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The next day at school, Riele sensed a subtle change in the air. Jace's friends seemed more interested in her than usual, their gazes lingering with a curiosity she couldn't ignore. It was almost as if they were trying to figure out who Felix really was, reading between the lines she'd carefully crafted. She had to tread carefully; her mother's expectations hung over her like a shadow, and Jace's father's suspicion loomed even larger.
Jace found her by her locker, flashing her an easy smile. "Come with me," he said, his voice carrying a touch of mischief.
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "Where?"
"You'll see." Without waiting for her response, he led her down the hall and out to the parking lot, where his car waited.
They drove in comfortable silence, the cityscape rushing by as he took her through the winding roads leading toward the outskirts of town. They finally pulled up to a quiet, secluded park tucked away from the bustling city.
"Why here?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Jace shrugged, his gaze distant. "Sometimes, I just need a break from… everything. This is my escape." He glanced at her, his expression softer. "And I thought maybe you could use one, too."
She managed a small smile, touched by his thoughtfulness. But the weight of her deception pulled her down, reminding her that this escape was fleeting, a fragile moment they both would have to leave behind.
They walked along the narrow, tree-lined path, the quiet atmosphere wrapping them in a strange, comfortable silence. As they neared a bench overlooking a small lake, Jace sat down, motioning for her to join him.
"So, Felix," he began, his tone light but his gaze intense, "we've known each other for a while now. Yet, you're still a mystery."
Riele's heart pounded. She forced herself to stay calm, meeting his gaze with a teasing smile. "Maybe I just like to keep people guessing."
Jace chuckled, but his gaze softened as he looked at her. "You're different, you know that? It's like… sometimes I feel like I know you better than anyone, but other times, you're a complete stranger."
Her chest tightened, the guilt gnawing at her. He was right, of course—he knew only the version of herself she'd crafted for the mission. But the real Riele, the girl beneath the mask, was hidden from him. And it was better that way. Safer.
She forced a laugh, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Well, maybe you'll figure me out eventually."
But Jace's gaze didn't waver. He leaned closer, his voice low, almost a whisper. "What if I already have?"
The air grew thick with tension, his words hanging between them like a challenge. Riele's pulse quickened, a mixture of fear and longing swirling within her. She knew she should pull back, keep the distance that her mother's plan demanded. But a part of her didn't want to.
Just as the moment grew too intense, the sharp ring of her phone broke the silence. She glanced at the screen—her mother. Her stomach twisted, reality crashing back in.
"Sorry," she murmured, stepping away to answer.
Her mother's voice was cold and direct. "We have a situation. I need you home now."
"Understood," Riele replied, her tone carefully neutral.
As she ended the call, she turned back to Jace, forcing a smile. "I have to go. Family stuff."
Disappointment flickered in his eyes, but he nodded, his expression unreadable. "I get it. Maybe next time."
Riele left with a heavy heart, feeling the weight of her choices press down on her. Every step she took felt like a betrayal, each lie a thread pulling her further into a tangled web