The EON studio was unusually peaceful that afternoon—until Clara walked in. She arrived carrying two large paper bags, the comforting scent of home-cooked food trailing behind her.
"Surprise!" she announced cheerfully, setting the bags down on the table.
Instantly, the boys swarmed her like overgrown children.
"Is that food?" Jace gasped.
Theo inhaled deeply. "I smell garlic butter. I smell love."
Luca leaned over the table to peek inside. "Clara, you're an angel."
Cassian stepped forward protectively, intercepting Jace's hand. "Back off. She brought this for me."
"You can't expect us to just watch you eat it!" Jace protested.
"Yeah," Theo added. "That's psychological warfare!"
Noah, who had been quietly scrolling through his phone, looked up with faint amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Cassian sighed but gave in, pulling out the neatly packed containers. "Fine. We'll share. But Clara gets first pick."
"Best boyfriend ever," she teased, settling beside him.
The boys cheered as she began unpacking the dishes—grilled steak, seasoned rice, roasted vegetables, a fancy salad, and homemade chocolate tarts for dessert. The aroma filled the studio, and soon the chaos dissolved into laughter and the clinking of utensils.
Halfway through lunch, Clara spoke casually between bites. "Oh, Cassian—can I ask you something?"
Cassian looked up mid-chew. "Hmm?"
"Well," she began, "I wanted to know what you think about me setting Mirabelle up with one of my actor friends."
That got everyone's attention.
Even Jace stopped chewing. "Wait, Cassian's cousin Mirabelle? Mirabelle Terania?"
Clara nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! She's so sweet. And, um—one of my friends has a huge crush on her. I thought I'd ask Cassian first since, you know, family approval and all."
Cassian laughed lightly. "If you trust him, then sure. Belle deserves someone good."
But before anyone else could react, a sharp clink cut through the room. Noah's fork had hit the table. Everyone turned. He was staring at Clara, his expression dark, his eyes full of disbelief.
"Wait," he said sharply. "You're setting Mirabelle up on a date?"
Clara blinked. "Uh… yes?"
"No." His tone was firm—almost harsh. "You shouldn't."
Cassian frowned. "Why not?"
"Because she's engaged."
The words hung in the air like smoke.
Cassian shook his head. "No, she's not."
Clara looked bewildered. "Mirabelle told me herself she's single. She even said she's not seeing anyone."
Noah's jaw tightened. "Don't be ridiculous. She is."
Cassian and Clara exchanged confused glances.
Theo leaned forward carefully. "Uh, man—what are you talking about?"
Noah suddenly stood, his chair scraping across the floor. "Just don't set that date," he said sharply. His voice was low, controlled, but brimming with anger. Without another word, he turned and walked out, muttering something under his breath. The door slammed behind him.
For a long moment, the room was silent except for the hum of the air conditioner.
Finally, Jace broke the quiet. "Did anyone else just see that? He was furious. I've never seen him lose it like that."
Theo leaned back, shaking his head. "Ten out of ten drama. Would watch again."
Clara looked stricken. "Did I say something wrong?"
Cassian reached over and squeezed her hand. "No, you didn't. Noah's just… strange sometimes."
Luca nodded in agreement. "He probably hasn't slept in three days again."
But Clara wasn't convinced. She kept glancing toward the door, a faint crease forming between her brows. Something about Noah's reaction hadn't felt professional—or even protective. It had felt personal.
Meanwhile, in another wing of the studio, Noah stood alone in the hallway, one hand pressed to his chest as his heartbeat thundered beneath his palm. His thoughts raced—anger, confusion, disbelief.
Why would Mirabelle lie about their engagement?
He didn't know.
But he did know one thing with absolute certainty: he wouldn't let her walk around pretending to be single. Because she wasn't.
She was his.