CHAPTER NINETY-TWO - IN THE HEART OF DARKNESS

  "You know," Nia teased, "for someone with such steady hands in the boardroom, you're surprisingly clumsy with clay." Leon looked up, a smudge of grey on his cheek. "I'll have you know this is a masterpiece in progress." "Oh really?" Nia raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly is this masterpiece supposed to be?" "It's abstract," Leon defended, his eyes twinkling. "You wouldn't understand." Nia laughed, reaching over to help guide his hands. "Here, let me show you a trick." As she leaned in, Leon suddenly flicked his clay-covered fingers, splattering her nose with specks of grey. "Leon!" Nia gasped in mock outrage. "Oops," he grinned, not looking sorry at all. Nia narrowed her eyes. "Oh, it is on." What followed was nothing short of a clay war, with both of them flinging small bits at each other, their laughter drowning out the protests of their flustered instructor. "Mr. Allistair! Ms. Moreno! Please, this is not appropriate behavior for a pottery class!" But they were too c