herself together. "I didn't know what they were going to do. They just took the keys and handed them to one of the others, who went straigh

ut and placed her hand gently on Amanda's, squeezing it softly for comfort. "Amanda, I'm

age. "Those cowards. How di

don't know. It's like th

dened. "Did the

couldn't found and her voice was barely audible. "No, bu

, the only sound was

nderstand. She shook her head now and t

hink they set it on purpose. The smoke... the sirens..

and. "You did the right thing, Amanda. You kept everyone s

fee. "Detective James takes these cases seri

st wish it didn't happen at all. I keep thin

red her. "We'll get through this. And m

ll," Ton

, feeling comforted by her h

he police ask y

wearing masks. They also asked why I gave them the safe keys; like it wasn't obvious I was

. "Mom, I cleaned up my toys! Aunt Anita

I finish talking to your m

Danny said, bounc

'The Best Fashion Designer Award' again!" she excla

year too, righ

nia is so talented,"

nita looked at the clock. She ne

up. "I'll be late for work if I don't

er with a sad smile. "I w

hoping you could spe

work's waiting," An

sorry, but I won't be able to p

ce fell. "

"Don't worry, Aunt Anita will com

, Aunt Anita, promise

I promise. We'll have a

h. "You don't have mu

a quick shower and get ready. In a few minutes, she w

le on her face. "Alright, I'm off. Dan

Drive safe!" Danny

to Amanda and Tony, and hurried to her

ately reached for her phone. She saw four missed calls from Russell and si

r alarm had been ringing for a while, and she quickly silenced it. Just then, she heard

breakfast. Sylvania smiled and filled his

her skin. She dried off quickly, threw on a white blouse, tied a green scarf around her neck, and slipped into a f

ffee, and she walked out of her

he drove out, joining t

he pedal, weaving through cars, dodging potholes and slow taxis. Her phone would

pulled into S

late," she breathed

and hurried to the door, not even noticing

ted her. Shiny balloons floated near the ceiling, streamers were spread out on

LATIONS,

ed, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug. Her curly brown hair bounced as she rocked Sylvania from side to s

vian's joy. "That's amazing!" she said, a

she pulled Sylvania into another hug. "Wow, Sylvania! You're a star!" she s

She placed a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, guys," s

ing voice cut through the ch

ways serious, but today, there was a rare smile on her face. She opened her arms and gave Sylvania a

e shouted, clapping loudly. The sound of applause fi

se down. "Alright, everyone, back to work!

ks, but the excitement remained. Sylvania stood there for a mome

r felt so pr

or the evening. Before she could touch anything, her pho

morning, Russell! How was

immediately. "I couldn'

st be joking,"

you. Are you free toni

onight. Come if you can. I

ss it. Should

e great. Party

be t

ania typed with a

f fabric patches. "Is that Russell?"

wants to stay in touch. He's

e's serious about you. But fo

ement as she focused on the day's tasks, and she

couldn't stop smiling. His heart felt light, and he stretched his arms above his head, letting out a

sent to Sylvania. His fingers tingled, and a rush of excitement f

my day better," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. His grin widened

e woman of his dreams. Sylvania was smart, funny, and beautiful, and

ly showered with a whistle, dressed, and headed to the dining table, where his breakfast

day," Charlotte said, loo

sell smiled, sipping his co

h you, but you've been acting str

made some good sales this week," Russ

st night. The news says Sylvania Scarlett won again. She's so

was pretty amazing. I

rlotte said, standing up.

ou'll do great," Rus

find something to wear for tonight's event afterward. He qui

inded himself to stay focused on work be

d quiet conversations. There was a light scent of fresh coffee, and his team was already deep

f hope in her voice. She looked beautiful with her d

ering a polite nod.

om one foot to the other. "How was your weekend?"

ne neutral, careful not to encourage anything. He knew Natasha's feeli

ly. Then, gathering her courage, she looked up at him.

hrough his nose. He didn't want to hurt her, but he also couldn't lead

es before she quickly hid it with a small nod. "Of cou

turn her feelings, but that person wasn't him. Pushing the thought aside, he continued tow

is seat at the head of the table. "Good

ning," th

, starting the meeting. "Our clients expect

A slender woman in her early thirties held up he

ase inform me if there are any pro

ussell ended the meeting. "Let's give our best. I know we can ach

othing yet. He knew she was busy, so he didn't worry. Deciding to head to his restaurant

ar smell of food hit him as soon as he walked in, and he smiled at the sigh

oothly?" he asked Mrs.

he replied. "Your u

Russell said, c

shed potatoes. He checked his phone again; still no message from Sylvania.

urant, making sure everything was running smoothly. "Keep up the goo

strict and tried on several outfits until he found one he liked; dark jeans

en with Wendy. "I'll skip dinner toni

Charlotte asked, cra

h some friends," Russell

e mirror, he smiled, and he took a deep breath. He pictured Sylvania'

ell grabbed his k