Deedee and Star met often enough that the once timid, clumsy debtor who never dared to talk back now walked with confidence, shoulders straight, radiating a new kind of poise. Even talked back with sass sometimes. Either they'd gotten too comfortable together… or Didi had spat out some demonic heirloom and fed it to Star.
Wicked friend.
Traitor.
Clack—
"Star. We're going home."
Rock strode over and grabbed Star's wrist, tugging hard enough that Star stumbled away from the person they were talking to.
"But this person wanted to ask about a car."
Those wide, innocent eyes tilted up an expression clearly borrowed from Deedee, only scarier, because it made Rock lose all self-control. Still, Star's charm was nothing compared to a natural flirt like Win.
"Since when are you a car salesperson? I said we're leaving."
"Easy, Rock. Still hot-headed and violent as ever, huh~"
That smooth voice, that calm demeanor total deception. Looked like he was breaking up a fight, but the mocking curl at the corner of his lips gave him away. A deep-rooted devil, through and through. Never meant well.
"Mind your damn business. Go back to wherever you crawled out from!"
"I just wanted to get to know one of your employees. Someone with sales instincts like that I'd love to borrow Star to help my company too~"
Tall, good-looking, perfect suit, polished manners Win looked more refined and educated than Rock, despite Rock being the wealthiest in the auto scene.
But the more politely Win spoke, the more Rock's hatred simmered.
"I'm an only child stop calling yourself my brother, I'm gonna puke. And Star's not some show model Star's mine. I'm not lending anything!"
"Why call them that? It's not cute, you know. You've got social status and money, sure, but I guess you can't wash off that countryside blood. So low, endlessly low."
"Win!"
Rock's voice boomed as he grabbed Win's collar with one hand, the other still clamped tightly around Star.
The scene immediately turned chaotic. Didi rushed in to break things up while reporters fired off nonstop shots looked almost like a legendary love-triangle war.
"Rock, stop! Win, please don't start anything, it's a huge event! Star, get Rock out of here, now!"
Deedee wedged between them like a human shield.
"O-Okay, yes—okay."
Star nodded frantically and dragged Rock away by the waist, half pushing, half pulling him out of the event. All this fuss over a rival company's golden boy teasing the precious debtor no wonder the hot-tempered heir was steaming. Win, thirty-one, once claimed he was the father's other son, stolen away by his mother in a marriage linked to inheritance disputes. But Rock's parents always defended Rock, insisting publicly and privately that they had only one child. No wonder Win held a grudge and stalked them endlessly.
He pulled the same crap in business too, which was why they had to meet here today. Looked like he fully intended to approach Star the standout little debtor beside Rock who lit up next to luxury cars like a walking spotlight.
Rock and Star were half dragging each other toward the exit when Star's free hand was suddenly pulled back, forcing Star to turn around.
"Star…"
The voice calling from beside him made Star freeze mid-step. The sweet, delicate face turned and found someone all too familiar. The root of every damn problem.
Who the hell now? Rock muttered under his breath.
"P… P' Toy."
Star's soft lips barely formed the name the one burned into memory because it belonged to Star's unbelievably shitty ex. Toy… oh right, that bastard ex. What is this, your family reunion day?
"Where have you been? How'd you end up here?"
Where he's been? No one even looked for him. Don't tell me don't you dare tell me you're stupid enough to go back to him.
"Can we talk? Just for a bit?"
The city boy in branded clothes stepped forward, reaching for Star. The debtor froze, brows pinched, stunned silent.
But Rock, already pissed off from earlier, stepped in front of him not letting that old flame get even an inch closer arms crossed, chin raised, blocking the way like a guard dog.
Hated him on sight.
"This is work. Star's working." Rock growled, answering before Star could, because the moment Star got near Toy, the shine drained from Star's face like being dragged toward a black pit.
"Oh… I see. Hello, Rock. I'm Toy an office worker and Star's boyfriend."
The preppy bastard bowed politely, though that didn't earn him a single step closer to Star.
"You know who I am?" Rock asked coldly.
"Of course. I follow your company page. The Benz I bought last month? From your showroom. Best cars, every single one. I didn't even know Star took a job here."
His voice was smooth, pleasant l eyes sparkling as he spoke. Rock responded by dragging Star behind him and steering away. But Toy kept following.
"If you know that much, then back off. I've got work. You think I'm free enough to chitchat? Or should I call my men over so they can talk to you?"
"A-Ah… right. Of course. But… could I have Star's new number? The old one doesn't work."
Star stiffened, clutching the back of Rock's shirt tighter. Pressure sharp and sudden closed around Star's throat. He didn't know what to do, only knew one thing:
He didn't want to go back.
Not to his first love.
Not ever.
So he hid behind the red-shirted man who happened to be his creditor.
"Yeah. 092202xxxx."
That's not Didi's number who the hell did Rock just give him?!
"Thanks. Star, I'll call you later."
"…"
Thunk!!
VRRROOOOM—
Inside the car, things finally quieted.
Rock glanced sideways.
Star was staring blankly out the window, puffing a cheek slightly, pale fingers pinching together anxiously.
"Why? Seeing your ex made you miss him that much?"
"…"
"Silent, huh? Means I hit the mark."
The sharp jab didn't even stir a reaction.
Star looked so dulled so unlike earlier.
Rock folded his arms, turning away with a scowl. But then that small voice answered:
"I… I never broke up with him."
"And? So what you wanna go to him? Go on. Try telling him how much you owe me. Ask him if he'll pay it for you. If he does, I'll hand you right over."
"I'm not going. I need to work and pay you back, Rock…
Um… want some eye drops? Your eyes look red. Must be the contacts… or… maybe the color of your shirt?"
"You're really asking? Just do it."
"Rock, lean closer. My arms are short."
"Hurry up. Don't drag this out I've got a race."
Rock's brows knitted, forgetting entirely how sensitive he was to the blinding aura radiating off the pretty thing beside him. He leaned in, their shoulders brushing, eyes locking both of them freezing for a heartbeat.
Less than a handspan apart…
Nothing existed in Rock's gaze except the face in front of him.
Brows. Eyes. Nose. Lips.
Jawline.
All too close too tempting. Like some sort of spell, his darker face drifted closer at a slow, instinctive pace. A hand rose on its own, guided purely by the pull inside him, and his lips brushed the soft mouth before him light, barely there. Calloused fingertips grazed a smooth cheek, just a whisper of contact
Screech..
The sudden braking jolted them apart instantly, eyes snapping away. For a long, suspended moment, it was as if both their hearts forgot to beat. Silence swallowed the car, the two pretending there was absolutely no one else present.
Star was the first to move lips pressed together, cheeks warm reaching forward to gently touch Rock's face. Star tilted Rock's chin, letting drops of clear solution fall into both eyes. A soft cloth dabbed around his sharp gaze, which suddenly wasn't frightening at all. Just a near-sighted lion pretending to be tough.
"You used your eyes a lot today. They'll blur if you're not careful."
"…Stop… nagging. You're not my spouse."