YOU'RE BACK?!!

Katniss

“It’s not something I wish to share with anyone, sir. Do you mind if I keep that part of my life to myself? What happened in my past is buried deep, and that’s where I intend to leave it. I’ve started a new life, and I’d prefer not to look back. Apologies if this seems blunt,” I said, my voice steady and unwavering. I met his gaze with a fierce clarity, signaling my seriousness. There was no hesitation, no deference, even though he was my boss. This was outside of work, and I had every right to establish my boundaries.

Mr. Corleone didn’t appear offended in the slightest. In fact, I caught the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. “I understand,” he said quietly, fastening his seatbelt.

“Put on your seatbelt, Katniss,” he instructed, his tone unusually soft. Too soft, even.

He looked at me again, his eyes searching mine. “May I call you that? Katniss? It sounds more... personal.”

I hadn’t expected Mr. Corleone to ask to call me by my first name, but I nodded. “Of