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    Elena’s POV


    “You’re looking for an apartinent neachere?” Haruki inquired. I was surprised that he bothered to engage in conversation at all, considering ha previously closed off donor


    He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the edge of the table, his gaze direct and surprisingly intense. “For how long? is just for the duran of the internship al Legacy!”


    I nodded. “Just six months, really,” I said<b>, </b>keeping my e casual. He nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtfu


    if Burning something a rin his mind..


    Just then, the waiter returned to our table<b>, </b>skillfully navigating the crowded space, and served our food with a practiced flourish the tes, piled high with fragrant shawanna, crispy lies and a georious sil, created a momentary diversion, and we begin to eat.


    I’d quickly forgotten that Haruki had asked me something, my attentionpletely captured by the satisfying meal my stomach had been so desperately


    vine


    Edevoured the first few bites, my hunger overpowering my anxieties.


    “Like it?” Mkai asked<b>, </b>a wide, friendly grin on his <b>face </b>as he watched me eat with gusto, <b>I </b><b>smiled </b>back, a genuine curve of my lips this time, and enthusiastically, my mouth full


    I noticed Haruki’s gaze drift towards the clear window that looked out onto the bustling Maxcester City street. His brow furrowed slightly as he observed something outside. Then, he turned back to me, his frown still subtly present, and asked, “I hope you don’t mind my asking are you Elena Kovalyov Histone was polite but direct, and I stiffened a fetle, my senses immediately on high alert, though I managed a small nod.


    “Married to Niki Vetrov, right?” He nced out the window again, his gaze lingering for a moment, then shifted <b>back </b>to Mkal a silent question in his


    Mkai, who had been happily munching on his fries, nced at me and nodded, confirming Haruki’s inquiry. “Yeah, you were out of the country for past year, so <b>you </b>probably weren’t that up–to–date on all thetest Velhaven society news…” Mkai said, his tone light, attempting to downy the rather scandalous nature of my public persona


    “Mhm…I see,” Haruki replied, his gaze flicking towards the window one more time before he turned <b>his </b>attention fully back to me. “Mrs. Elena..


    “You can just call me Elena, please, interjected, offering a small smile. He nodded, a hint of a smile touching his own lips this time.


    “Elena…are you aware that there are people following <b>you</b>?” He asked, his voice low and serious. I paused, my <b>eyes </b>instinctively darting towards the window, I scanned the busy street, my gare searching for anything out of the ordinary, but I didn’t see anything particrly suspicious.


    But I sighed inwardly. This wasn’t exactly surprising news. “Now I am,” I said, cing my hall–eaten shawarma, back down on the te. My appetite had suddenly vanished, reced by a familiar wave of irritation. I reached for a napkin and wiped my mouth, trying to appear moreposed than I felt.


    “They don’t seem to be threatening. I’m assuming they’re just security guards sent by your husband,” Haruki continued, picking up his own sandwich and taking a bite. He seemed remarkably unfazed by the revtion, treating it as a mere observation of an everyday urrence. “I was just letting you know since you seemed to be unaware, and well, stalking someone is generally considered illegal, even if they are your spouse.”


    I nodded slowly, a wry smile touching my lips. “No. They probably aren’t threatening. Just…incredibly annoying


    enting situation? “Thope you don’t mind my asking…“Haruki began again, his gaze direct, “why don’t you just ask your husband for help with Surely someone with his resources could easily find <b>you </b>a suitable ce.” He asked, and quirked a bron, a sharp retort immediately forming on my tongue. Of <b>course</b>, I minded him <b>asking </b><b>such </b>personal questions. Why was this virtual stranger suddenly so invested in my marital affairs?


    contemted what to say for <b>a </b>long moment, carefully choosing my words. I certainly wasn’t about to divulge the intimate details of my contractual marriage and impending divorce to a casual acquaintance. Finally, I settled on a carefully constructed half–truth, “it’s a littleplicated between us right now, so I’m spending some time apart,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.


    “I see,” Haruki replied, his gaze thoughtful. I apologize for asking such a personal question.” He seemed to genuinely regret overstepping. “Do you have


    E


    any specific area of Marcester City you’re focur


    a little weirded out by the sheen amount of questions this


    I mean, he didn’t look creepy, not at all. Quite the opposite, actually intense gaze. And he was also bindeniably polite in the way he spe


    “I was just nning to head back to Velhaven for today ande back here the


    suitable for me it would be a little embarrassing to admit that i had traveled all the way to Marcester City Anyone with experience in apartment hunting would probablyugh at my name


    “Oh… do you have any specific requirements or something you’re looking for?” Mkai was the


    ack this Gew


    I tilted my head, considering his question. “Nothing too extravagant, honestly I just care abou not a huge fan of too many guests. And I really don’t appreciate peopleing over to party every much to ask if I’m going to be getting a shared space, but I’d really prefer it to be rtively quiet and peacef


    a lot, and I’m defi


    Mkal’s brow quirked opwards as he exchanged a quick nce with Haruki. They seemed to bem of understanding that I couldn’t quite decipher. Then, they both turned back to me, and <b>Mkal </b>spoke first, your potential tmate. Do you mind if it’s a boy?” He asked, and I waspletely taken aback by the unexpected


    “A guy? Well, yeah, obviously I’d mind. Staying w


    with an unknown grown man is going to b


    “No, no, not a grown man, Mkai interjected quickly, shaking his head with a reassuring smile” mean a high school boy asked, and 1 blinked, utterly bewildered by the oddly specific question


    I nodded slowly, my mind struggling to process this bizane proposition. “I understand. However, wouldn’t that be a little strange


    to mention, teenage boys are generally more prone to making their surroundings… less than pristine”


    that this one,” Mkai insisted, shaking his head with a knowing air. “He is incredibly quiet Clean, almost to a fault. Likes to keep to himse Stays at home all <b>day </b>except for school, and he can oven cook for himself” He spoke with an earnestness that was almostical


    “Are…you serious?” I asked, my voiceced with disbelief. “I mean, like… genuinely? I don’t understand what you’re saying I looked from Mkato <b>Haruki</b>, hoping for some rification, some sign that this wasn’t some borate prank.