Sunlight filtered through the glass walls of Liam's office, calm and orderly, though the air itself felt unsettled.
He stood behind his desk, arms crossed, waiting in silence.
The door opened and Sera stepped inside, tablet in hand, her movements professional and focused.
She placed a small box gently on the table and said, "I've checked it. Nothing suspicious."
Liam's brows furrowed. "…Nothing?" he repeated, his voice low. A pause followed, his gaze lingering on the box longer than necessary. Something about it still felt wrong.
"…It's fine," he exhaled quietly. "Thank you, Sera."
But Sera didn't leave. "…There's more," she said, stepping forward and holding out the tablet. "About the gala records you asked for."
Liam took it, scanning quickly, names, positions, security logs, entry timestamps. Everything. Then he stopped. His finger hovered over one entry, a frown forming. "…This one."
Sera moved closer, her voice dropping. "…Yes. There's an anomaly. One identity logged in… but never logged out."
Liam's eyes darkened. "…Name?"
Sera hesitated, then answered. "…Aiden Khalis."
The silence that followed was heavy. Liam remembered, the masked man, the dance, the voice.
"…The stranger…" he whispered. His grip tightened on the tablet, because now the gala night wasn't random. And that man wasn't supposed to exist.
Silence settled in the room, heavy and unyielding.
Liam stared at the tablet for a long moment before slowly lowering it. A smile touched his lips, but it wasn't right. It wasn't warm. It wasn't real.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, only to fade just as slowly, replaced by something colder. "…Give the gift back to Lyra," he said at last, his voice calm, too calm.
Sera blinked, uncertain. "…Are you sure?" she asked, her eyes flicking to the box on the table and then back to him.
"She'll be happy," Liam replied, his gaze lingering on the object. "It's her first gift. Let her keep it." His words carried no kindness, no care, only calculation. It wasn't about giving. It was about watching.
Sera didn't argue, though her eyes lingered on him longer than necessary. "…Understood," she said quietly, though she knew this wasn't simple.
Liam leaned back slightly, his eyes drifting toward the window, lost in thought. "…Let's see what it does…" he murmured.
Because if the gift was harmless, nothing would happen. But if it wasn't, Lyra herself would be the one to reveal it.
-------------------
A soft knock broke the quiet of Lyra's room as the door opened slightly. Sera stepped inside, carrying a small box... elegant, simple, but unfamiliar.
"Lyra," she said, her voice steady as she extended the box. "Your gift."
Lyra blinked, surprised, before a soft smile formed. She took it carefully, almost as if it were fragile.
"Thank you, Sera," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with rare curiosity. "Anything… strange about it? Nothing dangerous, right?"
Sera's gaze lingered on the box; her silence deliberates. "…Nothing detected," she said at last, though her tone carried weight. "But… be careful."
Lyra laughed softly, innocence in her voice. "Sir Brandon seems nice to me…" she said, smiling gently.
But inside, Sera's thoughts darkened 'that's what worries me.' Out loud, she only said, "...Just open it."
Lyra nodded, her fingers moving slowly as she lifted the lid. A faint click echoed, and then a melody began... soft, delicate, familiar. Too familiar.
Her smile faded. "…This song…" she whispered, her eyes unfocusing as if pulled elsewhere.
A flash struck her mind: a dim room, a younger voice, weak but calling. "…sister…" A name echoed faintly. "…Mike…"
Lyra flinched, her grip tightening on the box, her breathing uneven. "…Why does it feel… so familiar?" she murmured.
Sera stepped closer, her voice firm. "Lyra. Are you okay?"
Lyra shook her head slowly, confusion clouding her expression. "…I don't know…" Her fingers trembled, but she refused to let go.
Inside the lid, almost invisible, was a small engraving: FOR MY VELVET.
The melody continued, soft, beautiful but something inside Lyra had already awakened. And this time, it wasn't going to stay buried.
The music had stopped, but the feeling lingered. Lyra slowly closed the lid, her fingers resting on it for just a moment longer before she looked up.
