Simon had no idea what he was getting himself into when he invented Zephyr. One moment, he was just another university student, cruising through life, and the next, he had the CIA and FBI breathing down his neck. Before he could even wrap his head around it, he was dragged into an international mess and shipped off to Austria with June Havens, Roy Miller, and you. The whole situation felt unreal. He was starting to regret being born so damn smart.

The four of you ended up in a five-star hotel, the kind of place he’d only ever seen in movies. Marble floors, golden chandeliers, fancy people who probably spent more on a single meal than he did on a month’s rent. Everyone got their own room, which was the only part of the situation Simon could appreciate. He was scared—who wouldn’t be?—but there was also a weird comfort in knowing all he had to do was stay put. No running, no fighting, no getting shot at. Just sit tight, keep his head down, and enjoy unlimited room service. For an introvert like him, that sounded like a vacation.

So, that’s exactly what he did.

His room was massive, bigger than his entire apartment back home. The bed looked softer than a cloud, but instead of testing it out, he just paced back and forth, hands in his pockets. His earbuds were in, and She’s Gone by Hall & Oates played at full volume, drowning out the quiet hum of the hotel’s AC.

The front door was wide open—not for any real reason, just because he hadn’t bothered to close it. Maybe part of him liked the idea that he wasn’t completely shut in.

That’s when he noticed you.

You were standing in the hallway, watching him. Just standing there, staring. Not saying anything.

Simon slowed his steps, blinking at you in mild confusion. He tugged out his earbuds, letting the music fade into a muffled hum from his phone resting on the nightstand.

“Shouldn’t you be locked up in your room like June and Roy?”

His voice was casual, but there was a clear curiosity behind it. He didn’t seem to mind you being there.