Corridor Outside the Auditorium

The walkway outside the auditorium was quieter than the storm inside.

Tall glass walls reflected blurred silhouettes of people moving within the meeting hall. Voices rose now and then, only to be swallowed again by the hum of air conditioning and layers of thick glass.

Lab officers passed by in white coats. Some carried files. Others spoke softly about Zing readings and field reports.

On a long bench near the side entrance, a woman sat upright.

A red flannel shirt wrapped around her tall, slender frame. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, with a loose strand falling slightly across her forehead and thick brows. A small beauty mark rested beneath her eye, visible whenever she turned.

A small cross earring swayed gently on her right ear.

Around her neck, a crescent moon pendant lay quietly against her chest.

On her lap rested a white lab coat bearing the Zingforce emblem.

The name tag read:

Dr. Marysa
Head Scientist, Zing Development.

Her phone sat in her hand.

But she wasn’t scrolling.

She was staring at the screen.

Thinking.

From inside the auditorium, voices suddenly rose.

“…we can’t keep hiding this!”

The sound bled faintly through the glass.

Mary tapped her screen.

A social media video opened.

“Mai la Kafe Cita Rasa Semua!”

A stocky, dark-skinned man grinned widely at the camera.

“Don’t worry, our boss doesn’t eat people!”

He pulled another man into frame.

Mary paused.

Her thumb hovered mid-air.

She replayed the video.

This time, she didn’t hear Rash.

She only watched the man beside him.

Tired eyes… hiding something.

Shoulders slightly slumped, even as he tried to stand straight.

A smile that never quite reached his eyes.

A small smile formed on Mary’s lips.

Soft. Unconscious.

“Khai… still cute, huh.”

The words slipped out, barely audible.

Even to herself.

But the smile didn’t last.

The noise from the auditorium rose again. A faint thud echoed through the glass.

Mary locked her phone.

Her fingers brushed the crescent pendant briefly.

Ckrak!

The auditorium doors opened.

Intel officers streamed out. Some complained about the meeting dragging too long. Others argued as they walked.

Mary straightened immediately.

Her expression reset.

Professional.

Sharp.

Unreadable.

Dr. Syarifah emerged, holding her handbag, rubbing her temple.

Mary stood and greeted her with a smile.

“Rough day, Ifah?”

Syarifah let out a slow breath, still pressing her forehead.

“Event last night. Emergency meeting this morning. Of course I’m stressed.”

Her East Coast accent slipped through more clearly now that fatigue had set in.

Mary chuckled lightly, trying to lift the mood.

“Then don’t be. I’ll buy you lunch.”

Syarifah shot her a side glance. Sharp, as always.

“Where?”

Mary shrugged, casual. Almost too casual.

“Kafe Cita Rasa Semua.”

Syarifah pressed her fingers against her forehead again.

“How exactly are we getting past the reporters outside? You think I’m invisible?”

Mary paused.

Usually, she would fire back instantly. Or drag Ifah along without asking.

But not this time.

“I’ve got an idea.”

She reached into her sling bag and pulled out a wig.

Syarifah blinked.

Then stared.

“You want me to look like a clown?”

Mary let out a small laugh. Not quite full.

“Not a clown. Just… a different version of you.”

Syarifah pushed the wig back toward her.

“You never learn, do you?”

Mary went quiet.

Normally, she would argue.

Or tease harder.

But instead, she inhaled slowly.

Then stepped closer.

“Please.”

One word.

Soft.

Syarifah looked at her.

Longer this time.

Mary rarely asked like that.

“I just… need to get out for a bit,” Mary added, forcing a small smile. “My head’s packed.”

Syarifah studied her.

“You’re not the type to ask people out for lunch during a crisis.”

Mary let out a quiet laugh.

“Even serious people get hungry.”

Syarifah didn’t move.

Mary glanced toward the exit.

Distant noise from reporters still echoed faintly.

Then she looked back at Ifah.

“Just come with me. It won’t take long.”

The tone shifted.

Almost coaxing.

Almost pleading.

But still held together by a thread of pride.

Syarifah exhaled.

Heavy.

“Who are you really trying to meet?”

Direct.

Precise.

Mary froze.

Half a second too long.

Her eyes shifted slightly.

“Just the café.”

Syarifah raised an eyebrow.

“Mary.”

That was enough.

Mary pressed her lips together.

“I just want to see someone.”

Honest.

But incomplete.

Syarifah stared at her.

In that moment, Mary didn’t look like a top scientist.

She looked like a university student trying to hide something obvious.

Awkward.

Unfamiliar.

Syarifah finally relented, just a little.

“If I follow you, don’t make me regret it.”

Mary smiled.

This time, it was real.

“I promise.”

Syarifah took the wig reluctantly.

“If reporters catch me wearing this, I’m suing you.”

Mary laughed softly.

Her shoulders felt lighter.

But deep down—

She knew.

This wasn’t about lunch.

She needed to confirm something.

About a man with tired eyes and a faint beard who appeared in a café promo video.

And a past that had never truly let her go.