[Shawn’s Place]
Betty stepped out of the shower, her damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders. The warmth from the steam still clung to her skin, but the mont her eyes landed on Shawn—still seated at his desk, focused on his laptop—her brows slowly drew together.
She hadn’t ant to feel disheartened.
But ever since Anna had indirectly planted a tiny seed of thought in her heart, Betty found herself growing more aware... more curious. Curious about where she and Shawn stood. Curious about how much space she truly occupied in his life.
They were taking things slow—intentionally. Shawn’s main focus had always been for her to complete her studies while he supported her from the sidelines. He never wanted to distract her from her goals. And Betty admired him deeply for that.
Still... that didn’t an she didn’t want to enjoy being in love.
Her brief flicker of irritation softened as she watched him work. The seriousness in his expression, the slight furrow in his brow—it made her heart warm despite herself.
Her anger dissolved.
Slowly, quietly, she padded across the room and leaned down beside him.
"Aren’t you done yet?" she whispered near his ear, her tone soft and teasing.
Shawn paused, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He turned his head slowly, only to find her blinking at him innocently, lips curved in a subtle pout.
He hadn’t intended to bring work ho. He rarely did. But this involved Anna, and he couldn’t afford to overlook anything.
"I just need a mont," he replied, his eyes briefly darting back to the screen.
The anonymous number from which Anna had received the ssage still lingered on his display. He had already traced it. On the surface, it appeared clean—no glitches, no suspicious flags, nothing imdiately alarming. But that was exactly why he remained cautious.
Sotis, the cleanest trails were the most carefully designed.
He leaned back slightly, thoughtful. He wanted to keep monitoring it, just in case. He refused to let them be played without realizing it, not when he confird the number was restricted one.
Betty studied him for a second longer before straightening up.
"Fine," she said lightly, though a faint sigh escaped her.
She walked back to the bed, picked up her books, and tried to focus on her studies. If Shawn could be disciplined, so could she. She adjusted her glasses and began reading, determined not to let her thoughts wander.
But they did anyway.
After a few minutes, an idea crossed her mind.
Her lips slowly curved into a mischievous smile.
Without looking at him, she spoke casually, "You know... if you keep choosing your laptop over , I might start believing you are losing interest of "
Shawn’s fingers froze mid-type.
He turned his head slowly. "You know I won’t"
Betty flipped a page innocently, pretending to remain focused on her book. "Then prove it. Show how much of an important person I am in your life or I might develop an insecurity towards your laptop which is clearly stealing my boyfriend right now"
She risked a glance at him—and nearly laughed at the expression on his face.
"Betty," he warned, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Now fully amused, she closed her book and sat cross-legged on the bed. "Relax. I’m teasing."
But the playful challenge in her eyes told him she wasn’t entirely done.
She tilted her head. "So tell , Mr. Responsible... how much longer is ’a mont’ exactly?"
Shawn shut his laptop slowly.
Maybe work could wait five minutes.
The couple had no idea when their playful teasing had shifted into sothing far more intense. One mont they were laughing, challenging each other with lighthearted remarks, and the next they were tangled together, caught in the heat of their emotions.
Ti slipped away unnoticed.
By the ti they were done, exhaustion clung to them heavily. Betty rested against Shawn’s chest, her breathing slow and steady, while his arm remained loosely wrapped around her waist. Neither of them had the energy to move back to their proper sides of the bed. Sleep claid them almost instantly, peaceful and unaware.
The room fell silent.
Minutes later, the faint glow of the laptop screen broke through the darkness.
Without warning, it flickered to life.
A notification sound—soft but sharp in the stillness—cut through the quiet. A new ssage had appeared.
It was from the sa anonymous number.
***
anwhile, Collin had already left Norma’s place. The night air was cool, the streets dimly lit and unusually quiet. He kept his hands tucked into his coat pockets, his expression unreadable as he walked down the narrow pavent.
But a few steps later, a faint sensation crept up his spine.
He wasn’t alone.
At first, it was only instinct—the subtle awareness that soone else’s footsteps were echoing a second too late behind his own. He didn’t turn around imdiately. Instead, he slowed his breathing and kept walking as if nothing was wrong.
The shadow persisted.
Collin’s jaw tightened slightly. So they had finally decided to make a move.
Without breaking character, he adjusted his pace, walking a little faster. The footsteps behind him followed suit. Not rushed. Not careless. Whoever it was, they were trying to remain cautious.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Collin’s lips.
He turned right at the next intersection.
The footsteps followed.
Then he quickened his stride, taking another sharp turn into a quieter lane. The streetlights were fewer here, the shadows thicker. He could almost feel the person closing the distance.
Suddenly, Collin disappeared around another corner.
The man following him rushed forward—only to find the lane empty.
Confusion flickered across his face. He scanned left and right, montarily disoriented.
That was his mistake.
Before he could react, an arm snaked around his neck from behind, locking him in a tight chokehold. Collin had erged silently from a narrow side passage—a hidden shortcut only a few locals knew about.
He pulled the man back into the darkness, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Looking for soone?" Collin whispered coldly into the man’s ear.
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