"I don't feel like going home," Jane said as Jordan led her out of the hotel room, their footsteps echoing softly through the luxurious hallway.
"Sure," Jordan replied easily, not even asking why.
"Today is Saturday anyway. Hmm… I can take you to my villa, make lunch for you, turn my house into a spa town and become your personal servant. Give you the princess treatment you deserve."
Jane chuckled at his serious tone.
"My pleasure then," she said proudly.
Jordan smiled before intertwining their fingers together as they left the hotel section and entered the open restaurant located on the third floor.
The morning atmosphere was calm and expensive.
Huge crystal windows surrounded the restaurant, letting in soft golden sunlight that reflected beautifully against the marble floors.
The open rooftop garden beside the dining area carried the faint scent of fresh roses and coffee while a violin version of a soft love song played quietly in the background.
The hotel manager was already waiting respectfully near the entrance.
"This way sir, miss," he said politely before personally leading them toward the third section of the restaurant.
Unlike the noisier sections, the third section was peaceful and private.
White curtains moved gently from the morning breeze while flower vines wrapped around the gold pillars.
Their table sat near the glass edge overlooking half the city skyline.
The entire setup screamed cute rich couple date.
Pink and white roses decorated the center of the table with tiny crystal candle holders around them even though it was morning.
A small handwritten card that read "Good Morning Princess" sat beside Jane's seat clearly arranged beforehand by Jordan.
Jane's lips curled upward immediately.
Jordan pulled her chair back for her first.
"My princess seat," he said dramatically.
Jane sat down proudly while Jordan pushed her chair in gently before taking his own seat opposite her.
The staff soon arrived carrying breakfast dishes like an elegant performance.
One staff member carefully placed warm buttery croissants shaped like flowers onto gold trimmed plates.
Another opened a glass cover revealing soft strawberry soufflé pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and edible flowers.
A third staff member placed tiny crystal bowls filled with mango yogurt parfait layered with berries and honey beside them.
The seafood dish arrived next.
Fresh grilled shrimp rested over creamy lemon herb pasta while thin slices of smoked salmon were folded like roses beside avocado toast topped with caviar.
Everything looked too pretty to eat.
Even the drinks looked luxurious.
Fresh orange juice was poured into crystal cups with floating orange slices while Jane's strawberry milk had heart shaped ice cubes inside.
Dessert was even worse.
Mini heart shaped macarons, strawberry cream tarts and tiny cheesecakes decorated with gold flakes were arranged on a three layer stand that looked more like art than food.
Jane immediately picked up her phone.
"Oh my God this is so pretty," she muttered while taking pictures from different angles.
Jordan watched her with a smile before calmly picking up the shrimp.
Without complaint, he peeled them one after another carefully, arranging them neatly onto Jane's plate in the most aesthetic way possible.
He even added tiny lemon slices beside them.
Jane zoomed into the plate with her camera.
"Wow," she said seriously. "You missed your calling. You should become a luxury housewife."
Jordan laughed under his breath while pouring orange juice into her cup.
"If I become one," he replied lazily, "you better work hard and make money for me."
Jane snapped a few more pictures before posting them straight into the group chat and her social media, the comments climbing almost instantly.
Meanwhile, several streets away, the morning market was already alive.
Steam rolled out from crowded food stalls in thick white clouds, mixing with the smell of grilled meat, fried garlic, chili oil, and sweet soy sauce.
Scooters squeezed through the narrow road while vendors shouted over each other, metal spatulas clanging against giant woks.
Somewhere nearby, an old radio was blasting a love song loud enough to distort the speakers.
Parked directly in front of a small Chinese street-food stall were two expensive sports cars that looked painfully out of place among the plastic stools and greasy pavement.
A black Lamborghini Revuelto and a brown-and-white McLaren 765LT.
Pedestrians kept slowing down just to stare.
Jake sat carelessly on the hood of the Lamborghini like he owned the entire street.
One leg was hanging lazily while the other rested against the bumper. A half-open paper bag sat beside him as he bit into a juicy pork bun, hot steam curling past his face.
He looked illegally expensive for someone eating street food at eight in the morning.
A black oversized jacket hung loosely over a white compression shirt, the zipper left halfway open.
Silver chains rested against his collarbone while black cargo pants with white stitched details pooled slightly above his sneakers.
His rings clicked against his phone every time he scrolled, expression growing more offended by the second.
"Damn, my eyes hurt," Jake muttered in disgust.
Inside the McLaren, Ava stretched one arm over the open rooftop, red hair catching the morning sunlight like burning silk. The wind kept tossing strands across her face, but she didn't bother fixing it.
Her outfit looked soft at first glance cute even.
The cropped brown top hugged her frame while the pleated skirt shifted every time she moved her legs against the leather seat.
The fluffy white fur around her boots brushed against the car door as she leaned sideways, sunglasses hanging loosely from one finger.
"What happened?" Ava asked, voice lazy.
