"F*cking hell!" Rose cursed as she fumbled around, searching for her keys with the dim light of her phone's torch.
"Why now, of all times?" she muttered, frustration building. She moved closer to the gate, hoping the keys had fallen nearby. Her apartment key was attached to them, and now she was beginning to unravel the carefully laid plan with her carelessness. What if they noticed Naomi's absence? Her heart raced at the thought.
Rose cursed again under her breath, mentally kicking herself for being so careless. She had always been the reckless one, but tonight wasn't the time for her usual antics. The whole plan could fall apart because of one stupid mistake. As she searched, her mind raced with worry. What if someone back at the mansion had already realized Naomi was missing? She couldn't let that happen—not after everything they'd risked.
Back in college, Rose and Naomi had been known as the "Demon and Angel" best friends—complete opposites in every way. Naomi, calm and well-behaved, was the perfect contrast to Rose's wild and loud nature. While Naomi preferred solitude and comfort in oversized clothes, Rose was the life of the party, always opting for the skimpiest outfits that hugged her frame.
But that was the best thing about their friendship—at least they could learn from each other's differences. Naomi had a calming influence on Rose, teaching her to be more considerate, while Rose showed Naomi how to step out of her comfort zone, even if just a little. They balanced each other out, and Rose couldn't imagine her life without Naomi by her side.
But now, as she stumbled around in the dark, trying to keep herself calm, she felt the weight of their risky plan on her shoulders. She had to find those keys and get out of here fast. If they noticed Naomi's absence, everything would be over.
As Rose walked toward the gate, her anxiety grew. The shadows around her seemed to stretch and loom, heightening her paranoia. She needed to find those keys before things spiraled out of control. Every second felt like an eternity as she scanned the ground with her phone light, praying they hadn't slipped into some unreachable crack.
When she couldn't find the keys, Rose's heart sank. She had no other choice but to leave now and figure out what to do later. Maybe she could call her older brother to pick them up. He could be here in a few minutes, and they'd be out of this mess. She spun on her heel, ready to make the call, but froze when a tall figure appeared directly in front of her.
"Ha!" she gasped, stumbling back in surprise. Her heart raced as her eyes traveled up the figure before her. The man was tall—very tall—strikingly beautiful, with a presence that commanded attention. His intense gaze was locked onto hers, and it sent a chill down her spine.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was cold, calm, and unwavering.
Rose blinked, trying to pull herself together. She wasn't easily rattled, but there was something about this guy that unnerved her. Still, she forced a smile. "Hello, handsome. I'm just looking for my keys."
His expression didn't change. He didn't blink. "I know why you're here. Leave now if you are planning to escape with her."
Her heart dropped at his words. Panic gripped her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. 'Wait… he said planning. That means he still thinks Naomi is here.'Relief washed over her briefly. If she played her cards right, she might still have time to get out of this without blowing their cover.
"Who are you talking about, handsome?" Rose said with a playful smirk, feigning innocence. "I'm just here for my house keys. I have no freaking idea what you're talking about."
She tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to mask her growing nerves. Her hands shook slightly, but she kept up the act. She couldn't afford to let him catch on.
"Stop acting," he said, his voice colder this time, his eyes narrowing. "I know you're here for Naomi."
Rose's stomach twisted in knots, but she couldn't let him see her fear. She gasped, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes widening in mock surprise. "You… stalker!"
Rylan's eyes widened at her accusation, confusion flashing across his face for the briefest moment. 'What was wrong with her' he wondered.
"How do you know my name?" Rose pressed on, shaking her head in disbelief, playing her part perfectly. "You must be one of my fans who followed me on Hellogram, but stalking me in real life? That's a bit much, don't you think? Stalking is a crime, you know."
Rylan stood still, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. 'What the hell is she talking about?' The irritation in him grew, but he kept his cool. Rose saw his lack of movement as an opportunity and bolted. She glanced over her shoulder, relieved to see he wasn't chasing her, but just as she turned back, her relief evaporated.
He was suddenly standing right in front of her.
Rose skidded to a stop, her heart pounding in her chest, her body trembling slightly at his sudden appearance. "What do you want, stalker? Don't make me call the police!" she threatened, her voice quivering.
Rylan stared at her, growing more and more perplexed. 'Stalker? What is she saying?' His irritation was giving way to disbelief. He wasn't here for any of this nonsense.
"Stop misbehaving," he demanded, his voice firm but calm.
"Misbehaving? Stop following me! What else would a woman think when a man is tailing her?" she shot back, her frustration bubbling over. She paused, then spelled out slowly, "W-O-M-A-N."
She stretched the word, trying to buy herself some time, trying to stall him. She needed to get to Naomi, but this guy wouldn't let her go. Her brain raced, trying to come up with another excuse, another way out of this mess.
Rylan scoffed, unimpressed by her theatrics. "You don't act like one."
Rose's eyes widened at the insult, and a flush of anger surged through her. "Excuse me? I'm a grown woman, okay?" She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "And sure, you look big and tall on the outside, but the real question is… are you really big on the inside?"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with suggestion. She knew exactly what she was implying, and judging by the way Rylan's face froze, so did he.
Rylan stilled, his body tensing as her bold remark registered. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them thick with tension. He hadn't expected her to say something so brash, so outrageous. Most people, especially in a situation like this, would be terrified. But not her.
A small, victorious smile tugged at Rose's lips, sensing that she had caught him off guard. This was her chance. She could slip away now, while he was still processing her words.
But before she could make a move, Rylan's hand shot out, grabbing her arm and holding her in place.
Her smile faltered. The truth was, he wasn't just shocked by her words. It was the fact that she had the nerve to say something like that to a complete stranger, especially one like him. He hadn't come here for this, but now… a slow, amused smile crept across his face. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone.
"Why don't we check that right now?"