They both paused—
then burst into laughter.
"Ha—haha—hahaha—"
For a moment, nothing else mattered.
Then slowly—
they composed themselves.
A waiter entered, placing their drinks on the table.
Kaia glanced at Mira, then said casually,
"…I'm not drinking tonight."
Mira blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Kaia took her glass.
"…Virgin cocktail is fine."
Mira leaned forward slowly.
Eyes narrowing.
"…Okay," she said.
"…now you really need to start talking."
Kaia waited until the waiter left.
Then—
she told her everything.
The contract.
The families.
The three months.
Lucian.
"…So," Kaia finished, taking a sip of her drink,
"…that's how I ended up with a fiancé."
Silence.
Mira stared at her.
Wide eyes.
Mouth open.
Wide enough to fit a bun.
Kaia waved her hand in front of her face.
"…Earth to Mira?"
A pause.
"…Are you even listening right now?"
Mira snapped back.
"ARE YOU TELLING ME—"
Kaia flinched slightly.
"—YOU BAGGED THE AURELIS GOLDEN BACHELOR—"
"…and you're not happy about it?!"
Kaia blinked.
"…People actually like that block of ice?"
Mira sat up straight.
Offended.
"K, you know NOTHING."
"He's handsome."
"He's rich."
"He's the heir of the Blackwood family—do you even understand what that means?"
A pause.
"And that aura??"
She fanned herself dramatically.
"That cold, dangerous, don't-talk-to-me energy??"
Kaia stared at her.
"…Wow."
"I really have been living in a cave."
A beat.
"…So Mimi," she added casually,
"…you're into that?"
Mira immediately shook her head.
"Nope."
"I like sunshine."
"Soft boys."
"Men who text back."
Kaia nodded slowly.
"…Valid."
Mira leaned back, picking up her glass.
"…So," she said slowly,
"…you're telling me you're engaged…"
A pause.
"…to the most unattainable man in the city…"
Another sip.
"…and you're sitting here drinking juice."
Kaia shrugged.
"…It's been a long day."
Mira studied her.
Really looked at her this time.
Then—
her expression softened.
"…Come home with me," she said.
Kaia blinked.
"…What?"
Mira stood up, grabbing her bag.
"You clearly need proper therapy."
A pause.
"…Which includes snacks, pajamas, and me judging your life choices."
Kaia let out a small laugh.
"…You were going to judge me anyway."
"…Exactly."
Mira grabbed her bag and pulled Kaia up.
"Let's go."
As they stepped out of the club, the night air hit them—cool, alive.
Mira suddenly stopped.
"…Wait," she said, turning to Kaia.
"…you're driving."
Kaia raised a brow.
"I've been drinking," Mira added, like it was obvious.
Kaia let out a small laugh.
"…Of course you have."
They walked toward the entrance—
just as the valet pulled up with the car.
Mira paused.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…You changed cars?"
A beat.
"…When?"
Kaia smirked.
"…Lucian's."
Mira turned slowly.
"…This is Lucian's car?"
She walked around it like she was inspecting treasure.
"…Why are you driving it?"
Kaia unlocked the door casually.
"I left my car at home," she said, sliding in.
Then added—
"…so I took his."
A pause.
She looked at Mira—
a small, playful smile forming.
"…And doesn't this beast suit me?"
Mira got in, still looking around.
"…It really does," she admitted.
Then glanced at Kaia.
"…I'm just used to seeing you in smaller cars."
Kaia started the engine.
The car came to life smoothly.
Powerful.
Controlled.
"…Upgrade," she said lightly.
Music filled the car.
Kaia turned it up slightly.
Mira immediately lit up.
"Oh my God, I LOVE this song—!"
Kaia laughed.
"…I know."
And just like that—
they were singing.
Loud.
Off-key.
Unbothered.
For a moment—
there was no contract.
No Lucian.
No pressure.
Just them.
Two girls.
Driving through the night—
like nothing had changed.
At a red light—
Kaia's fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel.
Her eyes flickered.
Just for a second.
Then—
she turned the volume up again.
"…Sing properly," she said.
Mira gasped.
"I AM singing properly!"
Kaia laughed.
And the moment passed.