Jake shoved his phone toward her with deep offense. "Jane posted again. Look at this shit. I'm getting fed dog food at eight in the morning. The fuck."
Ava glanced at the screen.
A photo of Jane smiling while feeding Jordan.
Another one where Jordan was wiping sauce from the corner of her lips.
"You still follow them?" she asked. "Tsk. I muted them ages ago. Even Luna blocked their social media." She stole one of his pork buns without permission. "I prefer motivational posts over whatever disease this is."
Jake looked personally betrayed as she bit into the bun.
"You have your own food."
"And yours tastes better."
A delivery biker passing by nearly crashed after recognizing the cars. His friend smacked his arm immediately while whispering aggressively.
"Bro stop staring!"
"How do you expect me not to stare?! That's a freaking Lamborghini!"
Jake ignored everybody and opened their group chat instead.
The Group of Bored People
Jake typed without hesitation.
I hope some people choke on their food.
Three dots immediately appeared.
His message had barely sent before the group chat exploded.
Jordan: Jealousy ain't suited on you.
Jake scoffed. "This bastard…"
Ava leaned farther out of her McLaren, elbow resting against the car door. "Read it out loud."
Jake obeyed dramatically reading Jane message.
"'I have not yet even come look for you and you're already looking for us. What is wrong with your stupid workers seducing my man?'" He paused before grimacing. "Jane is actually sick in the head how am I supposed to know they would seduce Jordan."
Ava burst out laughing.
A new message popped up instantly.
Luna: WAIT WHAT LOL I wish I was there.
Ava: Hmm what? Scared Jordan will get moved by another girl?
Jake grinned while chewing another pork bun.
Jake: If Jordan cheats on you just cheat back. Or give up on him At least you'll see his true face if he can cheat on a princess like you then he is eating dog shit.
Three seconds later—
Jane: My heart skipped a beat just now for you.
A cat emoji holding a heart followed after.
Jake looked physically offended. "Ew."
Inside the car, Ava nearly folded over laughing, her red hair slipping over her shoulder.
Jordan: I'm not going to cheat, relationship haters. She's not even worth my attention.
Luna: Yeah sure. Can't wait for your breakup era.
Jake cackled loud enough for two students walking past to glance over wondering if they should walk up to him.
Then Jordan fired back immediately.
Jordan: I have a photo of you kissing a guy during our last vacation. Do you want me to send it to your family?
A dramatic pause filled the chat.
Luna: Wow. Hoes before friendship now? Okay doing everything for love now.
Ava clicked her tongue.
Ava: So what did you do to that girl?
Jane: Ask Jordan.
Jordan: ...
Luna suddenly changed the topic like nothing happened.
Luna: So who wants to hang out? I'm so bored at home right now.
Jane: Nah. Jordan is planning to give me princess treatment at home. Cook for me, massage me, decorate his house for the vibe so nope.
Ava looked personally disgusted. "This is why I muted them."
She rested her chin against her palm.
Ava: I miss my Matthew.
Jake immediately looked up from his phone. "Your Matthew? Since when did he become yours?"
Ava ignored him completely.
Jake: I'm going fishing with my grandpa so sorry.
Luna: WOW Jake please please can I come.
Jake rolled his eyes but there was already amusement in his face.
Jake: Fine. I'll pick you up after eating.
He lifted his phone and snapped a picture of the food stall—the hanging roast ducks, the steaming baskets, Uncle Roger
aggressively yelling at an employee in the background.
The second he sent it
Luna: DAMN IT THAT'S UNCLE ROGER'S FOOD. I thought he went on vacation. I love his street food.
Ava smirked wickedly before typing.
Ava: He asked about you guys. We said you died so we're enjoying the feast of a lifetime.
Jane: Baby I wantttt.
Jordan: We can go there on Monday.
Ava stared at the messages for a long second before slowly raising an eyebrow.
Ava: The fact Jane and Jordan are in the same room yet still replying to each other in the group chat…
Jake immediately replied—
Jake: Isn't that what we're doing?
Ava turned her head slowly toward him.
Then glared.
Jake grinned shamelessly.
"You're just angry because I'm right."
Ava switched off her phone entirely with a sharp click before tossing it onto the passenger seat.
Across from them, Uncle Roger finally emerged from the stall carrying multiple takeaway containers, smoke curling from the tops.
"The food is ready," he announced.
"Takeaway or eating here?"
"Takeaway for me," Ava replied.
Uncle Roger nodded and started packing everything neatly into bags while Ava drummed her fingers against the steering wheel impatiently. The white fur around her boots brushed against the car seat as she shifted.
Jake narrowed his eyes.
"You're leaving already?"
Ava took the takeaway bag from Uncle Roger and flashed a lazy grin. "Maybe."
"Maybe where?" Jake asked
She slid her sunglasses back on. "To harass someone."
Jake instantly knew who.
"Oh my God. Leave Matthew alone for one day."
Ava only winked before starting the engine.
