Yvonne booked a flight back to Istra for that same day.


    She had to go; she''d been invited to a g.


    Yvonne''s nended at Istra International Airport at seven in the evening.


    Bet''s car was already waiting outside.


    After leaving the airport, Yvonne dismissed her assistant and entourage, sliding into the passenger seat of Bet''s car alone.


    The moment the door closed, Bet leaned over, pinning her against the seat in a wild, unrestrained kiss. It wasn''t gentle, but it was filled with an overwhelming sense of longing.


    When the kiss ended, their noses were touching, their ragged breaths still mingling in the air.


    "Miss me?" Bet''s eyes were deep and luminous in the dim light of the car.


    Yvonne didn''t answer with words. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips again and again.


    Bet then took the lead, pulling her into another lingering, passionate kiss.


    When they finally broke apart, Bet settled back into the driver''s seat, feeling a feverish heat course through him. He instinctively tugged at his cor, pulling the top button loose.


    He lowered a window, letting the cold night air rush in. Only when the heat in his body subsided did he turn to look at Yvonne.


    "Hungry? Want to get something to eat first?"


    "Mmm-hmm," Yvonne nodded.


    She''d skipped the awful meal they served on the ne.


    Bet started the car. The ck Mercedes pulled away from the airport and headed toward the city.


    He eventually parked in a spot in front of a high-end restaurant.


    At this hour, popr restaurants were packed, and parking was nearly impossible to find.


    But this restaurant was one of the Thompson Group''s properties.


    For Bet, there was always a dedicated parking spot and a reserved private


    room.


    After parking, Bet took Yvonne''s hand, and they walked into the restaurant together.


    The ce was bustling with activity.


    Though she wore a mask, Yvonne instinctively lowered her head. "I need to use the restroom."


    "Okay. Go ahead, I''ll wait for you here," Bet said.


    Yvonne headed to the restroom. Bet stood where he was, casually pulling out a


    pack of cigarettes. He lit one and took a slow drag.


    "Mr. Thompson," someone called from behind him.


    Cigarette in hand, Bet turned to see a group of people walking in He recognized them as Yvonne''s old ssmates and alumni from the police academy Two of her former instructors were with them.


    "Mr. Shah, Professor Martinez," Bet greeted them, nodding politely.


    Winston Shah and April Martinez had both been Yvonne''s instructors and knew her boyfriend, Bet.


    "Bet, what a coincidence seeing you here. Are you alone? Would you like to join us?" April asked with a smile.


    "I''m here with a friend," Bet replied, just as Yvonne returned from the restroom.


    She walked over to Bet''s side, only then noticing the group standing before him. She froze for a second.


    Mr. Shah, Professor Martinez-they were her respected mentors


    the academy And there rom


    wer


    Marlon, Joyce, Byron, Crystaband others-all her former ssmates.


    "The academy is having a reunion dinner here tonight," Bet exined, looking down at her.


    Yvonne nodded, her gaze still fixed on them as she tried to suppress the wave of emotion rising within her.


    The group, in turn, looked at her curiously.


    She was a young woman dressed in a long, dark blue dress, her ck hair flowing over her shoulders. A ck mask covered her delicate face, hiding her features.


    "It''s no fun for just the two of us. Why don''t we join everyone?" Bet asked again. He could clearly see how much she missed her teachers and ssmates from the academy.