The evening sky had darkened by the time Malia stepped into the sleek, minimalist restaurant, its modern décor a stark contrast to the emotions swirling inside her. She had agreed to meet Nixus, though every instinct in her screamed to turn around and walk away. It was a delicate balance between curiosity and suspicion, one she hadn't quite mastered when it came to him.
Nixus was already seated at the far corner of the restaurant, his posture as commanding as ever. Despite the genteel atmosphere of the place, he looked as though he belonged in a much darker setting—an executive in his element, always calculating, always a step ahead. His sharp suit and the smooth way he held his glass of wine betrayed his ease, but there was an edge to him tonight, something that lingered in the air, electric and unspoken.
