[GRAND EVENT HALL]
Lights blazed across the vast hall, bright and almost blinding. Soft jazz floated through the air, weaving between laughter, conversations, and the subtle weight of eyes watching.
The doors opened.
Liam stepped in first: calm, confident, every movement deliberate. Lyra followed beside him, hesitant but composed, while Sera trailed just behind, silent and observant.
Lyra's gaze darted across the room, too quick, too sharp. "...So many people..." she whispered, her breath slowing but not relaxing.
Her eyes caught details she shouldn't have noticed: the exit in the left corner, two guards at the entrance, three more near the stage. Her brows furrowed. "...Why am I noticing this...?"
Liam leaned closer, his voice low. "Stay close." Lyra nodded faintly. "...Okay..." But her hand tightened against her dress, betraying unease.
"Mr. Mossberg." A man approached, smiling warmly. "Good to see you again."
Liam shook his hand with practiced ease. "Likewise." The man's eyes shifted to Lyra. "And this is?"
"Lyra Mossberg," Liam said smoothly. "My distant family." Lyra forced a polite smile. "...Nice to meet you..." Her voice was soft, but her eyes kept scanning, restless.
The crowd pressed closer, voices rising, laughter echoing. Lyra's breathing faltered. "...Liam... I don't feel... comfortable..."
Sera moved in subtly, her tone calm. "It's okay. Just stay beside us." Lyra nodded weakly. "...Okay..." Liam's gaze sharpened. She wasn't blending in. She was analyzing like an agent.
A tray passed by. Champagne glasses glimmered under the lights. Lyra flinched, her eyes catching the reflection.
FLASH… gunfire, a mission, blood. Her hand gripped her head. "...Ah…"
"Lyra!" Sera caught her instantly. "Breathe, look at me." Liam stepped closer, his voice cutting through. "...What did you see?"
Lyra shook her head, panic rising. "...I don't know... It's too loud... too many people..."
Sera guided Lyra toward a quieter corner. "You rest first, okay? Let's sit over there."
Lyra nodded faintly, leaning forward on the sofa, still trying to steady herself. "I'll get you a drink," Sera said gently. "And maybe some medicine."
"...Okay..." Lyra whispered. Sera walked off quickly, leaving Lyra alone.
"Well, well..." A sharp voice cut through the quiet.
Lyra looked up. A group of elegantly dressed women stood before her, led by Clarissa Vane, her smirk dripping with disdain.
"Who do we have here?" Clarissa's eyes swept over Lyra. "A random woman Liam brought to an event like this? That's new."
The others giggled. "He never brings women. Only that sarcastic assistant of his."
"So, who are you?" Clarissa tilted her head. "His lover? Or just an escort?"
The laughter echoed, too loud, too sharp. Lyra's head throbbed. Voices overlapped, noise pressing in. She rose slowly, her expression shifting, cold, sharp.
"Who I am... has nothing to do with you. So don't create trouble. I don't have time for this."
Clarissa scoffed. "That's the problem. I've liked Liam for a long time. And not just anyone gets close to him. So, you... should leave."
Lyra closed her eyes, her hand pressing against her temple. "...Shut. Up." Her voice rang louder, sharper, drawing attention from the crowd.
Clarissa snapped. "Girls. Get her out." The group moved forward, hands reaching.
Lyra moved. Fast. One hand grabbed, twisted… CRASH. A girl hit the floor. Another lunged blocked, thrown aside. A third, disarmed instantly. In seconds, all of them were on the ground, crying, shocked.
Clarissa froze, disbelief etched across her face. "...What the…. Why is she so strong...?"
"Sera!" Lyra's voice cracked.
Sera rushed back, water in hand, stopping at the sight. "...Oh." A pause. "...That escalated fast." She moved to Lyra immediately. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
Lyra blinked, dazed, staring at her own hands. "...I... What did I just do...?"
Clarissa scrambled up, furious. "She's fine! MY girls are the ones hurt!" Humiliated, she stormed off. "Let's go!" Her group followed, limping.
Sera watched them leave, then leaned closer to Lyra, whispering with a small chuckle. "Don't mess with Sire's sister."
The crowd slowly settled, though the tension still lingered in the air like smoke.
From a distance, Liam had seen everything: every move, every strike. Too precise. Too familiar. "So it's still there..." he whispered under his breath.
"Woah..." A voice cut in beside him. Adrian Keller, smirking, his tone casual but edged.
"Your girl is impressive. Didn't expect that." His eyes shifted toward Lyra, lingering. "And stunning too. I like her already."
Silence. For a split second, Liam didn't react. Then his gaze turned slowly, cold, sharp, straight to Adrian. "Watch your words," he said, low and controlled, but dangerous.
Adrian blinked, slightly surprised. "Relax. Just complimenting." Liam stepped closer: his presence heavy. "She's not someone you comment on. Or get close to."
Adrian raised a brow, grin tugging at his lips. "That protective, huh?" For a moment, Liam paused. The intensity felt too personal, too raw. But instead of questioning it, he doubled down. "Just know your place."
Adrian raised his hands slightly, chuckling. "Alright, alright. Didn't know she was that important." He stepped back, though his eyes still lingered on Lyra. "Interesting..."
Liam turned away, gaze immediately finding Lyra again. She was still with Sera, confused and unaware. "Why does it bother me...?" he thought. "She's just part of the plan. Nothing more."
