[EVE]

    "Oh, Eve. Why don''t you ask Cole later when he comes back? That is . . . if he comes back to you after tonight."

    The call ended before I could respond, the empty silence on the line leaving me more shaken than her words. I tried calling back, but it went straight to voicemail. Again and again, the same thing—no answer.

    "Damn it!" I muttered under my breath, slamming my phone onto the desk. My hands trembled as I leaned against the table, staring blankly at the screen. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last.

    Anger surged through me—at Elena, at Cole, at myself for not knowing what was going on. But beneath that anger was something far more unsettling: worry.

    This wasn''t like Cole. He didn''t just disappear like this, didn''t leave me to stew in silence without an explanation. Something about this felt . . . off.

    Gripping my phone tightly, I dialed Zen''s number. If anyone knew where Cole was, it had to be him. The line rang, and each second felt like an eternity as my chest tightened with anxiety.

    Please pick up. Please tell me this is all just some ridiculous misunderstanding.

    But deep down, I knew this wasn''t just about dinner. Something was wrong—terribly wrong. And despite my anger, despite the betrayal that lingered in the back of my mind, I couldn''t help but worry. Because this wasn''t like Cole. And whatever the reason, I needed answers.

    === ???? ===

    [COLE]

    Cole stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. The fabric felt suffocating, his chest tight with unease as he stared at his reflection.

    Something was wrong—terribly wrong—but he couldn''t seem to stop himself. His hands moved of their own accord, smoothing down wrinkles in his shirt, fixing his hair just the way he knew Elena liked it. His mind screamed at him to stop, to turn around and leave, but his body betrayed him.

    It was like a nightmare he couldn''t escape.

    He didn''t even know why he agreed to this. The thought of seeing Elena, of sitting across from her at that restaurant, filled him with dread and guilt.

    Eve''s face flashed in his mind, her soft smile, the way she always looked at him like he was her whole world. The memory was like a lifeline, something to hold on to—but it wasn''t enough.

    His feet moved toward the door, his keys jingling in his hand. No matter how much he fought, something else was in control.

    By the time he reached the restaurant, the sun had already set, casting the world in shades of gold and crimson. He paused at the entrance, his heart pounding in his chest as if warning him to turn back. But then he saw her.

    Cole hesitated, a flicker of resistance sparking within him. But it was quickly snuffed out as she stepped closer, her hand brushing against his arm. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver down his spine, and before he knew it, he was following her out of the restaurant.

    Her apartment wasn''t far, and the walk was filled with silence that buzzed with tension. Cole''s mind raced, torn between desire and guilt, but his body continued to betray him. When they reached the door, Elena unlocked it and stepped inside, turning to face him with a smile that promised everything he didn''t know he wanted.

    "Come in," she said, her voice soft and seductive.

    He hesitated on the threshold, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. "Eve . . . she''ll—"

    "She''ll understand," Elena interrupted, her tone dismissive. "Or she won''t. Either way, it doesn''t matter. What matters is us."

    Her words were like a spell, and he found himself stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing his fate.

    But just as Elena reached for him, a voice cut through the charged silence like a blade. "That''s enough."

    Cole froze, his heart leaping into his throat. He turned to see Zen standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable but his face was serious.

    This was the first time he saw him without his usual grin. Instead, his expression was unreadable, almost cold. But what was he doing here? Hadn''t he said he didn''t need him?

    "Zen?" Cole''s voice was barely a whisper.

    Zen''s eyes flicked to Elena, cold and sharp. "What do you think you''re doing to our young master?"

    Elena''s smile faltered, and for the first time, she looked genuinely caught off guard. "Zen," she said, her tone sweet but wary. She knew Cole''s bodyguard and right hand man. "What are you doing here? And I''m pretty sure that this isn''t part of your work."

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    "Oh, it''s very much my business," Zen said, stepping forward with an air of authority. His gaze was sharp as steel as he added, "You see, Cole has somewhere important to be. So, if you''ll excuse us."

    Before Elena could protest, Zen firmly grabbed Cole''s arm. Cole, seemingly dazed and lifeless, followed him like a puppet on strings.

    Elena stood frozen, her lips parting as if to argue, but she stopped herself. Pushing too hard now could draw unwanted attention. She clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palms as she watched them leave.

    Zen led Cole into the car without hesitation. As they pulled away, Zen cast a cold, pointed glance back at Elena through the window.

    Elena responded with a slow, calculated smirk, masking the simmering frustration beneath. As the car disappeared from sight, she licked her lips and tilted her head, her smile deepening.

    "Oh, I''ll take my time," she murmured to herself, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "It''s more fun that way."