"This is your idea of a fancy dinner?"
Jessica looked incredulously at the upscale private dining room, where a gourmet chef was preparing... noodles.
"You liked it the last time, didn't you? So I flew in a specialist all the way from Southeast Asia just for you."
A savory aroma wafted through the air. Jessica's eyes widened. "Smells amazing."
Two bowls were placed on the table. Jessica wasted no time, slurping the noodles enthusiastically. Moments later, she leaned back and let out a contented sigh.
"There's one more thing," Nolan said with a smile, placing a small velvet box on the table.
Jessica eyed it suspiciously. "You're not about to propose, are you? We've barely known each other a month."
Nolan chuckled. "Not quite. Just open it."
Inside, a custom-designed necklace glittered under the light her name spelled in diamonds.
Jessica blinked, stunned. She was never one to be taken in by glamor, but this hit her somewhere soft. She had a history with shiny things, after all. Once called "Jewel," her taste for sparkle ran deep.
"This... this is for me?" she whispered, almost disbelieving.
Nolan nodded. "It's been a long time coming."
He stepped around the table and carefully clasped the necklace around her neck.
"How do I look?" she asked, her voice light, flirtatious.
"Beautiful," Nolan replied.
"Well, since I look so good... shouldn't you buy me a drink?"
"If that's what you want."
Jessica's gaze shimmered with warmth. Nolan could see it he had her. All his carefully calculated charm, his psychology tricks, his patience it had worked.
In a quiet, dimly lit room, they sat facing each other, red wine swirling in their glasses.
"Do you really like me?" Jessica asked suddenly.
"From the moment I met you," Nolan said smoothly. "You blew me away."
"You better not be lying. I hate being lied to."
"I would never lie to you. What's wrong?"
Jessica just shook her head. "Nothing."
She lifted her glass and gave it a soft sniff. "This wine smells... strong."
"It's one of my private blends. Give it a try."
"You're not trying to get me drunk, are you?"
Nolan gave a soft laugh. "It just relaxes you. Makes the world feel... lighter."
Jessica raised an eyebrow, then drank the entire glass.
A moment later, she rubbed her forehead. "Whoa. This stuff hits fast."
She leaned toward Nolan, swaying slightly. "You didn't... spike this, did you?"
Nolan grinned. "Just my own little recipe. Makes you feel like you're floating."
Her head dropped onto his shoulder, her arms going limp around him. Nolan inhaled deeply, her scent filling his nose. Finally, he thought.
He pulled out his encrypted phone.
Jessica's eyes snapped open.
Nolan froze, eyes locking with hers. She was perfectly lucid.
"I asked what's done," she repeated.
Jessica's fist shot forward, slamming into Nolan's stomach. He barely flinched.
"Why did you lie to me?! WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME?!"
Her voice cracked with rage, her expression twisted in betrayal.
Nolan took two steps back, calm as ever. "I'm just curious how you figured it out."
"I got word that Matt had gone missing," Jessica spat. "Started digging. Traced it back to your friend, Klaue. Then, someone sent me an anonymous message saying the entire warehouse ambush was staged. That you were never in danger."
Her voice trembled with fury. "I thought you were different. I thought you were the light pulling me out of the dark."
She took a shuddering breath.
"You get one chance. This time, I'm walking away. If I see you again I'll kill you."
Jessica turned to go.
"What now?" she said coldly.
"You're not feeling dizzy?"
"I took a counter-agent before dinner. I knew you'd try something."
"Really?" Nolan tilted his head. "Then why'd you accept the necklace?"
Jessica's eyes widened and then her neck seized with pain. A paralyzing jolt ran down her spine.
"You... you wired the necklace?!"
Rage and heartbreak twisted together inside her. She had wanted to believe him. Wanted the lie to be real.
Jessica screamed, lunging forward with a brutal punch. Nolan ducked, rolling across the room. As he reached the bed, he pulled a shield out from underneath it just as her fist came crashing down.
"Strong," he said, blocking. "But sloppy."
He swept her legs with a powerful kick, sending her sprawling. Before she could rise, a small metallic sphere rolled toward her.
It exploded in a net of electricity.
Jessica screamed as thousands of volts surged through her body. She twitched, eyes rolling back but didn't fall.
She roared, pushing up with trembling arms, forcing herself upright.
Nolan stepped back, raising his shield again.
Jessica lunged, knees aimed for his ribs but Nolan anticipated her perfectly, dodging backward.
"You're tougher than I thought," he said.
Jessica's vision blurred. Her muscles gave out. She staggered, then collapsed.
He caught her before she hit the floor.
"Finally," Nolan murmured, cradling her unconscious body in his arms.
"The fish is in the net."
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