"It's okay, Sera," she said softly, her voice no longer bright.
A pause followed. "Can I… have some space? I need some time. I'll go down for lunch later." Her eyes didn't fully meet Sera's, her breath uneven.
Sera studied her carefully. This wasn't just tiredness, something deeper was stirring. "...Alright," she said at last, stepping back.
"Call me if you need anything." Her tone was calm but firm, carrying a subtle warning. "...Don't stay alone too long."
Lyra nodded faintly. "…Okay." A weak smile flickered across her lips. Sera left, the door closing softly behind her, and silence returned.
Alone, Lyra sat with the music box still in her hands. Her thumb brushed over the lid, slow and uncertain. Then, without thinking, she opened it again.
The melody played... softer this time, deeper. Her eyes closed, and a whisper rose from somewhere else. "…sister…" Not her voice. "...don't…" Her breath hitched, trembling.
This time, she didn't stop it. The past was pulling her back, and piece by piece, it was beginning to return.
The melody continued, soft and gentle, filling the room with a weight that Lyra couldn't escape. She didn't move, her eyes closed as if clinging to something she couldn't see.
Slowly, a tear slipped free, tracing down her cheek... warm, unstoppable. Her lips parted, and a fragile whisper escaped.
"…I feel… good when I hear this…" A pause followed, her brows tightening as another tear fell. "…but it hurts too…" Her hand pressed lightly against her chest, as though something inside was pulling... conflicting, familiar yet painful.
Then came the echo. A voice, soft and close, whispering through the melody. "…Don't cry…" A pause. "…Velvet…"
Lyra's breath hitched, her fingers trembling against the music box. "…Who…?" she whispered, lost.
Because whatever this melody carried, it wasn't just a memory. It was a feeling. And feelings were harder to erase.
--------------------------
The dining room table was set... perfect, neat, orderly but the atmosphere was anything but.
Lyra arrived last, her steps slower than usual, and took her seat quietly. Clarissa leaned back, eyes scanning her with sharp intent.
"Why are you late?" she asked, pausing just long enough to let the words sting. "Did something happen?"
Lyra shook her head lightly. "Nothing," she said, her voice calm but softer than before. "I just slept for a while." A small breath escaped her, fragile.
Sera didn't speak at first, her gaze fixed on Lyra, studying every detail... the eyes, the tone, the silence. Something had changed.
Finally, she broke the quiet. "…I'll be heading back to the office after this," she said, her eyes shifting between both of them. "So please… don't start anything."
Clarissa scoffed, clearly annoyed. "Do I look like I have nothing better to do?" she smirked. "You think I'm here just to fight? I have standards, Sera." She crossed her arms, her irritation thinly veiled.
Silence followed, but it wasn't peaceful. Lyra didn't react, didn't argue, didn't smile. Her fingers rested lightly on the table, still but inside, something was moving.
"…Mike…" The whisper was barely audible, but it cut through the room like a blade.
Sera's eyes snapped toward her instantly. Because that word wasn't supposed to exist. Not here. Not now.
------------------------------------------------
The car disappeared beyond the gate, leaving silence behind. With Sera gone, only the two of them remained.
Lyra stood still, watching the road a moment longer before she felt a sudden contact... an elbow brushing sharply against her arm. Not hard, but not accidental. She flinched.
"…Ah..." She turned to find Clarissa beside her, expression calm. Too calm.
"You want to go shopping with me?" Clarissa asked, adjusting her sleeve casually. "It's boring here anyway."
Lyra blinked, still processing. "…Shopping?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes," Clarissa replied with a faint smile. "Or do you prefer staying here… alone?" Her eyes narrowed just enough to make the words feel less like an invitation and more like a challenge.
Lyra hesitated, her fingers brushing against the music box hidden in her pocket. "…Maybe going out… would help," she thought quietly.
Then she nodded. "…Okay. I'll go with you."
Clarissa's smile deepened, real this time, but not kind. "Good," she said, already turning to walk ahead. "Let's go."
