Elissa let out a softugh as she took the dish from Cliff’s hands. “Thank you, Cliff.”


    She had always known he was talented in the kitchen.


    Whenever they visited their mentor’s house, Cliff, being the younger one, often cooked for everyone.


    He’d prepare a full spread–six dishes and a hearty soup, each one perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented.


    Tanya Foster had even opened a bottle of wine for the asion. She poured sses for everyone, her lips curving into a bright smile. “Cheers! To Elissa–may you be free, fearless, and always true to yourself from this day forward!”


    Elissa had never been good at handling these sentimental moments.


    It took all her effort not to tear up as she clinked her ss with theirs. “Alright, here’s to freedom.”


    Freedom.


    Even as a child, she used to dream about it.


    She’d already had dinner at the restaurant, but tonight, she couldn’t help eating a little more. Maybe it was the taste of freedom that made everything so delicious.


    After dinner, Cliff moved to help clear the table.


    Elissa waved him off. “Cliff, you’ve already done enough cooking for us. We’ll take care of the mess. Let me walk you downstairs.”


    “Alright,” he agreed easily.


    He hadn’t driven tonight, knowing there would be drinks, so he didn’t have to worry about calling a cabter.


    Elissa hadn’t had much to drink, but each step still felt a little light and unsteady.


    She did her best to walk straight as she apanied Cliff all the way to the front gate.


    Cliff was well aware of her low alcohol tolerance by now. Still, in a neighborhood like this, with security on every corner, he wasn’t worried. Slowing his pace, he nced down at her. “I’ll wait for my ride here. You should head back upstairs and get some


    rest.”


    11:101


    –


    Elissa shook her head, stubborn as ever, and kept walking toward the curb. “No way. I have to see my guest off properly.”


    Her skin, usually wless, was flushed pink from the wine. Even the corners of her eyes glowed red as she looked up at him.


    Cliff’s heart skipped a beat. For a second, he felt dizzy himself.


    “Excuse me!”


    A delivery bike whizzed by, nearly clipping Elissa. Before she even processed what was happening, Cliff pulled her firmly to his side.


    She blinked in confusion. Even tipsy, her first instinct was to steady herself. She looked up at him with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Cliff.”


    “Boss, wasn’t that Miss Elissa just now?”


    At a traffic light nearby,n spotted her from the back seat of a polished Bentley.


    Rowan lifted his eyes, ncing in the directionn indicated. His sharp, angr profile was half–hidden in shadow, impossible to read–yet quietly intimidating.


    He’d never smiled at Rowan except in a way that felt mocking, but in front of others,


    she was almost infuriatingly polite.


    Narrowing his cold eyes, Rowan replied evenly, “Turn around.”


    “On it.”


    It waste, the roads were clear, and soon enough Cliff’s ride arrived.


    Before getting in, Cliff paused and looked at Elissa, his gaze gentle. With a big–brother air, he adjusted her scarf. “Elissa, I hope from now on, your life is always free and easy”


    “Thank you”


    <b>Elissa </b>nodded firmly, though her head immediately spun, and she had to grab the car door for bnce.


    Cliff couldn’t help butugh. “Get upstairs, will you?”


    “You’re the guest–you go first.”


    Elissa was determined to stick to her own brand of hospitality.


    11:10


    Left with no choice, Cliff got into the car.


    There was a security guard stationed right there at the gate–nothing could go wrong.


    Elissa watched the rideshare car merge into traffic before she finally turned back, satisfied, and marched home with a spring in her step.