"So, we meet again, Miss Blonde."
They now stood on the dance floor, as requested by their fathers. Her left hand hung loosely at her side, while her right rested on Yuan's shoulder. Without his nerdy getup, he looked somewhat like a younger version of James Bond.
"I can't believe you're a politician's son, Yolo," she said, emphasizing the last word. "I knew something was off about you—now I get it. You were at the Academy I attended, maybe a batchmate or schoolmate of some sort."
He responded with only a playful smirk. "That's right. Besides, I did vaguely tell you I knew you, didn't I?"
Tiffany could only roll her eyes. "Tell me about your mission at that school."
"Oh, that's confidential, my lady," Yuan replied mischievously.
Tiffany glared at him, digging her nails into his shoulder. Yuan winced slightly, before focusing his attention on her blonde curls. "If you want to succeed in your mission, I suggest changing your hair color," Yuan said as he brushed her blonde pixie. The action only made Tiffany angrier.
"Don't you dare steer the conversation! You lied to me! All this time, you knew who I was."
"Come on, Miss Tiffany," he whined. "We're all professionals here. Besides, can't we just set aside our personal lives and enjoy the night? Soon, we'll be in the chamber, listening to all kinds of criminal discussions and other serious shit. So please, let's just dance. If you behave tonight, it'll please your father."
"How do you know so much about me?"
Yuan laughed quietly. "You'd be surprised by the amount of gossip in the brotherhood."
Almost instantly, lively music for a famous Spanish dance, the Paso Doble, filled the air. Paso Doble was a fast-paced rhythm based on the movements of a bullfight, typically performed in pairs with the man representing the matador. Tiffany liked this dance. It was the first dance her father taught her when she was little.
"You did well with your act. You could pass as an actor," she whispered, pulling herself back to the present.
Thunderous applause echoed as the pair moved to the beat, now completely absorbed in the music.
Back at the Academy, Tiffany was also an exceptional dancer. She could keep up with any genre, adding her ethereal beauty and natural flair to every move. Her slender frame and striking looks complemented her performance, just as her father would often say—as he always compared her to her mother.
"That's what we always do, Miss. We act. We deceive. We don't let others read our next moves,"
"So, you're an undercover janitor, aren't you?"
"I'm posing as the principal's scholar," Yuan replied. "I have to work with him in his office."
"I see," Tiffany replied knowingly. "Are you still on probation, like me?"
"You know I'm not going to answer anything related to my mission," Yuan said with an infuriating smirk.
Another round of applause filled the air as Yuan leaned her back, allowing her head to dip briefly toward the floor, his hands steadying her waist.
"You dance very well, caballero (gentleman)," she whispered as Yuan twirled her around.
"You too, my gorgeous partner," he replied with a wink.
The music continued to build, and the audience cheered and clapped with every move.
"Bravo! I am proud of you, Tiffany," her father exclaimed as they finished the dance. She wanted to roll her eyes, knowing he only praised her in public. Still, she kept her composure to avoid embarrassing him. "Thanks, Papa."
"You both dance so well together. I'm sure you will have beautiful babies, right, Compadre?" the Don teased, making Yuan grin and Tiffany wrinkle her nose.
"What do you say, my dear?" the Don asked again.
Tiffany chuckled sarcastically and took a big gulp of her wine. "We'll see what happens in the future," she replied grimly, suppressing her anger.
"Well, I can't wait to see my son married. Don't you think Tiffany is a perfect match, my son?"
With a teasing smile, Yuan leaned toward the table. "She's incredibly hot, Father. I'm sure she'd make a great wife."
Tiffany kicked his leg under the table, nearly making him lose his cool. "Asshole," she muttered to herself, smirking.
"Compadre, I think it's time," the mayor announced. Her father rose from his seat, and several men followed him, moving carefully to avoid drawing attention. "You two should follow us inside quietly," the Don reminded them.
"Sí, Papa. See you there."
Tiffany immediately turned to Yuan once her father was out of hearing. "Your wife? You wish!"
The handsome man replied only with a wink, making her even more frustrated. "Let's just go," she said, knowing she couldn't shake him off just yet.
But as the last of the Alpha Brotherhood men exited the hall, a loud explosion was heard outside. Screams filled the air as the music faded.
"Papa!" Tiffany cried as panic took over.
Gunshots followed the explosion, drowning out her father's voice amid the screaming. Bodyguards surrounded Don Arnulfo as Tiffany crouched, pulling a revolver from its hidden spot on her thigh. With swift movements, she shot two approaching attackers. "Get my father to safety!" she ordered.
"Miss Tiffany, we need to get out of here!" Yuan said, pulling Tiffany down under a table.
Gunfire intensified as they ran for the exit, fighting side by side against attackers along the way. The gown hindered Tiffany's movement, so she tore it at the sides, exposing her thighs. Irritation flared upon hearing Yuan whistled at her.
"Oh, Yuan, stop ogling my legs. Now is not the time for your fantasies."
Yuan chuckled, leading her toward the garden. "What can I do? You have stunning legs. Look—your father's already in the chopper."
They saw Don Arnulfo inside the chopper, waving and calling her name.
"Go, now!" Yuan commanded, startling her with his urgency.
"What about you?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.
"I have my ways. Go! I still have to find my father."
Two guards approached and immediately led Tiffany to the chopper, forcing her to leave the irritating but mysterious young man behind.