Seraphina sat in her office, fingers tapping against the desk. For the first time in a while, she had nothing to do—no immediate tasks, no reports to analyze. She just had to wait. Wait for Kieran to retrieve the original footage. Wait for the next working day at Horizon Initiative so she could access their records.
She sighed, glancing at the clock. It was already late, and the silence of her office only made the waiting worse. That's when the craving hit—hot chocolate.
She had never tried the hot chocolate at Oblivion Division before. The thought was enough to push her out of her chair and down to the cafeteria on the first floor.
As she made herself a cup, a young man approached. "You're the intern, right?"
She turned, stirring her drink. "Kind of. It's been months since I started working here."
He leaned against the counter, watching her with curiosity. "Never seen you here before."
She shrugged. "Didn't really think about it."
He smirked. "Well, welcome to the best-kept secret of Oblivion Division. We make decent coffee, too."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with casual remarks and the occasional amused glance. He introduced himself as Caleb, and to her surprise, she found herself enjoying the interaction.
What neither of them noticed, however, was the sharp gaze watching them from a distance.
Ezrin.
He sat at a table in the far corner, his fingers flexing against the surface. His jaw clenched, his expression unreadable. But his mind—his mind was a storm.
He hated it.
Hated the sight of her laughing with another man. Hated how easily she seemed to engage, how she leaned in slightly, how someone else was drawing out her reactions.
And worst of all, he didn't like the fact that he didn't like it.
Ezrin had already left by the time she glanced in his direction. She didn't even notice. Her conversation continued with Caleb for a few more minutes before they eventually parted ways.
As she made her way back to her office, she debated whether to stay or leave. The day had been long, and technically, she had nothing urgent to do until the footage arrived. Going home seemed like a good idea, but Oblivion Division had strict rules about leaving early.
Which meant she needed permission.
And there was only one person who could grant it.
With a sigh, she turned toward Ezrin's office. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but there was no other way. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped forward, knocking firmly before pushing the door open.
She stepped halfway into the room, only to pause at the sight before her. A bold and undeniably beautiful woman stood beside Ezrin's chair, leaning unnecessarily close to him. The sight made something in Seraphina bristle instantly. She didn't like it.
Ezrin, who had been listening to whatever the woman was saying, turned his gaze toward Seraphina, his sharp eyes assessing her presence. "What brings you here?" His tone was as neutral as ever, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity beneath it.
Seraphina straightened. "I need permission to leave early," she stated simply.
Ezrin's gaze didn't waver as he listened, then, without a second thought, dismissed the woman beside him. The woman lingered for a second, clearly unwilling to leave, but when Ezrin didn't spare her another glance, she had no choice but to walk away.
As she passed Seraphina, their eyes met. Seraphina didn't hold back the cold, dangerous glare she shot her, making it abundantly clear that she didn't appreciate her unnecessary presence. The woman faltered for a moment before flipping her hair and exiting the room.
Ezrin noticed the exchange, though his expression remained unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, regarding Seraphina with an amused yet impassive gaze. "Why do you want to leave early?"
Seraphina crossed her arms. "I have nothing to do, technically, so it's best to go home."
Ezrin's fingers tapped lightly against the desk. He seemed to consider her words, but there was something about the way he looked at her—calculating, intrigued, and perhaps, just a little bit entertained.
Ezrin didn't break eye contact as he spoke, his tone absolute. "You still have to do the training. Meet me in the basement."
Seraphina felt her irritation spike, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she maintained her composed expression and simply nodded. "Understood."
As she turned and walked away, frustration bubbled inside her. She had planned on leaving early, on having a quiet evening to herself, but of course, Ezrin had other plans. It wasn't just the inconvenience—it was the way he controlled things without question, without room for negotiation.
She changed into her training gear and headed straight to the basement, where the dim lighting and cold air did little to ease her mood. Ezrin was already there, waiting, his presence as commanding as ever.
The moment training began, she poured all her irritation into it. Every move, every technique Ezrin had drilled into her over the past weeks, came together with precision. The intensity of her strikes, the fluidity of her movements—it was all sharper, more controlled than before.
Ezrin observed her silently, his sharp eyes missing nothing. He could tell she was pushing herself harder than usual. He could also tell why. And yet, he said nothing.
Instead, he smirked.