But his jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. "Then why... does it feel like someone's trying to take what's mine?"
The feeling unsettled him. He didn't like it. Didn't understand it. But it was there, growing and soon, it would change everything.
The noise of the hall returned, music, voices, laughter. But Lyra was still trying to understand herself. Her hands trembled slightly as she whispered, "What... was that...?"
Sera stayed close, watching carefully. "You okay?" Lyra nodded slowly. "I think so..." But her eyes wandered, searching. Then she saw him. Liam. Standing across the hall. Still. Watching her.
Lyra blinked. "Why is he just standing there...? Did I do something wrong...?" Sera followed her gaze and froze. She saw it too. That look. Not normal.
But Lyra didn't understand. Instead, she smiled, bright, innocent. Then she raised her hand and waved. "Hi..."
Across the room, Liam stopped completely. That was not what he expected. Not fear. Not distance. Just a wave. Like nothing had happened.
His expression didn't change. But inside, something did. "She doesn't even realize... what just happened. Or what I felt."
Sera glanced at Lyra, then back at Liam. "You're waving at the wrong person," she whispered. "That man is not okay right now."
Lyra blinked. "Huh?" Liam slowly lifted his hand, just slightly. A small nod. Acknowledging her. But his eyes never softened. Still sharp. Still intense.
She waved like everything was normal. He looked like everything was about to change. And neither of them understood each other. Yet.
[LIAM'S CAR]
The city lights blurred past the window.
Fast.
---
Cold. Inside the car silence. Heavy. The driver stayed focused ahead. In the back, Lyra sat quietly. Sera beside her. And Liam right across. Watching.
Lyra shifted slightly. "…It was… a lot of people…"
"…I'm a bit tired…" No response.
She looked up toward Liam. Still staring. "…Did I do something wrong…?" Silence. Then he spoke. "…Don't smile at other men." Low. Controlled. But sharp.
Lyra blinked. "…Why?" Her expression completely innocent. No understanding. Sera turned her head slightly, trying NOT to react. "…Oh no…" A whisper in her mind.
Liam paused. Because he didn't expect that question. "…Because..." He stopped. His jaw tightened. Searching for logic. But there wasn't any. Not a logical one.
"…It gives the wrong impression." A pause. "…People misunderstand." Lyra tilted her head. "…Misunderstand what…?" Still pure. Still unaware.
"…That you're..." He stopped again. Eyes darkening. "…Never mind."
Sera coughed lightly. "…He means…" Trying to save the situation. "…You might attract unnecessary attention." A small smile. "…And that can be dangerous."
Lyra nodded slowly. "…Oh…" A pause. "…Okay." Liam leaned back looking away now. But his hand tightened slightly. Because deep down he knew. That wasn't the real reason.
She smiled without meaning anything. He reacted, like it meant everything.
[LIAM'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM]
The car ride ended. But the tension didn't. Lyra stepped into the living room, removing her heels slowly. "…Finally…" A small sigh of relief.
She looked at Liam, who had just entered behind her. Still quiet. Still… intense. "…Liam…" A pause. "…Can I ask something?" He glanced at her. "…What?"
Lyra hesitated then spoke honestly. "…Why were you acting… strange just now?" Silence. "…Strange?"
"…Yes…" She tilted her head. "…You looked… angry." A small pause. "…When that man talked to me." He didn't answer immediately. Because she noticed.
"…I wasn't." A lie.
Lyra blinked. "…You were." Simple. Direct. "…You told me not to smile at other men…" A pause. "…So, I thought…" She frowned slightly. "…Did I do something wrong again?"
"…No." Too fast. "…You didn't."
A pause. "…Then why?" She stepped closer, curious. "…Are you protecting me…?" That word hit differently. "…Yes." A beat. "…That's part of it."
Lyra smiled slightly. "…Oh…" A small nod. "…Then it's okay." She turned, walking away. "…Goodnight, Liam." Leaving him, standing there. "…Part of it…?" A whisper. "…Then what's the other part…?"
He didn't answer. Because he didn't want to.
[LIAM'S ROOM]
BANG! The door opened again, without knocking. Sera walked in. Arms crossed. "…We need to talk."
Liam didn't even turn. "…You're getting used to this." A beat. "…Entering without permission."
"…Yeah." Sera didn't care. "…Because you're acting ridiculous."
"…Jealous?" Silence. That word landed. Hard. Liam turned slowly. "…Watch your mouth."
"…Oh, I am watching." Sera stepped closer. "…You told her not to smile at other men." A pause. "…What is that, if not jealousy?"
"…It's precaution."
"…No." Sera shook her head. "…That's personal." A beat. "…Too personal."
"…You're treating her like…" She stopped. Then smirked. "…Not just a sister."
The room went cold. Liam's eyes darkened. "…Careful, Sera." Low. Warning. "…Then explain it." Sera didn't back down.
"…Because from what I see…" A pause. "…you don't like anyone getting close to her."
"…At all." Silence. Heavy.
"…Get out." Cold. Final. Sera blinked, then smirked slightly. "…Yeah…" Turning away. "…You definitely don't like it."
She walked out, door closing behind her. Liam stood alone. Silent. But his mind was louder than ever. And for the first time, he didn't have control over it.
TBC