Yvienna blinked twice, stunned by the words coming from her dearest best friend. All this time, she had thought Tiffany was just a cheerful, energetic girl—but now, she couldn't hide her shock.
"Do your parents know that—?"
"No, and don't you dare tell them, understand?" Tiffany cut her off sharply.
Yvienna stared at her, disbelief written all over her face. The girl who had always tried to be the perfect daughter… was hiding something from her parents?
"H-how?" she stammered.
Tiffany shrugged casually, picking at her food. "I don't know. It just… makes me happy."
A chuckle escaped Tiffany as she looked at Yvienna's wide-eyed expression. Everyone thought she was cheerful, innocent, and kind—but beneath that mask, she was a rebel in her parents' eyes. They forbade her from doing anything dangerous; they had even stopped her from chasing her dream of becoming a drag racer. Yet she had gone behind their backs anyway.
Tiffany had a spirit that refused to be contained. Whatever she wanted, she got—no matter the cost.
"Unbelievable," Yvienna muttered, shaking her head as she began to pick her own order.
"I have something else to tell you," Tiffany added.
The waitress placed their meals on the table and left. Tiffany leaned in closer.
"What is it? Are you secretly an assassin now?" Yvienna teased, though a gulp caught in her throat.
"Y-you… aren't you?!" Yvienna pressed, and Tiffany merely flicked her forehead.
"Silly. It's not that, okay?"
"Then what is it?!"
Tiffany's cheeks flushed pink. She spoke slowly, her voice almost shy. "I… have a boyfriend."
"What?!" Yvienna's eyes widened. Then she looked at Tiffany seriously. "I know."
"What?! How?" Tiffany's shock mirrored what Yvienna had felt earlier, making the latter smile.
"I'll kill that Andrew," Tiffany muttered, glaring into nowhere.
"I knew it! Your boyfriend is Andrew!" Yvienna exclaimed, pointing at her, causing Tiffany to blush even deeper.
"I thought you hated him! Your words have betrayed you! Haha!" Yvienna teased mercilessly.
They ate happily, exchanging gossip and laughter as they normally did. Yvienna felt a quiet satisfaction settle in her chest. She had a happy family, a sweet, loving boyfriend—Kyle—and a best friend she adored. All the challenges she had faced were worth it, for this peace, this happiness.
"I'm just going to the restroom," Tiffany announced.
Yvienna nodded, her gaze drifting to her phone. No reply from Kyle yet—his message from yesterday remained unanswered.
Maybe he's busy, she thought, typing another one. "Good morning, how are you?"
She set the phone down and watched Tiffany's back as she walked away.
"You okay?" Tiffany called out from the restroom. Yvienna gave her a reassuring smile.
Later, at home, she trained with Dashylle, sweat dripping down her face. A sudden sharp ache made her eyes widen.
"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry!" Dashylle exclaimed, checking her face after accidentally punching it. He had expected her to dodge, but her mind had been elsewhere all morning.
"Let's take a break. I'll get some ice!" he said, worry in his voice, rushing inside.
Yvienna, seemingly unfazed, scrolled through her phone, hoping for a message from Kyle.
"Here's the ice! Let me put it on!" Dashylle returned, carefully pressing the ice pack to her swollen cheek.
"Why didn't you dodge? Are you okay?"
Yvienna simply nodded. "Let's get ice cream, Dashylle," she murmured.
He agreed. Soon, they were in the car, heading to the nearest convenience store.
"What flavor do you want?" he asked, parking the car.
"Coffee Crumble," she replied.
"All right. Just wait here," he said before heading inside.
Yvienna's eyes fell on her phone again—still no reply. She gazed out the window, watching people flow in and out of the store. Her gaze drifted to a cozy café next door, and she rubbed her eyes, looking again.
A familiar face caught her attention.
Her heart felt as if someone had stabbed it. There he was—Kyle—but the sight of him with Cassandra, laughing beside him, stabbed at her chest.
She typed quickly: "Where are you?"
Her spine tingled with nervousness, her hands growing cold. The world seemed to stop as she watched him through the café window. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when Dashylle returned to the car.
"Why do you look so shocked?" he asked, handing her the ice cream she had ordered.
"L-let's go home," she whispered.
