The hotel room was bathed in soft light.
The curtains were half-drawn, letting in the last glow of the city. On the low table, two glasses of wine sat next to a half-empty bottle.
Lara was sitting on the edge of the bed.
She wore a light black dress that clung perfectly to her figure. Her carefully made-up face looked almost innocent under the warm glow of the lamps. Her lips were lightly tinted, and her eyes shone with quiet satisfaction.
Sitting beside her, Nathan gently slid an arm around her waist.
Dressed in a white shirt with the first few buttons undone, he radiated a casual elegance.
Lara leaned toward him and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Nathan pulled her closer while she let out a soft laugh.
They were spending a quiet evening together when Lara's phone vibrated on the table.
She glanced at the screen.
Her smile vanished.
"My mother…"
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to answer?"
Lara sighed.
"If I don't, she'll call me ten times."
She picked up.
"Hello, Mom?"
Her mother's voice came through immediately, sharp and authoritative.
"Well?"
Lara settled more comfortably.
"Well what?"
"Don't play games with me. Have you made up with Cid?"
Lara allowed herself a small smile.
"You could say that."
"'You could say that'? What does that mean?"
"He's listening to me again. He hasn't agreed to get back together, but I think it'll come."
"You think?"
Lara picked up her glass.
"He needs time."
Suddenly, Nathan leaned in and placed a kiss on her neck.
Lara smiled faintly.
But her mother, on the other end of the line, had heard.
"…What was that?"
Lara froze.
"What?"
"Don't take me for a fool. I heard someone kissing you."
Silence.
"Lara…"
Lara didn't answer.
Her mother's voice turned icy.
"Don't tell me you're with Nathan."
Lara looked away.
Her silence was answer enough.
"You are completely irresponsible!"
"Mom…"
"You were supposed to focus on Cid!"
"I know."
"No, you don't know anything!"
Lara clenched her teeth.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
"Really? Because from where I'm standing, all I see is a girl playing with everything she has!"
Nathan watched Lara in silence.
"You have one job," her mother continued. "Get Cid back. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Her mother's voice grew more threatening.
"If Cid doesn't want to marry you anymore and you make our family lose everything it could gain through him, you will regret it bitterly."
"Mom, I…"
The call was cut off.
Lara stared at her phone for a few seconds before letting it slip onto the table.