The Final Code

chapter seventeen

The bar was loud and dimly lit, a refuge from the chaos of the case that had been consuming our lives for the past few weeks. It was a place where time didn't seem to matter, where the noise of the outside world could be drowned out by the laughter and clinking of glasses. I hadn't realized how much I needed this until we stepped through the door, the weight of everything—the case, the danger, the unspoken tension between us—just... lifting.

Nicholas was already halfway through his beer when I sat down next to him, the booth welcoming and cozy in a way the sterile office never could be. I didn't know why I'd come, to be honest. Maybe it was because I couldn't remember the last time I had a moment of peace, or maybe it was because his presence, while still unsettling, was something I had started to crave.

"Why do I feel like this is a bad idea?" I muttered, half-joking as I took a sip of my drink, my fingers tapping nervously on the glass.

"You say that like we haven't been through worse together already," Nicholas grinned, his eyes sparkling with that same sharpness I'd seen in the office but now with a little more warmth, a little more life. "But I get it. Case is... heavy."

I nodded, my gaze flitting over to his face. There was something about him that was different when he wasn't focused on the case, his charm effortlessly flowing, like the kind of man who could turn an entire room's attention with just a smile. And it was undeniable. Despite everything, despite the fear and the violence surrounding us, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. Not in the way I would have let myself—maybe it was the weight of the situation, the need for human connection in the middle of the storm. But there was no denying it: he was magnetic.

"You're right," I said, half-laughing, more to myself than him. "It's just... a lot. I feel like I'm walking a tightrope, and every step could be the last one before I fall."

His expression softened, like he understood. For a second, the agent and the case were forgotten, replaced by two people who were just... existing. In that moment, it felt easier to breathe.

"You've been handling it well," he said, leaning back in his seat, his eyes studying me, though not in the clinical way he normally did. There was no agenda. Just observation. "You're a lot tougher than you give yourself credit for."

I chuckled, the sound feeling strange on my lips after so many sleepless nights. "I'm just trying not to break. That's all."

His gaze lingered on me a moment too long, and I felt a shift in the air between us, subtle but undeniable. My heart beat faster, and I quickly looked away, embarrassed by the sudden intensity in the atmosphere.

"You know," he continued, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "I can't decide if I'm relieved or worried that you're not falling apart right now. But for the record, I'm glad you're holding it together."

I could feel my cheeks flush, and I couldn't quite tell if it was the alcohol or something else entirely. "Thanks," I muttered, avoiding his eyes. I could feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me, more complex than anything I'd experienced in a long time. A mixture of fear, attraction, and vulnerability I didn't know how to process.

"I'm serious, though," Nicholas said, his voice softer now. He leaned forward slightly, his tone almost teasing but with an edge of sincerity. "For someone who's constantly trying to push everyone away, you sure don't make it easy."

I froze, not sure how to respond. He was right, though. I'd always been the one to keep my distance, to stay guarded, especially with people like him—people who could get too close. But for some reason, tonight felt different. The walls that I'd built around myself seemed like they were beginning to crack.

"Maybe I'm just tired," I said, trying to mask the vulnerability that threatened to break free. "It's been a long few months. Or maybe it's just that... this case has made me question everything."

Nicholas nodded, his smile softening into something more genuine. "I get that. It's hard not to take it personally when your life is on the line, and there's someone out there who wants to play this twisted game."

I stared into my drink, my thoughts swirling as I took another sip. He was right. It was personal. It always had been. But I couldn't let myself crumble under the weight of it. Not now, not when everything was on the line. I couldn't show weakness, not even to him.

"You're... not as bad as I thought," I said, almost shyly, my words coming out before I could stop them.

He laughed, the sound rich and full. "I could say the same about you, but I'm not sure I'd trust my own judgment right now."

I raised an eyebrow, a smile pulling at the corner of my lips. "Oh really?"

He gave me a wink. "Really."

We sat there for a while longer, talking about everything and nothing. The case, the strange quirks of the city we were in, a little bit of humor to lighten the mood. I found myself laughing, and with each passing moment, I felt the invisible weight that had been pressing down on me since I started this investigation begin to loosen. With him, it was easier to forget. To pretend that there was a life outside of the Cipher, outside of the danger that lurked around every corner.

When the night wound down, and we stood up to leave, I felt a pang of disappointment. This time, the exhaustion wasn't enough to push me into sleep—at least, not yet.

"I'll walk you home," Nicholas said, slipping his jacket on. The voice of reason was back, but now there was a tenderness in his tone I hadn't expected.

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Thanks."

As we stepped out into the cool night air, the streets quiet around us, I found myself glancing sideways at him. We walked in comfortable silence, the only sound our footsteps echoing against the pavement. I had expected the tension to return, but instead, it felt... natural. Almost like we were just two people, trying to make sense of a world that didn't make sense anymore.

When we arrived at my apartment, I paused in front of the door, turning to face him.

"Goodnight, Nicholas," I said, feeling an unfamiliar lump in my throat.

He smiled, his expression warmer than it had been all evening. "Goodnight, Scarlett. Get some rest, okay?"

I nodded, and for the briefest moment, I thought he might say something else—something that could change everything. But he didn't. Instead, he just nodded once more before turning to leave, his figure disappearing into the darkness.

I watched him go, my heart pounding. What was happening between us? I couldn't let myself think about it. Not right now. I had a case to solve, and whatever I was feeling... it wasn't supposed to matter.

But as I closed the door behind me and locked it,
I couldn't shake the thought that had been gnawing at me all night.

What if my father never left?

I walked to my room, my fingers automatically reaching for the pendant I kept around my neck. I held it in my palm for a moment, staring at it as I lay in bed, my mind racing. My father's disappearance had always been a mystery, a puzzle I had never been able to solve. But now, after everything that had happened, after everything I had learned about the Cipher, a dark thought crept into my mind.

What if he was never meant to leave me? What if he was murdered by the same man who was hunting me now? The same killer who had been orchestrating this twisted game from the shadows?

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I wasn't going to let fear control me. I couldn't. This case wasn't just another job—it was personal. And I wasn't going to stop until I had the answers, no matter how bad the truth hurt.

I glanced at the pendant one last time, whispered a quiet "always" to the empty room, and switched off the lamp, closing my eyes.

The truth was out there. And it was time to face it.