The McLaren roared to life, loud enough to make nearby pedestrians jump.
Then she drove off.
Fast.
"Did she suddenly have something important to do?" Uncle Roger asked while wiping his hands on his apron.
Jake took another bite of his bun casually.
"To bother her crush."
Uncle Roger blinked. "I thought you two were dating."
Jake nearly inhaled the pork bun into his lungs.
He started coughing violently, pounding his chest while Uncle Roger hurriedly shoved a glass of water into his hand.
"Slow down!"
Jake drank half the glass before finally breathing again.
"We are NOT dating," he said immediately. "Hell no. If I date her, I'll have one foot in the grave."
Uncle Roger laughed so hard his shoulders shook.
"But you two suit each other," he argued. "You understand her more than everyone else. You sure you won't regret it?"
Jake looked genuinely horrified by the suggestion.
"Not interested. Dating is stressful." He leaned back against the Lamborghini dramatically before brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. "Besides, nobody is as perfect as me." He sighed narcissistically.
"I'm too beautiful and handsome to belong to one person."
Uncle Roger stared at him for two silent seconds.
Then pointed toward the stall.
"Pay for your food first, beautiful prince."
Ava's McLaren sliced through the city traffic before entering the massive gates of the Silver Arc District.
The guards straightened the second they recognized the car.
One of them hurried forward as Ava lazily held her golden access card out the window between two fingers. The scanner flashed green immediately.
"Good evening, Miss Ava."
The gates opened without another question.
Silver Arc District was divided into three sections, each more ridiculous than the last.
The first section was nicknamed the City of Nightlife.
Even during the day, giant digital billboards flashed across luxury buildings while cafés, designer stores, rooftop bars, clubs, and expensive restaurants crowded the streets.
Music leaked from half-open doors.
Rich kids wandered around carrying shopping bags worth more than most people's salaries while modified sports cars prowled the roads like predators.
At night, the place barely slept.
Ava drove past it casually, fingers tapping against the steering wheel as neon lights reflected across the windshield.
Then she entered the inner lane.
The atmosphere changed almost instantly.
Less noise.
Less crowds.
More money.
The second section was where the real power stayed.
Old-money families.
Industrial heirs.
People who could destroy companies over breakfast and buy politicians before dinner
.
Tall glass buildings towered over private roads while heavily guarded estates sat hidden behind walls and trees. Even the silence here felt expensive.
Ava sped through it like she owned the place.
Then came the third section.
Connection was everything there.
Just being able to buy property inside that zone already meant something terrifying about your background. Private condos, elite apartments, luxury penthouses, hidden business headquarters—
Every building screamed status quietly.
Ava finally pulled into the underground parking area of one of the most expensive condominiums in the district. The building belonged to Jake's family, though most residents were single heirs or people constantly traveling for business. The place barely had any family atmosphere.
Too polished.
Too detached.
Too rich.
Ava grabbed the takeaway bag before entering the elevator. Soft jazz played overhead while mirrored walls reflected her messy red hair and smug expression.
The second the elevator opened to her floor, she walked straight into her apartment.
The place was huge, modern, and painfully clean except for the random chaos Ava always left around.
She tossed the takeaway onto the kitchen counter carelessly before walking toward one of the shelves.
A bottle of alcohol clinked softly in her hand.
Instead of drinking properly, she poured some into her palm and rubbed it across her neck, shoulders, and clothes before taking a small sip straight from the bottle.
Then she grinned to herself.
Three minutes later, Ava stood outside the apartment next door.
Matthew's apartment.
Rather than knock like a normal human being, she calmly pulled out a thin glove from her pocket.
A modified fingerprint layer was attached to the fingertips.
Week ago, she'd somehow stolen Matthew's fingerprint just because she "felt curious."
The scanner blinked.
Green.
Ava gasped dramatically. "Yes."
Then slipped inside like a criminal.
The apartment was dark except for the warm light spilling from the kitchen area. The living room looked painfully organized — black furniture, clean lines, not a single thing out of place.
Ava shut the door quietly and turned
Then froze.
Matthew stood near the kitchen island in black silk pajamas, holding a glass of water in one hand.
He stared at her.
She stared back.
For one solid second, neither moved the situation was awkward.
"What are you doing here" Mattew asked as he walked away from the kitchen island to the living room standing close to the chair.
Then Ava suddenly stumbled forward like a drunk woman seeing her long-lost lover.
Before Matthew could even process what was happening, she shoved him backward onto the couch.
"Handsome," Ava sighed dramatically, climbing straight onto his lap. "I missed you so much."
"Ava— what the hell?!"
Matthew nearly spilled the water as she started planting messy kisses across his jaw and neck like an emotionally unstable cat.
"The hell, Ava!" Matthew grabbed her wrist immediately, trying to pull her away, but she practically melted onto him bonelessly.
And unfortunately for him—
She smelled like alcohol.
Not enough to completely lose control.
Enough to become worse.