Ambitions Entwined

ed by a nervous twitch. Noreen's eyes narrowed. Raphael, the picture of quiet confidence

ug, greeting them both

ame your high-powered friend here," she tea

ller with a mop of dark curls, stood awkwardly under the dim blue

h a heavier hand than usual. The life of the party at their last o

oncern, Raphael sighed. "Okay, okay, we can talk about i

hter filled the air as conversation flowed, washing away the initial awkwardness. "Feel

himed in, a chorus of laughter erupting as memories resurfaced. Noreen recounted

eyes, challenged her claim. "Not w

ike that." But Raphael's raised eyebrow suggested otherwis

ure gradually melting away. With a burst of energy, he drained his glass.

curious glances. Lost in the rhythm of "Blinding Lights," they formed

nts into their introductions. Noreen and Katherine politely but firmly declined, the men's smiles faltering. With the practised ease of a seasoned bodygua

bled something about bad luck. "Same old, sa

nim armour returns," she teased before slipping away toward

ere, across the room, stood Maeers. Her heart pounded in her chest, his smug voice echoing in her mind like a haunting melody

ng Island," the bartender'

a near-perfect copy of James. The uncanny resemblance sent shivers down her spine. "Just a trick of the l

her hands. Raphael raised an eyebrow at the extra cocktail. Noreen, still shaken, mentally

a worried look but remained silent. With a weak smile, Noreen clinked g

t a night. Back in their private booth, they gathered thei

ne declared, her voice thick with exhaus

ouldn't agree more. This... this was exactly what I needed." S

s like this remind me of simpler times. Speaking of which, I have some news to share

playfully. "Sounds good! But for now, let's get yo

genuine smile. "Alright, alright, party animals. Be ca

ng into the cool night air, the city lights seemed to blur as they hailed a cab. Back

g in the quiet hallway. Her gaze landed on the elegant sideboard, picking up the phone,

inally home," she murmured, sinking down onto the plush pouffe beside the sideboard. Her bare feet me

smile. "The price of looking beautiful, right?" she

h it!" she admitted, her voice thick with sleep. But despite

tered, her voice firm. "These are the

attle, and the unsettling doppelgänger – all faded into the background

drooping. As she entered her bedroom, the soft click of the door shuttin

soft glow. Memories of the night – the laughter, the dancing, the camaraderie – played behind her closed eyelids. A genuine smile touc