The night wore on, soft lounge music drifting through the air, but Reina's heart refused to settle. She exhaled slowly, trying to ease the rapid thrum in her chest after the earlier incident. Returning to the bar, she set the tray down, her hands still trembling faintly.
Leon glanced at her with a sly grin. "So, how does it feel to catch the attention of a VIP?"
Reina shot him a glare. "That wasn't attention. I was nearly dragged off by a drunk, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah… but the one who stepped in was Mr. Ryuu Lancaster," Leon teased, dragging out the name. "That doesn't happen every day."
Frowning, Reina crossed her arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Leaning lazily against the counter, Leon smirked. "From what I hear, he's not the type to interfere. Even if something goes wrong in this place, he usually couldn't care less—unless it bothers him directly."
Reina stole a glance at the VIP table. Ryuu still sat there, languid, swirling his wine glass, a cigarette balanced between his fingers. His expression was unreadable. Yet, from the corner of his eye, he seemed aware of her gaze.
Their eyes met for the briefest second. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.
Leon chuckled. "See that? He caught you."
Rolling her eyes, Reina sighed. "I wasn't staring, okay!" she snapped, embarrassed.
"Sure, sure. But I saw it." Leon reached for a bottle of wine, preparing another order. "If I were you, I'd be careful. He's not just anybody, Rein."
Her brows knit together. "Why do you keep saying that? Who exactly is he?"
Leon paused, then said quietly, "From what I've heard… his background's complicated."
Reina waited for more, but Leon only offered a cryptic smile and went back to work.
As the hours passed, the lounge emptied out. A few guests lingered over their drinks, but most had already gone. Reina was clearing glasses when firm and heavy footsteps approached the bar.
"Black tea."
She turned, startled. Ryuu stood before her, his tone flat, his presence filling the space.
"Huh?" she blurted before catching herself.
He arched a brow. "I ordered black tea. Unsweetened. With a slice of lemon on the rim."
"A-ah, of course. Just a moment, Sir." She spun around, fumbling slightly as she brewed the tea.
When she returned, setting the cup before him, Ryuu studied her with that same unreadable stare.
"So careless," he murmured.
Reina blinked. "Excuse me?"
His eyes flicked toward her hands, still trembling faintly. "You were almost dragged away earlier."
Her breath caught—she hadn't expected him to mention it again. "I… I didn't think he'd actually do that. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before, Sir."
Ryuu sipped the tea, unhurried, his tone calm. "Anything can happen here. Next time, be more careful."
She nodded, conflicted. He didn't speak much, but every word seemed to weigh heavy—never wasted.
"Then… why did you help me?" she asked softly, unable to hold back the question.
Ryuu set the cup down and met her gaze directly. "Because I wanted to."
So simple. Yet it only deepened the mystery.
---
After the lounge closed, Reina walked home alone. The streets were nearly empty, lit only by scattered lamps and the occasional passing car. She pulled her jacket tighter, shivering against the chill.
A sleek black sedan slowed beside her. The window rolled down, and the face she was beginning to know all too well appeared.
"Get in."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"Why are you walking alone? At this hour?" Ryuu's voice was flat, unyielding.
"Uh, it's because…"
"Enough. Just get in. Girl."
Reina bit her lip. "I usually walk home myself," she muttered. His tone wasn't loud, but it carried weight.
Expressionless, Ryuu repeated, "Get in."
It wasn't a demand, but it allowed no refusal.
Hesitant, Reina finally opened the door and slipped inside.
The engine purred as they pulled away. Ryuu drove with one hand on the wheel, his gaze fixed forward.
"Do you always care this much about lounge staff, Sir?" Reina asked, trying to break the silence.
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then—
"No."
"Then… why me?"
This time, he glanced at her, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Because you're interesting."
Reina froze. Something stirred inside her chest, a realization she couldn't shake. Meeting Ryuu Lancaster wasn't coincidence.
It was the beginning of something far more dangerous—far more complicated.