Racheal stacked the last plate on the drying rack, wiping her hands on a towel as Erica leaned against the counter, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Alright, patient lady," Racheal said, stretching. "I'm done eating. Now, you can ask all your questions."
Erica smirked. "Finally. Spill it. What exactly happened this morning?"
Racheal took a deep breath, letting her mind drift back. "It started while we were still half-asleep… my phone wouldn't stop buzzing. Every few minutes, it would ring, vibrating across the bed." She paused, glancing at Erica. "Honestly, I didn't want to answer at first, but you nudged me."
Erica nodded, arms still crossed. "I had a feeling it was important. So… you picked it up?"
Racheal sighed. "Yes. And the moment I did…" Her voice grew quieter. "…his voice. Cold. Deep. I recognized him immediately. He told me to come outside quickly, or he would come to my room himself."
Erica leaned forward, pretending to swoon dramatically. "Ooh… I sense love in the air!"
Racheal's cheeks flushed bright red, and she snapped. "Love? You won't even let me finish narrating, and you're already saying that?"
Erica smirked, clearly amused. "I said I was patient. Now continue."
Racheal exhaled sharply and went on. "So I went outside—well, I didn't really have a choice. He was there, standing by his car, smirking like he owned the street. I wanted to ask why he came so early… if he wanted to torment me again… or if someone told him where I live. But he didn't answer, only commanded me to get in the car. I refused at first, but he said if I didn't enter, he would carry me himself."
Erica's eyes widened. "Carry you?!"
"Yes," Racheal whispered, shivering at the memory. "Before I knew it, I was sitting in the car, powerless to refuse him."
She continued, voice trembling slightly. "We drove to this fancy restaurant: marble floors, chandeliers, the kind of place that screams wealth. And then… he ordered food, started eating immediately, without offering me even a bite. He just said I was there to accompany him while he ate."
Erica raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her grin. "Wow… that's bold."
Racheal pressed her hands to her face. "And the worst part? Every person in that restaurant seemed to stare at me, judging, whispering. I wanted to disappear. But he just smirked at me, watching my every reaction, as if he enjoyed seeing me flustered."
Erica shook her head, laughing softly. "You're telling me all this, and you're still alive to tell the story. Impressive."
Racheal rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "I still can't believe I survived that. The stares, the grandeur, his commanding presence… it was suffocating."
Erica nudged her playfully. "Well, that's one way to start your day. Now, tell me… did you enjoy it, even a little?"
Racheal groaned, hiding her blush behind her hand. "Infuriating, embarrassing, and… somehow intriguing all at once."
Erica laughed outright, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Racheal leaned back, exhaling. "And you're impossible for making me tell you every humiliating detail."
"But you did," Erica said triumphantly, her eyes sparkling. "See? That wasn't so bad."