Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's foot jerked slightly as it grazed something under the table. Balancing her coffee cup, she glanced down and found a pair of polished men's dress shoes nudging against her heels. She wore a size 7, perfectly average, but next to those shoes, hers seemed almost childlike.

Following the line of those shoes upward, her gaze traced along impeccably tailored suit pants, the crease as sharp as the austerity they suggested.

Sylvia didn't linger on the view, assuming it was an accidental touch. She shifted her foot slightly, trying to avoid further contact.

But then, the driver braked suddenly. Her body jolted with the motion, and her foot inadvertently brushing against Rupert's leg a few times, leaving an awkward scuff mark on his trousers. Sylvia froze, feeling the weight of his gaze on her, deep and foreboding. She quickly retracted her foot, but it was too late. Rupert's legs had somehow entrapped hers.

Sylvia bit her lip, trying to pull away without drawing the attention of the others.

Bridget, from across them, leaned towards Rupert with a dramatic flair. "Rupert, are you alright?"

Rupert spared Sylvia a glance, replying coolly, "I'm fine."

"Oh, thank goodness. I'm feeling so dizzy," Bridget said, leaning heavily against Rupert, almost draping herself over his arm in a display of exaggerated affection. Sylvia shifted uncomfortably, attempting to free her foot once more, but Rupert's grip only tightened, the outline of his calf muscles discernible against her foot. Humiliated and angry, Sylvia turned her face away.

Was he enjoying this little power play?

The next moment, Rupert subtly withdrew his hand from Bridget's clasp and poured her a cup of coffee.

"If you're feeling dizzy, try some of this coffee," he suggested.

Bridget, taken aback, smiled as she took the cup, her surprise evident. "My favorite. I didn't know you had it here."

Sylvia couldn't help but feel out of place and a bit envious, her gaze dropping to her own cup of coffee, t was also her favorite, though a luxury she seldom indulged in due to its price. Edwin used to save some for her, but now, the coffee tasted bland.

As the car entered a tunnel, the dimness enveloped them, making faces hard to discern. Sylvia felt Rupert's legs relax around hers, but before she could sigh in relief, a warm hand caressed her cheek.

QUMS

She froze. When she finally looked up, Rupert's handsome face was inches from hers, their breath mingling, time standing still.

Rupert slightly parted his lips, but

before he spoke, he flicked his fingertip, and the sound of music filled the car, covering any sounds shouldn't be heard.

than

Rupert's voice was low, his breath tickling her ear, "Don't like the coffee?"

Sylvia, dazed, could only look at him, unable to articulate a response.

His fingers gently brushed her lips, stirring something within her as he whispered teasingly, "Trying to seduce me?"

"No," came Sylvia's whispered protest, her voice a mix of defiance and vulnerability.

As the light from the tunnel approached, signaling their return to the outside world, Sylvia clutched her coffee cup tighter, her body tense.

Without a word, but with a plea in her eyes, she silently begged him to step back.