As Pia pulled away, a smile still on her lips, she felt a small sense of relief. Zephany had really done it. Even if her explanation seed a bit shaky, it was still an incredible feat.
Varen Enterprises.
Pia hated to admit it, but she was genuinely curious. The mysterious Cassius Varen rarely made public appearances. Everything about him was shrouded in secrecy, adding to the allure. Wealthy, powerful, untouchable — people could only speculate about his private life.
She rembered that night vividly.
The lavish gala. The elegant gowns. The clinking of glasses.
She’d only gone for one reason — to chase gossip. Sneaking into the event under the guise of "just checking the atmosphere" had seed like a brilliant idea at the ti. After all, a scoop from an elite gathering like that could’ve finally elevated her stagnant career.
But the mont she saw Zephany at the venue, she beca even more determined to get a big scoop — not just for herself, but to help Zephany secure the story and save her job.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
Just as Zephany was called out by Sophia Sparkle, soone recognized her. One mont she was stealthily scanning the crowd, and the next, a firm voice cut through the air.
"You’re not supposed to be here."
Humiliated, she had no choice but to leave. She hadn’t even gotten a proper look at Cassius Varen. Just a glimpse of his tall fra, a sharp suit, and an unsettling air of authority.
Still, she was thrilled for Zephany. Even if Pia’s plan had failed, at least her friend’s career had taken a step forward.
"Okay, enough serious talk," Pia declared, giving Zephany a playful nudge. "We should celebrate. Free coffee’s not going to cut it. Dinner tomorrow night, my treat!"
Zephany smiled softly. "That sounds nice."
"Great! And who knows, maybe I’ll get so inspiration from you and finally get my own scoop!" Pia winked.
Zephany only laughed, though a small pang of guilt tugged at her.
If only Pia knew.
One year. Just one year. Then it’ll be over.
She could only hope the truth would stay buried until then.
---
Evening ca swiftly. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the city in warm light, but for Zephany, it only brought a heavy reminder — the apartnt.
Not her usual ho or a comforting retreat, but the new space she shared with Kendrick.
It was part of the arrangent. One year of marriage. One year under the sa roof.
Her fingers fumbled with the keys, hesitating for a mont before she finally unlocked the door. The faint sound of the bustling street faded away as she stepped inside.
Then, it hit her.
The rich, inviting aroma of ho-cooked food filled the air. A blend of garlic, herbs, and sothing savory lingered, wrapping around her like an old mory.
For a brief second, she forgot everything — the contract, the awkwardness, the secrets. Instead, warmth flooded her chest. It reminded her of the days when her parents used to cook together, laughter echoing through their kitchen. How long had it been since she’d co ho to a al like this?
"Kendrick?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.
From the kitchen, Kendrick popped his head out, strands of dark hair falling slightly over his forehead. His apron was tied neatly, and a bit of flour dusted his hands. He smiled, though a hint of nervousness danced in his eyes.
"You’re back." He cleared his throat. "Well... hmm, I cooked dinner for us. You’re right on ti."
Zephany blinked, her gaze shifting past him. The small dining table, once bare, was now set with plates of steaming dishes. A pot of creamy soup. A pan of golden-brown roast chicken. Crisp vegetables. It was simple, but undeniably hoy.
"You cooked all this?" Her voice cracked slightly.
"I tried," Kendrick replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I kept it basic."
For a mont, Zephany just stood there, staring. The scents, the effort — it was all overwhelming. mories of her parents ca rushing back, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up.
Kendrick’s smile faded. He stepped closer, his brows furrowed in concern.
"Zephany? What’s wrong? Did I do sothing?" His voice was laced with panic. "Is the food not okay? I-I can order sothing if you want—"
"No!" Zephany quickly shook her head, forcing a laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "It’s not that."
"Then what is it?"
She blinked rapidly, brushing away the tears with the back of her hand. "I’m fine. I just—" She inhaled sharply, grasping for a believable excuse. "It’s been so long since I had a ho-cooked al. I guess it just... brought back mories."
Kendrick’s tense shoulders relaxed, though concern still lingered. "I see."
"But enough of that." Zephany straightened, pushing a smile onto her face. "It slls amazing. Let’s eat before it gets cold."
Kendrick hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay. I’ll get the soup."
They settled at the table, the atmosphere sowhat lighter.
The clinking of utensils and the occasional scrape of plates filled the room. Kendrick ate quietly, occasionally stealing glances at Zephany. She seed calr now, though the slight redness in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
Zephany, on the other hand, focused on her al, savoring every bite. Each spoonful of the creamy soup ward her from the inside out. She wanted to say sothing, maybe thank him again, but the words never quite ca.
Instead, Kendrick spoke first.
"Did... work go well?"
Zephany paused, her fork hovering mid-air. "Yeah," she replied softly. "Mr. Davidson was surprisingly nice today."
"That’s good."
"And Pia was... well, Pia." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "She wants to celebrate. Dinner tomorrow, her treat."
"That sounds nice." Kendrick’s expression softened. "She seems like a good friend."
"She is," Zephany murmured.
The conversation faded, but the silence wasn’t entirely uncomfortable.
After dinner, the apartnt grew quiet.
Zephany stood by the sink, rinsing her hands, the warmth of the al still lingering in her chest. Kendrick had insisted on doing most of the cleaning, which left her with little to do. It was a simple al, but sohow it had left a mark — the kind that reminded her of the past, of family dinners and laughter that echoed through the house.
But those days were gone. And now, she was here. Sharing a space with Kendrick. A man she barely knew outside their agreent.
"Goodnight," Kendrick’s voice broke the silence as he dried his hands.
"Goodnight," she echoed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
They exchanged a polite nod before retreating to their rooms.
Both were thinking the sa thing — check The Archive and plan their next move.
They couldn’t just wait for the contract to be fulfilled before getting the information they needed.
They had to find other ways, even if it ant starting over in The Archive.
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