"Good," he finally said as she landed a perfectly executed counterattack. "Looks like you're finally learning."
That only fueled her determination further. If Ezrin thought he could control the pace of things, she would show him that she was more than capable of keeping up—and exceeding his expectations.
As the training continued, Seraphina moved swiftly, her body fueled by frustration. She wasn't sure why she was so on edge, but every strike she threw had more force than usual. Ezrin, as always, remained composed, countering each of her attacks with effortless precision.
She lunged again, aiming a kick at his side, but he blocked it easily, catching her ankle before she could pull back. Before she could react, he twisted her off balance, making her stumble. A sharp gasp left her lips as she fell forward—straight into him.
His arm wrapped around her waist instinctively, steadying her, but he didn't let go immediately. Instead, his grip lingered, firm and unyielding. She pressed her hands against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath her palms.
"You're reckless today," he murmured, his voice lower than usual.
Seraphina looked up, slightly breathless. "I'm focused."
Ezrin's grip on her waist tightened for just a second before he smirked, his tone carrying an edge she didn't understand. "Is that what you call it?"
She frowned slightly, confused by his shift in demeanor. He was still unreadable, but something about the way he was watching her made the air feel heavier.
He stepped back then, finally letting her go, but his fingers dragged against her side for just a moment longer than necessary.
"Again," he ordered, his voice controlled.
Seraphina straightened, shaking off the strange tension between them. She had no idea why he was acting like this, but she refused to let it distract her.
This was just training.
Or at least, it was supposed to be.
After an hour of intense training, Ezrin finally stepped back, assessing her with his usual unreadable expression.
"You're improving," he remarked, his tone cold and impersonal. It was a compliment, but it lacked warmth, as if he was holding something back.
Seraphina wiped the sweat from her forehead, catching her breath. "I'll take that as high praise coming from you," she muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Ezrin didn't respond, only watching as she turned away. She felt his gaze lingering on her, but she didn't look back. Something about today's session had felt different, but she couldn't quite place why.
Shrugging off the feeling, she headed to her office to grab her belongings. She packed up quickly, eager to leave and clear her mind. The moment she stepped out of the building and into the night air, she exhaled deeply, letting the cool breeze wash over her.
Ezrin sat in his office, his fingers steepled beneath his chin, staring blankly at the glass of whiskey in front of him. The training session had been different—he had pushed her harder, his words sharper, his patience thinner. And now, as he replayed it in his mind, he realized why.
Caleb.
The name itself felt like a thorn lodged beneath his skin. He had seen them in the cafeteria, her laughing, engaged in easy conversation. The sight had sent a surge of irritation through him, one he hadn't fully registered until now.
He should be unbothered. It wasn't his concern who she spoke to or what she did outside of Oblivion Division. It was her life.
But his mind contradicted that thought instantly.
No. She couldn't do anything—especially if it involved another man.
His jaw clenched as frustration mounted. It wasn't just irritation; it was something deeper, something possessive. He had never cared before. He had always been in control, untouched by emotions that had no place in his world.
And yet, here he was, seething at the mere thought of her being close to another man.
His fingers flexed against the desk, his breath slow and measured.
This was unacceptable.
As she entered her apartment, she tossed her bag onto the couch and headed straight for her bed. She let out a deep breath, sinking into the mattress, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow was Sunday—another day off from Horizon Initiative. At least she could sleep peacefully.
It wasn't the exhaustion from training that weighed on her; she had already adapted to the physical demands. No, it was something else. Her mind kept circling back to Ezrin's sudden shift in behavior during training.
He had always been cold, precise, and calculated, but today… today felt different. His instructions had been sharper, his patience thinner. Every time she had executed a move correctly, his response had been distant, almost reluctant. And when she had failed, there had been an edge to his criticism that hadn't been there before.
She didn't understand it, and that alone frustrated her.
Was she imagining things? Overanalyzing?
She exhaled, closing her eyes. Maybe a good night's sleep would clear her thoughts. But as she turned to her side, her mind refused to quiet down.
Eventually, exhaustion won over, and she drifted into sleep. When she finally woke up, it was already 1 PM. She stretched, feeling well-rested for the first time in days.
"A good sleep," she murmured to herself, rubbing her eyes before reaching for her phone. As she unlocked it, a message popped up from Callum.