Lyra followed, unaware that this wasn't just shopping. It was another move, and Clarissa was already planning it.
-------------------------------------------------
The engine purred smoothly as the city blurred past them. Inside the car, calm, almost too calm.
Lyra sat by the window, watching the world with quiet curiosity before turning. "You always go shopping, Clar?" she asked with a small smile. "You always look so… sophisticated."
Clarissa's lips curved into a subtle smirk, pleased. "Sometimes," she said smoothly. "I need to relieve stress after work. So… I shop."
Lyra leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of work do you do?"
Clarissa glanced at her; confidence clear in her eyes. "I'm a fashion designer," she said. "I have my own company."
Lyra's eyes widened instantly, her mouth parting in surprise. "Wow…" A soft laugh escaped her. "That's amazing. No wonder you look good in everything you wear."
Compliments so easy, so genuine. Clarissa's smirk deepened just slightly, though her eyes studied Lyra again. Admiration was useful.
"…Of course," she replied calmly. "Image matters." Her gaze flicked to Lyra's reflection in the mirror. "…You'll understand that soon."
Lyra just smiled, not realizing what happen surrounding her. Lyra just smiled, not realizing the weight pressing in from every side. To her, it was simple. To everyone else, it was war.
The road stretched ahead, smooth and controlled, while Clarissa's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel. Then she spoke, her tone casual but deliberate.
"Anyway… I'm going out today to find inspiration for my next project." She glanced briefly toward Lyra, the words carrying more weight than they seemed.
Lyra turned slightly, curiosity flickering. "Inspiration?" she asked.
"Yes," Clarissa replied, a small smirk appearing. "That's why I brought you along." Her eyes lingered on Lyra for just a second longer.
"Maybe you can help me… find something new." The words hung in the air, but the subtext was sharper, not "something," but someone.
Lyra blinked, slightly surprised. "…Me?" she asked, a shy smile forming. "I don't know much about fashion…"
She looked down briefly, then back up. "But I can try." Perfect. Exactly the kind of answer Clarissa expected.
"You don't need to know anything," she said smoothly. "Sometimes raw instinct is better." Her gaze sharpened, almost unreadable now. "…And you have something interesting."
Lyra tilted her head slightly. "…Interesting?" she echoed, confused.
Clarissa's smile faintly deepened as she turned her eyes back to the road. "…You'll see."
The car stopped smoothly, effortlessly, before the grand entrance of the luxury mall. Clarissa stepped out first, her movements confident, practiced.
Lyra followed and froze. Glass walls shimmered under the lights; high-end boutiques lined the halls in perfect symmetry. "…Wow…" she whispered, eyes widening.
Slowly, she lifted her hand, giving a small thumbs up. "This is yours?"
Clarissa's faint smirk answered. "Family-owned," she said simply, though the weight of the words carried far more than they revealed.
Inside, the mall seemed to bend around them. People moved aside almost instinctively, as if Clarissa's presence demanded space. She didn't even glance their way.
"We'll start from the first floor," she said, her tone casual but commanding. "I want to get something for Liam."
Lyra turned to her, curiosity softening her features. "You really care about him, don't you?" she asked. "You always think about him first." A pause, then a gentle smile. "I'm impressed… with your loyalty."
Clarissa's steps slowed for just a second before resuming. "…Loyalty?" she repeated softly, the word tasting strange on her tongue.
They entered a boutique in the men's section... clean, elegant, sharp-cut suits displayed with precision. Clarissa's fingers brushed lightly across the fabric; her expression unreadable.
"…Maybe," she said at last, her faint smile returning. Her eyes shifted toward Lyra. "You're the first person to say that to me. Nice catch." But her tone was layered, impossible to read.
Lyra smiled softly, still innocent. "…Still, it's a good thing."
Clarissa didn't answer. She turned away, selecting a suit, but her eyes darkened slightly. Because now, as the thought lingered, she was wondering... 'what about you?'
