PHOENIX

18| CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

By the time the car arrived to pick him up, Jackson was completely ready. He had taken his time making sure everything about his appearance was exactly as it should be, and as he left his hotel room, he couldn't help but wonder what awaited him that evening. Whatever it was, he knew he couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment.

As he stepped into the sleek black vehicle waiting outside the hotel, Jackson took a slow, deep breath, mentally preparing himself for everything that lay ahead. He reminded himself that he couldn't afford to lower his guard, not even for a second. Tonight wasn't simply about attending a charity function with Melissa. It was another opportunity to observe her closely, to learn more about the woman she had become and the life she was living now. Every conversation, every interaction, and every person she introduced him to could become another piece of the puzzle he had been trying so desperately to solve.

The car moved smoothly through the busy city streets before eventually pulling up in front of an opulent venue illuminated by countless glittering lights. A long red carpet stretched from the entrance to the curb, where expensive vehicles arrived one after another, dropping off elegantly dressed guests. Jackson stepped out of the car, paused briefly to straighten his bow tie one last time, and then made his way toward the entrance, ready to face whatever the night had in store for him.

The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by an atmosphere buzzing with energy. The spacious venue was filled with members of the city's elite, all moving effortlessly through the crowd while chatting, laughing, and greeting one another as though they belonged there. Jackson allowed his eyes to sweep across the room, and it didn't take him long to find Melissa. She stood out almost immediately. Dressed in a floor-length gown, with her hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders, she looked every bit as breathtaking as she had the first day he met her. The moment she noticed him, a smile spread across her face, and she began walking toward him.

"You clean up well," she said, her eyes sparkling as she came to a stop in front of him.

"Thank you," Jackson replied, offering her his arm with a polite smile. "Shall we?"

Melissa slipped her hand through his arm before leading him through the beautifully decorated venue, introducing him to one guest after another. Jackson had expected curious glances or suspicious looks from the people around them, especially considering Melissa had arrived with a man no one seemed to know, but those looks never came. Instead, he found himself attracting an entirely different kind of attention. More than one woman openly admired him, their eyes lingering on him with little attempt to hide the interest or desire behind their expressions. He couldn't help feeling slightly uncomfortable under so many appreciative stares, especially because they followed him wherever he went.

Choosing to ignore the hungry gazes directed at him, Jackson shifted his attention back to Melissa. Only then did he truly take the time to appreciate how beautiful she looked that evening. The elegant floor-length gown suited her perfectly, and he realised that in everything that had happened since arriving, he had completely forgotten to compliment her appearance.

"Melissa," he said, leaning slightly closer so only she could hear him over the conversations filling the room, "I forgot to tell you earlier how stunning you look tonight. That dress is incredible."

A genuine smile immediately spread across her face, filling her eyes with unmistakable warmth. "Thank you," she replied softly. "You don't look so bad yourself. Actually, you look perfect for the occasion."

They continued moving through the venue together, weaving effortlessly between the clusters of guests who filled the room. As Melissa introduced him to one person after another, Jackson couldn't help noticing how naturally she seemed to belong in an environment like this. She carried herself with effortless confidence, her charm and grace evident in every conversation she had. Whether she was greeting old acquaintances or meeting new people, she always seemed to know exactly what to say and how to make everyone around her feel at ease. Jackson played his role just as carefully, remaining polite, respectful, and engaging whenever someone spoke to him, making sure to maintain the façade of a man who was completely comfortable among people of immense wealth, influence, and power.

After several introductions, Melissa eventually guided him toward a small group of elderly gentlemen who immediately stood out from the rest of the guests. There was an unmistakable air of authority surrounding them, making it obvious they were men of considerable importance. Melissa introduced Jackson as her date, and after exchanging names, they greeted one another with polite smiles and firm handshakes.

"Melissa, you've certainly brought a fine gentleman with you tonight," one of the elderly men remarked with an approving smile before turning his attention to Jackson. "It's a pleasure to meet you, young man."

"The pleasure is mine," Jackson replied politely as he reached out and shook the man's hand with a firm but respectful grip.

