The figure walked me with purpose, eyes locked like I was the only person in the room.my breath became erratic the closer he came, the more I noticed the smallest details like the polished shoes, the fitted black suit. He didn’t belong here, and yet, he walked as if he owned the place.
James was still at the table, oblivious to the way my heart was beating. But the woman beside me noticed her gaze flicked between us, lips parting as though she was about to say something .
And then, just as he reached the edge of the table, he lowered his head to me. A smirk curved his lips, small enough for only me to catch.
“Mariam.”
My name, low and deliberate, like a dare.
James’s head snapped toward us.
The stranger didn’t flinch. He just stood there, looking down at me as if we had already shar