Clarissa's hand paused on a suit before she turned, her eyes landing on Lyra. "…You?" she asked. Lyra tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"
Clarissa stepped closer; her tone deceptively casual. "…Do you have someone you like?" The question was simple, but heavy.
Lyra blinked, caught off guard. "…Me…?" she whispered. After a pause, she shook her head. "No." Her voice was soft, honest.
"Since I woke up… Liam and Sera are the only people I have." Her fingers clasped lightly together. "I care about them a lot. Like family."
Clarissa's eyes narrowed, listening closely. "…Don't misunderstand me," Lyra added quickly, shaking her head. "I only see Liam… like a brother."
The air shifted, just slightly. Relief flickered in Clarissa's chest but not fully. Something about the answer felt too clean, too simple.
"…Is that so?" she murmured, a faint smile appearing though her eyes kept searching. "Then that's good. At least things won't get complicated." Lyra's nod was slight, innocent to the reality beneath.
Boutique after boutique, silk and glass and mirrors blurred together as time slipped away unnoticed.
Two hours passed... maybe more. The crowd moved elegantly around them, but Lyra's pace slowed.
"…Ahh…" she murmured, stretching slightly, her steps uneven. "My legs are getting numb already…" A small, tired laugh escaped her.
Clarissa stopped mid-step, blinking as if only now realizing how long they had been walking. "…Oh." A pause, then a faint chuckle. "Sorry." She brushed her hair back casually, her tone lighter. "When I shop, I tend to get carried away. Time flies like that."
A smirk followed, but her voice softened just slightly. "Let's eat first. You need energy." Lyra smiled, grateful. "…Okay."
They entered a Japanese-style restaurant, warm lighting spilling across wooden interiors, soft instrumental music weaving through the air. Peaceful. Too peaceful.
Lyra sat down, letting out a quiet breath, her hand subconsciously moving to her pocket, brushing against the music box. For a moment, tension flickered across her face, then vanished.
From across the table, Clarissa noticed. Not the movement, but the pause. Because something was still off.
Menus opened, orders about to be made. But beneath the calm, something was building again. And this time, they wouldn't be alone for long.
--------------------------------------------------
The table was quiet. Too quiet. Lyra had just picked up her chopsticks, hesitant, still adjusting, when a voice cut through the calm.
"Well… well…" The pause was slow, deliberate. "Who do we have here?"
Lyra froze. That voice sharp, familiar, dangerous. She turned slowly, but before she could fully react, Clarissa lifted her head, annoyance already clear. And then she saw her.
Lacey. Standing there... perfect, elegant, uninvited.
A smirk formed on Clarissa's lips, sharp and edged. "It's you, Rania." Her eyes flicked briefly to the man beside her, then back. "With your… lover?" Her tone was sweet, but laced with poison.
Lacey smiled, unbothered, amused. "…Still the same, Clarissa," she said, stepping closer. "Always talking before thinking."
Her gaze shifted slowly landing on Lyra. And stayed there. Longer than necessary. "…We meet again." The faint smile that followed was anything but friendly.
Lyra's grip tightened on her chopsticks, her chest constricting. "…You…" she whispered, the word trembling. Clarissa noticed instantly, her eyes narrowing. That reaction wasn't normal.
"We're eating," she cut in sharply. "So, unless you plan to join us, don't stand there like decoration."
A soft laugh escaped Lacey, low and controlled. "…Maybe I will." Her eyes flickered back to Lyra. "After all, … I'm curious."
Clarissa's lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. "Why not?" she said, her eyes flicking toward Lyra with something unreadable in them. "Let Rania and her… lover join us."
Lyra blinked, then smiled warmly, unaware of the undertone. "Of course," she said, pure and innocent.
"…Please," Clarissa added, gesturing softly to the seats. "Join us, sweet couple."
Lyra shifted, moving beside Clarissa, while Lacey and Noah sat across from them. A perfect square. A perfect battlefield.
Noah leaned back slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's been a while, Clar," he said.