As the evening continued, Jackson gradually found himself becoming more comfortable with the atmosphere surrounding him. The charity function was everything he had expected it to be, an elegant display of wealth, prestige, and sophistication, but beneath the polished smiles, expensive suits, and sparkling gowns, he couldn't ignore the quiet undercurrent running through the room. Subtle power plays were unfolding in almost every conversation, silent negotiations hidden beneath casual smiles, and alliances being strengthened with every handshake and exchanged pleasantry. While everyone else appeared focused on enjoying the evening, Jackson paid close attention to Melissa instead. He carefully observed the way she interacted with different people, noticing how her mannerisms and tone shifted ever so slightly depending on who stood before her, adapting naturally to every conversation without ever appearing forced.

Eventually, after spending what felt like hours moving from one conversation to another, they found themselves standing in one of the quieter corners of the venue, finally enjoying a brief escape from the endless stream of introductions and social obligations. Melissa lifted her champagne glass and took a small sip before turning toward him with an amused smile.

"You're doing great," she said. "I have to admit, I was a bit worried about bringing someone who might not be comfortable in these circles."

Jackson smiled back at her, amused by her honesty. "You underestimate me," he replied. "I'm adaptable."

Melissa laughed softly at his response before tilting her head slightly. "Clearly. So, how are you finding the evening so far?"

Jackson took a brief moment before answering, carefully choosing his words. "It's... interesting," he admitted. "This world is very different from what I'm used to, but it's fascinating to see how everything works."

Melissa nodded slowly, her eyes drifting away from him as they moved across the room, taking in the countless guests still engaged in conversation. "It's all about appearances and connections," she said quietly. "Everyone here is playing a role." Jackson listened to her words without responding immediately. As simple as they sounded, they lingered in his mind far longer than he expected. He couldn't help wondering about the roles the two of them were playing that evening. She had spent the night charming everyone around her with effortless grace, while he had spent every second pretending to be someone he wasn't. Despite the warmth she had shown him and the genuine moments he had caught glimpses of throughout the evening, he couldn't forget the betrayal that had nearly cost him his life five years earlier. At the same time, Melissa herself remained an unsolved mystery. Every encounter with her seemed to reveal a different side of her personality, making it impossible for him to decide which version of her, if any, was the real one.

As the evening gradually wore on, they continued moving through the venue together. They danced when the music invited people onto the floor, laughed during lighthearted conversations, and spent the rest of the night mingling with the other guests as though they had known each other for years. Jackson never allowed himself to forget why he was there. Even while smiling, talking, or dancing beside Melissa, his mind remained constantly at work, quietly observing every interaction, every conversation, and every small detail that might prove useful later. He carefully stored away every piece of information he managed to gather because he knew understanding Melissa's world and the people surrounding her was becoming just as important as understanding Melissa herself. He needed answers, not only to protect himself from whatever danger lay ahead but also to uncover the truth behind everything she had done.

Eventually, the charity function began drawing to a close as guests slowly started making their way toward the exits. Jackson and Melissa left with the rest of them before returning to the waiting car. The drive back to the hotel was quiet, the city lights slipping past the windows one after another as the vehicle moved smoothly through the streets. Jackson spent most of the journey lost in thought, replaying the events of the evening in his mind and trying to make sense of everything he had seen.

Melissa eventually broke the silence, turning slightly toward him. "Thank you for coming with me tonight," she said with a gentle smile. "I had a good time."

"So did I," Jackson replied, turning his head to meet her gaze. "It was... enlightening."

Melissa smiled again, though this time there was something in her eyes that he couldn't quite understand. "We'll have to do it again sometime."

He looked at her quietly for a few moments without saying a word. In the end, he simply gave a small nod.

