Bella kept sneaking glances at Luna's face all the way from the entrance to their apartment. Her expression was unreadable—half teasing, half suspicious. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes, flopped onto the bed, and folded her arms with a smirk.
"So… who was that handsome guy, huh?" she asked, eyes glinting with curiosity.
Luna raised an eyebrow, acting innocent. "Who?"
Bella scoffed. "Don't play dumb with me. The one who picked you up in that sleek black beast of a car—looked like a Maybach, I don't about the model but looked more expensive than Jennifer's boyfriend car."
Luna sighed and sat beside her. "Oh, him. He's the same guy I told you about… the one who was tugging the dog roughly, and I met him when i was coming back from the salon."
Bella's mouth dropped open. "Wait—that guy? The dog abuser?"
"Not abuser!" Luna defended quickly, throwing a pillow at her. "He was just being a little rough. The dog looked healthy and clean, okay?"
Bella caught the pillow, laughing. "Fine, fine. 'Slightly enthusiastic with pet's,' then. But how did he go from dog-wrangler to knight in shining Maybach giving you a lift?"
Luna bit her lower lip for a second. "I don't know. We just… met eachother that day by coincidence. And today, he just showed up out of nowhere."
Bella leaned in closer with narrowed eyes. "And he opened the door for you. Like personally. Girl, that's some 'leading man in a drama' energy."
Luna shrugged, trying to act indifferent, but her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush. "It's nothing. He's just… polite, I guess."
Bella grinned like a cat who smelled gossip. "Right. Polite. And let me guess—he's rich, charming, and a little mysterious?"
Luna covered her face with both hands. "Ugh, don't make it sound like a romance novel."
Bella laughed. "Too late, babe. You're in it."
-----
Inside an elegantly designed nightclub bathed in moody shades of deep pink and noir, laughter echoed through the plush private room where Elena sat on a velvet couch, casually sipping a rose-colored cocktail. The ambient music pulsed softly under the low conversation, and crystal chandeliers sparkled above them like stardust.
"To Elena!" a friend called out, raising her glass. "For inviting us and being the most generous hostess ever!"
"Cheers!" echoed the others, their glasses clinking as they beamed at her.
Elena smiled, her expression perfect, graceful, composed—as always. Her beauty shimmered under the club's soft lights, but there was always something unreadable in her eyes. The kind of stillness that made people nervous if they looked too long.
Just then, her phone lit up, vibrating on the low table.
The room fell quiet. Everyone recognized her ringtone. One of the girls leaned forward as if to say something, but another nudged her sharply, shaking her head.
Elena glacned at her phone seeing the caller id their was a subtle change in her face, excusing herself with her usual charm. "Sorry, everyone. Let me take this call. You all enjoy—don't stop on my account."
She stepped out onto a small private balcony, the air cooler, quieter. With the city lights twinkling far below, she lifted the phone to her ear.
"Yes. I'm listening."
The voice on the other end was crisp and professional. "Miss Elena, we've continued surveillance on Mr. Alex, as you instructed. Today, he gave a ride to an unknown girl outside Velvette Noire. She's not on record in his regular social or professional circles."
A pause.
" Also Mr. Alex personally got out, opened the passenger door for her, and gave her the front seat. She seemed startled, but accepted. They left together."
Elena didn't speak for a moment.
Then—crack.
The glass in her hand shattered with quiet violence, wine dripping from her palm like blood. But her face remained eerily serene without out showing any emotion like frighteningly still like she didn't mind that her claim on Alex front seat was taken by some unknown women.
Her lips curled slightly, too calm for comfort. "I see."
She exhaled, slow and steady.
"Find out everything. Her name, her date of birth, her family background… even her ex-boyfriends. I want every move she's ever done. Every place she's ever crossed paths with Alex—even if it was just a glance. I want her history in a week time."
She hung up without another word. Elena returned to the private room, her radiant smile never faltering. "Sorry, loves," she said in a honeyed tone. "Something urgent just came up. I won't be able to stay tonight—but don't worry, drinks are on me. Enjoy yourselves."
The girls gasped in delight, some calling out their thanks, but Elena didn't linger for praise. Without another word, she turned on her heels and walked out, her stilettoes clicking softly against the marble floor. Her personal bodyguard, tall and silent, trailed behind her like a shadow.
Outside, her Bentley Continental—custom-wrapped in a glistening blush-pink—waited under the soft glow of the valet lights. She opened the door and got inside the car after a moment of silence she began to drive but after crossing only a little distance she stopped the car and the bodyguard mercedes car stopping behind her too, she pulled out the cellphone from her bag and tapped her phone screen and dialed a number.
"Hello, Elena," came Alex's familiar voice through the speaker, casual but tinged with curiosity. "What is it?"
Elena's tone softened into a gentle sweetness, perfectly modulated. "Alex… where are you now?"
"I'm driving home. Why?"
She giggled lightly, though her eyes were sharp as daggers. "No reason. Can't I call you just because? Must there always be something important?" She paused, playing with a strand of her hair. "I was just checking on you."
Alex sighed faintly. "Alright. So thanks for checking on me I guess.
Elena's smile deepened, though no one could see it. "Tomorrow evening. Let's meet at the Velvette Noire."
"Okay," Alex replied simply.
The call ended.
Elena leaned back in her seat, her perfectly manicured fingers gliding along the edge of her purse as she whispered to herself, "No one can come between Alex Walton and Elena Devereux, no one can come…she shouted in high pictched voice pulling and tearing apart her expensive Hermès Kelly Rose Gold purse "