Clarissa didn't look up, only nodded, chewing slowly, unbothered. Then Noah's attention shifted. To Lyra.
"Hi," he said casually, smiling. "I'm Noah. Rania's future husband… and Clarissa's ex." He extended his hand. "And you?"
Lyra froze, choking suddenly on her sushi. "Ahhh..." She grabbed her lychee drink quickly, coughing as her chest tightened.
Clarissa leaned in immediately, her hand on Lyra's back. "Hey, are you okay?" Her tone was genuinely concerned, but her eyes snapped to Noah, sharp.
"Was that necessary? The past is the past. You made her uncomfortable." Her voice lowered, dangerous.
Noah raised his hands slightly. "…I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
Lyra exhaled softly. "…I'm okay…" she whispered, then gently took his hand. "I'm Lyra. Liam's sister… and Clarissa's friend."
Friend. That word lingered. Clarissa's pause was subtle, but heavy.
Noah frowned. "…Wait. Since when Liam has a sister?"
"…Distant relative," Clarissa answered calmly. "He treats her like family. So, she's, his sister." Her glance at Lyra was short but telling.
Lacey remained silent, though her eyes darkened at one word... sister. Finally, she smiled politely. "…Nice to meet you, Lyra."
"You too," Lyra replied softly.
Lacey's gaze flicked to Noah. "…And Noah. No need to bring up the 'ex' part. Clarissa might get upset."
"…Upset?" Clarissa laughed quietly. "It was just a bad relationship. I've already forgotten it."
Noah's expression tightened for a second, then vanished. "…Right." He picked up the menu, handing it to Lacey. "You choose first, dear."
"Thank you, honey," Lacey said with a soft smile.
Annoying. Very. Clarissa's jaw tightened slightly, though she stayed silent.
Lyra lowered her gaze, continuing to eat slowly. "…So awkward…" she whispered, barely audible.
Four people. One table. Smiles, words, politeness. But beneath it all, something dangerous was growing. And Lyra was sitting right in the center of it.
-------------------------------------
The glass door slid open, and cool air replaced the tension inside.
They stepped out together, the weight of silence following them. Lacey turned slightly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
"We'll head off first," she said, pausing just long enough for her eyes to flick toward Lyra, and then Clarissa. A faint smile touched her lips, perfect, unreadable.
"…Sure," Clarissa replied, her tone casual, dismissive. "Bye. You too." She gave a slight wave, nothing more.
Lacey and Noah walked away side by side, blending into the crowd until they disappeared completely.
For a moment, neither Lyra nor Clarissa spoke. Then Clarissa exhaled, a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "…Finally," she muttered. "At least there's some peace now."
Lyra didn't answer immediately. Her gaze stayed forward, lost in the moving crowd, her chest tight again. "…That woman…" she whispered.
"…Rania?" Clarissa asked, raising a brow. "…I don't know…" Lyra's fingers curled subconsciously; her voice low. "…But when she looked at me… it felt like she knew me."
Clarissa's expression shifted, just slightly. Because that wasn't a good sign. "…You're overthinking," she scoffed lightly. "She looks at everyone like that." But her eyes weren't fully convinced.
Lyra nodded slowly, trying to believe it. But deep inside, something had already started connecting. And Lacey wasn't done with her yet.
The air felt heavier now, not like before.
Clarissa walked ahead, her heels clicking sharper than usual. "Let's go back," she said flatly. No smile. "I'm tired of pretending in front of them."
The car door shut, sealing them inside. Silence filled the space as the engine started, but neither spoke at first.
"…I didn't know…" Lyra's voice broke the quiet, hesitant. "…you had someone before Liam."
Clarissa's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel, her eyes fixed forward, cold.
"He's not 'someone,'" she said sharply. A breath. "Just a bad part of my life. Don't bring him up again." Her voice lowered, controlled. "He already ruined enough."
Her expression tightened, but only for a moment, hidden quickly.
"…I'm sorry, Clar…" Lyra whispered, guilt in her tone. She shifted slightly closer.
