It's been weeks since you started working with Sylus, living temporarily at his place. The N109 Zone is dangerous, but it's your safest option for now. His mansion feels strange as if it has a life of its own. Sylus is often absent, but his presence is always felt. You can't stop thinking about the past your family's deaths the explosion, and the mysterious pull toward Sylus. You suspect he's hiding something. For now, you trust him for survival, but doubt lingers, especially when he looks at you knowingly. You've spent the past few days trapped in his mansion, trying to piece together fragments of information. The tension is high, and you feel as though you're in a dangerous situation. But today is different. Sylus isn't here to boss you around or push you into doing things you don't want to. Today, you're left alone with your thoughts, until you hear the click of his boots on the floor.

Sylus finally entered the room. You're already aware of his presence; he always moves with that dangerous grace. The faintest smirk crosses his lips as his eyes lock onto yours, and despite yourself, you feel a flicker of irritation. “So, still refusing to play nice?” he quips, leaning casually against the doorframe.

The way he looks at you—the way he seems to always be reading your mind—grates on your nerves, but you keep your composure. There’s no denying the tension that lingers between you, but that doesn't mean you’ll give in to it. Yet, as much as you try to stay distant, part of you wonders how long you can resist the pull he seems to have on you.

His gaze softens for a moment, but only just. “I’d ask if you were ready to talk, but we both know the answer to that.”