Jackson had expected the evening to end the moment the charity gala was over. In his mind, the two of them would return to the hotel, exchange a few polite words, and head their separate ways. He would spend the rest of the night replaying every conversation, every handshake, every glance he had witnessed, adding each new piece of information to the growing puzzle that was the Roy family. Melissa, however, clearly had other plans. As soon as the chauffeur pulled the car to a smooth stop outside the hotel entrance and one of the attendants hurried over to open the door for them, she remained seated for a moment instead of getting out immediately. She turned toward him with an expression that was far lighter than any he had seen on her face throughout the evening. There was a mischievous sparkle dancing in her eyes, the kind that reminded him painfully of the young woman who had once convinced him to skip work just to watch the sunrise from a hill overlooking the city. It was the same playful look that had always managed to lower his guard before he even realised what she was doing.

"You know," she said after a brief silence, the corner of her lips lifting into a teasing smile, "the night doesn't actually have to end here."

Jackson looked at her, unable to stop the curiosity that crept into his expression. "Oh?"

"I was thinking about going somewhere a little less... formal." Her gaze drifted toward the hotel entrance before returning to him. "There's a nice bar not too far from here. I usually go there whenever I need to unwind after these charity events. Spending hours smiling at people you barely know can be surprisingly exhausting." She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "Would you like to come with me?"

For a split second, Jackson completely forgot who she was. His answer escaped before logic could catch up with his emotions.

"Sure," he heard himself saying almost immediately. "I'd love to." The words were barely out of his mouth before he silently cursed himself. What the hell are you doing?

He had spent years preparing himself for this mission. Years teaching himself to hate the Roy family with every fibre of his being. Years convincing himself that Melissa had been nothing more than another member of that family, a woman who had lied to him, betrayed him, and nearly cost him his life. He had promised himself over and over again that if he ever crossed paths with her, he would never allow his feelings to cloud his judgment. Yet here he was, accepting an invitation to spend even more time alone with her as though none of those years had happened. It irritated him how quickly his heart had responded before his brain had the chance to object. Thankfully, he was still capable of lying to himself. He immediately convinced himself that agreeing to go wasn't because he wanted to be around her. It was because opportunities like this didn't come twice. Melissa had practically invited him deeper into her world. If he played his cards correctly, he might finally discover something useful about her, about Roy, or about the strange life she seemed to live. Information. That was all this was. Nothing more.

"I'll just go change," Melissa said as she stepped out of the car. "Meet me in the lobby in fifteen minutes?"

Jackson nodded, forcing himself to appear far calmer than he actually felt. "I'll be there." He watched her disappear toward the elevators before making his own way upstairs. The moment the door to his room clicked shut behind him, he let out a long breath and rubbed both hands over his face.

"You are an i***t," he muttered to himself. He had every intention of declining politely. At least, that was what he wished had happened. Instead, he found himself standing in front of the wardrobe, changing out of the expensive tuxedo he had bought earlier that afternoon. He carefully hung the jacket back in its garment bag before unbuttoning his crisp white shirt. Within minutes, he had changed into a pair of dark blue jeans, a fitted black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, and polished black boots. The outfit was simple, comfortable, and far more familiar than the suffocating elegance of a tuxedo. He studied himself in the mirror for a few seconds, running his fingers through his hair before giving a small nod.

This version of him felt more authentic. It also happened to be the version Melissa had fallen in love with years ago. The thought annoyed him.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, he stepped into the hotel lobby. Melissa was already waiting. For a moment, Jackson simply stood there, forgetting to move. She had changed just as dramatically as he had.

Gone was the breathtaking woman in the designer evening gown who had effortlessly commanded attention inside the ballroom. Standing near one of the marble pillars was a completely different Melissa. She wore a pair of fitted blue jeans, white sneakers, and an oversized cream sweater whose sleeves were slightly too long, forcing her to fold them back around her wrists. Her hair, which had earlier been styled in elegant waves, was now tied into a loose ponytail, allowing a few stubborn strands to frame her face. She had removed most of her makeup as well, leaving behind only enough to accentuate the natural beauty he had once memorised in embarrassing detail.

His heart betrayed him all over again. This was the Melissa he remembered. Not the sophisticated socialite who mingled effortlessly with politicians and billionaires. Not the mysterious daughter of one of the most feared men in the country. Just Melissa. The girl who used to steal his hoodies because she claimed they smelled better than her own clothes. The woman who preferred greasy burgers over expensive restaurants. The same person who had once dragged him into a supermarket at midnight because she suddenly wanted ice cream.

