For a long moment, silence filled the room.
Only the faint hum of the ventilation could be heard — until the absurdity of Jack's shout finally sank in.
Then, like a crack in glass, laughter shattered the tension.
Kelvin was the first to lose control. "C-Can I know who you just called baby?" His voice shook with laughter.
Still tied to the chair but somehow full of confidence, Jack simply pointed straight at Arora. "Her."
Edwin nearly fell against the wall, laughing so hard his breath hitched. "Oh my God, I can't take this anymore!"
Kelvin wiped tears from his eyes, grinning. "You're kidding, right? You called her baby? Do you have a death wish?"
Even Miso, who tried to keep a straight face, couldn't hold back her giggles.
Arora didn't move. Her expression was stone, but inside her chest her heartbeat had turned wild — fast, uneven, alive.
This idiot… in front of everyone?
She wanted to glare, to crush him with a single word, but the way he looked at her — confused, earnest, almost like a puppy begging to be understood — froze her.
For the tiniest instant, she wanted to reach out, untie him, and tell everyone to leave.
But that would mean showing what no one was ever allowed to see: that the Black Rose had a heart.
She took a slow breath, forcing her voice level.
Kelvin leaned forward, teasing, "Her name's not Baby, idiot. Who told you that?"
Jack blinked innocently. "She was the one who told me."
That sentence hit like a gunshot.
The laughter died instantly. Kelvin froze mid-smile; Edwin covered his mouth; Miso's eyes went wide.
A vein pulsed faintly at Arora's temple. "All of you… stop laughing. Now."
The command sliced through the air.
Silence. Everyone straightened.
Her tone stayed calm, but there was frost beneath it. "Edwin, return this brat to his house. And give the money back to that client."
Edwin raised a hand sheepishly. "We can't do that, Leader. We already donated that money to the orphanage."
Her glare snapped to him. "Then what about our allowance?"
He hesitated. "We only have enough for daily needs."
"Why?" she demanded. "Didn't we finish that big task last week? They paid a huge sum."
"Yes," Edwin said, scratching his neck, "but you're the one who told us not to keep too much money in the bank — something about not letting greed control us."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. So much for morals.
I can't keep him here, she thought, stealing one quick glance at Jack.
That boy doesn't belong in this world. I'll just pay to send him back… somehow.
Her tone softened, almost playful — the calm before a storm. "My dear big brother," she said sweetly, turning to Kelvin, "can you lend me some money?"
Kelvin folded his arms tighter. "No. I can't."
"Why not?" she pressed.
"I don't want to give you my money," he said flatly.
"Fine." She turned away with a huff. "Keep it, then."
From the corner, Edwin smirked. "So, what now, Leader?"
Her jaw tightened. "Just keep that brat away from me. I don't want him anywhere near my office."
Behind her came a cheerful voice.
"Why are you angry, Baby?"
Every head turned.
Arora froze.
Slowly, she turned her head toward him, her voice a low growl. "Don't call me that."
Jack tilted his head, puzzled. "Isn't that your name?"
"No!" she snapped. "It's Arora!"
Jack smiled, unbothered. "I don't like it. I'll call you Baby."
For a moment, she just stared at him.
Then she muttered under her breath, "This brat is already starting to annoy me…"
She spun on her heel. "I'm going to drink coffee. And no one is allowed to follow me."
The door slammed behind her.
---
After She Left
For about three seconds, the room was silent. Then Kelvin smirked.
"Guys," he said, "I've decided. Jack is my brother-in-law."
Edwin burst out laughing again. "I second that! He's the perfect match for our Leader!"
Miso lifted her hand enthusiastically. "I feel the same!"
Kelvin nodded firmly. "Then it's settled. Our new mission is to bring them together."
Jack blinked, still bound and completely lost. "Can I know what you all are talking about? And why my Baby is here?"
Edwin grinned wickedly. "Oh, you really don't know? Your Baby is the head of the Black Rose Gang."
Jack's jaw dropped. "What!?"
The laughter from earlier faded, replaced by heavy silence — the kind that hinted this night was only the beginning of chaos neither of them saw coming.
To Be Continued.