CHAPTER SEVEN: Crossing boundaries

Mia sat in front of her mirror while Samantha sat beside her, watching, as she applied her lightweight lipstick. Then her phone rang.

She saw it was her mom’s number, and a smile spread across her face. But the smile quickly vanished as she heard her mom sobbing on the other end.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Mia asked apprehensively.

“Mia, I-I got evicted from my apartment!” Her voice cracked, tears spilling through the receiver. “I was robbed last night, and my landlord refused to give me an extension.”

Mia gave a sigh, her voice shaking.

“What? Mom, calm down. I’ll figure this out. Just give me a few hours, alright?”

“Thank you, baby,” her mom said through sobs.

Mia hung up, her fingers clenching tightly on her phone as her mind whirled. She needed to act fast, but there was only one person she knew who could supply the cash—and the thought of him made her stomach twist.

“What’s going on?” Samantha asked, her head tilting in interest.

“I need to pay a visit to Derrick right now,” Mia said, rising abruptly.

Samantha widened her eyes in disapproval. “Mia! No, that guy is bad news, and we can’t trust him.”

Derrick had been pursuing Mia since high school. At that time, she had felt that he was after her, but she later came to understand that he was after something entirely different.

She hadn’t kept in contact with him since then, but Derrick was her only hope to get the loan she needed without collateral.

“I don’t have a choice, Sam. I just can’t leave my mom out there in the cold.” Mia’s voice broke.

“I don’t support this, but if you’re determined, at least be careful. Don’t let him take advantage of you.

Mia knew this was risky, but she had no option.

Mia nodded, though she felt no reassurance. “I’ll be careful. But I need you to drive me there.”

When they arrived at Derrick’s office, Mia stood outside and took a deep breath, the emotional burden weighing heavily on her. She pushed the door open and faced Derrick, who sat behind his desk.

His gaze locked onto her, and a smirk crossed his face.

Derrick’s office was a mess. Stacks of old files and papers unsteadily towered on his desk, and the stale smell of cigarettes lingered. The leather of his chair was fractured—much like the man himself: overconfident yet worn down by time.

“Well, if it isn’t my high school sweetheart, Mia Williams.” His voice dripped with mockery.

“Finally, you’ve come to see me. Please, have a seat.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Mia asked in confusion.

“Samantha must’ve told you I requested to see you,” Derrick said confidently.

Mia had no idea. She was relieved Samantha hadn’t mentioned it—Mia had no interest in seeing Derrick.

Mia didn’t budge. “I need your help, Derrick. My mom’s been evicted, and I need $5,000.”

“You’re in the right place, honey, but how do I benefit from this? You know I don’t do this for free.”

“I know. I’m not asking for charity either. I’ll pay you back with interest.”

“I can do that, but my interest rate is high. By the way, while you’re here, I was hoping we could talk about something else.”

“Something else… I don’t understand,” Mia frowned.

“Don’t play dumb with me. walking in here after ignoring me all these years,” Derrick said, his eyes narrowing. “And you think my feelings for you have changed?”

Mia’s stomach twisted with disgust. “There was nothing between us, Derrick. I’m here for a loan, nothing else.”

“I understand but it’s been a while, Mia. Maybe we could reignite… what we had.” His tone darkened, his eyes trailing over her like a predator.

Mia scoffed, her lack of interest obvious.

He sighed dramatically, leaning back in his chair. “Fine. But remember, if you’re late on payments, don’t expect me to be lenient.” He slid a check across the desk.

Mia grabbed it, her relief tinged with unease. “I’ll pay it back before the end of next month.”

As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her. “You should think about it, Mia. There’s still something between us. You just don’t see it yet.

Mia froze, a sharp memory flashing—the humiliation at the after-prom party when Derrick publicly mocked her. She clenched the check tighter, forcing herself to keep walking.

“How’d it go?” Samantha asked immediately as Mia entered her car.

“I got the complete cash. Let’s go.”

“Your mom’s house is roughly two hours away from here, you might not make it back in time. Besides, Angelo might call you anytime.”

“We can always reschedule.”

“No, I got this,” Samantha interrupted. “Remember, you’re supposed to blend into your role. Carry on with your date, I’ll handle the rest for you.”

Samantha was right. If Mia wasn’t mentally prepared to carry out her assignment tonight, her mom’s life would be at risk too.

After dinner, Angelo drove Mia back to Zac’s house as promised. The car ride was filled with light conversation and laughter, making her temporarily forget the weight of her mission tonight.

Angelo had been nothing but nice to her since the first day they met.

In the parking lot, Angelo turned to her, his eyes warm and appreciative. “It was nice spending time with you,” he whispered softly. “I hope we can do it again—you’re fun to be with, Tiffany.”