Getting engaged today. You're invited. Hope to see you there.
She blinked at the text, sitting up straight. Engagement? Today?
The event was in evening, which meant she would have to take the day off from Oblivion Division. That wasn't a problem—technically, she wasn't required to be there today. But skipping without informing Ezrin would be an issue.
The morning passed in a blur. As Seraphina stretched, the sunlight streaming through the window reminded her—she finally had a day off. A rare luxury.
Her stomach grumbled, a sharp reminder that she hadn't eaten since last night. Without wasting time, she headed to the kitchen, preparing a heavy meal that could count as both breakfast and lunch. The warmth of the food settled her, bringing a sense of normalcy she didn't realize she needed.
Only after finishing her meal did she turn her attention to the engagement. The dress. She had nothing in mind.
For an hour, she rummaged through her wardrobe, rejecting outfit after outfit until her fingers brushed against smooth fabric—a white gown, elegant and understated. She slipped into it, securing her hair into a low ponytail. The mirror reflected something unfamiliar. She looked... softer. Shaking the thought away, she focused on getting ready.
Just as she was about to leave, she checked the time—5 PM. Her heart dropped. She hadn't informed anyone at Oblivion Division.
As if on cue, a car honked outside. She hurried downstairs, waving off the driver. "I won't be coming tonight." The car drove away, but the unease remained. She needed to inform them quickly.
For the first time, she dialed Ezrin's number.
He picked up almost immediately. "What?"
His voice was deep, distant, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"I can't come tonight. I have something important. Also… sorry for not informing earlier."
There was silence. Then a low hum before the line went dead.
She stared at her phone, eyebrows knitting together. Idiot. Here I am being polite, and he— She exhaled sharply. Forget it.
The engagement venue was warm, lively, a stark contrast to her usual nights. She greeted familiar faces, exchanged small talk, and for the first time in a while, let herself enjoy the atmosphere.
When the dancing began, a man approached her with an inviting smile. She hesitated, her last memory of dancing tied to the fog of alcohol.
"Let's see how it feels to dance sober," she mused before taking his hand.
They moved with the music, effortless and lighthearted. A rare moment of ease.
They danced together for about 15 minutes while having a normal conversation in between.
As the music stopped, he thanked her and they parted ways.
Then, her phone vibrated.
She glanced down. A message from Kieran.
"Come to Oblivion Division in 30 minutes."
Her brows furrowed. At this hour? She checked the time—8PM. Before she could process it, her phone buzzed again.
"Send your location. The car will come to pick you up."
The shift was instant. The warmth of the evening faded, replaced by the cold weight of reality.
Within minutes, a sleek black car pulled up. She excused herself and stepped into the night. The ride was silent, the distant hum of the city fading behind her.
"I can't even have a day off with peace." She muttered under her breath. Then she looked out of the window of the car at the beautiful and calm night sky.
Thirty minutes later, she stood at the gates of Oblivion Division. The air was thick with something unspoken, tension creeping under her skin.
With a deep breath, she stepped inside, leaving the echoes of laughter behind and walking into the shadows once more.
Seraphina walked straight to Ezrin's office, the weight of the night still clinging to her. As she stepped inside, she immediately noticed the serious expressions on both Ezrin and Kieran's faces.
Kieran was the first to speak. "Another transaction has been made." His voice was sharp, laced with tension. "And another researcher is dead."
Seraphina's expression hardened. "The murder—was it staged like before?"
Kieran nodded.
Her mind began racing, piecing together fragments of the case. Ezrin finally broke the silence. "Tomorrow, we'll get some answers."
Only then did she become aware of her own appearance—still dressed in the white gown from the engagement. It felt out of place in the cold, sterile atmosphere of Oblivion Division. She exhaled and looked at Ezrin. "If there's nothing else, can I go change?"
Ezrin gave a curt nod, and without another word, she left. A few minutes later, she returned in casual attire, her hair let down as she took her place before Ezrin again. He handed her the case file, and she didn't need to be told what to do—she already knew her next step.
Before she could leave, Kieran's voice stopped her. "Can you spare a moment?" His tone was lighter this time, curious. "Where exactly were you, dressed like that?"
"Why do you care?" She said almost instantly.
"Just curious. Didn't thought you would wear something like this." He said as if he was surprised.
