"Heyy! Are you okay?" she asked, waving her hand near my eyes.
I blinked quickly and snapped back into focus. "Yeah, yeah! I'm Ariadne Oak—daughter of Thomas Oak."
She smiled warmly. "Ohh, got it! You're very welcome, Ms. Oak."
I stepped inside.
"Hey, Nancy, your sister Ari's here! Come and welcome her," Amber called cheerfully.
"Hey, Nancy!" I called out.
Nancy came running toward me, but her face was anything but happy.
"Where were you, Ms. Oak?" she asked, folding her arms—tone cold, almost accusatory.
"You know I was at the office…"
"Are you going to stay with me—or leave me, like Mom and Dad did?"
I froze, her words hitting like a slap. Then I smiled gently and leaned closer.
"You need to know something," I said softly.
I took her hand and led her to one of the rooms, closing the door behind us and locking it, leaving Amber in the kitchen.
I knelt in front of her and placed my hands on her shoulders.
"Nancy, remember that strange lady you saw that night?"
"Y-Yes… What about her?"
"Nothing's happened to her… yet. But something could have happened—to you. You know there are dangerous people out there—kidnappers, robbers?"
"Yes! I saw it on Sailor Water! The one where the villains try to take kids to summon the Dark Queen!"
"Exactly like that," I whispered. "That woman you saw—she tried to kidnap you. She wanted to use you to lure out Mom. She's part of something… really bad. And she's been watching us for a long time. She could come for me. Or Dad. Or even you again."
"R-Really?!"
"That's why we're living separately. It's not because we want to… it's for your safety. Even Mom said this."
"O-Oh… is that true?"
"Absolutely. But you must promise me—don't tell anyone about this. Especially not the nanny. Got it?"
"Yes… but I still think Amber is nice. Nicer than you!"
"Maybe. But orders are orders. From Mom."
"Okay, okay! I won't tell anyone."
"Good girl."
I unlocked the door and stepped back out. Amber was in the kitchen.
"Hey, what are you cooking for Nancy?" I asked cautiously.
"Steak chateaubriand, Ms. Oak. And I'm making extra—for you too."
"I'm not staying long. Just came to check on my sister."
"And to check on me, of course. Feeling a little… threatened, perhaps?" she said with a smile—pleasant, but unsettling.
"Why not? Why not check on you too, Ms. Dubois?" I smiled back, sharp as glass.
"Hahaha… Absolutely correct," she chuckled darkly.
And there it was—that look.
That smirk.
Her eyes met mine. Something flickered behind them. Confidence? Challenge? I couldn't tell. But the electricity between us was unmistakable—two players sizing each other up on a chessboard.
"Well, I'll stay a bit. Then leave."
"Good choice, Ms. Ariadne."
"As always, Ms. Amber."
We exchanged icy stares, tension sparking in the air, before she returned to her cooking.
I walked back into the living room. Nancy was watching TV on the sofa. I sat beside her and leaned in.
"Hey… do you remember what happened that night?"
"Huh? What do you mean, sis?"
"The night you were… almost taken. Do you remember how?"
Nancy scrunched her face.
"Ughrrr… I think… she climbed up the pipe outside my window. I woke up to her voice—she said, 'Hey, I'm your mom's friend! She's waiting for you at the playground!' I was so excited I forgot everything and just went with her… And then Dad showed up. Since then, I only trust you and Dad when it comes to Mom."
"Smart girl," I said, pulling her in for a side hug.
"Dinner's ready!" Amber called from the kitchen.
We walked to the dining area. Dinner passed mostly in silence. The steak was perfect, but the atmosphere stayed tense—like a silent warning was threaded into every bite.
Later That Night…
I left after dinner. As the cab sped through the city streets toward my new home, I called Dad.
"Hey. Have you sent the meeting recording?" he asked immediately.
"I will, shortly. But… what about that other meeting—the one with the organization heads?"
His voice dropped to a low tone.
"It started normal. But midway through, they called me up—asked about you and Nancy. The way they looked at me…" he paused.
"Dad?"
"Their eyes, Ariadne. Those piercing green eyes in the dark. They were glaring at me. Watching. Like they already knew."
I stayed silent, chills running down my spine.
"We're being watched, aren't we?" I whispered.
"More than that. We're being measured."