"Derren,"
Derren's smirk widened, ignoring the glacial tone. He was all polished arrogance, his eyes already a little too glazed, lingering on Suzy with an intensity that made Alice's skin crawl. He'd clearly had a few too many, teetering on the edge of tipsy bravado and genuine instability. "My, my, what a coincidence. Or perhaps... destiny?" He chuckled, a low, self-satisfied sound that grated on the ears. His friend, a lean young man with an equally smug, half-drunk expression, echoed his laugh, nodding along like a bobblehead. Typical rich kids, utterly devoid of self-awareness.
"We're having dinner," Suzy stated, her gaze unwavering, a clear dismissal in her voice. She pulled her chair slightly closer to Alice, a subtle but unmistakable barrier.
Derren's eyes flickered to Alice, a fleeting assessment that made her feel like an object, before returning to Suzy.
"And who is your charming new friend?" His tone was laced with mock politeness, a thinly veiled challenge.
