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The Black–clad man

The lunch continued, and soon we were all satisfied, plates empty and our spirits lifted.

“It was a pleasure spending this time with all of you,” Mr. Inman began, smiling. “I’m feeling so happy today, so I’m giving you all the rest of the day off. Go home and enjoy yourselves.”

“Wow!” Everyone exclaimed happily, we all rose from our seats, expressing how happy we are about the free time.

I joined in the merriment smiling.However, just as I let myself relax, my phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw Jasper’s name flashing on the screen.

I answered the call, bringing the phone to my ear. “Hi, I greeted, unsure of what to expect and unsure of how to

react.

“Selena, I’m so sorry for not informing you about my sudden trip to London. It was a last–minute decision, but now I’m heading back to Boston Hills!” Jasper’s voice crackled

“What?, that was quick! How did you manage to move so fast?” I asked, surprised by the sudden leave and arrival.

“I have my private jet to thank for that,” Jasper replied

“Oh, A private jet!, That’s Impressive,” I remarked.

“Selena, I’ll be landing soon at the private airstrip. Let’s meet up,” Jasper suggested.

“Meet at the private airstrip?,” I asked.

“Yes, Or should I come to you instead? Where are you right now?” Jasper asked, “I can meet you there!” He added.

“No need to trouble yourself. I’ll meet you at the airstrip since you’re still en route,” I assured him.

“I can’t wait to see you,” Jasper expressed, over the phone.

“Me too!” I smiled, “See you soon,” I added before ending the call.

As soon as I ended the call with Jasper, my eyes fell on the ominous figure in black that Colin had sent to watch me. Seeing his eyes, my instincts screamed at me to act quickly.

“We e can all head out now,” Mr. Inman announced cheerfully, after settling the bill. I joined the group and we made our way out of the restaurant, the black–clad man rising to follow me discreetly.

Immediately I mixed up with the crowd of models and staff. We all walked on to the way leading to the main road. I could still see him each time I looked back. Desperate to shake him off, I walked further into the crowd, now at the front stealing glances over my shoulder to confirm he was indeed tailing me.

Drawing closer to the main road, I quickly dashed off into a side alley, and ran as fast as my legs would carry me.

Spotting a taxi waiting nearby, I didn’t hesitate, I immediately entered. “Let’s go!” I urged the driver. Without delay, the taxi driver drove off, finally I left behind the black–clad man that had been tracking my every move.

I couldn’t resist looking back, searching for any sign of the black–clad man who had been trailing me. He was nowhere in sight, I sighed realizing my back on the tax chair.

The taxi driver drove, pushing the vehicle to its limits, and before long, we pulled up at the private airstrip. I paid the driver and stepped out, the roar of an approaching jet signaling Jasper’s arrival.

“There he is, that must be Jasper,” I murmured to myself, and made my way into the airstrip.

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The jet touched down with a powerful sound and wind my eyes locked on Jasper getting down from the jet, and I

smiled.

Jasper saw me and waved before running to me. I took steps forward, still smiling, Jasper closed the distance between us, and then out of nowhere he encircled my waist with his hand before drawing me closer to himself completely no inches apart.

Caught off guard by the unexpected touch, I widened my eyes, still surprised. The closeness felt warm, and I tried to make sense of the sensations I was feeling leaving me both bewildered and intrigued by his hold on me.

Jasper eased back slightly, his hand still on my waist, he gently rested his forehead against mine. Our eyes met.

“I missed you,” Jasper confessed, his words stirring me on.

The unexpected declaration left me questioning my own feelings about Jasper.

“My driver will be arriving shortly,” Jasper announced, breaking the spell as he released his hold on my waist.

“Ah, okay,” I responded, trying to compose myself.

In seconds, a car pulled up to the airstrip, and Jasper pointed to it. “That’s my driver,” he informed me, his eyes meeting mine. I nodded, we made our way to the waiting vehicle, Jasper’s luggage stowed in the trunk.

Settling into the car, I leaned back in the seat, my head resting against the cushion while my hands lay quietly on my lap. A touch on my hand drew my attention, and I glanced up to replace Jasper looking at me, he smiled and I did the same.

The driver drove off, and the car became so silent, I wanted to say something but I just couldn’t, still trying to figure out what i felt earlier.

“Mr. Santos, I believe we are being followed,” the driver broke the silent.

“What?”

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Can’t hide from me

“What?”

