Emily clutched her notebook like it was a shield, weaving through the busy hallway toward her next class. The morning had been a blur of stares and hushed voices. At first, she'd told herself it was paranoia… but then she caught a group of girls pretending to scroll on their phones while clearly filming her.
By the third time, she'd started praying under her breath. "Lord, just… get me through this day without turning into a headline."
She was almost at the lecture hall when the crowd shifted, parting just enough for Ethan Monaco to step into her path.
Conversations died instantly.
"Walk with me," he said, like it wasn't a request.
Emily hesitated. "I have—"
He took her notebook, tucking it under his arm. "You'll be on time."
The hallway seemed to narrow as they walked side by side, students pressing themselves against lockers to make room. Whispers followed them like a trailing smoke cloud.
"You know," Emily said quietly, "you're not helping with… whatever rumors are going around."
He glanced down at her, that familiar flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Exactly."
Before she could ask what he meant, they stepped outside into the crisp air. A sleek black car was waiting at the curb, engine idling. One of his men stood by the door.
Emily stopped. "Where are we—"
"Coffee," Ethan said simply, opening the door for her. His gaze locked on hers, unreadable. "Let them see you get in."
It clicked then — this wasn't about coffee. This was a message. To who, she didn't know.
But she also knew she had a choice: turn back and let the stares eat her alive… or get in and find out what kind of storm she'd been pulled into.
Emily slid into the car.
Ethan followed, his expression unreadable as the door shut, cutting off the outside world.
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