Part-260

  Rakib tilted his head, studying James once more. His eyes were cold, calg. "I see. Well, I suppose I’ll be seeing more of you then, James." There was no mistaking the challenge in his tone, a warning that this wasn’t over.

  James forced himself to meet Rakib’s gaze head-on, his jaw tightening. "Seems that way," he replied, keeping his voice even.

  Rakib gave a small, tight-lipped smile before stepping back. "Enjoy the rest of your day," he said, his tone dripping with false courtesy. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd as easily as he had appeared.

  Toya let out a breath, her grip on James’ arm loosening as she stepped back. Her expression shifted, the warmth and affe from moments ago fading into her usual ral mask.

  "Well," she said quietly, "that weer than expected."

  James nodded, still processing the enter. "He’s definitely going to try something," he said, his voice low. "That wasn’t a man bag down."

  Toya sighed. "I know. But at least we bought ourselves some time."

  James gnced around, making sure Rakib was really gone before turning back to Toya. "You’re a better actor than I thought."

  Toya smirked, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "I’ve had plenty of practice."

  As they tiheir walk through the mall, James couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Rakib wasn’t someone who would give up easily, and this fake retionship was now more than just a simple ruse. The storm was ing, and James khey’d need more

  The cool evening air greeted James and Toya as they exited the shopping mall, the day’s charade having gone surprisingly smooth. James couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief; Rakib’s presence had rattled him, but Toya’s ag had been fwless, leaving Rakib uain. It was a small victory in their ongoing battle, and James felt his muscles slowly unwind as they headed toward the mall’s exit.

  But just as they he automatic doors, something disrupted the calm. A shoulder smmed into James with enough forake him take a step back. Reflexively, James opened his mouth to apologize, but before he could say anything, a voice barked at him.

  "Hey! What’s your problem?" the boy snarled. He stood only a few feet away, his braided hair hanging down his shoulders and his posture reeking ance. "You ’t roperly or what?"

  James frowhis wasn’t the typical bump-and-move situation. The boy looked young, probably in his te teens, but his puffed-up chest and the swagger in his stance suggested he wasn’t alone. Sure enough, as James gnced around, he saw several others standing behind the boy, f a loose but menag semicircle. Their expressions mirrored that of their leader—cocky and itg for trouble. James felt a knot form in his stomach. He wasn’t afraid, but his gut told him this situation could escate fast.

  Still, he wasn’t in the mood for a fight, especially after what had just happened with Rakib. He turoward the boy, keeping his voice calm and even. "Sorry about that. I didn’t see you there."