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Riele sat in her room, replaying the events of the gala in her mind. She could still feel the warmth of Jace's hand on hers, the longing in his eyes as he'd asked her to stay. Every instinct told her to pull away, to focus on the mission. But her heart betrayed her, refusing to let him slip from her thoughts.
Just then, her phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality. She checked the screen—it was a message from her mother.
"Report. Now."
With a sigh, Riele got up and headed to her mother's study, where her mother awaited her with that same unreadable gaze, her expression colder than usual.
"You went to Jace's family's gala," her mother said, not a question but a statement of fact.
Riele kept her composure, nodding. "Yes. I thought it was the best opportunity to get closer to him and learn more about his family's business."
Her mother's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. But you need to be careful. His father is no fool, and he's known to have spies everywhere. He won't hesitate to crush anyone who threatens him."
Riele's chest tightened, but she gave a slight nod. "Understood."
"Then make yourself indispensable to Jace," her mother continued, a glint of steel in her gaze. "Find out his father's vulnerabilities. And remember, you're not there to make friends or… attachments. This is business."
Riele's heart sank, the weight of her mother's expectations pressing down on her. She nodded, knowing that arguing was pointless. With a final glance, her mother dismissed her, and Riele left the study, feeling more trapped than ever.
---
At school the next day, Riele found Jace waiting by her locker, his gaze brighter than usual as he handed her a coffee. "Figured you might need this. Late night, huh?"
She forced a smile, taking the cup. "You have no idea."
He chuckled, walking with her down the hallway. "It was...different having you there last night. My father didn't mention it, but I think he was a bit suspicious."
Riele's heart skipped a beat. "Suspicious?"
"Yeah, he doesn't trust easily. Anyone who gets close to me automatically becomes a target in his eyes." He shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "But I told him not to worry."
Riele forced herself to laugh, though the sound felt hollow. She couldn't ignore the thrill of danger that ran through her veins. But beneath that, there was a deepening sense of fear. Jace's father wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone he viewed as a threat—and if he discovered her true purpose, the consequences would be devastating.
They continued walking until they reached the school courtyard, where a group of Jace's friends were gathered. One of them, a tall guy with an easy smile named Liam, waved them over.
"Felix! Jace told us you were coming to the gala last night. You should've stayed longer; it was a good time."
Riele forced a smile. "Next time, maybe."
Another friend, a girl named Sara, leaned in with a smirk. "So, Felix, any big secrets you're hiding?"
The question was lighthearted, but it caught Riele off guard. Her mind raced, remembering her mother's warning, the tightrope she was walking. She managed a chuckle. "Nothing as interesting as you might think."
Jace's gaze lingered on her, his eyes searching as if he could sense her guardedness. She felt a pang of guilt, knowing how deeply he trusted her, unaware of the lies woven between them.
As the day went on, Riele kept her distance, hoping the space would calm her racing heart. But every time she looked at Jace, saw the trust and affection in his gaze, her resolve weakened. She wanted to be honest, to let him see the real her—the girl who had dreams, fears, and a heart that betrayed her with every glance.
But honesty was a luxury she couldn't afford.
---
Later that evening, Riele returned home, her mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts. She barely noticed Marcus waiting for her outside her room until he cleared his throat.
"Your mother wants an update," he said, his voice emotionless.
Riele hesitated. "Tell her I'm making progress."
Marcus's gaze didn't waver, but a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. "Careful, Riele. I've seen others get in too deep before, letting emotions cloud their judgment. You don't want that to happen to you."
She stiffened, her jaw clenching. "I know what I'm doing."
But as Marcus left, doubt crept into her mind. She knew he was right—she was walking a dangerous path, one that could unravel everything if she wasn't careful. And yet, a part of her longed to take the risk, to let herself fall deeper into Jace's world, consequences be damned.
---
The following weekend, Riele found herself on the rooftop of a downtown building, a clandestine meeting point where her mother's men often exchanged information. She had barely arrived when Marcus joined her, his expression grim.
"Your mother has new orders," he said, handing her a sealed envelope. "She wants you to ensure Jace trusts you completely, and that his family is vulnerable."
Riele took the envelope, her stomach knotting. "Understood."
But as Marcus left, she felt a chill settle over her. Her mother's demands were escalating, the stakes growing higher. She knew that the deeper she went, the harder it would be to find her way back.
As she looked out over the city skyline, her thoughts returned to Jace. She could still feel the warmth of his hand, the way he'd looked at her as if she were the only person in the world. But she knew she was walking a dangerous line, one that could end in betrayal and heartbreak.
And as she stood there, the weight of her choices pressing down on her, she realized that there was no turning back. The path she'd chosen was dark, and the only way forward was to keep going, even if it meant losing herself in the process