CHAPTER NINE

After Hours

The office was nearly silent, save for the dull hum of the overhead lights and the

occasional groan of the air conditioning unit.

Most of the building had cleared out after six, but Hazel stayed behind, tying up

loose ends and hoping the work would keep her distracted from the strange

energy still clinging to her.

The café encounter earlier that day still lingered in her mind.

The man. His eyes. The way he looked at her — like he already knew something

about her she didn't even know herself.

She had just shut down her computer when her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:

If anything feels off tonight, don't go home. Call me first. No questions. Just do it.

Hazel stared at the screen.

Her pulse kicked up a notch. The message had no name, but something about it — the tone, the urgency — told her exactly who it was from.

Him.

The man who touched her like she was both fragile and dangerous.

The man who still hadn't given her a name… and yet made her feel safer than anyone else ever had.

She didn't reply.

Before she could even think, a sound behind her made her spin.

The elevator doors had opened — and someone stepped out.

Tall. Clean-cut. Charcoal coat. A slight tilt to his head like he was amused by the world.

The same man from the café.

Hazel's throat went dry.

He walked casually into the open space, his steps soft on the carpet, hands in his pockets like he belonged there.

"Sorry," he said smoothly. "I must've gotten off on the wrong floor."

Hazel's eyes narrowed, though she tried to keep her voice neutral. "This area's closed after six."

"Didn't realize," he said, eyes scanning the room. Then back to her. "Lucky me, though."

She didn't answer that. Just picked up her phone. He seemed to notice.

"You work here?" he asked.

Hazel gave him a polite smile, inching toward her bag. "Yes. And I was just leaving."

He gave a small nod. "Of course. Long day?"

"Something like that."

A beat of silence passed — longer than it needed to be.

Then he said, "You look like someone I used to know."

Hazel blinked. "I get that a lot."

He gave a slight smile, almost like he was savoring a private joke. "I bet you do."

The elevator behind him let out a soft ding again.

Hazel's heart skipped — but this time, it wasn't fear.

It was him.

The man she was supposed to meet.

He stepped off the elevator in one smooth motion, his eyes immediately locking

onto hers, then shifting toward the stranger beside her.

In an instant, his whole body changed — posture straightening, jaw tightening.

"Hazel," he said, voice cool but edged. "Ready to go?"

The other man turned. "Ah, I see. Didn't mean to intrude."

Neither of them blinked.

Hazel felt the tension like a current between them.

"I was just leaving," the stranger added with a nod. "Nice meeting you… Hazel."

And with that, he walked past them, toward the elevator. The doors closed behind him without a sound.

Hazel exhaled. "That's the guy from earlier

he didn't speak. Just looked at her with a sharp, unreadable expression.

She frowned. "Do you know him?"

He paused. Then:

"No. But I know that look. And it means we're out of time."