EYRE looked at the vast skyline through the glass wall of her office. She wasn’t her usual self since she walked into Christian’s life to take over Tessa’s place. She was always feeling anxious—every step she takes felt like she was walking on thin ice.

She was pulled out of her reverie when she heard the door open. Victoria went in.

“I thought you’re not coming today. You’re meeting Nicolas, don’t you?” Victoria sat on the guest’s chair, her legs crossed, one arm rested on the mahogany office table.

Eyre plopped down on her swivel chair.

“Samantha called me to come to check on something.” She propped her hand on her cheek.

“Is something bothering you?” Victoria asked worriedly.

Eyre raised her head and looked at Victoria. “I’m thinking about Tessa. What if—”

“Stop overthinking, Eyre.” She tapped her knuckles. “Just enjoy the moment and cross the bridge when you get there.”

Eyre let out a long, deep sigh. She shook her head, hoping to cast out her anxieties. “You’re right.”

Her cellphone rang; they both turned to its direction. Eyre immediately answered the call when she saw Christian’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hi, Christian.” She turned to Victoria; she was smiling sheepishly at her.

“I’m free for lunch, let’s dine together. I know a—”

“I’m sorry, Christian, I can’t.” She bit her lower lip, feeling a little regretful for turning him down. “I’m at the office right now. I have a very important appointment later. Let’s make it dinner, okay?”

“Oh, okay… See you tonight then.” He hung up.

She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It says quarter to twelve noon.

“I have to leave,” she said, tidying up her table.

“Why don’t you just tell Nicolas to come over? That would be convenient,” Victoria suggested.

“I already told him that, but he insisted that he’ll only meet me in the coffee shop across the road. Nicolas’ avoiding someone here.”

Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll see you later.”

Eyre kissed Victoria on the cheek before leaving.

Nicolas was already at the coffee shop when she arrived. She can’t help but notice the women inside the coffee shop, all eyes on him, lusting over him. But Nicolas doesn’t seem to care at all. He was silently sitting at a corner, scanning something on his cellphone.

“Hi.” She sat across him.

“You’re early.” He put his cellphone inside the pocket of his coat.

Eyre eyed the brown envelope on the table. Her heart beats fast. She already had an idea of what was inside.

“Any update about Tessa?” she nervously asked. A lump formed on her throat.

“Ah, let’s grab something to drink first. What do you want?” Nicolas stood up.

“No, thanks.”

“Oh, come on, Eyre. My threat.” He winked at her.

She caught a glimpse of a woman near them, scowling at her. The woman must have thought that he was dating her.

“Iced americano.”

“Iced americano coming up!” He went to the counter to order.

Eyre returned her gaze to the envelope. Her hand itched to open it and see what was inside. She was about to grab it when a cup of iced americano landed in front of her.

“Getting a little impatient, Miss Greene?” Nicolas said teasingly.

“It’s about Tessa. You found her, right?” Eyre’s eyes widened.

“Calm down. Calm down.” His fingers tapped on the envelope. “And yes, you’re right. I found her. Inside this envelope are pieces of evidence.”

Eyre sipped her iced americano to calm her down.

Nicolas pushed the envelope closer to her.

“So, where is she?” she asked.

“Relax, Eyre, Tessa can’t harm you when she’s in coma.”

Her brows creased. “Coma?”

“I found her at the hospital, and she’s in coma right now. I’m still investigating why. Pictures are inside the envelope.”

She quickly grabbed the envelope and opened it. Eyre saw pictures of Tessa lying on the hospital bed with a respirator attached to her mouth. What hurts the most was a picture of Tessa with their mother. She was taking care of her inside the intensive care unit.

‘And Tessa told everyone that she’s an orphan. Ungrateful bitch.’

“Why don’t you visit her, Eyre? She’s your sister. If you go to the hospital, you’ll know it all.” Nicolas scratched his forehead.

She glared at Nicolas. If only glare could kill for sure, he’ll be dead by now.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” He raised his hands up. “I was just suggesting.”

“What’s the address?” she asked coldly. Nicolas was stunned for a moment. Maybe he was having second thoughts. “Why? Do you think I’ll do something bad?”

He shook his head with matching crossed arms, and then he pointed behind her. Eyre turned to her back and saw Christian standing there. He was glaring at her. His facial muscles were clenching when he looked at Nicolas.

“C-Christian, what are you doing here?” She stood up immediately.

With blazing eyes, Christian turned to her, grasped her arm tightly and dragged her out of the coffee shop. Eyre flinched her arm, but Christian won’t free her.

“Let me go, Christian, you’re hurting me!” she exclaimed.

They stopped in front of his car. Christian look at her with fiery eyes that can burn one’s soul in an instant. He still holds her, but somehow he had loosened his grip.

Jealousy. Eyre could see that in his eyes.

“You said you have an important appointment. What the hell was that?!” His voice was loud. They caught the attention of some passers-by. “Fuck it, Eyre!”

She bit her lower lip. There’s no way she would tell him the real deal between her and Nicolas. It was a secret she must take to her grave.

“Christian, listen to—”

He pulled her closer.

“I don’t wanna see you with another man again, Eyre. I don’t care if that’s for business or fun. I swear you will not like the punishment if I ever caught you next time.” It was clear, he was warning her.

“Christian, could you please be rational?” she snapped.

“What?!” He gritted his teeth. His gripped tightened again.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” Eyre rolled her eyes.

“Don’t you dare roll those eyes on me again!” His eyes darkened.

Chills crept throughout her body. There was something in his eyes that wasn’t there before. It was darker than what she imagined. This was his true color. Christian wasn’t the lover boy most woman dreamed of. He was dominant—an untamed stallion on Eyre’s turf.

“Are you threatening me, Christian?” she asked without breaking eye contact.

Eyre saw his facial muscles clenched.

“Don’t try me, Eyre.” His voice was as cold as ice.

“Oh, c’mon, Herondale!”

“Excuse me, Ma’am,” a barista from the coffee shop interrupted them. “You forgot your bag.”

“Oh, thank—” Christian grabbed her bag. “You…”

He opened the door and forced her to get in.

“Get in,” he commanded.

“I need to—”

“Eyre…” He lowered his head, his mouth right next to her ear, and whispered, “Get inside the car now or, I’ll fuck you right here.”

With eyes wide shut, Eyre stared at Christian. His threat was ridiculous. He wouldn’t dare to that. Christian was the pillar of his company. He wouldn’t ruin his reputation just because he was jealous. But then, Eyre doesn’t want to make their argument long, she gave up and hopped inside his car.