"Oh—hi…"
Nadia's voice was soft, almost shy.
She and Jordan stepped into the same elevator.
"Hey," Jordan said.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Nadia glanced at him again, openly admiring his broad shoulders, his sharp jawline, the calm way he stood. A faint smile curved her lips.
Jordan noticed.
Said nothing.
"And here comes Mr. Mysterious," Johnson announced.
Adrian laughed.
"What's up, man?" Johnson said, offering his hand.
Jordan shook his. Then Adrian's.
"Looks like we might all get along really well," Nadia said brightly.
"Wait… where's the other lady?"
The door opened.
"Good morning," a woman said.
"Good morning… Ms.?" Nadia asked.
The woman hesitated.
"Zoey," Adrian supplied.
"Yes. Zoey James."
"Good to see you."
Adrian grinned. "We're planning a small party this weekend. New interns should get to know each other."
"That sounds good," Nadia said. "You'll come, right?"
Zoey shifted. "I'll… try."
"Oh come on," Johnson said. "We're all coming. Right, Jordan?"
Jordan stood by the window, staring out at the city skyline, completely detached.
He didn't hear them.
"Nadia, are you listening, Jordan?!"
"Huh?"
Adrian winced. "Yikes."
"You got lost there," Johnson said.
"There's a party this weekend," Adrian added. "You gotta show up."
"My schedule's tight lately."
"It's one day," Johnson whispered. "There'll be girls. Pretty girls."
Jordan shook his head.
"He's coming," Johnson declared.
"Hello, interns," Sarah said. "Time to get to work."
"Another long day," Adrian muttered.
"You signed up for this," Johnson smirked. "Smells like good life, huh?"
"Whatever, man."
"It's crazy how there are more unethical hackers than ethical ones," Nadia said.
"It is," Adrian agreed.
"Illegal pays more," Johnson shrugged.
"And one ticket to prison," Zoey added.
"If the FBI comes for you—you're done."
Behind a glass wall in a private room—
Vivienne stood, arms folded, watching multiple screens. Each showed different departments.
Then her gaze paused.
The interns.
No.
Him.
Jordan stood apart, staring out the window while the others talked.
"Oh," she murmured.
"It's him. The quiet one."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Everyone discussed cybercrime.
Jordan stayed silent.
Then he smirked.
Vivienne leaned closer to the screen.
"Still quiet… but why does it feel like there's too much going on in his head?"
"Hacking's easy," Johnson said. "Piece of cake."
"No, it's not."
Everyone turned.
Jordan finally looked at them.
"Hacking is never a piece of cake," he said calmly.
"It's fun until you face a real threat. Then you understand what fear actually is."
Silence.
"Oh…" Vivienne whispered.
"He finally talked."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Interesting."
She left the private room and returned to her office.
A knock.
"Come in."
Richard.
He sat casually.
"That was a smart move," he said.
"Am I supposed to be flattered?"
"No. You're predictable."
"So why are you here?"
"You've made enemies, V."
"Don't call me that."
"You still feel something for me."
She clenched her fist.
"You might've played it smart," he continued calmly.
"But if it blows up in your face… that's the beginning of your downfall."
"Get out."
"Two pieces of shit, huh? We were never good for each other."
"There's only one piece of shit here."
He smiled. "You look lonely. Broken."
"Get out."
He laughed and left.
Outside—
Richard nearly collided with Jordan holding a file.
They locked eyes.
Said nothing.
Jordan knocked.
"Come in!"
He entered.
"Good day, ma'am. I was asked to drop these files."
"Just drop them."
He did.
"And… thanks for the other time," she added.
"Mr…?"
"Jordan."
"Jordan…"
She studied him.
Too calm.
Too controlled.
He nodded once and left.
Vivienne remained still.
Intrigued.
Wary.
Uneasy.