"Heyy! Are you okay?" Amber's voice cut through the haze as she waved a hand in front of my eyes.
I blinked, quickly snapping back to focus.
"Yeah, yeah… I'm Ariadne Oak. Daughter of Thomas Oak."
She smiled warmly, with practiced elegance.
"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 out cheerfully.
"Hey, Nancy!" I echoed, but—
Nancy came running toward me, arms swinging—but her expression wasn't joyful.
"Where were you, Ms. Oak?" she asked, arms folded, voice cold. Almost accusatory.
"You know I was at the office…" I said gently.
"Are you going to stay with me—or leave me, like Mom and Dad did?"
Her words landed like a blade to the chest.
I smiled softly, but leaned down, lowering my voice.
"You need to know something," I said, serious now.
I took her small hand and led her to one of the back rooms. Once we were inside, I closed and locked the door.
Amber remained in the kitchen.
I knelt down and placed my hands on Nancy's shoulders.
"Nancy… remember that strange lady you saw the other night?"
"Y-Yes. What about her?"
"Nothing happened to her… yet. But something could've happened—to you. You know there are dangerous people out there, right? Kidnappers, robbers?"
"Yes! Like in Sailor Water! The one where the villains try to summon the Dark Queen by kidnapping kids!"
"Exactly like that," I whispered.
"That woman? She tried to kidnap you, Nancy. She wanted to use you—to lure out Mom. She's part of something really dangerous. She's been watching us… for a very long time."
Her eyes widened in horror.
"She could come for me again?"
"Or for Dad. Or even me. That's why we're living separately now. Not because we want to… but because we have to. Even Mom said so."
"Is that true…?"
"Absolutely. But you must promise—don't tell anyone about this. Especially not the nanny. Understood?"
She hesitated.
"Yes… but I still think Amber is nicer than you."
I held back a scoff.
"Maybe she is. But orders are orders. From Mom."
"Okay, okay! I won't tell anyone."
"Good girl."
I stood and unlocked the door.
Amber was stirring sauce in the kitchen, humming softly.
"Hey," I asked, voice casual but wary, "what are you cooking for Nancy?"
"Steak chateaubriand, Ms. Oak," she replied pleasantly. "And I'm making extra—for you too."
"I'm not staying long. Just came to check on my sister."
She turned and smiled over her shoulder.
"And to check on me, of course. Feeling a little… threatened, perhaps?"
Her smile was pleasant.
But unsettling.
"Why not?" I said, eyes sharp. "Why not check on you too, Ms. Dubois?"
"Haha… absolutely correct," she laughed softly, but something cold shimmered beneath it.
That look.
The smirk.
Her eyes met mine—and there it was. A flicker. Not fear. Not friendliness.
A challenge.
We were two wolves circling each other. Sizing one another up on a chessboard cloaked in dinner and smiles.
"Well," I said flatly, "I'll stay a bit. Then leave."
"Good choice, Ms. Ariadne."
"As always, Ms. Amber."
The air between us crackled. Then she turned back to the stove, humming as if nothing had passed.
I walked to the living room. Nancy was on the sofa, half-curled, watching her favorite anime.
I sat beside her and leaned close.
"Hey… do you remember what happened that night?"
"What do you mean, sis?"
"The night you were almost taken by that tall lady. Do you remember how it started?"
She furrowed her little brows, squinting in memory.
"Hmm… I think… she climbed up the pipe outside my window. I woke up to her whisper. 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 came."
She pouted.
"Since then, I only trust you and Dad when it comes to Mom."
"Smart girl," I whispered, pulling her into a side hug.
"Dinner's ready!" Amber called.
We made our way to the dining table.
The food?
Flawless.
The silence?
Loud.
Every knife on the porcelain. Every sip of water. It was all wrapped in a wordless truce.
A silent promise:
I'm watching you.
Later That Night…
I left after dinner. The cab sped through quiet streets, headlights slicing through the night.
I called Dad.
"Hey," he picked up immediately. "Did you send the meeting recording?"
"Just about to."
"And the… other meeting?"
I paused.
"The one with the organization heads?"
His voice dropped, deep and grave.
"It started normal. But halfway through, they called me in. Asked about you and Nancy."
"What?"
"Their eyes, Ariadne…" he said slowly. "Those green eyes in the dark. They were watching. Measuring. Like they already knew."
I fell silent.
The cab turned into our street. I glanced behind instinctively.
"We're being watched, aren't we?" I whispered.
"No," Dad replied.
"We're being measured."