Her dorm has just been surrounded by a ring of black cars, and she has no idea why.
" Lea, I need you to stay here "
" Hadyan.. do you know them? "
" In a manner of speaking "
" And what manner is that? "
" Lea! "
She flinch at Hadyan's raised voice. " I need you to stay here. Do not open the door for anyone until I get back. Do you understand? "
I'm terrified for his safety. " I'm coming with you! "
" No, you're not. Stay here and don't make a scene "
Hadyan shoots her a furious look and strides away, closing her door behind him. A second later, her door bangs open. Lea stands there, stern and forbidding.
" Lea, get away from the window "
" Lea… is Hadyan okay? "
" Hadyan is fine. He can take care of himself. It's you I'm worried about " Lea plops down on her bed.
" You just need to chill now. Should we watch a movie? "
" What! I can't watch a movie while your brother could be getting murdered! "
Amira bursts out laughing. " Believe me when I say, they wouldn't be stupid enough to murder my brother "
" … Who are they? "
" People my brother has business with "
" And does his business usually involve guns? "
" It involves money. And where there's money, there are usually guns " Lea stretches across her bed. She watches her with astonishment.
" You seem way too chill given everything going on "
" Seriously, Boots, calm down! I promise you. Hadyan will be fine. Now, what do you want to do? Watch a movie? Gossip? Nap? "
" Ugh, fine. I guess I'm okay with… watching a movie "
" Great. The latest Christmas Prince is on Netflix. Get ready for some royal swoon " she rolls her eyes. Moments later, Lea starts the movie. As the opening credits roll, her mind wanders back to Hadyan. Suddenly, her phone rings. She checks the caller ID. It's her grandpa. Across the room, Amira pointedly turns away and closes her eyes.
Lea Phone
Hi Grandpa!
Grandpa Phone
Sweetpea! How was your first week of school
Lea Phone
Um. You know… everyone's super nice
Grandpa Phone
Oh, honey, I knew it. I'm so glad. I've been so worried
Lea Phone
No need for worry, grandpa. I'm just fine
Grandpa Phone
Uh, Lea, honey. I need to ask you something. Did you open your grandma's box? Sweetpeas? Did you hear what I said?
Lea Phone
Yes, Sir. I also found the necklace and wore it
Grandpa Phone
Oh, that does my heart proud! She loved that necklace, Lea. Oh, it's good to hear your voice, Lea. I have to go now, but you stay out of trouble, okay?
Lea Phone
I'll try my best. Love you, gramps
Grandpa Phone
Love you too, Lea
She hangs up the phone, and just in time. Amid Lea's snores, her door opens. Hadyan steps inside.
" Hello, farm girl "
" What's wrong? What happened? Is everything okay? "
Everything's fine. I wish you'd listened to me without arguing, but ah well. All's well that ends well.
" Who were those guys? Tell me the truth this time, please " Hadyan sighs, resigned. He can tell her won't back down this time.
" Guys from work. They just had a few business questions, that's all "
"That grown-ass my work for you? "
" You already know about our company "
" Yes, but I didn't know you had goons on call "
" They're not goons. They're ex-security, so they just look like goons " she opens her mouth to argue, but he cuts her off with a light kiss.
" You can't just kiss me every time we argue! "
" Oh? Why don't you stop me, then? "
As if daring her, he bends down and peppers her neck with light kisses. She moans softly.
" Hadyan… stop. Your sister's sleeping "
Hadyan wraps his arms around her shoulders. His tone turns to wheedle. " Come on, Lea. You and I are both in desperate need of some relaxation "
" And what does this relaxation entail, exactly? "
" I can think of one or two things " Hadyan wags his eyebrows suggestively.
" Hadyan… I'm still worried. I know you said it's not a big deal and that you've got it handled, but those guys had guns "
" So di I, Lea. In our world, they're necessary protection "
" Haiyan, I think we both need some rest right now "
" Oh, all right. What do you want me to do? "
She waffle, knowing what the response she should say and what the real she wants to say.
" Um… you can sleep on my bed "
" But what about you? "
" We can just sleep head-to-toe "
***
Hadyan nods, settling himself into her bed. A second later, he removes his shirt and throws it onto the floor. " Hadyan! What are you doing? "
" I can't sleep with my shirt on "
" Well, I don't think this is appropriate "
Hadyan watches her discomfort with a shit-eating grin. " Are you blushing, my dear little farm girl? Don't be scared. I told you on your first day, I don't bite. Unless you want me to "
This time, she doesn't even attempt to hide her flaming cheeks. Hadyan winks at her. A second later, he closes his eyes. She doesn't move, hyper-aware of the centimetres between her bare skin. Instead… she watches him sleep, noticing the sharp contours of his face in the moonlight's shadows.
" Admiring the view, Boots? "
She jerks up. Amira's sitting up on her bed, yawning and smiling sleepily. " What view? "
" Oh, come on, Boots. You have the hots for my brother, whom I've known for ages "
" You have? "
" Yes. Neither of you is particularly subtle at hiding your feelings "
Their conversation stirs Hadyan. He sits up, blinking the sleep from his eyes. Then, he sees Amira.
" Well, hello dear sister "
" Now, listen here, Adinata Hadyan. I don't want to wake up to see you sleeping here again "
" Fine. Lea and I will go sleep somewhere else "
" Somewhere else? "
" Yes. Somewhere where we can spend time. Away from prying eyes "
He shoots an aggrieved look at Amira. She just rolls her eyes. " And has Boots agreed to accompany you on this late-night sojourn? " Hadyan turns to her with an expectant smile
" I don't know "
Hadyan appears surprised, a hint of disappointment entering his face. " What if I tell you that it's Elect HQ. And we have the entire place to ourselves, no holds barred "
" Well… I guess that does sound fun. All right. I'm in "
She shivers, nervous and excited and scared all at once.
A night alone, with Hadyan? I don't know what to think.
She and Hadyan leave her dorm. A few minutes later, she approach a familiar doorway. It's Elect HQ.