Chapter 19

Chapter 19:

In the elevator’s close quarters, Eileen claimed a corner, her finger pushing the button for her floor. She watched the digits climb, trying to calm her quickened breaths.

Next to Bryan, Vivian’s complexion was flushed with anticipation, her lips a tight line. To quell her rising anxiety, she moved closer to Eileen. “Eileen, your efforts today haven’t gone unnoticed. Thank you. Rest tonight,” she said.

“I appreciate it, Ms. Warren,” Eileen mustered a small smile. As the doors glided open, she stepped through, courteously holding them for the others to step out before trailing behind.

Vivian hung back near Bryan, offering a subtle sign to Eileen with a playful wink.

Noticing Vivian’s bubbling excitement, Eileen paused momentarily before continuing to walk without reciprocating the gesture. A few paces away, she addressed Bryan, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll retire for the evening. If you need anything, I’m a call away.”

Bryan came to a halt, the others following suit, his eyes shadowed. “Why would I need to call you this late? What could I possibly need?” he said.

His jest, laced with undertones of discontent, didn’t escape Eileen. She acknowledged him with a nod, her cheeks warming as she entered her room.

Vivian’s voice was tender with concern, “Bryan, if you’re angry, take it out on me, not Eileen.”

Bryan continued walking, his expression stormy and unseen by all. Suppressing a yawn, Jacob made his way past Bryan, offering a casual farewell. “Enjoy your evening. I’ll go back to my room to rest now,” he said.

Settling in next to Bryan’s room, he inserted his key card, teasing, “Not sure if I’ll be needing earplugs.”

Hardly had the words left his mouth when Bryan’s playful ambush sent him straight into his room. Jacob’s protest was halfhearted and amused. “Watch it, Kian. Will you side with Bryan against me once he’s officially family?”

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Their playful scuffle lightened the mood, and Vivian, feeling somewhat relieved, readied her own entry, slipping into the room with a quick swipe of her card.

Observing Kian and Jacob’s exchange, Bryan smiled. “Why don’t you two join us for a bit? It’s still early,” he said.

a curious glance with Bryan, whose gaze had taken on a sharper edge as he looked

from the adjacent room floated through the

bathroom for a hot shower. Wrapped in the comfort of her blanket afterward, she reclined in bed and absently scrolled through her phone, finding a string of new messages from

their call earlier was a bit odd,

assert his independence. His youthful enthusiasm grew on her despite him not being her type. As she sent a casual reply,

any disconcerting sounds from the next room, she decided to try the game herself. Diving into a game was a

game, which explained why he hadn’t responded to her messages. Eileen took some time

practice mode, an invite popped up from ‘KnockWood,’ Huey’s account. She clicked on it, only

barrage of questions. “Who’s this new player?

you

and you bring

with the gaming

start a new game with her alone,” Huey announced decisively. Before Eileen could grasp the situation, she was ejected from the team and

Huey, as the game’s creator, had no trouble circumventing the rules. He initiated a new game with Eileen

my team game with you,” he declared with a hint of pride. “Age is

a loss for words, Eileen hesitated, unsure how to respond. Any comment on his youthful eagerness might ruffle his feathers, yet

she followed Huey’s lead, selecting her character with only a vague understanding of the game. She mimicked Huey’s movements on screen. As the symphony of game

herself on a winning streak, claiming eight consecutive victories that catapulted her from the humble bronze tier to the illustrious Glory gold.

rest,” Huey announced, signaling

guard, had pegged Huey as one to flaunt his prowess a while longer. “You

set Huey off. “Sleep? Not

a sensitive chord,

find rest. But sleep evaded her, adrenaline keeping her restless and alert throughout the night. The faint sounds from next door did little to soothe her racing

of a sleepless night

the signs of her restless night, she

filled with early risers already enjoying their meals. They welcomed Eileen warmly, making room for her and filling her in on the day’s plans for

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