"Are you really okay?" Dashylle asked once they arrived. Yvienna only nodded, telling him she was tired.
Inside her room, her phone beeped. Kyle had finally replied:
"I'm sorry for replying late, my Luna. I was with Cassandra earlier, but don't worry—she just needed to give me some papers since my father was drunk. I'm sorry… and I love you so much."
Her heart melted at the message. Doubts faded—Kyle would never cheat; he loved her, and he hadn't lied.
Maybe he's just busy.
Another message arrived. Hoping it was Kyle, she opened it—but it wasn't.
"How are you, my Vien?"
Her eyes widened. No. Not again. She blocked the number. After everything, he didn't deserve to disturb her peace.
A movement beside her bed caught her attention. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
"Sorry for waking you up," Kyle said softly, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
"How did you get in here?" she asked, startled, sitting up quickly.
"Uhm… through that open door," he pointed.
Yvienna glared at him, but the irritation melted when he stole a quick kiss.
"Stop doing that! How was your talk with that girl?" she demanded, unaware of the edge in her voice.
"Who?" Kyle asked, confused. Then realization crossed his face.
"My brat is jealous," he said, pinching her nose.
"No, I'm not!" She crossed her arms, looking away. Kyle chuckled.
"Do you want me to stop seeing and talking to her, hmm?" he leaned in slowly. Yvienna's answer came before she realized it.
"Yes!"
A quiet minute passed before she realized what she had said. Kyle chuckled softly at her cuteness.
"All right, my Luna," he whispered.
Though she acted upset, deep down, she was happy. She didn't want to control him, yet his words unknowingly soothed her heart. She felt foolish for doubting him earlier.
"Let's go for a jog?" Kyle suddenly suggested, making her glance at the clock.
It was already 5 a.m., though still dark outside.
"But my bodyguard will join us," she reminded him.
Minutes later, they were stretching, ready to jog. Her guard was nearby but stayed back, and she was grateful.
"How did you convince them not to join?" she asked innocently.
"I just proved myself," Kyle replied.
After half an hour of jogging, they reached the private field inside their executive subdivision. The sun was rising, painting the sky in soft pastels. Yvienna couldn't hide her admiration.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Kyle asked, handing her a tumbler.
"Yeah… so peaceful," she said, taking a sip of water.
Kyle's gaze lingered on her, adoring despite the sweat, before settling on something that made him pause.
"Why is it swollen?"
Yvienna hissed, touching the cheek Dashylle had accidentally punched the day before.
"I-It's just an accident," she mumbled.
Kyle, pretending not to hear, gently tilted her chin to inspect the swelling.
"Let's get a doctor," he suggested, concern etched across his face.
"It's fine. Not a big deal—"
"No, it's a big deal for me!" he interrupted firmly.
Her heart thumped at those words, as if angels had spoken. She couldn't hide her affection. His familiar hazel eyes were her sanctuary, almost melting her heart entirely.
"Yvienna?" someone's voice broke through the moment.
She turned, irritated, but her annoyance melted when she saw who it was.
"My Vien! It's really you, I've missed you!" the man hurried toward her, shoving Kyle aside.
"Hey!" Kyle shouted, pulling Yvienna toward him protectively.
He glared at the man from head to toe—a man shorter than him, masculine, with a single earring glinting in his ear.
"Who the hell are you?" Kyle demanded in a low, commanding voice.
The man smirked playfully and gave Yvienna a wink. Just as he turned, a punch landed squarely on his face.
"How dare you disrespect my girlfriend?!" Kyle shouted.
The guards rushed in to capture the man, who simply smirked.
"Your girlfriend? I was the first, bro," he sneered.
That word sparked something inside her, and in a quick moment, her hand landed on his face. The man's eyes widened, looking at her unbelievingly.
"You will never be my first," she said in a dark tone. Kyle, who's shocked by her action, but deep down, he's proud of having a woman who's braver than him.
The man where dragged by bodyguards, Yvienna, who was still huffing because of her anger, was gently pulled by Kyle. "Are you okay, my Luna?"
He pushed aside his curiosity. The only thing that mattered was her safety. Nothing else mattered—he just wanted her to be happy. He felt a pang of hurt whenever she was upset, angry, or troubled.
"I'm alright. Shall we head back?" Yvienna smiled, trying to reassure him that she was okay.