The next day, they followed Lucien again.
This time, daylight made everything feel riskier. Too open. Too exposed. Lucien walked ahead of them, calm as ever, like he already knew the city would bend around him.
Aria stayed focused. Kaya… was distracted.
Then it happened.
Ron turned.
Not casually. Not by chance.
His eyes locked directly with Kaya's.
For a split second, the world froze.
Kaya's breath hitched. Her heart dropped straight to her feet.
"Oh no," she whispered. "Aria… he saw me."
Aria stiffened. "What do you mean saw you?"
"I mean," Kaya hissed, panic creeping in, "eye contact. Full eye contact. He knows."
That was enough.
"Go. Now," Aria snapped.
They didn't argue. They didn't look back.
They turned and fled—cutting across the street, slipping between people, not stopping until their lungs burned and the noise of the city swallowed them whole.
They didn't slow down until they reached their usual café.
The common café.
It was small and familiar—warm lights, wooden tables scratched with years of use, the smell of coffee and sugar clinging to the air. Soft music played in the background, the kind that made everything feel normal again.
Safe.
They collapsed into their usual seats.
Kaya ran a hand through her hair, still shaken. "That man—Ron—he's dangerous."
Aria leaned forward. "Tell me everything. Slowly."
Kaya took a breath. "Okay. Lucien doesn't talk much. He doesn't react. He watches. Ron's the opposite—loud presence, sharp eyes, always smiling like he knows something you don't. They move like they trust each other with their lives."
Aria frowned. "So… rich spoiled brats with attitude."
Kaya shook her head. "No. Rich, yes. Spoiled? No. They're… controlled. Like they're used to getting what they want."
Aria's jaw tightened. "Great. Just my luck."
She reached for her coffee—
Buzz.
Her phone lit up.
Unknown number.
A single message.
You're not a very good stalker.Is following worth it?
Aria's blood ran cold.
She stared at the screen, fingers tightening around the phone.
Kaya leaned in. "What is it?"
Aria swallowed. "We've been noticed."
The café suddenly felt too small.
Low lights. Loud music. A glass of whiskey loose in his hand.
Ron sat back like he owned the place—because, honestly, he did. Two… maybe three girls were crowded around him, laughing too loudly, fingers brushing his arm, his shoulder, his chest. He let them. Why not? Attention was a familiar thing. A hobby, even.
He was smiling when his phone buzzed.
Once.
He glanced at the screen.
Unknown number:Who are you?
Ron let out a soft chuckle, amused. Interesting.
He just typed.
Meet me at the park. 9 in the morning. Sharp.I'll tell you who I am.
Ron leaned back, lips curving into a slow, dangerous smile. Bold. Very bold.
Cut to the café.
Aria stared at her phone like it had personally insulted her ancestors.
"No," she said flatly. "Absolutely not. We're not meeting some random psycho who figured out we were following them."
Kaya leaned over the table, eyes bright—not scared, just thinking. "Aria… listen. If we don't go, they already know us. If we do go, we control the story."
Aria groaned. "This is how people disappear."
"Relax," Kaya said, grabbing her hand. "Public park. Morning. Sunlight. Worst case, we run."
Aria glared. "I hate that you make sense."
She typed back, jaw tight.
Okay.
Back at the bar, Ron read the reply and laughed under his breath.
He lifted his glass, eyes drifting to the other end of the bar.
Lucien sat there, calm as ever, sipping his drink like nothing in the world could surprise him.
Ron smirked.
Do those girls really think they can stalk someone…and not be caught by a devil's eye?
He took another sip, amused, already enjoying the game.
Morning was going to be fun.
Kaya stood near the park gate, arms crossed, eyes scanning every passing face. Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, soft and harmless—nothing like the tension sitting in her chest.
She checked her phone.9:02 a.m.
"Where is she…"
Just then, Aria appeared, walking toward her like she was heading to war.
Kaya's eyes dropped instantly.
Then narrowed.
Then widened.
She didn't say a word—just looked at Aria's feet.
Comfortable sandals. Flat. Practical. Deadly in intent.
Kaya slowly lifted her gaze, pure confusion written all over her face. Her eyes screamed:Why are you wearing sandals?
Aria followed her stare and shrugged casually.
"If we have to run," she said calmly, "we cannot run in ten-inch heels, baby."
Kaya blinked. "Run?"
Aria continued, completely serious, "And if we don't run—" she lifted one foot slightly, examining the sole, "—this heel will be used to beat that idiot's face."
Kaya stared at her.
Then burst out laughing. "You came prepared for violence."
"I came prepared for reality," Aria replied. "You dress for the situation."
Kaya shook her head, still amused. "Only you would turn footwear into a weapon."
Aria crossed her arms, eyes sharp now, scanning the park. "I don't trust men who send mysterious messages like they're casting for a crime documentary."
Kaya's smile slowly faded as she followed Aria's gaze.
The park was too open. Too quiet.
"And yet," Kaya said softly, "we came."
Aria exhaled. "Yeah. Because curiosity is a disease."
They waited.
And waited.
Aria and Kaya walked the entire park—past the swings, the benches, the jogging track, even the stupid duck pond. Noon sun overhead. Not a single suspicious face. Not one soul who looked like they'd sent a threatening, mysterious message.
Aria checked her phone. 12:03 p.m.
"…We got stood up," she said flatly.
Kaya squinted around. "Or we're being messed with."
Aria groaned. "I skipped breakfast for this."
On the other side of the city—
Ron was sprawled on a couch in his apartment.
Pajamas. Buttons undone. Hair a mess. Controller in hand. Zero regrets.
"One more game," he said lazily, eyes glued to the screen.
Lucien sat beside him, calm, fully dressed, arms crossed, already irritated.
Ron's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and laughed. "Wow. I'm really famous among girls these days."
Lucien didn't look away. "Like you haven't always been."
Ron grinned. "Hey, my future sister-in-law has patience. A lot of it." He paused the game briefly. "They actually waited for me. It's already twelve."
Lucien turned slowly.
Death stare.
Pure murder.
Ron raised both hands. "Relax. I was busy."
Lucien snatched the phone from his hand without a word and typed.
Sorry. Tomorrow at the bar.
Sent.
He tossed the phone back onto Ron's chest.
Ron blinked. "Wow. Cold."
"You wasted my morning," Lucien said flatly.
Ron shrugged, already unpausing the game. "Worth it."
Lucien scoffed, leaned back, and picked up the second controller.
The game resumed.
Meanwhile, across the city—
Two very annoyed girls were realizing they had just been played.