"What an unfair world we live in," Rick muttered with a deep sigh resting his head on couch.
"You know what's unfair?" a voice shot back. "Sending me into that mad-house to pick her up."
Rick didn't need to turn around. He already knew who it was. "Jecey," he said flatly. "We've been through this. Let it go."
"I never let anything go," Jecey snapped. "Do you know what I went through just picking her up? I was ridiculed. By one tiny, crazy being."
Rick exhaled slowly. "Diane can be annoying, but she's not crazy."
"I'm not talking about the one that jinxed the boss," Jecey said irritably. "The other one."
Rick frowned. "Other one?"
"That bossy lady," Jecey continued. "The one who took a picture of the car's plate number and stared at me like I was some criminal."
Rick paused, then nodded. "Yeah. That's Clara. She's Diane's cousin."
Jecey repeated the name under his breath, savoring it like a tune. "Clara… Clara…"
Rick shot him a look. "What are you thinking?"
"I told you," Jecey said with a crooked smile. "I never let anything go."
"Don't hurt the innocent lady," Rick warned. "Let it go."
Jecey scoffed. "What...are you her boyfriend now?"
"I've never even met her," Rick shot back. "And stop teasing me."
He leaned back against the black couch, rubbing his temple.
Jecey suddenly quieted. His tone shifted. "Your girlfriend dumped you, right?"
The words landed heavier than they should've. "Llewllellyn told you," Rick said.
"Yeah," Jecey replied. "But you're okay… right?"
"Couldn't be better," Rick said dryly.
Jecey's gaze drifted downward to Diane, then to Llewllellyn moving toward her. He straightened, gripping the railing.
"I wonder what that rat gave the boss," Jecey muttered. "For him to treat her like that."
Rick stood. "I'm going to arrange for Llewllellyn's room." But Jecey didn't respond.
"Look at her," Jecey sneered. "Flipping her hair at my boss. What a cunning rat."
Rick turned sharply. "If Llewllellyn hears you calling her names, you're dead meat."
Jecey laughed. "Me? Dead meat? Boss wouldn't dare lay a hand on me."
"You can't even say his name," Rick snapped, "And you're bragging?"
"I can," Jecey shot back.
"Then say it. I dare you." Rick yelled like a gangster.
"L–Llew… yn," Jecey muttered, barely audible.
He puffed up immediately. "See? I did it."
Rick shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "What a respectful delinquent."
Jecey turned back just in time to see Llewllellyn's hand resting firmly on Diane's waist. His mouth fell open.
Rick saw it too and sighed. "Boss is down bad."
"But he won't admit it," Rick added.
"Rick, you're insane," Jecey snapped. "How are you comfortable watching this?"
"Watch your tone," Rick said. "I'm older than you."
"So?"
"I'm older than Llewllellyn too." Rick yelled.
"By months," Jecey corrected.
Rick sighed, the weight in his chest finally slipping out.
Jecey noticed. His voice softened. "Honestly… boss is crazy. And you are too." He paused, then added, "He's suddenly heels over head..."
"Head over heels," Rick corrected.
Jecey scowled. "Don't interrupt me."
He continued slowly. "And you… you're not doing well. You smell like coffee, and you look like a car chased you down."
Rick didn't argue.
"Have you gone to see her?" Jecey asked. "Or tried to win her back?" Rick didn't reply.
Jecey sighed. "You should. Even if she doesn't want to see you. You love her, Rick. We all know it."
Rick's eyes blinked rapidly, emotion threatening to spill over. His jaw tightened as he stood. But without a word, he walked away.
******
"Why didn't you come when I called you?" Llewllellyn asked quietly.
Diane folded her arms. "Because this whole date thing isn't real. It's just to keep my family safe and I'm doing exactly that."
She saw it immediately, the subtle change in his expression, the way something hardened behind his eyes when she reduced it to a transaction.
"Isn't real?" he echoed, his gaze dropping to her lips.
The way he looked at her made her chest tighten. It wasn't subtle. It wasn't innocent.
She shifted back a step, instinctively guarding herself. "Why do you always look at me like that?"
"And why do you always move away from me, Diane?" he asked.
She lifted her chin. "You're the leader of a vicious gang. Why wouldn't I?"
He leaned closer, voice lowering. "But I wouldn't hurt you."
The sincerity in his tone made her breath falter. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe under the weight of his gaze.
Diane fluttered under the weight of his gaze. Then he added, quietly, "Who has been telling you that I'm vicious?"
She tried to sound normal as she cleared her throat. "My cousin," she said softly.
"Your cousin?" he repeated, puzzled, almost dangerous.
Diane flinched at the quiet threat rising in his voice. Panic made her speak too fast. "She didn't exactly call you vicious. She was just trying to explain that you're… a human devil."
The moment the words left her mouth. Her hand flew to her lips as she realized her mistake but he had already heard everything.
She watched him nod slowly, as if forcing himself to swallow the words. A smirk tugged at his lips, but his furrowed brows betrayed him. He was doing a poor job of hiding his anger.
Then he lifted his head, slow and deliberate, and asked, "What is your cousin's name?"
His tone was wickedly calm. "Are you going to hurt her?" she asked.
"Maybe not," he replied, clearly enjoying her fear. Then his gaze softened, returning fully to her. "Honestly, I don't care what she calls me. I only care about how you see me."
"You're drunk," she said.
"What makes you think that?" he asked, smiling, his eyes still seductive on hers.
"Your wine is alcoholic," she replied. "And you're not making sense with anything you're saying."
A low chuckle escaped him, and he didn't break eye contact. "You're the reason I'm not making sense." Then he leaned closer.
Before she could pull away, he cupped her face, as though he was about to confess something dangerous. His fingers brushed a few strands of her hair aside as he looked straight into her eyes.
"Diane," he whispered.
The hall buzzed with wealthy noise, yet everything else faded. She was drawn into his calm, captivating eyes and he seemed just as trapped in hers.
"I…" he began.
"Sir Llewllellyn will take the stage now," the MC announced.
His jaw tightened. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to conceal the surge of anger, and murmured a quiet complaint at the interruption.
The room stirred. Everyone turned and found Llewllellyn holding Diane's face.
Jealous gasps rippled through the hall, along with Ana's sharp intake of breath as she just arrived at the party.
Llewllellyn stood up quietly and gave Diane a reassuring smile before walking toward the stage, one hand tucked into his pocket.
As he moved away, Diane noticed the men in black suits—Llewllellyn's gang members—shifting with him. Some stayed close to his sides, while others positioned themselves nearer to her, as if she were now something worth guarding.
She shifted her gaze and caught the wicked stares of the ladies around her, but she cared little for them. What truly occupied her mind was the lingering weight of his presence, the way he had cupped her face, the way he had called her name like a silent warning wrapped in desire. The memory sent chills racing down her spine.
Wait… does he like me? she thought, unable to believe it.
Then another thought followed, burning hotter. Was he about to confess to me?
Heat rushed to her face as her heart thudded wildly. Whether it was true or just her imagination playing cruel tricks on her, one thing became clear to her in that moment...
She quietly liked him.