I didn't ask questions.
Even though I had a thousand of them.
Because something told me…
If I asked, everything would change.
And I wasn't ready for that.
But still—
I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Lia.
The way she ran to me.
The way she held onto me…
Like she already knew me.
It didn't make sense.
And yet…
It felt real.
"Jessy."
I blinked.
I was still at the house.
Standing near the hallway.
I turned.
And there she was again.
Lia.
She smiled the moment she saw me.
Then ran straight into my arms.
This time…
I didn't freeze.
I caught her.
Held her.
And for a moment…
Everything else disappeared.
"You came back," she said softly.
I smiled.
"I didn't leave yet."
She giggled.
Then rested her head against me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
My chest tightened.
Not in pain.
In something else.
Something warm.
Something I didn't understand.
"Jessy."
I looked up.
Elias.
Standing a few steps away.
Watching.
Always watching.
"She likes you," he said.
"I can tell."
Silence.
"She doesn't usually do this."
"I heard."
Another pause.
But neither of us said what we were really thinking.
Because we both felt it.
That connection.
And neither of us knew what it meant.
"Can I stay with her?" Lia asked, looking up at him.
Elias hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
"For a little while."
Her face lit up again.
And she held onto me tighter.
Like she had been waiting for that answer.
Later that night…
I was leaving.
But something inside me…
Didn't want to.
"Thank you for coming," Mrs. Laurent said warmly.
"Thank you for having me."
She smiled.
"You're always welcome here."
That word again.
Always.
I nodded politely.
But my mind wasn't there.
It was still…
With her.
Lia.
"Bye, Jessy!" she waved.
I smiled softly.
"Bye, Lia."
She pouted slightly.
"Come again."
Something in my chest pulled.
"I will."
And I meant it.
Outside…
The air felt different.
Cooler.
Quieter.
But I wasn't alone.
"You're thinking again."
I didn't turn.
"I can't help it."
Elias stepped beside me.
Not too close.
But close enough.
"She confused you," he said.
I let out a small breath.
"She didn't confuse me."
He looked at me.
"She made me feel something I don't understand."
Silence.
He didn't respond immediately.
Because he understood that feeling too well.
"You don't have to understand everything," he said finally.
I looked at him.
"Do you?"
That question lingered between us.
Because the answer…
Was obvious.
No.
And for once…
Elias Laurent didn't have control over something.
The next day…
"You went?"
Starlet's voice was sharp.
"Of course she went," Riley said.
Melyne just watched me.
Waiting.
"It was… different," I said slowly.
"How?" Starlet pressed.
I hesitated.
"His mother is kind."
They blinked.
"What?" Riley said.
"I know," I added quickly.
"I didn't expect it either."
"And?" Melyne asked.
I swallowed.
"There's a child."
Silence.
"A child?" Starlet repeated.
I nodded.
"She… liked me."
"That's it?" Riley frowned.
I shook my head slowly.
"I liked her too."
That was the part that scared me.
Because it didn't feel normal.
It felt…
Deep.
Unexplainable.
And dangerous.
Across the city…
"You're joking."
Vanessa's voice was cold.
"She went to dinner?"
"Yes," the voice on the phone replied.
Vanessa's grip tightened.
"At his house?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Then—
A slow, dangerous smile spread across her face.
"I see."
Her eyes darkened.
Because now…
This wasn't just a possibility.
It was real.
"She's getting comfortable," Vanessa murmured.
Then her tone dropped.
"That ends now."
Later…
"Mom."
Mrs. Laurent looked up.
"Yes?"
Amara sat across from her.
Calm.
Composed.
"She's different."
"I know," her mother replied softly.
Silence.
"Do you like her?" Amara asked.
Mrs. Laurent smiled faintly.
"I do."
That answer came too easily.
Amara noticed.
"And you?" her mother asked.
Amara leaned back slightly.
"I'm… interested."
That was the truth.
Because Jessy wasn't just another girl.
She was something else.
Something that didn't fit…
But somehow belonged.
And that made her…
Dangerous.
Not in a bad way.
But in a way that could change everything.
Meanwhile…
Elias stood alone in his office.
Quiet.
Still.
But his mind…
Wasn't.
Because for the first time in a long time—
He was thinking about someone…
Too much.
And he didn't like it.
Not at all.
But that didn't stop it.