Seraphina blinked, then shrugged. "At my friend's engagement."
Kieran was about to say something else, but his phone rang. With a glance at the screen, he excused himself and stepped outside to take the call.
The room fell into silence.
Ezrin's fingers tapped idly against the desk before he finally spoke, his voice edged with authority. "Next time, be punctual."
Seraphina rolled her eyes slightly but said nothing.
Just as she turned, Ezrin stood. His steps were slow, deliberate, and within moments, he was standing directly in front of her, too close for comfort. His gaze, intense and unreadable, lingered on her as if searching for something.
He hadn't forgotten the moment she walked in. That white gown—it had suited her in a way that irritated him. She had looked effortlessly elegant, ethereal even. But it wasn't just that.
It was the faint scent that clung to her.
A man's cologne.
Something unfamiliar.
Something that wasn't his.
Ezrin's jaw tightened, his expression darkening. The idea of her being with another man did nothing good to him. It settled like a slow-burning fire in his chest, unwanted and infuriating.
His voice was cold, demanding. "Who were you with?"
Seraphina blinked, caught off guard by the question. "At the engagement?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
His stare didn't waver. "That is not what I asked."
She barely had time to process before he took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Instinctively, she stepped back, only to find herself trapped as her back met the cold, hard wall.
Ezrin took another step. "Who were you with?" His voice had shifted—dangerous, edged with something possessive.
"I was with no one."
"Lie."
His hands came up, caging her in, pressing against the wall on either side of her. She hated this—the way her heart betrayed her, the way his proximity made her breath hitch despite herself.
His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper, but laced with absolute control. "Tell me everything you did there."
She met his gaze, defiant. "I won't."
Wrong answer.
He leaned in further, his body just barely touching hers, the heat of his presence suffocating. His voice was pure command now. "Tell. Me. Every. Single. Detail."
She swallowed. There was no room for negotiation, no space to slip away. Fine, she thought. He wants details?
She began speaking, recounting her evening—arriving, greeting friends, the engagement vows, the dinner. But when she reached the part about the dance, she fell silent.
Ezrin noticed.
His eyes narrowed. "Go on."
Seraphina hesitated, her breath uneven as she felt the weight of his gaze pressing down on her. She could lie—but what good would that do?
"I danced," she finally admitted.
Ezrin's eyes darkened, but he said nothing.
She swallowed, forcing the words out. "With a man."
His grip on the wall tightened, knuckles turning white. The muscles in his jaw flexed as his expression turned unreadable, but she could feel the shift in the air. The temperature between them dropped, his silence more suffocating than his words.
He didn't move for a moment, just stared at her, his sharp gaze piercing right through her. Then, slowly, he leaned in, his voice dangerously low. "You danced with a man."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement—a fact he was barely restraining himself from reacting to.
She refused to break eye contact. "Yes."
Ezrin's grip on the wall tightened, his body radiating tension. His voice dropped, low and unwavering.
"Did you dance with him on purpose?"
Seraphina's breath hitched. "What kind of question was that?" She thought.
She met his gaze, the intensity in his stormy eyes making it impossible to look away. "It was just a dance."
His expression didn't shift. If anything, it hardened. "That's not an answer."
She let out a slow breath, trying to keep her composure. "I wanted to see how it felt to dance sober."
His jaw ticked. "With him?"
She hesitated for a fraction of a second. "It didn't matter who."
Wrong answer.
Ezrin moved.
In a swift, deliberate step, he closed the distance between them, his presence overwhelming as he towered over her. His hands pressed against the wall on either side of her, caging her in.
"Did he touch you?" His voice was dangerously quiet, each word slow and deliberate.
Seraphina swallowed, willing her pulse to steady. "It was just a dance, Ezrin."
His gaze flickered over her face, searching. Then his eyes dropped lower—to her collarbone, where the faintest trace of unfamiliar cologne lingered. A scent that wasn't his.
That did it.
His fingers curled into fists against the wall. He exhaled sharply through his nose, as if trying to reel something back. Then, he leaned in just enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her ear.
"Next time," he murmured, voice laced with quiet warning, "make sure you know what you're doing."
He pulled away just as slowly, his expression unreadable as he turned and left without another word.
Seraphina let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her chest rising and falling in uneven waves.
What the hell was that?