stood abruptly, her cha

in place. "You don't get to just

hompson, who looked torn, his usually comp

his voice firm. "This

fair when you started... whatever thi

ir, frustration evident in his eve

?" Maya demanded

in around them. Emily felt her pulse hammering in her

turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving

poke. The noise of the bar seem

y said, his voice low. "I di

efore she could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. S

k. Call me as

ame made her b

n the screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unable to move, her mind racing with questions that had no clear a

ings no one could know unless they were... watching. The hairs on the back of her neck stood

his gaze as it lingered on her from across the table. Emily glanced at him, her chest tightening as his eyes locked wit

too calm. His words felt like an invitation, but his pos

deeply, but knowing she had no choice. "It's... it's a warning," she finally said, her voice bare

g as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing

it was, but she felt something shift in the air, a sense of danger inching closer with every secon

ice was a little sharper now, hi

e. The question wasn't just about the message; it was about everything. About the way he'd been wat

ure on her chest, and she wondered if he, too, had been receiving strang

e quickly tried to compose herself, but the cold swea

is mind was miles away. The image of Emily-the way her eyes had shone that day they met, her nervous smile, the subtl

the haze of his thoughts. She had a way of noticing when something was off,

othing serious. I just... I've been thinking a lot about Emily." He

ith a raised eyebrow. "If you're not careful, you'll fall

s eyes clouded with uncertainty. "I know. I just... something abou

uiet but sincere. "I'm not saying you shouldn't follow your heart. Just make sure you know what yo

reet. The city lights painted everything in hues of gold and amber, but his

ence, a smile spreading across her face. It was a smile that made

hint of something deeper in it, someth

expression playful. "You're f

out a small box wrapped in delicate paper. "It

pected warmth through him, making his breath catch. She unwrapped the box slowly, revealing a small, hand-carved pendant-a deli

ntly tracing the petals. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, neither of the

an murmured, the words slippin

his time it was softer, more vulnerable. "Ethan

the moment-a harsh scraping sound of metal a

eyway, a man with a hood pulled low over his face. Her purse-a s

y, but the thief was already too fast, disapp

, his feet pounding against the pavement. Emily's voice called after him, but he

coming in ragged gasps. He could hear the scuffling sound ahead, the rush of adrenaline making his legs feel like lead

freshly baked bread from a nearby Cafe, the sting of the cool night air in his lungs. Every part o

heart raced. He couldn't lose him now. With one final burst of speed, he lunged

han wrestled with him, pinning the thief's arms to the cold con

ng go. His breath came in sharp gasps as he finally wrenche

ritted teeth, his voice low and dangerous. He could feel the adre

y entrance, the purse clutched tightly in his hand. His ey

her face pale with shock but her eyes

d gratitude. She took a few tentative steps toward him, he

e extended the purse toward her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. But Em

d hard. "You didn't

d see the weight of her emotions, the trust and the fear, mingling in the way her hand

you're safe," he said, his voi

world around them and the quiet intimacy they shared. Emily took the purse, he

ly audible over the hum of the city. "I do

ve to thank me," he murmured. "You're impor

echoed from behind them-footsteps rapidly approachi

from t

had just fou

ime, he wa

from her phone. Emily jumped, her heart racing as she grabb

re. They know you're c

he first time, she felt the full weight of what was

r face. His jaw tightened, and Emily felt a cold

in the room flickered once, twice,

eavy, deliberate-echoed

ce to make, but every option seemed anxious with risk. Could

ght. Their faces were obscured by masks, but their eyes gleamed with an unmistakable malice. Behind them, shadows shifted

instinctively wanting to put distance between herself and the threat, but Ethan could feel her hesitation, her

en. His gaze flickered between them, calculating, sizing them up. They had the advantage-two against one, and

ng in the air. "You've made a mistake, kid," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with

e, her fingers brushing his arm as if seeking reassurance. "Not a chance," Eth

he hairs on the back of Ethan's neck stand up. "You don't understand. Th

n him and the approaching men. She was trying to stay strong, but the fear in her

a reminder of the danger pressing in from all sides. "You're in over your h

with alarming speed. His movements were quick and precise, like a predator closing in on its

arc to block the man's advance. The punch he threw caught the masked man off guard, sen

"That's how it's going to be, huh?" he asked, stepping forward as the seco

metallic click echo

ound-one of the masked men was pulling something fro

were armed. He had no idea how many more there were, b

a sneer on his lips. "We'll take the purse, and then

the man's finger hovered near the trigger. Every muscle in Ethan's body tensed, every instinct screaming

feel her presence like a weight, a pressure pushing down on him. He needed to protect her

e barely audible but heavy with fea

ed, and he could see it in her eyes-her fear wasn't just about the purse, it was abo

understanding. And then, just as quickly, he turn

s be?" Ethan asked, his voice low, but this time there was something

spond, his finger tightening e

n the air snapped, like

r next move, a loud shout erupted from the end

EY

ows, another figure appeared, sprinting toward them. A man, dressed in dark clothes, his m

artled by the sudden interruption. The gunman

m, yanking it to the side just as the man's finger pulled the trigger. A shot

scre

ced the man back against the wall with a solid thud. The other masked man

with the heat of battle. He pushed harde

ch. The masked figures seemed to hesitate for just

dows lunged forward, knocking one of the att

citated, made a snap decision. "We're done here

eady backing up, disappearing into the

fight. The stranger had come to their rescue, but they were

t urgent. His face was partially obscured by a dark sca

s was on Emily, still standing frozen bes

stepping toward her, his h

fter a long, strained silence, sh

whispered. "Thank you. Both of you.

ether to comfort her or hold her back from the ov

had they targeted Emily? And who was the str

ocess everything. Not yet. T

Emily, that they wouldn't

his was-it was