I found myself lingering by the window, the cool glass against my hand grounding me. My thoughts were a storm, swirling with memories of that night at the club and the strange coincidence of her being here now.

"Major Vikrant," her voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned, finding her standing a few steps away, her face calm but guarded.

"Agent Araina," I greeted.

"I wanted to discuss the tactical plan," she said, her tone clipped and professional.

"Go ahead," I replied, gesturing for her to continue.

She stepped closer, outlining her thoughts with precision. But as she spoke, my mind drifted—not from disinterest, but from the realization that this was the same voice I’d heard that night.

When she finished, I nodded, addressing her points with equal clarity. But as the conversation drew to a close, she hesitated.

"Anything else?" I asked.

She seemed to consider it before shaking her head. "No, Major. Thank you."

As she turned to leave, I couldn’t stop myself.

"Araina," I said softly.

She paused, glancing back, her expression questioning.

"Have we met before?"

For a moment, her eyes flickered with something—recognition, maybe. But she quickly masked it, her tone careful as she replied.

"No, I don’t believe so."

She left before I could say more, disappearing into the crowd of officers.

I leaned back against the window, exhaling a slow breath. She might not have recognized me, but I remembered her. That night, the brief moment of vulnerability, and now—this.

I didn’t believe in coincidences.

She was here for a reason, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that our paths were meant to cross again. But for now, I pushed the thought aside.

The mission came first. It always did.

Yet, for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t sure if I could keep my focus. Because Araina wasn’t just another colleague—she was a question I couldn’t yet answer.