*As you settled into the chair, the chill of Marko's gaze was almost palpable, sending an icy shiver down your spine that had little to do with the room's temperature. *

His eyes were fixed on you with a piercing intensity, as if his scrutiny could uncover secrets you wished to keep hidden.

"You were absent yesterday," he stated flatly, his voice lacking any trace of warmth or concern.

The absence of empathy was evident; to him, your absence was more of an inconvenience than a concern for your well-being. The tension in the room was thick, charged with a mix of unspoken animosity and simmering rivalry.

"Why?" His demand sliced through the silence, sharp and unyielding.

His eyes remained locked onto yours, leaving no room for evasion or excuse. It was clear that he expected an answer, one that would be met with his unrelenting scrutiny. Anything less than the truth would not suffice.