Lex pov
I woke up the next morning restless and in an angry mood, no class for today and tomorrow so I had time to rest.
Had my shower, slid into a top and knicker, grabbed my ball, tied my hair up lazily. I headed off to the old community court before anyone else showed up ,the place was usually empty.This is my daily routine I had no friends to distract me into doing other things.
When I got there, a roll of luxury cars were parked there
I frowned
Who brings expensive cars to a rundown court.
I thought of turning back but the ball in my hand grounded me. I came here for space and I wasn't gonna leave it for some men in suits I said.
I stepped inside.
Men in black suit stood around the court, no smiles, serious face and some looked like they hadn't slept since last year. They eyed me like I just walked into a wrong world.
I bounced my ball ones
Their heads turned
I didn't flinch
A man step forward. This area is reserved for today you'll have to leave.
I raised a brow..it's a public court not a private one if you don't know.
We rented it.. he said
For what? I asked, though I already know it wasn't for sports .
Another man muttered , "kid don't make this difficult."
"Kid"
I repeated, I hated that word.
Do I look like a kid to you, don't get on my nerves this calm morning.
They were all shocked
I dribbled the ball deliberately, letting the echo cut through the tension.
I'll be done in thirty minutes,I said sharp but calm.
The suited men exchanged looks. Some annoyed,some amused. No one spoke again.
But then the air shifted
The side gate opened and in walked a man whose presence spread like gravity.
He looked like I've seen him before,but I couldn't place a finger on where or when .
He moved authority without shouting and danger without movement. Dressed in all black,coat flowing slightly with the wind ,rings glowing like they owned the light. Broad shoulders,tall , I wouldn't lie he was handsome, very handsome ,sharp jaw,grey eyes, little beard..I wouldn't lie he was my type.
I snapped out of the thought, I shouldn't be thinking about that now, I whispered to myself.
Then my mind drifted to the man from that night then to this man here something looked familiar about them,then it snapped he was the man from that night, though I wasn't quite sure but I acted neutral.
I saw his eyes land on me,we stared at each other for some minutes. He stared at me
Not with fear
Not with lust
But with curiosity...like he couldn't decide if I was a problem or entertainment or maybe both.
I looked away and went back to dribbling unbothered .
The he spoke,low and steady .
"You're interrupting something".
I shot the ball– swish. Perfect.
Then I looked at him.
Not intentional..just practicing.
I was too bold damn too bold and I loved it..I always stand my ground.
He stepped closer,slow, unreadable, keeping distance but close enough to test my resolve.
"What's your name?" He asked
'What do you need it for?" I shot back.
His men stiffened – with the no one speaks to him like that expression. But he didn't get angry. Instead a small dangerous smirk tugged his lips.
I admire confidence, he said.
I shrugged. It's not confidence, I'm just here to play basketball.
Zamiel pov
I sat in my car, waiting for my men I set all things ready when I heard a commotion between my men and a girl trying to practice,I didn't think more of it cus I know my men will handle it.
But then I saw her clearly for me to remember her ,she was the whole reason I choose to rent this court in the hopes to see her. A small smile tugged on my lips but I quickly change it to a serious expression.
I got out of the car not wanting to miss the chance of seeing my little human. On getting there i was pushed to ask for her name but she shot back with a cold reply,I was amused cus no one has ever spoken to me in that manner before.
I like your confidence..I said
But the response she gave surprised me –enough that my men paused instead of forcing her out immediately.
I studied her,her calm gaze, posture,the way she griped the ball like she owned the court. No fear not even the slightest.
Interesting.
You have only ten minutes.
She blinked like she wasn't expecting me to say that.
She nodded, not in a thankful nor intimidating way but in an acceptance way. She turned back to the court and resumed playing,each throw ,sharp, echoing through the quiet court.
I watched
Not flirtatious
Not soft.
She dribbled harder,faster the sound echoing like a heartbeat in an empty space. Every bounce seem to test the silence,like she was daring someone to stop her.
I remained silent near the sidelines with my men,hands in my coat pocket. I didn't speak
again but was analysing her every movement. She wasn't just playing she was escaping something only she knew.
One of my men leaned towards me.. Boss,we should clear the area , Moretti will be here soon.
Let her finish, I said not moving my gaze from her.
He blinked – shocked but obeyed.
I fixed my eyes on her. She knew I was looking at her but decided not to give me her attention,
which amused me.
She drove the ball to the other side, crossed left side stepped on back then shot the ball into the basket.
I saw a little smirk on her lips.
The wind picked up, tugging stands of her hair on her face. She wiped them away and kept playing. Ten minutes wasn't long and she wasn't wasting a second.
Another clean shot.
One of my men scoffed under his breath ,annoyed by how confident she played.
"You're good" he said loud enough for her to hear. Like he was challenging it.
She caught the rebound without looking at him.
"I know".
Her response caught my guards off guard ,few of my guards exchanged looks ...some amused...some irritated. My expression remained unreadable, but there was a slight tilt in my posture,as if I wasn't expecting her to be this bold.
She bounced her ball slowly, finally turning to look at me.
"You act like you own this place".
A risky thing to say– but she said it calmly not disrespectfully.
I stepped closer, enough to close the space between us by a fraction.
"I do"
"Then why let me stay?"
For a moment the court felt like a chessboard,two players testing moves without touching a single piece.
My gaze held hers... Because you asked instead of begged.
She rolled the ball from one hand to the other.
"And you like that?"
"It's rare" I simply said. People either fear or need me. You seem to be neither.
She shrugged."Should I be?"
I didn't answer immediately,the silence was colder than winter.
My men shifted uncomfortably like this conversation wasn't normal. Because it wasn't. People didn't challenge me,they avoided my shadow, whispered my name,looked away in fear. Yet there was this teenage girl with a basketball, staring at me dead in the eye like she wasn't standing in front of the most dangerous man in the country.
I exhaled slowly not irritated but intrigued.
"Time's up", I said.
She dribbled once more,took a step back and launched one last shot without even setting her feet.
She caught her ball as it bounced back to her hand and walked towards the exit. She didn't rush nor did she look back or show off.
But right before the walked pass me ,she spoke quietly enough that only I could hear.
"Next time, maybe I'll take thirty minutes".
My men looked ready to explode but I raised a hand stopping them.
I let her walk past
Not because she won but because something about her was worth watching.
I watched as she stepped out of the gate ,ball under her arm.
The court was quiet again after she left. The sun shined brightly.
I stood where she had been playing minutes ago ,ears following the faint echo of her last shot.
A girl with that kind of nerve didn't appear everyday.
I turned slightly
"Find out who she is".
My right hand man Zarin nodded. "On it boss."
No further explanation was needed. I didn't smile, didn't show weakness — but the order meant something. I didn't like unknown variables in my city. And she is now a mystery that required solving.
I walked back to the shaded area where Moretti was expected . Business first, curiosity could wait.
Lex pov
I reached home all sweaty, rough hair, and a calm mind. I tossed my ball on the bed,and flopped down beside it staring at the ceiling.
I replayed this morning event in my head.
Him
That silent authority.
Those eyes – sharp but not loud.
I didn't know his name nor did I care. He was just a man ,we just meet coincidentally.
Or so I thought.