Lila was not supposed to be here.
In her defense—
Zara had sent her the location.
Which was a mistake…A very big mistake.
"This is not a house," Lila muttered, standing outside the massive gates. "This is where rich people come to intimidate the government."
She checked her phone again, Same address, Same problem…."Okay," she said, fixing her hair. "Act normal. You're just visiting your friend. Your very rich, very questionable friend."
The gates opened automatically.
Lila blinked…"…I didn't even press anything."
She stepped in cautiously.
"Yeah, no," she whispered. "This is how horror movies start."
"Looking for someone?"…Lila jumped, Spun around, and froze.
Because standing behind her was—
Well.
That was a man.
A very tall, very well-dressed, very annoyingly attractive man.He looked like he belonged in a magazine or trouble.
"Are you always this sneaky," she said, placing a hand on her chest, "or do you just enjoy scaring innocent people?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Innocent?"
"Yes," she said confidently. "Very innocent. Extremely harmless."
He looked her up and down once.
Slowly.
"…I doubt that."
Rude.
"I'm here to see Zara," Lila said. "Before you ask more unnecessary questions."
"Zara?" he repeated.
"Yes Zara , my best friend'' she glared at him .A pause.
Then—
"Oh," he said. "You mean Adrian's wife."
Lila laughed a bit and said it sarcastically ''yes his wife ''
The man almost smiled.
Almost…"I'm Ethan," he said finally.
"Lila," she replied automatically, still processing.
Ethan.
Of course his name was Ethan.
It sounded expensive.
"Come on," he said, gesturing toward the house. "I'll take you to her."
Lila followed him,.
"So you're like… the assistant?" she asked.
Ethan glanced at her.
"No."
"The driver?"
"No."
She squinted.
"…Security?"
He stopped walking.
Turned to face her fully.
"I'm Adrian's business partner ''
..''Oh''
Then—
"Why didn't you just say that?" she snapped. "You let me embarrass myself for free."
"You didn't give me a chance."
"That sounds like a you problem." She rolled her eyes..
Then—
Ethan laughed.
Actually laughed.
Lila froze.
"…Oh," she said. "So you do have emotions."
"Occasionally."
"well not my business '' she rolled her eyes
They reached the door.
Lila turned to him.
"You know," she said, "for a rich person, you're slightly tolerable."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"And you," he replied, "are very loud."
"Thank you," she said proudly.
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it as one."
Another pause.
Then—
"This is going to be a problem," Ethan muttered.
Lila grinned.
"Oh, I am the problem."
And somehow—
He believed her.
Lila rang the doorbell''. I'm going to go check who's at the door.. Zara said to the maid who was about to go and check..
She stood up and opened the door, then suddenly started smiling
..''Hi bestieeee''….."So THIS is where you've been hiding," Lila announced, as she entered the mansion with Zara
They both sat down on the couch. Then Zara noticed Ethan. Hi she waved at him..
He waved back.. ''who are you'' she asked
''I think that's none of your business ''
Footsteps echoed, and Adrian walked in and Zara rolled her eyes
Calm.
Composed.
Annoying.
What if it was a thief? Zara replied to Adrian, a bit annoyed by his response
Adrian ignored him and looked at Lila, but said nothing
Zara blinked.
Then—
Lila walked closer. And started bombarding Adrian with questions
Studied him like she was reviewing a product.
"…So you're the husband," she said. Although she knew who he was she still doesn't fear him and chose to be ignorant
"Yes."
"…You're not smiling."
"I don't."
"That's unhealthy."
"It's intentional."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay, I don't like that."
Zara burst out laughing.
"Lila—"
"No, let me talk," Lila said, holding up a hand.
Adrian looked like he already regretted existing in this moment.
"Do you plan to stress her?" Lila asked.
''Not my business if she's stressed ''
"Do you look like you stress people?"
"…That's subjective."
"It's not," she said. "You look like you schedule arguments."
Ethan coughed to hide a laugh.
Zara was fully entertained.
Adrian, however—
Was losing patience.
"Are you done?" he asked.
"No."
"Be done."
"I'm not done."
…''You don't dictate for me in MY house ''... he said…. a bit annoyed
Silence.
Then—
Zara stood up.
"Okay," she said, stepping between them. "Let's not start a war on day one."
"It's already started," Lila said.
"I can see that.''… Zara laughed
Ethan finally decided to talk
''Hey Adrian '' . .. Adrian looked at him 'What are you doing in my house '
Ouch '. Ethan held his chest dramatically., that's not how you talk to your best friend you know
Adrian looked at him expressionless
"Lila how about you stay for dinner" Zara suggested
Sure why not '.
Adrian called the head cook.
Yes boss '. The head cook replied
Is the food ready ''.
Yes sir '.
The head cook replied
Then serve it ''. Adrain said frustrated and the head cook bowed and ran back to the kitchen to arrange the food on the dining table
Ethan after dinner meet me in the study room ''.Adrian said to Ethan ….. while Ethan nodded
The dining table looked like something out of a royal banquet. Plates arranged perfectly. Food untouched.
At the head of the table sat Adrian. Zara sat at the left and side with Lila, while Ethan sat on the right hand side
His casually started eating , Zara also picked up a piece of toast.
Took a bite.
Then blinked.
"…Wait," she said. "This is actually good." Lila try this one ''
''Wow '' it's really good,. Lila said
Ethan just ate in silence ...
After dinner Lila had some emergency and had to leave, while Adrian and Ethan entered the study to talk about business…. Zara just sat down in the sitting room watching everything
Arrrghhhh ',.. This is so boring,. She said
Two hrs. later Ethan came out of the study and bid Zara goodbye then left
Then Adrian stood, and also came out then went downstairs…..
And just like that, the room felt smaller
"Be ready by ten." he said.
"For what?"
"A dinner event."
Zara leaned back.
"…this night ''.. she said
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"you don't want to go??.
Zara just sigh and said' 'what about my dress'..
"Someone will come take care of you ''..he said and left…..'