After settling down, Sana shifted the conversation, a curious lilt in her words. “Harps, was it smooth sailing with my brother?”
A soft giggle slipped from Harper’s lips. “Absolutely! Doesn’t hurt that he’s eye candy, either!”
Sana’s grin widened, her tone part teasing, part serious. “Well, he’s still flyin’ solo. If you want, I could play Cupid…”
Though amused, Harper shook her head, putting a lid on her bestie’s offer. “No way! We just met. Besides, I’m not ready to jump into anything right now.”
Her usual confidence faltered, giving way to a sigh. “Honestly, I’m so over the ridiculous blind dates the rents keep setting me up on. It’s like they can’t wait to ship off their third wheel! I want things to happen organically, y’know? Anyway, I’d rather focus on my career first.”
Sana nodded, her expression softening with understanding. “I get it, Harps. You’ve got time, don’t sweat it.”
Then, a spark of mischief lit her eyes. “Hey! Here’s an idea: you could hire a fake boyfriend to keep the rents off your back.”
Harper burst out laughing. “That’s insane!” Before she could continue, a knock sounded, and the door slid open. Seven’s towering silhouette filled the threshold, and he called out gently, “Lunch is ready.”
Sana’s features brightened. “Be there in a sec.”
Harper’s hand shot up as she volunteered, “I’ll push her! Let’s roll!”
……
At the table, Seven blew gently on each spoonful before guiding it to Sana’s lips. Harper gawked at the scene.
“Looks like you’re getting the royal treatment, Princess. You’ve got Mr. Hercules wrapped around your lil’ pinky!”
Sana smirked, throwing Seven a sidelong glance. “He’s in charge of my recovery. But in everything else, I’m the boss, aren’t I, Sweets?”
“Mmhmm,” Seven casually hummed.
Their little exchange drew an unexpected chuckle from Kasra, who leaned in with a raised brow. “Sweets, huh? Is there something you forgot to mention?”
Seven locked eyes with Kasra, his gaze unflinching. “Kasra, Sana and I had a heart-to-heart last night. I asked, and she agreed to be my girlfriend. I planned to share this news tonight, but… cat’s out of the bag.”
Kasra inclined his head. “Told you I was rooting for you, didn’t I?” He clapped Seven on the shoulder. “You’ve got my blessing.”
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Seven’s reply was quiet, “I only hope your parents will be as receptive.”
The warm moment was interrupted by a call. Kasra pulled out his phone; it was about the call bracelets. The conversation prompted Seven to add, “Kasra, I just realized Esme and Lara should probably have call bracelets, too.”
Kasra handled it swiftly, then shot him a probing glance. “You’re planning to head out?”
Seven nodded, a shadow of uncertainty clouding his features. “I don’t know if Kate intends to sell the house. I’ve to gather my things. Can I leave them here in the interim?”
“Of course, “Kasra agreed without hesitation. “I’ll drive you since your car’s still in the shop. Harper, think you could keep Sana company for a while?”
Harper shot him a thumbs-up. “You didn’t even need to ask!”
Seven gave her a look of gratitude. “Just keep her company, Harper. I’ll help her with anything she needs before we go.”
Harper flashed him an ‘OK’ sign. “Got it.”
……
919 Bellview Road
When they arrived at the quaint duplex, Seven led the way into his bedroom. Kasra scanned the space, surprised by its austerity. “You weren’t exaggerating when you said you don’t have much here,” he remarked.
Seven shrugged. “I’m not here usually. The desktop’s the only hassle. I bought it thinking I’d be here longer.”
Kasra considered it for a moment and suggested, “Let’s bring it along. We can set it up in Sana’s study.”
“Good idea.”
Within 20 minutes, they loaded all of Seven’s belongings and were back at The Cliffs.
……
Once inside, Seven quietly made his way to the study, only to find Harper immersed in her work there. Not wanting to disturb her, he left the computer on the floor by the wall and continued to Sana’s bedroom.
When he stepped in, warmth unfurled in him at the sight of her by the window, framed against the sweeping view of the Potomac. She looked peaceful, lost in thought.
Hearing his approach, Sana turned, surprise flickering across her features. “You’re back already?”
Seven smiled, amusement threading through his words. “Did you know? The house you stumbled upon that night is about a mile from here.”
Her body stiffened, hands clenching tight around her gown, knuckles blanching. Her gaze became unfocused, the room dissolving around her, replaced by the storm-swept night she thought she had buried. Thunder roared in her ears, rain pelted her skin, and shadows closed in. She could feel the scratch of thorns tearing her arms as she stumbled forward, blinded by terror, drenched and trembling. She heaved, a whimper breaking free.
“I… I was asleep… we hit a spike strip…” Her voice cracked, eyes darting wildly.
The sharp tang of blood filled her senses. Panic clawed at her until it felt impossible to breathe. “Th–they… they were coming after me…”
Tears streaked her cheeks, her body curling inward as if she could shield herself from invisible attackers. Her face drained of color, and she flinched as fragments of the nightmare replayed.
Seven’s chest tightened, guilt stabbing him—his careless remark had triggered her torment. In two strides, he gathered her against him, arms strong and steady.
His timbre was low, firm, anchoring her in the storm. “Shh… I’m here, Sana. I got you.”
His embrace was solid, a safe harbor as memories battered her. He felt her frantic heartbeat hammering against his ribs, her body rigid with fear, but he held her close, unwavering.
“Breathe with me, Sana. Slowly… in… out… in… out…”
Bit by bit, his presence reached her, a lifeline pulling her back. Her fists loosened, breath falling into rhythm with his. The storm still echoed faintly in her mind—the gunshots, the footsteps—but they grew distant, fading like a nightmare chased by dawn.
Finally, she sagged against him, exhausted but calmer. “I thought… I thought I’d never escape… and Director James…”
Seven lowered his chin to her crown, his hand tracing circles along her spine. “I’m here now, Sana. No one’s going to hurt you again. I won’t let them.” His words were steady, a shield against the shadows that haunted her.
Next upload: Friday, 8?PM SGT (GMT+8) — that’s Friday, 8?AM EST / 5?AM PST in the US, and Friday, 12?PM GMT in the UK.
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