"I didn't mean to upset you." A pause, then softer, gentler. "Let me do something for you." Clarissa's eyes flicked toward her, just for a second.
"…I really want to help," Lyra continued, a small smile forming. "Anything that can make you feel better." There it was. An offer. Pure. Uncalculated.
Clarissa's lips curved slowly, not kind, not cruel... something in between. "…Anything?" she asked quietly.
"…Anything," Lyra nodded, no hesitation. Clarissa's smile deepened.
Silence filled the car, heavy and unyielding. Clarissa's words lingered like something unfinished, pressing against the quiet. Then she spoke. "...So…" Her eyes flicked toward Lyra, unreadable.
"I want you to help me." A pause. Her lips curved slowly. "Be my model."
Lyra blinked once, twice, before her voice shot up in pure shock. "What???"
"…You heard me," Clarissa said calmly, eyes back on the road, unbothered. "You'll be my model. For my next collection."
Lyra pointed at herself, still stunned. "…But I... I don't know anything about modeling…" She shook her head quickly. "I've never done this before."
"…Exactly," Clarissa replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "That's why I chose you." Raw. Untrained. Real.
"You don't try too hard," Clarissa explained, her gaze cutting toward Lyra. "You don't pretend. And that's rare."
Lyra hesitated, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "…I don't know… What if I mess it up?"
"…You won't," Clarissa said firmly, her tone confident, commanding. "Because I'll make sure you don't." A pause. "…Didn't you say you'd help me?"
That line hit. Lyra looked down, thinking, before slowly nodding. "…Okay…" she whispered. "I'll do it."
Clarissa's smile deepened, satisfied. Because now Lyra wasn't just helping, she was stepping into Clarissa's world. And once inside, it wouldn't be easy to leave.
And somewhere, far from this car, someone would not like this at all.
------------------------------------------------
The study was dim, only one lamp casting its glow across the desk. Liam stood rigid, jaw tight, his voice sharp.
"No. What's wrong with you, Clar?" He turned; eyes locked on her. "You didn't even like her before. And now suddenly, you want her as your model?" His tone dropped, heavy. "Why?"
Clarissa leaned against the wall, arms crossed, unbothered. "Because I understand now." A faint smile curved her lips. "You only see her as your sister. So, I decided to accept her too. As my future sister-in-law."
Silence pressed between them, heavy. Liam didn't move, didn't react.
"…There's nothing wrong with that, right?" Clarissa tilted her head slightly, her voice smooth. "I just want to be friends with her. Don't misunderstand me." Too smooth. Too easy.
Liam stepped closer, his tone low, accusing. "…You don't 'just' do anything. Especially not like this."
Clarissa's smirk sharpened. "…You think too much." Her eyes met his, steady. "Or maybe…" A pause, her smile faint. "…you don't like the idea of her being seen by others?"
The line hit hard. Liam froze, just for a second.
"…Relax, Liam," Clarissa said softly, her tone deceptively calm. "She's your sister. Nothing more." Silence stretched between them, tense and unresolved.
Liam exhaled slowly, as if forcing himself to decide. "…Fine." His gaze hardened. "You can have her as your model."
A small smile formed on Clarissa's lips, victory. But Liam wasn't finished.
"But." The word cut sharp. "She will be under my protection. At all times." His eyes locked onto hers, cold. "Guards will follow her. Everywhere."
Clarissa's smile faltered, just slightly. Because this wasn't a suggestion. "…That's a bit much, don't you think?" she scoffed softly. "She's not a prisoner."
"…No." Liam's voice dropped lower, heavier. "She's a target."
The truth hung in the air, undeniable. Clarissa didn't respond immediately, her expression tightening.
"If anything happens to her…" Liam's warning was low, dangerous. "…you won't be able to fix it."
Clarissa looked at him longer this time, her silence deliberates. Then, slowly, her smile returned. "…Fine." A soft answer.
Because even with guards, she had already gotten what she wanted. Lyra was now officially in the center of everything.
TBC