"Tell me…" she whined like a child, desperate to know who Lydia was dating after receiving no response at all.
Lydia wiped her sweaty face and forced a smile. She wanted nothing more than to escape this line of questioning. Rising from her seat with an exaggerated brightness, she walked to the desk, picked up a file, and handed it over. "Before I tell you that, let's talk about you. Your parents have arranged a marriage for you. Why not look at this first?"
Serena blinked, baffled, her fingers scratching at her forehead. She held the file without opening it. Marriage had never been on her mind, yet at twenty-eight she knew it was bound to come sooner or later. Her eyes lingered on the folder before she casually placed it beside her, giving it no importance.
Lydia sighed and shook her head. "Won't you even see who the man is?"
Serena giggled, sprawling across the couch and gazing at her friend from below. "Not interested."
"You're going to reject the proposal?" Lydia asked, though she wasn't curious. She already knew Serena's competitive mind had no space for romance.
But to her surprise, Serena shook her head. "Not really. I'll have to marry someday, so why not now? Once it's done, I'll be free to focus on what matters—subduing him, turning that arrogant brat into an obedient puppy. Imagine the fun of watching him rage and sulk, yet too ashamed to utter a word back at me."
Lydia's lips curled. How did I end up with such a psycho for a friend? "Look at you. All you ever think about is him. Who would even want to marry you?"
Serena barely heard. Lost in her own thoughts, she suddenly hopped upright on the couch. "And you know what? If I marry first, doesn't that mean I've already won in this marriage battle against him?"
Lydia's eyes widened. This wasn't normal—it was madness. "Just why do you hate him so much? It was…" She stopped, memories of their school days flashing across her mind, enough to rattle even her. "Forget it." She sat beside Serena quietly.
"I get what you're saying." Serena's voice softened, her expression more composed. "Because of what happened this morning, my head is full of him. It's so annoying. But it's fine. With time, my rage will cool—and so will my thoughts." She smiled with forced maturity.
Her gaze fell once again on the file. Curiosity stirred. Maybe she should check who her parents had chosen. She leaned toward it, but before she could open it, Lydia chuckled over her phone. "Look at this. Another scandal. You can relax now."
Serena tilted her head. Lydia turned her screen around—photos of Caden leaving a hotel with a celebrity, plastered across social media.
Serena's laughter bubbled out. "Your paparazzi deserves a bonus. He did well."
"Right. His company's shares must be trembling by now," Lydia replied with a sly smile.
But Serena's eyes narrowed. "Wait. You still haven't told me who your date is."
Lydia's lips twitched. She stood abruptly, as though chased by a snake. "Don't forget tomorrow's party. I'll pick you up. Be ready." She rushed out without looking back.
"Hey! Who the hell is your date?" Serena shouted after her, but the door had already closed.
Across the city, a glass of red wine swirled lazily in the dim glow of a private poolside.
"Was it removed?" Caden asked, his voice tired, his chiselled chest gleaming under scattered droplets of water. Reclining at the edge of the pool, he looked the picture of effortless arrogance.
Ritiv, seated nearby with his wet hair dripping onto his collarbone, glanced at his phone. "Two hours and forty-five minutes. Your men were slow. Serena Vale's a genius. One photo, one angle—and it looked like just the two of you coming out of that hotel. In truth, we were right behind." He smirked. "Should I buy out her paparazzi?"
Caden chuckled darkly. Though annoyed, he admired her cunning. "I don't steal or tamper. She must have offended someone to get that shot today during race."
"Right," Ritiv murmured, accepting a cigarette from a waiting staff member. The flame lit his sharp features as he exhaled a lazy trail of smoke. Checking his phone again, his lips curved with mischief. "I'm leaving. I have a date with Serena Vale's chief secretary. Tomorrow night, I'll take her down at the party."
Caden's brows rose. "Taking… whom down?"
"Lydia Laring." Ritiv's smirk deepened. "Serena's best friend and her company's right hand. I doubt Serena even knows something is going on between us. What do you think she'll do when she finds out?"
"Maybe force her to resign," Caden replied, his voice thoughtful, his expression tightening. "You aren't actually in love with her, are you?"
"Of course not. Just playing. After tomorrow, she's done. Once I get her in bed, you'll hand me that south corner beach project." His smile was wicked, his shoulder-length hair clinging damply to his face.
Caden chuckled, wrapping a towel around himself. "Why should I pay? Sleeping with her is your pleasure, not mine."
"Think about it. Serena Vale, the cold CEO, losing her secretary to me, your best friend. Her shame will be your triumph." His voice was sharp and playful, as cruel as his grin.
Caden studied him for a long moment before smiling faintly. "And how long will this game last?"
"Two months already," Ritiv said smoothly, exhaling smoke into the night. "Tomorrow will be her last."