Chapter 28: Who is that code name for?

Ursula's heart was pounding as she entered a shadowy part of her neighborhood. Before she could react, a strong arm whisked her into the darkness, pinning her against a tree. The familiar scent calmed her racing mind, it was Matthew.

"Why the nerves? Guilty conscience?" Matthew's voice was a low rumble, teasing her fears. "Worried Timothy will catch us?"

Ursula steadied herself. "I'm not scared," she shot back, though his presence unnerved her.

"Even if Dylan finds out?" His intense stare seemed to pierce the night.

"More and more bold, aren't we?" Matthew's tone held a dangerous edge, but Ursula wouldn't back down. She knew he'd spent the day with her friends, and now here he was, confronting her.

Matthew, realizing Ursula wasn't the docile follower she'd been, recalled the years she'd waited up for him, the comfort of her presence. Now, she was considering leaving, and he felt the sting.

Their standoff was tense, charged with unspoken emotions. Ursula, though drawn to Matthew, knew she had to keep her resolve. "If you're here to lecture, I've heard enough," she said.

But Matthew was close, his breath was near her ear. "Have you forgotten this afternoon?" he asked, a reminder of their tangled past.

Ursula bristled, mentioning the USB drive they'd fought over. Her cheeks warmed at the memory, grateful for the cover of night.

"You owe me," Matthew insisted, his eyes were catching the moonlight as they adjusted to the dark.

Ursula was defiant. "It was a deal," she countered, but Matthew's calm authority was unnerving.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice quivering.

"Three conditions," he said, though his own desires were unclear.

"Do I have a choice?" Ursula asked, though she knew the answer.

"No," Matthew's smirk was barely visible.

Resigned, Ursula leaned back, avoiding his gaze. She didn't want to hurt her best friend, the one Matthew claimed to love. It was supposed to be just a transaction.

"Matthew, this isn't right. I don't want anyone hurt," she pleaded, but her heart ached at the thought of him with someone else.

Matthew's anger flared, and he pinned her again, demanding she repeat herself. Ursula knew he was furious but couldn't fathom why.

Her words were cut short by a kiss, their intensity escalating until a ringtone shattered the moment. It was a call she couldn't ignore.

"I have an emergency," Ursula said, then fled to her apartment.

Matthew watched her go, pondering the caller who'd interrupted, someone significant enough to make Ursula act so decisively. The caller ID was just a number one. Was it Timothy, Dylan, or someone else? He'd gotten what he came for, but the mystery remained.