Chapter 5: Tension Beneath The Surface.
967 Words
The clink of glasses echoed in the quiet apartment as Amara lifted her drink. The man beside her—her helpful neighbor—was warm and effortlessly charming, the kind of charm that didn’t scream for attention, but owned the room nonetheless.
“Are you sure you’re not a celebrity?” she teased lightly, sipping the chilled drink in her hand.
He chuckled, head tilted. “Nope. Just your average guy.”
“Well, you look like one,” she smiled.
Before their casual celebration could deepen, the front door opened with a sharp creak. In walked the same woman who had scammed her—a vision of unapologetic confidence.
Amara blinked. “You two live together?”
The woman flopped onto the couch beside them, setting her purse down like she owned the air. “Not really. We’re just neighbors… but, surprise! He’s my annoying brother.”
“You again?” the man—whom Amara now knew as Lucas—muttered under his breath.
The woman poured herself a glass of wine without asking, raised it in a lazy toast, then caught the glare from her brother.
“What now?” she sighed, setting the glass down with exaggerated care.
“Drop the act,” Lucas said.
“If this is about the smoking, I quit. Seriously.” She leaned back, smug.
“It’s not that.” He crossed his arms, shooting Amara an apologetic look. “Why haven’t you wired her money back yet?”
Amara raised an eyebrow.
“I told you to stop scamming people. It’s not fair, Helena.”
Helena scoffed. “Relax. I’ll pay her back. I’m just… temporarily broke.”
“You gambled again?”
She pouted. “Just once. I thought I had it. I was supposed to win.”
Lucas groaned and turned to Amara. “I’m sorry. She’s not usually this… unhinged.”
Amara shrugged with a calm smile. “She’s just a kid. It’s fine.”
“Kid or not, that’s now her rent—for the next five years,” Lucas snapped.
“What?” Helena’s voice shot up. “That’s not even legal!”
“Try explaining it to Dad when he’s back,” he replied coolly.
“You’re the worst.” She glared at Amara. “Your pretty face is trouble.”
Amara blinked.
“Mom wants you home for dinner,” Helena muttered before stomping off.
Silence fell over the living room.
“Sorry about her again,” Lucas said. “She's… a work in progress.”
“No worries. You’re a good brother.”
He looked surprised for a second, then laughed softly. “I try.”
They talked a little longer before Amara excused herself, retreating to her new apartment.
She took a long, steamy shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s tension. Tomorrow would shove her into Damon Wu’s world again, and she wasn’t sure her heart could take it.
Next Morning
Amara entered Wutec’s high-rise once again. Her sleek black pencil skirt hugged her curves. Her heels tapped a crisp rhythm on the marble floors. Eyes followed her, admiration whispered through hallways. Yet inside, she was all nerves.
Her first official day in Damon Wu’s department.
Stay calm. Be sharp. Don’t let him see through you.
She reached the executive floor and was greeted by an HR assistant. “Ms. Li, the team is ready to meet you.”
“Thank you.”
She stepped into a glass conference room, greeted by six team members. Among them was Kendra Song—already seated, legs crossed elegantly, coffee in hand, eyes sharpening like knives.
“Welcome, Ms. Li,” Kendra said in a tone sugar-laced with poison.
“Thank you,” Amara replied politely.
Introductions were made. Everyone smiled. Everyone except Kendra.
Minutes later, the glass doors slid open again.
Damon Wu walked in.
Tall. Imposing. Impeccably dressed. Cold eyes scanning the room—until they landed on her.
She didn’t flinch. Not this time.
He took his seat at the head of the table. “Let’s begin.”
Throughout the meeting, Damon barely looked at his notes. His gaze kept drifting to her—watching, reading, analyzing.
She felt it. Every second.
She returned the favor by pretending she didn’t notice.
Kendra, however, did.
Why is he watching her?
Kendra’s eyes flicked between them. She saw the way Damon’s fingers tapped slowly when Amara spoke, the way his brows furrowed as if trying to place a memory.
Something was off.
Amara presented her introduction with flawless poise. Her voice never wavered. She said nothing that would hint at her past.
When asked about her hobbies, she said hiking—she hated it. Her favorite books? Romance thrillers—never read one.
She lied.
Because she had to.
Damon’s voice cut through again. “Ms. Li, you seem familiar. Have we met before?”
“No, sir,” she answered without hesitation. “I don’t believe so but probably, we did just yesterday.”
His eyes searched her face. “Your name… it just stuck with me.”
“A coincidence,” she said calmly.
The meeting wrapped with applause.
“Well done, Ms. Li,” Damon said. “You’ll be reporting directly to me. HR made that recommendation.”
Her pulse spiked.
“I see,” she said with a tight smile.
“Welcome aboard.”
She stood and bowed slightly. “Thank you.”
As everyone exited, Damon lingered. He turned to her one last time.
“Strange how some names stay with you, isn’t it?”
She swallowed. “Yes, it is.”
He left.
And Amara exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
He didn’t recognize her.
Not yet.
But fate wasn’t done playing its hand.
[End of Chapter 5]
- Writer
