Tension was rising, and so were the odds for each party.
Jason had again disappeared within the depths of the night, and this time, Emilia waited. She watched him step down from the car and stumble in like a drunk—but he wasn't intoxicated. At least, not from alcohol.
As he stepped into the room, the air was thick with the scent of sweat. Emilia sat in the dark, her fingers tightened on the phone.
"You weren't picking up," she said softly.
Jason jolted a little, surprised as she emerged from the balcony.
"I was driving," he lied.
Emilia smiled softly. She had known him for years, and every time he told a lie, she recognized it.
"Don't lie to me, Jason. I may not know everything, but I know you're hiding something," she said.
There comes a time in a man's life where choice becomes an option—but Jason was not ready to make that choice. He stepped forward, his hands slowly taking Emilia's.
