Episode 7: A Familiar Mark
661 Words
Back at the office, Arielle was already glancing at the time.
She needed to leave soon.
She didn’t want to be late. Not today.
Luckily, Jay stepped out of his office not long after, ready to leave.
She stood up immediately and bowed her head slightly.
Once he left, she quickly packed her things, said goodbye to the few staff still around, and hurried out.
By the time she got home, she was exhausted, but her mind was racing.
She freshened up quickly and changed into something simple but fitting.
As she stepped into the living room, her mother looked up.
“You’re going out again?”
“Yes.”
Her mother looked at her closely. “You’ve been going out a lot these days.”
Arielle smiled faintly. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious?” her mother raised a brow. “Then who is he?”
Arielle hesitated. “Someone I’m getting to know.”
“That sounds serious.”
Arielle didn’t reply.
Her phone buzzed. The driver had arrived.
“I have to go.”
Her mother watched her leave, curiosity written all over her face.
Jay’s house was quiet.
Only the guards were around.
Elle stepped in, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Each step carried grace. The black dress she wore complemented her skin perfectly.
Jay looked up. “Good evening. You look great.”
“Good evening. Thank you so much.”
She hesitated. “Can I sit?”
“Of course.”
Dinner was already set.
They ate in silence for a while before Jay spoke.
“So you’ve met my mother,” he said. “And you seem to know quite a lot about me.”
He looked at her. “I don’t even know anything about you.”
Elle tilted her head slightly. “What would you like to know?”
“Anything.”
She nodded. “I went to college in Hawthorne. I studied business.”
Jay listened.
“I live with my parents and my younger sister.”
He waited.
She smiled faintly. “They’ve been trying to get me to date for a while now.”
Jay raised a brow slightly.
“The same way your mother wants you to get married.”
A small smile touched his lips.
“But thankfully,” she added lightly, showing him the rock on her finger, “I have a fiancée now.”
They both laughed. It was supposed to be a simple moment, but he found himself holding onto it a little longer than he should have.
Jay leaned back slightly, watching her.
He was used to women trying too hard to impress him. Every detail, every word calculated.
But with her, nothing felt like an effort. That made her different.
After dinner, he showed her around. They ended up in his music room.
“I love listening to people play,” she said, smiling like a child.
“Alright. I’ll play something for you,” he said, then added after a short pause, “as a way of saying thank you for making my mom happy the other day.”
He sat and began playing a calm, melodious tune.
Elle moved to the couch, watching him quietly.
It felt peaceful.
When he finished, he turned.
She had fallen asleep.
He paused, watching her.
“She looks beautiful,” he thought.
He walked over and lifted her carefully. She didn’t wake.
He carried her upstairs and placed her gently on the bed.
He took off her heels and accessories, then pulled the duvet over her.
He stood there for a moment, just looking at her, before turning to leave.
Suddenly, her hand caught his.
“Don’t go.”
Jay turned quickly.
She didn’t move.
Still asleep.
He exhaled softly and gently freed his hand, placing hers back under the duvet.
That’s when he saw it.
The mark on her hand.
His eyes narrowed.
“I’ve seen this somewhere”
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