"How come you're here?" Fleming Mercer set his bag down and turned to face

her.

Esmeralda Mercer felt a strange, indescribable awkwardness, mixed with

emotions she didn't dare examine too closely.

"I just brought you a jacket." She held up the coat in her hands, as if she needed to prove she hadn't been eavesdropping.

Adrian rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling more out of place than ever-even though, technically, he was just an outsider.

He barely knew Fleming's fiancée; after all, Fleming never mentioned her. But for her to overhear that conversation just now... It didn't seem right.

"Alright then, why don't I give you two some time alone?" Adrian flashed Esmeralda a friendly smile, doing his best to seem welcoming before stepping out. He even closed the door gently behind him.

Esmeralda hesitated, remembering that Adrian was closer to Lucy. He'd probably take Lucy's side, if it ever came to that.

"Okay," she murmured, nodding.

Finally, she walked farther into the room and handed the jacket to Fleming. "Have you settled in here yet?"

heard. Something like, "It was just a joke," or "Don't take it to heart," or

was embarrassingly easy

toward the bathroom, tossing it

and reserved, rarely wasting words. Explanations,

felt a pang

put her worn clothes into the machine, wondering-Did he find her dirty somehow? Was he

to dwell on it, she mustered up her courage and asked,

rest of his clothes in the closet.

bit of bravery Esmeralda had managed

with her fingers, her voice

a small jade pendant hanging from Fleming's phone-something she'd never

bent down to touch it. "Didn't know you liked little charms like

get a good look, Fleming abruptly set down the hanger, strode over, and snatched his phone away from her. "Don't touch

The shift in his demeanor hit her like

moment, she felt like a stranger, someone

jade charm a rare softness flickering in his eyes. Then, catching himself, he tucked his phone away and looked at her. "I might

was, in effect, asking her to

important that little jade

panicked when she touched

mind drifted

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