Alyssa wanted to disappear. To shrink into the booth and slide under the table where no one could see her.
But Lisa and Kai’s stares pinned her in place.
Deadly. Accusing. Judging.
She could feel Elvis’s gaze too, burning into her from the other end of the café. Even from a distance, his presence was impossible to ignore.
“I never knew my best friend was an eater,” Kai said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He raised an eyebrow at her.
Alyssa’s face burned. She looked back at the TV screen, where Alexander was still smiling that infuriating, knowing smile.
Was that question even necessary? she thought bitterly. He covered his neck when we went to his family house. So why did he wear something that would show off his marks today?
She didn’t have an answer. But she had a feeling Alexander did. And it was probably to make a point.
The silence between them stretched, thick and uncomfortable. The café’s ambient noise seemed to fade into the background.
Alyssa couldn’t take it anymore.
“I think we should start going,” she said, her voice quieter than she intended. She grabbed her bag and stood up. “Lisa, come on. Let’s go to the car.”
Lisa didn’t move.
She looked at Alyssa, then at Kai, then back at Alyssa. Her expression was unreadable.
“No. Never mind,” Lisa said slowly. She stood up and smoothed her dress. “I’ll join Kai in his car.”
Alyssa’s heart sank.
She’s avoiding me.
Lisa didn’t meet her eyes as she walked past her. Kai followed, giving Alyssa a long, searching look before turning away.
Alyssa stood alone at the table, watching them leave.
She watched as Lisa and Kai walked out of the café and climbed into Kai’s car. Through the glass, she saw Lisa lean her head against the window. Kai said something, but Lisa didn’t respond.
They still have questions, Alyssa thought. So many questions. And I hope… I hope I’ll be able to answer them.
But right now, she didn’t even have answers for herself.
“Mrs. Blackwood.”
Elvis’s voice cut through her thoughts. She turned to find him standing beside her, his expression calm and professional.
She nodded, forcing a small smile. “Let’s go.”
She walked out of the café and slid into the back seat of the car. The leather was cool against her skin. She stared out the window as Elvis took the driver’s seat.
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. One last look. Then he started the engine.
The car pulled away from the curb, merging into traffic. Alyssa watched as Kai’s car drove ahead of them, leading the way to the company.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
What have I gotten myself into?
The elevator doors slid open, and the four of them stepped inside—Lisa, Kai, Alyssa, and Elvis. The space felt smaller than usual, the silence between them thick enough to cut.
Kai pulled off his nose mask and cap, running a hand through his messy hair. He looked at Lisa, then at Alyssa, and gave a small nod.
“I’ll see you two later,” he said, his voice softer than usual.
He stepped out of the elevator the moment the doors opened on his floor, walking away without looking back.
Alyssa watched him go. He’s hurt. I know he is.
The doors closed again.
Lisa and Alyssa rode the rest of the way in silence. Elvis stood behind them, a silent shadow.
When the elevator finally opened on their floor, Lisa stepped out first. Alyssa followed. Elvis followed her.
Maya was already waiting inside the office, standing beside three unfamiliar faces. She straightened up the moment they walked in, her sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on Alyssa.
Then her gaze shifted to Elvis. She studied him for a brief moment, then turned her attention back to Lisa and Alyssa.
“These are Ian, Randy, and Daisy,” Maya said, gesturing to each of them in turn.
Alyssa looked them over.
Ian had fiery red hair and light makeup that accentuated his sharp features. He looked like he belonged on a runway.
Randy had a long black wolf cut with striking grey spikes. His hooded eyes gave him an almost feminine, ethereal quality. He looked like he had stepped out of a fantasy novel.
And Daisy, she had warm hazel eyes and dark blonde hair that cascaded down her shoulders like silk.
“Ian is your makeup artist,” Maya continued, pointing to the redhead. “Randy is your stylist.” She gestured to the wolf-cut man. “And Daisy is your hairstylist.”
She paused, then added, “As time goes on, more people will join the team.”
Alyssa nodded, taking it all in. This is really happening.
Ian stepped forward, his eyes fixed on her with an almost artistic curiosity. “Mind if I touch them?” he asked, his voice light and melodic.
Alyssa followed his gaze. He was looking at her hair.
She smiled. “Yes, you can.”
Ian reached out and gently touched a strand of her silver-blonde hair. He ran his fingers through it, his expression shifting from curiosity to awe.
“Did you dye them?” he asked.
Alyssa laughed softly. She had been asked that question so many times that it no longer surprised her.
“No, I didn’t.”
Ian’s eyes widened. “Wow. First time seeing someone with natural silver-blonde hair.” He looked at her like she was a rare gem.
“Alright, Ian,” Maya interrupted, her voice firm but not unkind. “We need to get going. You can talk about Miss Alyssa’s hair later.”
Everyone in the room turned to look at her.
She felt a flush creep up her neck. Did I miss something?
“Didn’t you see the schedule I sent you last night?” Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow.
Alyssa’s mind raced. The schedule. Right. I saw it. I just… didn’t read the details.
“I did,” she said, trying to sound confident.
Lisa gave her a long, knowing look. But she didn’t call her out.
“Alright,” Lisa said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get moving.”
Everyone filed out of the office. Lisa fell into step beside Alyssa and lowered her voice.
“You just got a brand deal with Lilos Cosmetics.”
Alyssa stopped walking. “Lilos Cosmetics? You mean I’m going to be a brand ambassador for Lilos?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Isn’t Kylie already their brand ambassador?”
“She is,” Lisa confirmed. “But you got posted on All Stars’ official website. And you gained over five thousand followers overnight. Didn’t you see it?”
Alyssa opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a man’s voice cut through the air.
“Are you two being serious right now?”
Alyssa and Lisa turned. A man in a sharp suit stood a few feet away, tapping his watch.
“Hello, ladies. Hurry up.”
Lisa grabbed Alyssa’s arm and pulled her toward the elevator. Elvis followed silently behind them.
As they all stepped inside, Ian looked at Elvis and whispered to Daisy, “Is he supposed to be here with us?”
Daisy glanced at Elvis, who stood at the back, his posture rigid and alert. “I don’t know about that,” she murmured back.
The elevator descended to the underground parking lot. The doors opened, and everyone stepped out.
Alyssa stopped walking. She turned to face Elvis.
“I won’t be needing you to follow me right now,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I’m going to work, and I’ll be using the company car. You can follow behind us.”
Elvis gave a curt nod. “Okay, Mrs. Blackwood.”
Alyssa’s heart skipped. She quickly turned around, praying no one had heard him.
Luckily, no one did.
She walked toward the company car and climbed in with the others. The driver started the engine, and the car pulled out of the underground parking lot.
Through the rear window, Alyssa saw Elvis’s car following behind.
She let out a slow breath and leaned back in her seat.