Feelings

As they strolled through the grand entrance of Jaden's mansion, Mia and Shawn couldn't help but gaze in awe at the opulent interior decor. The high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and intricately carved wooden panels seemed to transport them to a world of luxury and refinement.

Jaden, noticing their fascination, smiled proudly. "Welcome to my home. I'm glad you like it."

Before they began their research, Jaden offered to give them a tour of the estate. As they wandered through the lavish rooms, Mia and Shawn marveled at the exquisite artwork, rare antiques, and cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrated into the design.

However, it was the garden that truly stole their breath. As they stepped out into the crisp air, the warm sunlight danced across the vibrant flowers, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the lush green grass.

In the heart of the garden, a serene lake sparkled, its tranquil waters home to two majestic white swans. The surrounding rose bushes, with their delicate white and red petals, added a touch of elegance to the already breathtaking scene.

A winding marble pathway, polished to a high shine, invited them to stroll closer to the lake's edge. As they walked, the soft chirping of birds and gentle rustling of leaves created a soothing melody that seemed to wash away their worries.

The pathway ultimately led them to a picturesque bench, where they settled in to discuss their research. The bench, nestled among the vibrant flowers and towering trees, offered a stunning vantage point from which to appreciate the garden's beauty.

As they sat, surrounded by nature's splendor, squirrels darted up and down the trees, their bushy tails flicking back and forth. Birds flitted between the branches, their sweet songs filling the air. The warm sunlight cast a golden glow over the scene, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of peace and tranquility.

In this serene setting, the trio began their discussion, their minds sharpened by the beauty and wonder of Jaden's enchanting garden. Shawn's eyes locked onto Mia's, his mind racing with the mystery at hand. "So, what's our next move to uncover the mastermind?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Mia's brow furrowed in concentration. "We need to figure out who Thomas is."

Jaden nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the garden as if searching for answers. "But we've already searched and came up empty-handed."

Shawn's gaze drifted to the serene lake, his eyes squinting against the sunlight reflecting off the water. "I know, but we can't give up. Not yet."

Jaden stood up, breaking the silence. "Let me get you guys something to drink. What can I get you?"

Mia's eyes lit up. "I'll have a milkshake soda, please."

As soon as the words left her lips, Shawn's mind was transported back to a different time, a different place. He saw himself sitting across from Sarah, her bright smile illuminating the dimly lit restaurant. She always ordered a milkshake soda, and the memory of it was like a punch to the gut.

Shawn's eyes snapped back to the present, his expression neutral, but his heart racing with the ghosts of his past.

" How about you Shawn" Jaden asked bringing him back to reality,

" Um waters fine for me"

" Okay, I'll be right back." As Jaden walked away to fetch their drinks, an uncomfortable silence settled over the bench. Mia, determined to break the ice, turned her attention to Shawn, who was still engrossed in his phone.

Mia's voice cut through the silence, her words tinged with curiosity. "Um, sorry to ask, but are you always this cold?"

Shawn's gaze lifted from his phone, his eyes locking onto Mia's with a hint of wariness. "I don't get," he replied, his tone neutral, but his eyes flashing with a hint of defensiveness.

Mia's sigh was audible, her shoulders sagging slightly. "(Sighs) Jimmy told me you're a fun and cool guy, but you don't appear that way. You're rather cold and don't speak to anyone unless being spoken to."

Shawn's expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "How do you know Jimmy?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

Mia's smile was sheepish, her eyes darting away for a moment. "He drove me to the station when I destroyed your car's windscreen."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Shawn's gaze lingered on Mia's face, his expression unreadable. "Oh. I guess I just want to remain cold and not speak to anyone."

Mia's eyes probed for answers, her voice gentle. "And why is that?"

Shawn's gaze turned defensive, his eyes flashing with a hint of anger. "Why're you so interested in me?"

Mia's hands fluttered in a calming gesture, her voice soft. "I'm not interested in you, I just want to know why you're like this. Is it normal or something triggered it?"

Shawn's laughter was a low, mocking sound, sending a shiver down Mia's spine. "Well, I don't want to talk about it."

Mia's eyes locked onto Shawn's, her voice filled with a quiet persistence. "Come on, you can trust me."

Shawn's expression twisted into a sneer, his eyes flashing with bitterness. "(Chuckles) Trust! That's one thing I'll never do, trust a girl. I trusted two girls, but ended up getting disappointed, and for that reason, I hate the female gender."

