"Thank you, dear. I do take pride in my home." Orion's mother said.
Evangeline's pulse calmed slightly as the butler appeared with a tray of delicate snacks that included tiny cakes and finger sandwiches that screamed money. The conversation shifted to small talk, mostly Orion's mother —whose name Evangeline found was Yvonne— asking polite questions about Evangeline's career, and Evangeline giving the safest answers she could, making sure to exclude things that would link back to her when they inevitably discovered that their most prized possession was now missing.
She could feel Orion's gaze on her the entire time. Watching her. Studying her. She didn't dare meet his eyes.
When the clock struck midnight, Evangeline decided it was time to leave.
"You don't have to go," Yvonne said as Evangeline rose to her feet. "Stay the night, dear. I'll have our finest guest room prepared for you."
Her chest tightened. She knew she couldn't risk staying. The gemstone was already missing—if they realized what had happened before she left, she'd never make it out of this house.
"That's very kind of you," Evangeline said, carefully placing her napkin down and giving Yvonne a soft smile. "But I need to get back home. My um— my cat is waiting for me."
"Your cat?" Yvonne tilted her head. "Surely a successful model like you has caretakers for such things."
Evangeline's heart slammed into her ribs. She hadn't thought this through. Her mouth opened and closed as her brain scrambled for an excuse.
Such a horrible lair.
"I don't trust other people with things like that," she blurted out, her voice tight and breathless. "He's very… sensitive."
Yvonne studied her for a long tortorous moment. Evangeline could feel herself sweating under the older woman's sharp gaze. Finally, Yvonne nodded. "I understand. I'm the same way with my orchids."
Evangeline nearly collapsed with relief.
Orion stood then, his long legs unfolding as he ran his long fingers through his soft hair. "I'll drive you to the airport," he said, his voice left no room for argument.
The car ride was quiet at first, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space. Evangeline stared out the window, focusing on the blur of city lights.
Orion was calm and unreadable, his hand lay resting casually on the steering wheel, his profile looked annoyingly perfect in the faint glow of the dashboard.
Finally, his lips parted to speak. "Do you really have a cat, or was that just an excuse to get away?"
Evangeline stiffened, her fingers gripping her purse. She glanced at him, his lips tilted into a knowing smirk.
"I have a cat," she lied again gruffly, though she could feel her face heating.
"Hmm." He didn't look convinced, but he didn't push it. Instead, his smirk softened, and he shifted his focus back to the road. "You'll come back, though, right?"
Evangeline's heart twisted. She wanted to lie. Wanted to say yes, to promise him she'd see him again. But she knew better… the system wouldn't let her stay. She couldn't afford to let herself get attached… and hinder herself from experiencing all the adventures Hadley promised.
"Maybe," she said softly, her voice was barely above a whisper.
Orion's lips tilted in a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
At the airport, Orion walked her to his private jet like the perfect gentleman. His hand brushed the small of her back as they reached the stairs, the heat of his touch making her heart race all over again.
"Safe flight," he said, his deep voice wrapping around her like a warm blanket.
Evangeline nodded, her throat too tight to respond. She hesitated for a moment, her hand on the railing. Part of her wanted to turn back…
She didn't know why she did it but she turned back and placed a very small innocent kiss on his lips.
He leaned into her and moved to hold her and deepen the kiss but she pulled away because she wasn't sure she could trust herself.
She forced herself up the steps and onto the plane not daring to look back.
When the plane landed in Clover City, Evangeline was exhausted. A glossy fancy car waited for her on the tarmac, undoubtedly sent by Orion.
She ignored it and ordered an Uber instead. There was no way she was letting him track her, especially now that the gemstone was gone.
Back at her apartment, Evangeline leaned against the bathroom sink, letting the hot water run over her hands. Her head was spinning. The way Orion had looked at her like a heartbroken damaged man, as though he knew she was never coming back.
She hated how much it affected her.
With a frustrated sigh, she peeled off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The water was scorching, but she welcomed it, hoping it would wash away the strange ache in her chest.
When she finally collapsed onto her bed, the system pinged.
She groaned, opening her eyes to read the notification.
Blue Scepter Gemstone: Orion Thorne's family has discovered the theft. Prepare to evade capture.
Her stomach dropped. She swallowed hard as panic flooded her veins instantly.
Another notification popped up.
Next Task: Infiltrate the Red Scepter Gemstone's location. Target: Seduce Don Giovanni Moretti, head of The Blue Devil Mafia, strongest and most dangerous mafia conglomerate in the country.
Evangeline's blood ran cold. A third notification appeared.
Player 106 Eliminated.
She stared at the words as her heart pounded in her ears.
Eliminated? Did that mean dead?
Her fingers trembled as she swiped the screen away.
"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" she whispered into the empty room.