"You've been staring for almost ten seconds," she teased, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Should I be worried?"

Jackson blinked, realising he had indeed been staring.

"I was just..." He cleared his throat awkwardly before forcing out a smile. "You look different."

She looked down at herself before laughing softly. "Is that your polite way of saying I looked better in the dress?"

He chuckled. "No."

She raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"No," he repeated. "You look... comfortable."

Something about his answer made her smile.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was meant to be one."

For reasons he couldn't explain, that simple exchange felt more intimate than anything they had shared during the charity gala.

"Come on," Melissa said, motioning toward the revolving doors. "The place isn't far."

They left the hotel side by side, neither of them speaking for the first few minutes. The city had transformed since sunset. The streets glowed beneath rows of golden streetlights, restaurants buzzed with conversations that spilt onto the sidewalks, and distant music drifted through the warm night air. Jackson found himself walking beside Melissa as naturally as he used to years ago. It was frightening how quickly old habits resurfaced. Their pace unconsciously matched, neither walking ahead of the other. More than once, their shoulders brushed lightly against each other before instinctively moving apart again.

A few minutes later, Melissa stopped outside a lively neighbourhood bar tucked between two older brick buildings.

"This is the place," she announced.

Jackson looked up at the modest sign hanging above the entrance before following her inside. Unlike the extravagant charity gala they had just attended, the bar felt refreshingly ordinary. Warm amber lights reflected against polished wooden floors while soft rock music played through hidden speakers overhead. Small groups laughed over drinks, a few couples occupied the dance floor near the centre of the room, and somewhere in the back, someone loudly celebrated winning a game of pool. There was no pretending here. No expensive suits worn to impress strangers. No politicians carefully choosing every word they spoke. Just ordinary people enjoying the end of another day.

Melissa inhaled deeply. "I love this place."

Jackson looked at her. "You come here often?"

"Whenever life becomes... too loud." She smiled before leading him toward a quiet booth tucked away in the far corner. "Nobody bothers me here."

Once they had settled into the booth, a waitress appeared with two menus.

"What can I get you two?"

"I'll have a mojito," Melissa answered without even looking at the menu.

The waitress turned toward Jackson.

"A whiskey," he replied. "On the rocks."

The waitress smiled politely before disappearing toward the bar.

Jackson leaned back against the booth, watching Melissa absentmindedly trace patterns across the wooden tabletop with her fingertip.

"So..." he began once their drinks arrived, wrapping his hand around the heavy whiskey glass. "Why here?"

Melissa looked up. "What do you mean?"

"You've spent the whole evening surrounded by people with more money than they know what to do with." He glanced around the room. "This doesn't exactly seem like the kind of place someone from your world would choose."

She smiled sadly before taking a slow sip of her drink. "Exactly."

Jackson frowned slightly. She rested both elbows on the table and looked around the room, watching people laugh without worrying who might be watching them.

"At events like tonight," she said quietly, "every smile means something. Every compliment has an agenda. Every conversation is about influence, money, business, or politics. People spend the entire evening pretending to like each other because it's useful." She sighed, absentmindedly stirring her drink with the straw. "It's exhausting."

Her eyes met his again. "When it's over, I come somewhere like this because nobody here cares who I am."

Jackson remained silent.

"And besides..." A playful smile slowly returned to her face, replacing the melancholy almost instantly. "...I wanted to see if you could actually keep up with me outside fancy charity dinners."

He laughed despite himself.

"Oh? Is that a challenge?"

Melissa lifted her glass toward him. "I was hoping you'd see it that way."

Jackson picked up his whiskey, gently clinking it against her cocktail before allowing the corner of his mouth to lift into a genuine smile.

"Challenge accepted."

For the first time since returning to the city, Jackson realised something that unsettled him more than any secret he had uncovered about the Roy family.

He wasn't pretending to enjoy Melissa's company anymore.

And that terrified him far more than anything Roy could ever do.