Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia snapped back to reality and nodded. “Yeah, let's go."

She reached for the car door, but Lester gently pulled her back to face him.

"Sylvia, it's okay. You don't have to hide how you feel. I get it—you need time."

She shook her head, serious. "No, really, you're misunderstanding. I just don't want to get involved with the Garcia family anymore, that's all."

Lester hummed in understanding, holding the door so she could get in first.

Back at her apartment, Sylvia needed to prep for her evening interview, so she didn't ask Lester to stay.

He lingered a little, standing in front of her, then slowly leaned in.

Sylvia knew what he was about to do. She tensed, halfway raising her hand to stop him. But then she remembered he was her boyfriend. She let her hand drop.

Lester paused, then kissed her gently on the forehead. "Good luck."

Sylvia smiled, nodding, and watched him go.

Once inside, she slumped onto the couch, zoning out. Her mind was a mess, replaying that moment at the coffee machine with Rupert. She kept trying to push it away, but the look on his face kept haunting her.

she realized she'd walked in without changing her shoes. Wet footprints trailed

up, but the water stains wouldn't come out. After several attempts, she could still make out the faint outlines. Frustrated for no real reason, she

she managed to pull herself together before

women were friendly and easy to talk to. They showered Sylvia with compliments, calling her gorgeous without holding back, which actually

ideas. The two interviewers weren't just teachers—they'd both worked with

the job, Sylvia felt

of the women smiled. “You and your boyfriend

immediately thinking

she thought. Didn't even tell her about this whole thing. No wonder she'd waited so long for a response then suddenly got an

you,” Sylvia replied, already planning to treat Lester to a big

other woman

is so handsome!

he smited more he'd be

charming." s

was over, they started making small

smile froze. To double-check, she pulled out her phone and showed

of Lester. "Was it

shook her head. "No, he's good-looking, but the guy we met on video wasn't

phone. She swiped, pulling up a

him!" the