The Sapphire Lounge was well-named—a jewel box of a place, with azure lighting that cast everything in a cool, ethereal glow. Isabella chose it carefully. It was their spot—where she and Seraphina had celebrated countless victories, weathered failures, and plotted their way through the corporate world together.
Isabella arrived fifteen minutes early, securing their usual corner booth with a view of the entire bar. She wore a sleek black dress, her hair pulled back into a neat chignon. As she waited, she sipped her gin martini slowly, letting the bitter notes linger on her tongue. Her phone remained untouched beside her glass.
Liam had arrived even earlier at her instruction, positioned at the bar with a perfect sightline to her table. He nursed a whiskey, his attention seemingly on his phone but shifting regularly to survey the room. Anyone watching would think they were strangers.
