THE CURSED LUNA
Chapter 51

Emily pov

Her confidence was practically glowing, yet I couldn't wrap my head around how she had the audacity to face me like that. Seriously, what gave her the guts to spill that nonsense? I wasn't hiding anything from Tris, but... I trailed off, pacing back and forth in my office, my heart racing like it was training for a marathon. What if? That thought echoed in my mind like a broken record.

I flopped back into my chair, my eyes fixated on the mess of files strewn across my desk. I was too drained to even look at them, especially with the nagging feeling that she might know my secret identity. I slowly turned to my phone, dialed my secretary's number, and let it ring for what felt like an eternity.

When she finally picked up, I hesitated, wiping the sweat off my brow. "Please, I need a hot chocolate and bring me the files on Alpha Christian. I need to sift through their documents," I said, trying to sound calm, but my voice was barely a whisper.

"Ma'am?" My secretary's voice crackled through the line, dripping with concern. "Are you alright? You sound a little... off."

I cleared my throat, trying to sound more composed. "I'm good, just... a bit stressed. Can you bring me the files and a hot chocolate, please?"

"On it, ma'am," she replied, her tone laced with just a smidge of doubt.

I hung up and let my gaze wander out the window. The city skyline blurred as my thoughts spiraled around Audrey's words. What if she actually knew my secret? What if Tris...?

Nope. I shook my head, banishing the nagging doubt. I had taken every precaution, left no stone unturned. My secret identity was locked down tight.

The door creaked open, and my secretary waltzed in with a steaming mug and a pile of files. "Here you go, ma'am." She placed the items on my desk, her eyes darting over my face. "If I may say so, you look like you could use more than just hot chocolate."

I forced a smile. "Thanks. Just a long day."

As she left, I wrapped my hands around the warm mug, savoring the rich aroma. The first sip was like a cozy embrace - just what I needed.

With a fresh wave of determination, I plunged into the Alpha Christian files, scanning through documents and financial reports. My eyes darted across the pages, hunting for any link to Emily or Tris.

Hours melted away as I combed through the paperwork. My concentration started to slip, but then a name jumped out at me: Audrey?

My heart raced. What was Audrey's connection to Alpha Christian?

Or is this just one of her ridiculous games? I have so many people to take down, and I'll do it one by one.

I was deep in my master plan to take down Sheelah and her crew when Tris's call came in, sending my heart into overdrive. I snatched up the phone, eager for him to spill the tea. "Emily, let's grab lunch before 3 pm. I can't make it to the office, so just swing by our usual hangout," he said, his voice smooth and casual, chuckling as he caught my annoyed hiss. Tris, what the heck is happening? I shot back, my voice dripping with annoyance. "You can't just ring me out of nowhere and expect me to drop everything like it's hot."

Tris chuckled, and I felt a little flutter in my chest. "I'll spill the tea when you get here. Can't wait to see you!"

And just like that, the call ended, leaving me glaring at my phone in irritation. What was he keeping from me?

I shoved my papers aside, my brain already buzzing with wild theories. This better be worth my time.

When I finally reached our go-to café, a cozy little spot hidden in a quiet part of town, Tris was already there, casually sipping his coffee. His gaze met mine, and a big grin broke out on his face. "Hey there," he said, standing up to give me a quick hug.

I plopped down in the booth across from him, my eyes darting around the café, searching for... her. "So, what's the deal?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"Nothing much, we can just enjoy our usual lunch," he replied with that annoying smile. Seriously, why was he so chipper?

"I kicked Audrey out of our place; she's into some heavy stuff," he casually mentioned, and I stared at him, shocked. "How on earth did you manage that? That woman is pure poison; I never liked her anyway..." "Did you place an order? I'm feeling quite hungry," I mentioned, and I was taken aback that he had to send her away from our house. She was quite the nuisance.

Tris gave a little nod, summoning the waiter like a pro. "I went ahead and ordered your go-to: a veggie wrap with sweet potato fries. Should be here any minute."

I flashed him a grateful smile. "Thanks, I'm absolutely famished."

As we sat there waiting for our food, I couldn't resist probing a bit. "So, what finally pushed you to kick Audrey to the curb? I mean, you've been dealing with her drama for ages." Tris's face turned serious. "She crossed a line, dragging our past into her little games. I just couldn't let that slide."

Intrigued, I leaned in closer. "What kind of games are we talking about?"

"Oh, come on, Emily, it's not a big deal. I just need her to skedaddle, that's the real problem." And finally, the waiter decided to grace us with our order.

The moment the waiter placed our dishes on the table, Tris shot me a look that could cut glass. "This is serious. Audrey's drowning, and I need you to throw her a lifeline."

I arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "And why do you think I'm the one for the job?"

"Are you planning to just brush this off and pretend she doesn't exist, or are we going to keep this conversation going?" I shot back, my irritation bubbling over. "Alright, fine. Let's eat. I promise, no more talk about her," he conceded.