The air seemed to thicken, the tension between them palpable. Mia's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes searching for a glimmer of humanity beneath Shawn's tough exterior. "Even your mom?"

Shawn's gaze drifted away from Mia's probing eyes, his attention drawn to the serene swans gliding effortlessly across the lake. His voice was low and measured, his words laced with a deep-seated bitterness. "I love my mom and my sisters, but the other females... apart from my family... are those I hate."

Mia's eyes never left Shawn's face, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Even me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shawn's gaze snapped back to Mia's, his eyes flashing with a warning. "If you keep bothering me, then I'll have no choice but to..." His voice trailed off, but the unspoken threat hung in the air like a challenge.

Mia's eyes searched Shawn's face, her expression softening. "I don't want to hate you because we'll be working together, but just stay away from me," Shawn continued, his voice firm, but his eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability.

As he spoke, Shawn's hand instinctively dipped into his pocket, his fingers closing around the soft fabric of Mia's handkerchief. For a moment, he hesitated, his eyes locked onto Mia's face. Then, with a quiet resolve, he decided to keep the handkerchief, a small, secret token of their encounter.

With a fluid motion, Shawn rose from the bench, his eyes never leaving Mia's face. He walked over to the lake, his feet carrying him to the water's edge, where he settled onto the grassy bank. The swans, sensing his presence, glided closer, their soft honking a soothing balm to Shawn's frazzled nerves.

Mia's eyes followed Shawn, her gaze drawn to the tense lines of his shoulders, the rigid set of his jaw. She wondered what deep-seated pain had driven Shawn to erect such formidable walls around himself, what wounds had caused him to hate the female gender with such intensity.

With a quiet resolve, Mia rose from the bench, her feet carrying her to the lake's edge, where Shawn sat, lost in thought. She settled beside him, her eyes fixed on the serene landscape, her presence a gentle, unobtrusive comfort.

Shawn's awareness of Mia's presence was immediate, his senses heightened as he wondered why she persisted in trying to reach him, why she seemed so determined to breach the walls he had erected around himself.

Mia's voice was a gentle rebuke, her words dripping with a quiet conviction. "That's not how to end a conversation," she said, her eyes locked onto Shawn's. "You know it's not possible to stay away from me. We have the same enemy, and we'll be working together."

Shawn's gaze faltered, his eyes dropping to the grass beneath his feet. But Mia's next words drew his attention back to her.

"But if that's what you want, then it's fine by me," she said, her voice laced with a hint of sadness. "Just have this in mind: not all girls are the same."

As she spoke, Mia's hand reached out, her fingers brushing against Shawn's. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through his body, his heart skipping a beat as he looked up at her. Mia's smile was a radiant, sunny thing, and for a moment, Shawn felt his defenses crumble.

But then, Mia was gone, walking back to the bench and settling onto the seat with a quiet grace. She pulled out her phone and began to scroll through social media, her eyes fixed on the screen.

Shawn's gaze lingered on her, his mind reeling with the implications of their conversation. He felt a strange, fluttering sensation in his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite explain. He looked down at his hand, his fingers still tingling from Mia's touch. A small, wry smile played on his lips as he realized that he didn't like the feeling that was growing within him. But he couldn't do anything about it.

Just then, Jaden returned with their drinks, his eyes sparkling with a friendly warmth. "Hey, guys! I brought your drinks. Let's head to my room and do some research on $LÅZENGER and Thomas."

As they settled into Jaden's room, Shawn's eyes kept drifting back to Mia, his mind whirling with questions. Who was this girl who had somehow breached his defenses? And why did he feel so drawn to her?

But before he could explore these questions further, Mia's phone rang, shrill in the silence. She answered, her voice soft as she listened to the person on the other end. Then, she turned to the others, her expression apologetic.

"I'm so sorry, guys, but my dad is calling me back home. It's getting late." Just then Desmond walked in after receiving order to take Mia home, he nodded to Mia immediately she noticed his presence, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll drive you home, Mia."

As they left Jaden's room, Shawn felt a pang of disappointment. He didn't want the day to end, didn't want to stop exploring the strange, fluttering sensation that had taken up residence in his chest. But as he watched Mia walk away, he knew that he would have to wait until tomorrow to see her again.