The arena roared.
"Viper! Viper!"
I had never felt more alive than in moments like this, standing on the ring with the crowd chanting my name.
Mara kept her head down, blood dripping from her lips as her hand clutched her stomach. Old and new faces alike surrounded the ring, cheering, jeering until my eyes caught sight of someone familiar.
Our gazes met.
No way… is that?
The figure immediately turned and walked out through the gate.
Before I could process it, a hand ruffled my hair. I turned.
"Damn, Val, it's been over a month since you last fought, but you're still unbeatable!" Juno exclaimed.
Max joined in, patting my head as well. "Yeah, 'Viper' suits you perfectly. You're pure poison in the ring," she chuckled, handing me a bottle of water.
I glanced back to where that figure had been standing. Gone.
Must've been my imagination. He'd never come to a place like this.
~~~~~
"Ugh, the bruise is so obvious…" I muttered, staring into the mirror.
I grabbed a still-sealed foundation, one I rarely touched and smeared it thickly across my face. Guess today I'll have to put on more makeup than usual.
By the time I rushed into the office, I was already late. I hurried to make coffee for Leo and ran straight to my desk, only to freeze when Leonardo and Sebastian walked in.
As always, I stood up to greet them but their footsteps suddenly stopped in front of me.
I looked up. Both of them were staring at me, confused.
"Uh… is there something on my face?" I asked, fumbling for a compact mirror on my desk.
Leo's brows were furrowed, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his expression unreadable, almost irritated.
What the heck…? Could he see the bruise through the makeup?
Sebastian suddenly leaned in. "Do you have a blind date later, Em?"
I cleared my throat, forcing a smile.
"Blind date? For what?" Leonardo asked sharply.
Sebastian and I both turned to him. My stomach dropped. I hadn't prepared any excuse. My fingers twisted at the hem of my blouse as my mouth went dry.
Leo abruptly turned his back. "Not that I care. Be in my office in ten minutes," he said, striding off.
Sebastian gave me a little wave before following him.
I let out a long sigh.
Ten minutes later, I knocked on Leo's office door only for it to swing open. Sebastian stepped out, flashing me a wink. I forced a smile before slipping inside.
Leo was seated on the sofa. "Do you need anything, Mr. Leonardo?" I asked.
He looked at me and gestured for me to sit across from him. "I want us to practice skinship," he said suddenly.
I blinked. "S-skinship?"
"Yes," he replied calmly, sipping the coffee I'd prepared earlier. "We're getting married soon. I don't want anyone around us to suspect."
Makes sense.
I nodded. "What kind of skinship are you thinking of, sir?"
"The basics. Come here." He patted the space beside him.
I shifted and sat next to him, turning to face him expectantly. But Leo just… stared.
It felt like he was just as awkward as I was, but this needed to be done. I straightened my back.
"Let's start with holding hands," I suggested, offering mine to him.
Slowly, stiffly, Leo reached for my hand but his hesitation made me sigh and take the initiative. I grasped his hand first.
His body jolted slightly, as if startled by my boldness.
"Try to relax, sir. People won't believe we're a couple if we're this stiff," I said, half-teasing.
But damn, he didn't even crack a smile.
Leo cleared his throat, pulling his hand away as he abruptly stood. "L-let's try hugging. We'll be doing that often. weddings, social events… So let's practice."
I rose too, waiting for him to move first. He hesitated, then stepped forward and awkwardly wrapped his arms around me.
God… has Leonardo ever even had a girlfriend? He doesn't even know how to hug.
I adjusted his stance, guiding his arms a little, and to my surprise, he followed my lead. A chuckle slipped out of me.
Leo stiffened. "What? Why are you laughing?" he asked coldly, though his arms tightened around me.
Warmth spread across my body, completely enveloped by him. I tilted my head up. Our eyes met. Silence fell.
Shit…
His gaze dropped to my lips. My heart jumped as his face leaned closer.
Is he gonna…?
In seconds, our lips were only inches apart. I swallowed hard. His eyes flicked back to mine, and like he'd been shocked, Leo suddenly shoved me back.
I fell onto the sofa, except my reflexes kicked in. I grabbed his arm, pulling him down with me. He landed above me, caging me in.
"Uh…sorry, Emily," he muttered quickly, pulling back. But in the process, his hand brushed against my cheek. The bruised one.
Pain shot through me. I let out a soft cry.
"Eh, what? Did I hurt you? Is it that bad? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Leo's voice was laced with panic as he helped me sit up.
His face… he looked genuinely worried.
"No, it's fine, Mr. Leo, I just—" I stammered, trying to cover my cheek.
"Emily. Is that a bruise? It looks blue already. Are you okay?" His tone sharpened with concern.
Shit! Did the foundation wear off?!
And worse, there wasn't a single mirror nearby.
I stood quickly, desperate to escape, but Leo was faster. His hand gently caught my wrist, turning me back toward him.
"No, tell me, did someone hurt you?" His voice pressed harder, his grip still gentle but unyielding. He tried to pull my hand away from my face.
At that exact moment, the door opened. Both of us turned and Sebastian stepped inside.
His eyes flicked from our hands to my cheek. He walked closer.
Then he bent slightly, leaning toward me. Leo immediately shoved Sebastian's face away with a palm. "What the fuck are you doing, Seb?" he snapped.
Sebastian ignored him, eyes still locked on me. "Was that bruise from when you ran into a wall yesterday, Em?"
A wall?
Goddamn it, I didn't have another excuse.
"…Yes," I muttered, lowering my gaze.
Sebastian straightened, handing Leo a folder. Leo snatched it roughly.
I seized the chance, slipping free from Leo's grip and rushing out.
At my desk, I grabbed a compact mirror. Shit, the bruise was showing through. I reached for my foundation, but before I could flee to the restroom, Sebastian stepped out of Leo's office.
"Emily. Don't you think we need to talk?"
My whole body froze.
Was it really him that night at the Slither Ring?
"Uh, thanks for covering for me earlier…" I blurted before bolting to the restroom.
Thankfully, he didn't stop me. I touched up my makeup quickly, scolding myself.
God, Val, how could you be so careless?
I sighed, washed my hands, and left the restroom, only to find Sebastian waiting.
"Hey, Em. Tell me… how long does it usually take for a bruise like that to heal?"
I froze.
He smirked. "You've got experience, don't you? I'm curious." His eyes locked onto mine.