Frayed Edges

he felt a shiver run down her spine. It was as if he could see right t

ing," Vince said, his eyes roaming

iled, trying to play it cool. "Thank

he said, holdin

is hand. His grip was firm, but his eye

ity gala?" Vince asked, his e

h a lie. "I'm a philanthropist. I s

"That's good. I'm a han

led. "I ca

ming guy was a drug addict? What

in real estate, but I'm always looking for

al. "I'm involved in various charity work.

quite interesting. I'd love to he

m to be so interested. "It's...it's just

s getting tired of the convers

ed a beat. She knew she had to keep up the act for

y, making Zara's skin crawl. She tried to move su

could stare at you all night

disgust. "I'm flattered, Vince

end, Zara excused hers

hs to calm herself down. She splashed some water on

elf, saying he had some business to attend to.

lunch tomorrow," he said, his

" It would be

lief. "Thank goodness." She was approached by another man

ped their wine and laughed together, Zara felt a pang of unease. She was getting to

er mind: "Get his money, Zar

red the conversation with Vince.

," Vince said, his eyes g

y how proud he was. She thought it was

e," she said, her voice l

knew she had him wrap

went on romantic dinners, took long walks on the beach, and even spe

keep up the act forever. Sh

Zara made her move. She told him a lie, a st

ver leaving hers. When she finished,

ke you. I'll send the money right away," he

nfirmation. But as she looked at Vince, she

ite powder, and a look of euphor

Zara asked, trying to

at her, his ey

to take the edge off," he

he knew she had to g

k. He grabbed her wris

suddenly he whispered, "Stay with me, Zara. Let's get

ll away, but Vin

go," Zar

d, his eyes gleaming

e, Zara," he said, his vo

st into the room, knocking Vince to the gro

said, grabbing Zara's arm an

e night air, Zara heard the

ill be here s

cing, but she felt a sens

hat would have happened to her if

drove. He was so focused an

nly gave

ing for a confirmation message. Finally, it

seat, feeling a wave of

to herself, a small smile on her fa

ud crash jolted her upright. The car swerved viol

g?" she shouted,

fixed on the incident before him.

e saw a figure stepping out from the wreckage of a motorbike. The

orbike rider, concern etched on her face. "Hello,

Zara screamed, startled. "Are you okay?" she

s helmet still intact. In a gruff, mena

"You just had an accident," she said, concern etc

nomous. "I'm fine, Zara," he spat, his vo

made her way back to the car but she stopped in her tracks as something hit