AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
The cafe felt simultaneously normal and entirely not. The scent of pastries mingled with a faint, tense electricity, one that only existed when Xavier was present and I was trying desperately not to panic. I wiped the counter again, trying to convince myself that this was just another day, but the subtle thrill of his gaze, and the chaos of Wanessa flirting lightly with Michael made it impossible.
"ALERT: SECOND CHAPTER INITIATED – ROSE GARDEN SPECIAL EVENT. PLAYER TARGET: ISABELLA. NOTE: PRIMARY MALE LEAD IS ALREADY IN PLAY."The system said.
I froze mid wipe, cloth in hand.
"Oh no." I muttered, voice barely above the hum of the espresso machine.
Wanessa, perched casually on her stool, had the expression of someone who had seen this coming for weeks.
"Relax." She said, almost lazily. "I already knew."
"You knew?" I asked, blinking.
"Of course." She sipped her iced coffee. "Second chapter, flowers bloom, tension rises. Classic."
