The day finally arrived. Tiara stepped out of her apartment, tucking her hair in place. Meanwhile, Ethan, waiting by his car, caught a glimpse of her.
She wore a well-fitted pair of high-waisted black leather pants, a dangling black chain merging seamlessly with the corset cinched over her tucked-in white top. A long, furry black coat flowed behind her. His eyes clung to her—unable to look away—as she walked out, chatting with someone beside her.
"How long are you going to keep talking for?"
Ethan's voice cut in.
Tiara looked surprised to see him standing in front of her.
"Uhhh?"
"didn't notice him" she wondered, stepping a little closer.
"Oh, this gentleman?" she said sweetly, gesturing to the man beside her. "He's my close neighbor."
She turned to him. "Mike, mind saying hi?"
Meanwhile, Ethan stood still as Mike gave a flustered "hi," clearly thrown off—not just because he was speaking to Ethan, but because of Tiara, the girl he'd clearly been flirting with.
"How about we get going?" Ethan said, cutting through the moment.
Now that was just pure coldness, Tiara thought, quickly looking away.
"Of course," she replied immediately, walking behind him.
But she noticed something strange—Ethan's cold glance at Mike wasn't just cold. It was different. Sharper. Definitely not pleasant, even behind his usual calm demeanor.
"See you later, Mike!" Tiara beamed, waving brightly.
Ethan glanced back at her.
"Does she smile at everyone she sees?"
he thought coldly, studying her from the corner of his eye.
"Or is she just acting, as usual?"
just then a voice hit him:
"Was that jealousy I sensed, boss?" Tiara teased, grinning wide.
"Are you bored or something?" Ethan shot her a look—
Then the car suddenly dashed off at full speed.
"Excuse me?! What the heck!" she shrieked, internally freaking out.
Then he slowed down—just a little—after noticing how on edge she was, his expression discreetly amused.
"Where are those beautiful…"
He paused mid-sentence.
Tiara's eyes widened, tense.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat.
"Where are those sharp little mouths of yours hiding?" he teased, glancing at her.
"Right here."
She winked, resting a hand under her chin like a fangirl.
"Still as sharp as ever—sorely for you, boss."
" he didn't even compliment my outfit, "
she thought.
Just then—vroom!—he hit the gas again, jolting her with another sudden speed burst.
"Alright, now he's doing it on purpose," she muttered through gritted teeth, her brow twitching in slow, simmering anger.
"I'll get you for that!"
Her phone buzzed.
She checked the message. It was from Lux.
Lux: "Tiara, are you busy?!"
Tiara: "Very much busy, thank you. And please leave me alone."
Tiara: "Besides, your forced date hasn't even arrived yet, so why are you texting me? F off!"
She snapped the phone shut.
"Just wait till I pull this scheme off," she muttered with a slight frown.
"Hmph!"
Another buzz. Another message.
But this time, she wasn't just annoyed—she was barely holding her composure beneath her calm facade.
"This persistent jerk better have something worth saying," she thought, glaring at her screen.
Meanwhile, Ethan caught every flicker of her expression—each twitch, glare, and eye-roll. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her type out a reply.
Tiara: "Currently with my man. Now leave me alone!"
"Hmph!" she huffed proudly after hitting send.
Not only was she full of pride while typing that, but then—
She noticed Ethan glance at her screen.
Her soul left her body.
"Tell me he didn't see that!"
Her thoughts screamed in sheer embarrassment.
Tiara: I mean like… my man as in… best gentleman friend I've gotten to know so far…
She scrambled to forge a follow-up—on the spot.
She couldn't even look at Ethan, let alone imagine his reaction.
"Gosh!!" she groaned silently, her cheeks burning.
She glued her gaze to the window, eyes wide, pretending to admire the blur of fast lights outside the car.
"Talk about next-level embarrassment."
Meanwhile, Ethan—
"How does that even mean sense?"
he thought, stealing a glance at her still staring out the window.
" beside, Won't her neck start hurting at this rate?"
A few minutes into the ride, as they pulled into the restaurant parking lot, Tiara noticed something familiar—it was another location from Ethan's family restaurant chain.
"Shall we?" he said, his voice smooth. "My best gentle-female friend."
Another wave of embarrassment crashed into Tiara.
She wished she could disappear on the spot.
"He got me!"
Her heart fluttered at the subtle implication behind his words.
"Okay, Tiana, control the situation."
She took a small breath, then beamed at him.
"Why not, gentle male friend."
She couldn't even add another word. Not without giving herself away.
So, with whatever grace she had left, she walked beside him—quiet, composed... and absolutely screaming inside.
As they sat at the table, menus in hand, Tiara looked over at Ethan.
"How about steaks and fries?" she offered, raising a brow.
"Or better yet… let's try the whole menu."
"She'll be the only one trying that," Ethan muttered, glancing at the waitress.
"Yes, sir," the waitress replied politely.
"Wait, just kidding—I can't eat all that!"
Tiara reached out quickly to stop the waitress.
"Besides, I'm broke!" she thought in a mild panic.
"Alright, ma'am. What would you like then?"
Tiara placed her hand on her cheek, eyes sparkling like a fangirl as she beamed at Ethan.
"Whatever he wants."
The waitress chuckled softly. "Alright, coming right up."
"Thank you!" Tiara beamed, still holding her pose like she was in a drama scene.