Jasper’s eyes shifted to me, then to the driver, “What do you mean?” he asked,

“Since we departed from the private airstrip, that car has been talling us closely,” the driver explained, his eyes focused on the rearview mirror, confirming his suspicions.

Jasper and I turned to peer out of the car’s windows, and we saw the vehicle trailing us.

I suddenly got a notification flashed on my phone, diverting my attention. I lowered my eyes to read the message, but my heart skipped a beat at the chilling words that appeared on the screen from Colin: “You can’t hide from me,

I was taken aback when I saw Colin’s message. The sight of his name had shaken me to my very bones. How on earth did he manage to track me down again? I pondered, bewildered. I glanced up to replace Jasper still fixated on the car, his brow frowned in deep thought.

“There isn’t any plate number on the car!” Jasper said.

“Jasper, look,” I interjected, lifting my phone up, showing him the message from Colin. I needed him to understand that Colin had sent someone to tail us.

“Colin?” He asked.

“Yes, he had someone follow me before I arrived at the airstrip,” I explained.” But I managed to run off through a side alley. I don’t understand how he managed to replace me again.”

“What are we going to do, sir?” the driver asked, Jasper shifted in his seat, his eyes focused on the road.

“James, replace a way to shake him off our tail,” Jasper replied.

“I will, sir,” James replied, as he pressed harder on the accelerator. The car surged forward, picking up speed as we tried to outrun our pursuer.

Peering through the rearview mirror, we could see the car behind us closing in fast. James maneuvered through the traffic, overtaking other vehicles as he accelerated down the road. I reached out and gripped Jasper’s arm tightly, my heart racing.

Without hesitation, James made a bold move, driving into the intersection just as the traffic light turned yellow. And sped through the intersection before the light could change, leaving our pursuer stranded behind the red signal. Jasper and I turned to look back, and I sighed realizing we had lost our tail.

“We lost him,”

“Good job, James,” Jasper praised. James smiled and steered the car onto a side road, putting even more distance between us and our would–be follower.

Colin POV

After sending Selena the message, I anxiously awaited Luka’s call. Every minute felt like an eternity until finally, the phone rang, and I eagerly picked up.

“How is it, Luka?” I Asked.

“Boss, I lost them,” Luka replied, and I suddenly felt so disappointed.

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“What? How is that even possible? You’re the best in the game, Luka, that’s why I hired you. Find them! They can’t have slipped away,” I yelled. The thought of Jasper and Selena getting away made my blood boll.

“Boss, I’ll do everything I can to track them down,” Laka assured me.

“They can’t have gotten far. Track their phones, search every street, turn over every stone if you have to. Find them!” 1 barked into the phone. The situation demander quick action, and I needed Luka to deliver.

I hung up the phone restless. I paced back and forth, Imagining Jasper and Selena together, I felt I might Lose my mind any moment. I placed a hand on my forehead.

“Never, it can’t happen never“.

Jasper POV

The car sped away, leaving our pursuers behind, I stole a glance at Selena and noticed her exhale a sigh of relief. It warmed my heart to see her visibly relax, knowing that I had helped ensure her safety once again. However, there was something important I needed to address before time slipped away.

“Selena!” I called out, turning towards her. Selena turned to me, her attentively.

“Yes?” she responded, her eyes meeting mine curiously.

“Ehmm, I want.. you to accompany me to the Cyber Connection Gala,” I said.

“What?” Selena’s eyes widened at my unexpected invitation. I quickly checked the time on my wristwatch and continued, “The event is starting in just 2 hours, and I replace myself without a partner.” I added.

Like you know, I’m single and if you don’t go with me, I’ll get mocked for being single“. I said and locked eyes with Selena, hoping she would agree to join me.

She hesitated, “I’m not sure about this,” Selena admitted, “I’m not really involved in the tech world, and I’m not known in that circle. Wouldn’t I stand out awkwardly at a tech event like that?”

“You w

stand out at all, especially since you’re my company’s new model. Trust me, with you by my side, it will be a wonderful evening,” I assured Selena, confidently although I held my breath, hoping that she would agree to accompany me to the Cyber Connections Gala.

Selena looked into my eyes. After a brief pause, she nodded her head, “Okay.”

Wanting to confirm our plans, I asked, “Are you going with me?”

“Yes.”

“How can I love this woman any less with all this cuteness?” I whispered to myself.

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