Her irritation was clear as her eyes met Edmund's, he was already smirking, that infuriatingly confident smirk that made her pulse quicken despite herself.
" You...", she started, but her words died on her lips.
From behind, a familiar voice interrupted, calm and precise: " Good evening, Your Highness. "
James stepped forward, a smile lighting up his face. " I'm genuinely happy for both of you," Edmund added warmly.
Lionel entered the cafe , all suave composure , Edmund waved casually in acknowledgement.
Alexa's lips curled into a polite smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Hemsworth ", she said her voice carrying the right balance of formality, warmth.
Lionel responded in formal composure,"Thanks Ms Donovan ".
Once settled, she broke the momentary quiet , shifting to Edmund with a playful edge. " Tomorrow, we're attending the Charity funding event at the Princess Margaret Hospital in the Bahamas, right?"
Edmund nodded, his expression softening." Yes, a good cause, an opportunity to remind ourselves why idiots sometimes make the best allies. "
Alexa raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips." You mean, you're are an idiot ."
Edmund's smirk returned, more mischievous than before. " I was actually talking about you."
She leaned forward , ready to finally speak her mind. But before a single word escaped, he cut in smoothly, voice low but sharp.
" Don't waste your breath, I already know what you're going to say."
Her jaw clenched." Edmund —"
" See? Exactly." He interrupted again, a faint smirk curling on his lips as if mocking her attempts.
She tried again, louder this time. " Listen to—"
" Still wrong, " he muttered, leaning back with infuriatingly calm.
This was the last straw. Alexa slammed her palms aganist the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room. Chairs shifted, glasses rattled. She shot up to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes.
" I've had ENOUGH!"
She turned to leave, but his hand shot out, catching her wrist. With a swift tug, he pulled her back toward him.
" Let me go, Edmund!" She snapped, struggling to wrench her hand free.
But his grip only tightened as he dragged her a step closer.
James, Lionel exchanged uneasy looks. Lionel muttered under his breath," If this isn't the start of Third World War, I don't know what it is."
James added dryly," Third World War, we'll be the witnesses. "
The tension followed them out onto the balcony. Alexa spun around, yanking her arm back, shoved Edmund hard aganist his chest.
" How DARE you put your hand on me!" She shouted, her voice ringing through the night air.
Edmund's eyes darkened. He stepped closer, voice raised. " Amd how dare you cause a scene like a reckless child in front of everyone! "
She jabbed a finger toward him, her breath sharp with rage. " It's your fault! Every single time I open my mouth, you interrupt me! You make everything impossible! "
His lips curled into a snarl. " Maybe because you don't have anything worth saying ."
Her chest heaved, fury sparking in her veins.
" You know what? This is useless. Get away from me."
She shoved him again, harder this time, but he moved quicker. In one swift motion, he caught both her wrists, pinned her aganist the wall, his body caging hers in place.
She gasped, resisting violently, twisting to free herself. " LET ME GO!"
Her eyes burned with fire as she raised a knee, ready to strike, but he pressed in, tightening his grip only her wrists.
" Stop fighting me, Alexa," he growled, his voice a mix of command, frustration. " You'll only make it worse."
Her gaze locked on his, defiance unwavering. Even trapped she refused to break.
She thrashed in his hold, her wrists straining aganist his iron grip.
" NO, " she spat, her eyes blazing. " I will not stop–—"
She twisted again, trying to shoved back, but he moved with her, pressing in closer until her back hitting the wall firmly. The sudden nearness stole her breath–– his face inches from hers, his eyes locked with hers so intensely that for a split second, she faltered.
Her heart stuttered. For one terrifying, disarming moment, it felt as though he might close that distance.
But he leaned in further, his breath brushing aganist her ear. " Shut up."
The words weren't shouted— they were slow, deliberate, the kind of command that burned hotter than a scream.
She blinked, caught off guard, lips parting but no sound coming out.
His gaze hardened. " Tomorrow isn't about you. Or me. It isn't our day to win or fight. It's for them– for the people at that hospital depending on us. So whether you like it or not, we're going to cooperate. "
His tone cut like a blade— unrelenting, undeniable.
Still pinned, she swallowed hard,her pride screaming even as her body betrayed a tremor of hesitation.
" Understand this," he continued, pressing the point as firmly as he held her wrists. " You and I can despise each other all we want. But tomorrow, you will stand beside me. For them."
Her breath trembled in her chest,her wrists still trapped , her pride stinging. His words echoed in her ear– for them. She hated that part of her she knew was right.
Before she could summon a reply, his grip loosened, he stepped back, leaving her pinned not by force, but by the weight of what he said.
Her lips parted as if to retort, but nothing came. The silence stretched, heavy,unspoken.
The next morning.
Miles away, the Princess Margaret Hospital bustled with preparations. Banner were hung, tables were arranged,staff hurried through halls, ready to welcome dignitaries, donors.
But in a shadowed corridor, 2 figures lingered where no eyes were meant to see.
One man adjusted a bundle of cables, his gloved hands precise, methodical. " By the time they start their little Charity speech," he murmured, " The entire system will fail. No lights, no security. "
The other smirked, slipping a small device into the donation chest." And when the chaos hits, so will we. The funding never reaches the hospital ‐ it disappears into our hands instead."
A low chuckle echoed between them.
" Let the Prince and The First Daughter of the States play their gane tomorrow. They'll never see this coming."