"Don!"
We both snapped our heads toward the entrance the mont Lisa burst in, clutching an iPad to her chest.
"Ahem! Have I interrupted sothing?" The lack of surprise in her eyes suggested otherwise, but she dipped them as if regretful. "My apologies. I ca in as soon as I could. The reports on the shipping made to Midnight are here. It’s urgent."
"I-I need to go..." I said, frantic as I got down from the bench before he had the chance to hold in place.
I took off the earmuff, and scurried out of the shooting range, quick on my feet until I was sure I was successfully far away.
My heart was beating so fast that it slowed down, so I had to take a mont to collect myself. I rested my back against the wall, hands on my chest, monitoring as the speed of my heartbeat reduced.
I’m never gonna be in the sa room as Zade again. Never. I can’t fucking control my damn body around him. It was almost as if I was cursed to succumb to him no matter what.
What exactly did he do to ? Why am I—! I gritted my teeth, not wanting to think about that right now.
This was my chance.
As long as Ms. Plastic had brought whatever urgent news I had to seize this opportunity.
I headed straight for Zade’s office, stealing glances around for any maids or Salvero n that could be lurking around, but thankfully, this place was as clear as the desert.
I got to his office, silently praying as I grabbed the doorknob.
It’s open. Oh, thank God!
I got in and closed the door quietly. I eyed the office, taking a deep breath as I walked closer to the table.
My eyes scanned the laptop and the docunts neatly arranged. I was careful as I took the papers apart.
When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I walked to the bookshelf covering the left side of the office.
My search took much ti because I had to make sure I didn’t take anything apart and give the idea that anyone had been here.
I went on my tiptoe, straining my neck to see, but I ca up with no luck, just more books that had nothing to do with my search.
I knew what my sister’s diary looked like, but so far I can’t find it. When I thought about the possibility of Zade having the diary, my first guess was he could be keeping it in his office, then if not here... his room.
That was the last place I wanna be right now.
"Suck it up, Ana!" I scolded myself, threading my fingers through my hair in distress.
My eyes road the office once more to check if there were any place I haven’t checked yet.
I descended my gaze to the drawers attached to the table. I rushed to it and dropped to my knees to pull them open, but found it stuck, not stuck but locked.
"Really? Not a locked office but a locked drawer. Asshat!"
Suddenly I heard the door, and in an instant I ducked my head, hands against the floor.
Zade’s here!
Instead of footsteps, I heard a creak.
"There’s no need to hide. I already saw you."
That voice wasn’t Zade’s.
Slowly, I peeked and saw Caleb. He had his neck tilted as if to make out more.
"Anastasia?"
"Fuck!" I muttered under my breath before pushing to my feet.
"Ah, it is you."
"Good morning!" I chirped.
"It’s afternoon."
"All still the sa, at least you’re not moving around like a ghost."
My attempts to make this sound more light-hearted only made wanna slap my mouth shut.
"I-I was just um..."
"Do you know why Zade leaves his office open, and why there are no guards stationed at the gates?"
My mouth fell open with no words coming out.
"That’s because he cultivates the illusion of carelessness. It lures in his enemies who are foolish enough to mistake confidence for weakness. So be careful, I almost mistook you for an enemy."
I swallowed a lump in my throat. "R-Right, that’s um good to know."
His eyes bored into in a way that made shift awkwardly on my feet. "You were looking for Zade? That explains why you’re here, right?"
"Y-Yes, so I thought I’d hang around for a while, but then I realized how bad that idea was, so I panicked when I heard the door."
"I see. He is at the shooting range right now, probably where the rest of my brothers are."
"Thanks!" I pitched. "Just don’t tell Zade I was here."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"It’s embarrassing enough that I ca to see him even when I usually don’t. It’s out of character for .
"Mm..."
I gulped. ntally praying he bought that lie, I’m shaking where I was, but I did my best to maintain my smile.
"Alright. It’s not my business anyway. I found the door open, and even though he doesn’t lock it, he never leaves it open."
I thought I closed it.
"Though I have a condition, if it’s not too much trouble."
"C-Condition?"
Caleb smiled, redirecting his wheelchair.
"Have tea with ."
Tea?
He was already wheeling away before I had a chance to reply.
I lingered for a while before I followed after him.
Caleb led to the library. When he noticed I didn’t co in, he said, "I’m inviting you this ti so you’re not trespassing."
"Right..." I mumbled under my breath as I walked in.
I was once again taken over by the sight of the library. I got distracted when Caleb rounded the table and grabbed the silver teapot.
"You were being serious..."
"Want sothing stronger instead?"
"N-No, this is fine..."
I can’t rember the last ti I had tea, just good old coffee.
"Have a seat."
I awkwardly pulled down my chemise and sat down. I wasn’t comfortable because I was missing a particular piece of coverage.
"Don’t worry, I won’t take too much of your ti. I just needed company."
He poured tea into my cup.
"Dante usually cos around, but he’s too busy preparing for the hunt."
"Are you um... participating?"
"No."
"Oh..."
"And it’s not for the reason you think. I simply chose not to take part in those activities."
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