The low hum of an engine cut through the air.
Ling's head snapped up.
Black car.
Slow stop.
Gate opening.
Her chest tightened.
"She's here," Ling said quickly, already moving—then stopped herself and turned sharply to Dadi and Rina.
"Both of you," Ling warned, voice low, deadly serious, "you won't say anything to make her awkward."
Rina raised her hands. "Relax. I like living."
Dadi tilted her head, pretending innocence far too well. "Awkward? Why would we do that?"
Ling narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious."
Dadi smiled sweetly. "She hasn't even married you yet and you're already controlling us. What will happen when you finally have her?"
Ling's mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
"…Don't be dramatic," Ling said stiffly.
Rina burst out laughing.
The car door opened.
Rhea stepped out.
Simple black track pants. Fitted top. Hair tied back. No makeup except confidence. She looked composed—like she hadn't arrived late on purpose.
Ling straightened instinctively, shoulders squaring, expression resetting into control.
Rhea's gaze flicked to Ling.
Paused.
Then moved on—as if Ling was just part of the scenery.
Ling's jaw clenched.
Rhea walked in. The air shifted the moment she crossed the threshold.
Dadi studied her openly. Rina leaned forward with interest.
Rhea stopped a few steps inside, eyes taking in the space. "This is your place?"
Ling nodded. "Yes."
Rhea hummed. "Big."
Rina smirked. "Understatement."
Dadi stood, walking closer with a polite smile. "Welcome."
Rhea inclined her head respectfully. "Thank you."
Ling shot Dadi a warning look.
Dadi returned it—pure mischief.
"Well," Dadi said lightly, "are we interrupting something?"
Ling cut in immediately. "Yes."
Rhea's brow lifted. "Excuse me?"
Ling met her eyes. "Training."
Rina's lips curved faintly. "Right. The thing you've been waiting for since four."
Ling stiffened then turned to Rhea. "You were late."
"By five minutes," Rhea replied calmly. "I said I'd come. I didn't say I'd be early."
Dadi smiled like she was watching theatre.
Rina leaned closer to Dadi. "She's fearless."
Ling gestured toward the back. "Come."
Rhea followed without comment.
As they walked away, Dadi watched their backs—Ling rigid, Rhea unbothered.
"Hmm," Dadi murmured. "This one will ruin her."
Rina nodded. "Or save her."
Dadi smiled.
"Or both."
The gates to Ling's personal football ground slid open smoothly.
Wide. Open. Perfectly cut grass stretching endlessly under the late afternoon sky. Goalposts gleaming. Training lights already warming up.
Rhea stopped for a second.
"…This is yours?" she asked.
Ling nodded, trying not to sound smug. "Yes."
Rhea let out a quiet breath. "Excessive."
Ling smirked. "Functional."
Footsteps behind them.
Ling turned sharply.
Dadi and Rina were already walking in like they belonged there—which they did.
Ling shot them a glare sharp enough to cut.
"No," Ling said flatly.
Dadi clasped her hands innocently. "We'll just watch."
Ling's jaw tightened. "That's not necessary."
Rina grinned. "Oh it absolutely is."
Ling turned to Rhea, about to protest—
But Rhea spoke first, calm, unbothered. "They can come."
Ling blinked. "What?"
Rhea shrugged lightly. "I don't mind."
Dadi smiled victoriously. "See? Sensible girl."
Ling exhaled through her nose, already irritated.
Great, she thought. How am I supposed to get close to you with an audience?
She turned back toward the field, rolling her shoulders, forcing focus.
"Fine," Ling said curtly. "Warm up."
Rhea raised a brow. "You don't give instructions politely?"
Ling shot her a look. "You'll survive."
They stepped onto the grass.
Ling grabbed a ball, tossing it lightly from foot to foot with ease.
"Rule one," Ling said. "Eyes on the ball. Not on me."
Rhea smirked. "Confident much?"
Ling leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Distracted players lose."
Rhea met her gaze. "So do overconfident ones."
From the sidelines—
Rina whispered loudly to Dadi, "They're flirting."
Ling snapped, "We are not."
Dadi chuckled. "Sure."
Ling kicked the ball toward Rhea. "Stop it."
Rhea misjudged it slightly, the ball rolling past her foot.
Ling caught it instantly, already behind her, too close.
"Again," Ling said, hand briefly brushing Rhea's waist as she repositioned her.
Rhea stiffened.
Ling froze for half a second—then stepped back like nothing happened.
Dadi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rina's grin widened.
Ling's chest tightened.
If they're watching, she thought, I have to behave.
Which was exactly the problem.
Because behaving meant distance.
And distance was the one thing Ling Kwong had never learned to maintain around Rhea Nior.
Ling started listing rules.
Not rushed.
Not casual.
Precise. Controlled. Like she was building a wall one sentence at a time.
"First," Ling said, pacing slowly in front of Rhea, "no hands. Obvious, but you'd be surprised."
Rhea nodded. "I'm not that clueless."
Ling ignored the comment. "Second—don't chase the ball blindly. Watch my hips, not my feet."
Dadi hummed approvingly from the sidelines. Didn't move an inch.
Ling continued anyway. "Third—position matters more than strength. You block space, not people."
Rina sat down on the bench, clearly settling in. "She's serious."
Ling shot her a look.
Rhea folded her arms. "Is this all just theory?"
Ling stopped. "You want practical?"
"Yes," Rhea said simply. "You told all the rules. We should practice."
Ling's mouth curved slightly. "Of course."
She walked to the center circle, dropped the ball at her feet.
"Come," Ling said, beckoning. "Try to take it."
Rhea stepped forward cautiously, eyes focused, shoulders squared.
Ling moved.
Fast.
Not full speed—but enough to show dominance. The ball stayed glued to her feet as she shifted left, right, then suddenly cut behind Rhea.
Rhea spun too late.
"Too slow," Ling said calmly.
She reset. "Again."
This time Rhea anticipated better, stepping into Ling's path.
Ling smiled—brief, approving.
"Better."
She feinted right, rolled the ball left, then stopped dead.
Rhea nearly collided with her.
They were suddenly close.
Too close.
Ling could feel Rhea's breath. Heat. Tension.
From the sidelines—
Dadi cleared her throat loudly.
Ling stepped back instantly. "Focus."
Rhea's jaw tightened. "I am."
They tried again.
Rhea blocked. Ling dodged. Rhea slipped—but didn't fall. She recovered faster than expected, brushing Ling's arm as she passed.
Ling stilled.
Not because of the contact.
Because of how natural it felt.
Dadi smiled faintly, eyes sharp. So this is how she teaches.
Rina leaned closer to Dadi. "We're not getting bored."
Dadi replied softly, "I wasn't planning to."
Ling finally looked toward them, irritation flickering. "You're not leaving?"
Dadi shook her head serenely. "Why would we? This is educational."
Ling exhaled slowly.
Then turned back to Rhea, gaze sharpening.
"Fine," Ling said. "If they're staying—then we train properly."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Rhea could hear.
"No mercy," Ling said. "You wanted practice."
Rhea lifted her chin. "Bring it."
Ling smirked.
The ball moved again.
And with every pass, every block, every near-collision—
The audience wasn't bored.
They were watching something dangerous take shape.