The atmosphere shifted. Angelo leaned closer, helping her unbuckle her seatbelt. His fingers brushed against hers, lingering just a moment too long.

Mia’s heart somersaulted. She bit her lip, her eyes darting up to his. The air between them grew tense, her presence drawing him closer.”

Just as his lips moved closer, a deep buzz from Mia’s bag shattered the moment. Angelo jerked back, his face flushed with embarrassment.

He suddenly cleared his throat and said, “You should check that.”

Mia glanced at her phone, grateful for the distraction but unable to shake her own pang of disappointment. ‘I should go,’ she murmured softly.

“Yeah,” Angelo said, clearing his throat. “See you around.”

Mia stepped out, her mind spinning. The moment had shaken her, but she forced herself to focus. Tonight wasn’t about silly emotions—it was about completing her mission.

She lingered for a moment as he drove away, slapping her forehead. What just happened?

She approached the door and immediately felt some kind of subtle movement in those curtains. A shiver ran down her spine, but she squared her shoulders, forcing herself to appear composed.

Inside, Zac’s voice greeted her like an icy dagger. “Enjoyed your night out?” His tone was calm, yet there was a sharp edge beneath it.

Mia turned toward the kitchen, forcing herself to respond evenly. “Uhm… it was a casual dinner, Sir.”

His cold eyes narrowed, studying her like a predator sizing up its prey. He glanced at his watch, his lips curling into a thin line. “Two minutes late, Tiffany.”

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she replied, lowering her gaze.

Zac didn’t miss a beat. “Have my coffee ready and bring it to my study immediately.”

Mia’s heart skipped. This could be my chance.

Mia’s nerves tingled with anticipation. She knew tonight she had to follow through on her promise to Xiang. Her shift involved preparing Zac’s coffee, a routine he savored.

Mia moved methodically in the kitchen, each step calculated to mask her trembling hands. She carefully measured the coffee grounds, her pulse quickening as she reached for the small bottle in her pocket.

The sedative was clear, odorless, and tasteless—perfect for tonight’s task. She poured it into the steaming mug, stirring slowly to ensure it dissolved completely.

Suddenly, Zac appeared in the doorway, his presence casting a heavy weight across the room.

“That smells good,” he said, stepping closer. His voice held a surprising warmth that put Mia on edge. He picked up the mug, inhaling deeply before taking a sip.

“Doesn’t taste bad, either,” he remarked, his lips tugging into the closest thing to a smile she’d ever seen from him.

Mia forced herself to smile back. “Thank you, Sir.”

For a moment, Zac lingered, his sharp eyes scanning her as though searching for something beneath her calm demeanor. Finally, he nodded. “I must be more tired than I thought,” he muttered, his voice already slurring.

He walked out, coffee mug in hand. Mia watched him intently as he disappeared up the stairs, her chest tightening.

A few minutes later, Mia watched as he packed up his files and headed toward his bedroom. She followed at a safe distance, a glass of water in hand, closely monitoring his movements.

She was sure it was working. He rarely went upstairs before midnight.”

Mia waited until she was certain Zac was out cold. She came to his bedroom—the door was ajar. She peeked in and saw him sprawled on the bed, snoring softly. The empty mug sat on the bedside table.

She slipped inside, her movements silent. Zac’s bedroom was spotless and minimalist, save for the door leading to his private study—the one place without surveillance cameras.

Mia stepped into the study—the dim light cast long shadows across the room. She quickened her breathing as she scanned the space, her eyes alighting on a brown leather briefcase lying on the desk.

This has to be it.

She hurried to the briefcase, opening it carefully. Inside were stacks of papers, some marked with confidential stamps. She reached for her phone, snapping pictures of anything that looked important.

It was then that the faint creak of floorboards made her freeze.

Her heart pounded as she turned toward the doorway. A shadow loomed, growing larger with each passing second. She held her breath, praying it was nothing.

But then, a man stepped into the room. His figure was tall and imposing, his features obscured by the dim light.

A tall figure loomed in the doorway, casting a long shadow in the dark room. She sprang to her feet, attempting to run, but he was faster.

Mia scrambled to her feet, desperate to flee, but his hand shot out, his iron fingers wrapping around her arm with vice-like strength.

“Not so fast,” he growled in a low, threatening tone.

Mia’s heart was racing as she looked up at him.

“Who sent you?” he asked calmly, the menace in his words clear.

Her mind screamed for a way out, but she was trapped.

“Answer me,” he demanded, his voice cold as ice, his tone dropping to a deadly whisper.

“Tell me the truth, Mia Williams.”

Mia froze, her breath hitching. Her mind reeled as he leaned closer, his next words striking like a thunderclap.

“I know what you are.”

Her heart dropped. He knows