*In Liana's Penthouse...*
Liana lay sprawled on her couch, staring up at the ceiling like it held the secrets of the universe. Tomorrow, she would turn 18.
No balloons.
No glittering party.
No fake friends pretending to like her for cake and champagne.
"Ugh," she groaned, reaching for her phone. She scrolled past all the fake well-wishers on Instagram and called the only sibling who wasn't either a mafia boss or their emotionally unavailable father.
*Adrian.*
He picked up after the third ring. "You're not dying, are you? Because this better not interrupt my nap."
Liana rolled her eyes. "Very funny. Can we hang tomorrow? It's my birthday, and I just wanna do something chill. Nothing big... just family."
There was a pause. "Let me guess. Dad and Tristan are too busy playing 'John Wick: Mafia Edition' to show up?"
She chuckled. "Pretty much. I don't wanna bother them. You're the only emotionally available Moretti left."
Adrian dramatically sighed. "Alright, but I'm not going to any cute little amusement park to ride roller coasters and eat candy floss. I still have PTSD from the last time you screamed on the Ferris wheel."
"I was eleven, dude!" she laughed. "I'm a grown woman now."
"Not in this family, you're not," he shot back. "You'll still be the 'kid' until you start threatening people with guns."
Liana grinned. "So... we hanging or not?"
"I'm heading to the club with my guys tomorrow night. You can tag along if you promise not to wear glitter."
"Deal," she said quickly before he could change his mind.
"Happy almost birthday, drama queen," Adrian added before hanging up.
Liana stared at her phone, smiled, and whispered to herself, "Happy birthday, me."
---
*The Next Night – At the Club*
Adrian walked into the club like he owned the place—typical Moretti swagger—and Liana followed behind, dressed sleek but subtle. Heads turned. Naturally.
His group of friends approached and greeted him, one of them raising a brow when he saw Liana.
"Damn, dude. Your girl's hot," the guy said with a smirk.
Adrian shot him a warning look. "She's not my girl. She's my *sister*—and if you ever say anything like that again, your jaw will meet the dance floor before your drink does."
The guy raised his hands. "Whoa! Our bad, man. Respect."
Another guy leaned in, trying to play it cool. "So uh... Liana, right? You like tequila?"
Adrian stepped between them like a bodyguard. "You like hospitals?"
Everyone laughed. Except Adrian. He meant every word.
Despite the drama, they had a great time. Liana danced, laughed, and even beat one of Adrian's friends at a drinking game.
Later, Liana slipped out for fresh air. The club lights were loud, but the night outside was calm.
She leaned on the railing, closed her eyes, and smiled.
Maybe she didn't have many friends. But she had a brothers who would punch someone or go extreme for her without hesitation.
And for now, that was more than enough.
---
Liana leaned on the balcony outside the club, letting the cool night air touch her face. She was lost in her thoughts, daydreaming about her new age, her future… and maybe a little bit about how her life had turned into a mafia-flavored K-drama.
Just then, she caught a glimpse of someone through the tinted glass of the VIP section.
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
*"Oh my God... it's him!"*
She nearly screamed but managed to keep her cool, inhaling sharply as she stood up straight.
There he was — Jack. Sitting like he owned the world, legs crossed, glass of expensive liquor in one hand, expression unreadable. His eyes slowly scanned the club like a bored lion, until they landed—on *her*.
At the entrance to the VIP section, a bouncer blocked her path like a human-sized fridge.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Private section."
Liana was about to walk away, a little embarrassed, when Jack raised his hand and gave a subtle signal. The bouncer instantly stepped aside.
*VVIP privilege unlocked.*
Liana entered, and Jack gave her a small smile—like a secret shared between strangers.
"Liana, right?" he said, voice smooth and confident.
She smiled shyly. "Yeah... I wasn't sure if you'd remember."
Jack leaned back in his seat, eyeing her playfully. "I never forget a pretty face... especially one that slaps and cursed under her breath like a sailor."
Liana giggled. "In my defense, it was *hot slap* ."
He chuckled. "So what are you doing here? Are you even old enough to be in a club?"
She crossed her arms, playfully offended. "Seriously? Again with the age thing?"
He smirked. "What? You still look like a teenager."
"Well, FYI," she said proudly, "I turned 18 *today*."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "No way. You said the same thing the last time we met."
"And this time, it's true," she said, laughing. "I have a government ID and everything."
He grinned. "Happy birthday, Liana. Officially a woman now. Congrats."
"Thanks," she replied, cheeks pink.
They talked for a while—joking, teasing, and sharing little bits of their lives. Jack wasn't as cold as she expected. In fact, he was... charming.
When it started getting late, Jack offered to drop her off.
---
*In the Car*
The drive was peaceful, until Liana's phone rang like a siren. Adrian.
She picked it up, only for her eardrum to be assaulted.
*"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, LIANA?! You scared the sh*t outta me! My pants almost fell off!"*
Liana pulled the phone away from her ear with a wince. "Jeez, calm down, dramatic much?"
Once the yelling paused, she brought it back to her ear. "I'm with a friend. Relax, I'm fine."
"A *friend*?! Who the hell is this friend? Where are you?!"
"I'm literally on my way back. Chill. I'll call you when I get in, okay?"
Adrian grumbled. "You better. I mean it—*CALL ME!*"
"Yh yh, whatever, Dad 2.0." She hung up and glanced at Jack, who was stifling a laugh.
"Let me guess," he said, "Big Brother mode?"
"Worse," she sighed. "More like Overprotective Dad mode."
They both laughed.
---
*At Her Penthouse*
When they arrived, Jack got out of the car too.
"Wait... you live here?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
Liana nodded. "Yeah."
"Damn," he chuckled. "This place screams royalty."
"Well," she said, shrugging casually, "lets just say my family spoils me alot"
She turned to him. "Thanks for dropping me off."
"Anything for the birthday girl," he said, his eyes lingering just a little longer on hers. "Actually... can I get your number?"
Liana blinked.
*Internal screaming: ACT. COOL. DO. NOT. SCREAM.*
She nodded quickly, pulling out her phone before she combusted from joy.
They exchanged numbers.
"Well, goodnight, Princess Liana," Jack said, walking back to his car.
"Goodnight... Mr. Jack Mystery," she replied with a flirty grin.
As his car drove off, Liana waited until it disappeared down the street.
Then—
*"YEEESSSSSS!"* she screamed, jumping into the air like a kid who just got a pony.
"Best. Day. Ever!"
She twirled around on the sidewalk before heading into the building, a goofy grin plastered on her face.
Jack might be mysterious.
He might be dangerous.
But tonight?
He made the girl feel seen.
And that was something he would gladly do again
---