(Lisa's POV)
I've been staying with Aluma and Innoccence in the family mansion for the past two months. I only leave to restock the fridge or go into work when absolutely necessary—I'd hate to be away when Valin finally returns home.
Innoccence decided to go through the transformation process. She sleeps heavily after the procedures Aluma performs, and Aluma seems tired on those days too, probably because she stays up with me. I like both girls, but I miss Valin. I guess he wasn't exaggerating when he said this could take a while.
He was on my mind when I got a text, like I'd summoned him.
"Hey, sorry. Erecting a cell tower and satellite system here took a while. Things are going well, how are you?"
He can contact me now! What a relief.
"I'm so happy to hear from you! We're okay! Send a picture so I know it's really you."
He sent a laughing emoji followed by a selfie. His hair was long—just like the security system showed.
"I would've sent something better, but I'm not alone right now."
My face heated up.
"That was perfect. Oh, and you look good with long hair."
His reply took a bit longer this time.
"Okay, then I won't cut it all off… We're planning on returning in a week, so be ready."
My heart soared. He asked for a return photo of me, and we kept texting throughout the day.
The others were ecstatic when I gave them the news. And even better—Innoccence was finally done with her transformation! She now looked like a pretty young woman in her late teens or early twenties, as she should. That'll be a fun surprise when the boys return, though I think only Jey will actually care. Hmm... Maybe she should visit her family. Ten years is a long time. Maybe they've changed.
I should buy a new outfit for when Valin returns! Or… should I just dress casually? No, it's a special occasion—I should treat it like one. I haven't seen him in months. I should at least get new underwear.
I feel flustered just thinking about it. I'm not sure what we'll do when we reunite, but I want to be ready for anything.
I invited the others to go shopping with me. It was Aluma's first time, and she ran all over the store, asking what the sizes meant and trying on different outfits. I always thought she preferred elegant clothing, but it turns out her tastes are... chaotic.
"What about this?" she asked, showing off the latest pants she picked up.
"Girl…" Innoccence groaned. "No. I'm not letting you go out looking like that." She pushed Aluma back into the dressing room and helped her change into something more flattering.
I was browsing lingerie alone when my phone chimed—a follower request. I usually ignore those unless I recognize the name. I did.
It was Dite.
It's been weeks since I wrote her that song. Did she just now look me up? I confirmed it was her real account, which made it more confusing. Maybe it's because I changed my profile picture…
She must want to talk about Valin.
I rejected her request. Minutes later, she sent another one. This time, with a message:
"Hey! I loved the last song you wrote me. I'm going to put in another commission with your company soon—it would be so awesome if I could work with you again. ♥♥♥"
Nothing in her message seemed suspicious… but we don't need to be social media friends for her to say that. Wanting access to my page feels a bit invasive. Then again, she is famous. Maybe she just doesn't understand boundaries—her whole life is public.
Plus, her profile says she's in a relationship now.
Maybe I'm being too cautious.
"Oh yeah, sounds great. I enjoyed writing it! I'm off today, but I'll definitely accept the job."
She replied a second later:
"Great! I'd love to work on it in person, though. Hope that's okay."
In person? I haven't returned to the office much since Valin left. What if he comes home the day she wants to meet?
"Yeah, I'll do my best to make it work."
She didn't reply this time. Just sent another follow request.
Once we got home, I asked Aluma and Innoccence for their opinions—being sure to share every detail.
"She only sent a follow request after you changed your profile pic? Not after you wrote, like, twelve songs for her?" Innoccence asked.
I nodded. "Maybe she didn't even notice the new photo?"
"Bullsh*t," Innoccence snapped. "If she comes after my cutie pie Lisa, I'll mess up her face so bad she'll need surgery to fix it."
She balled up her fist. Aluma gently patted her head.
"Same," Aluma agreed. "I do not fully understand the terms... I have heard of social media, but I never used it. It is a place to share pictures, yes? Similar to texting?"
I thought for a second. "It's like… you have this hallway filled with framed pictures and journal entries about your life. Some people can walk through and read or look at whatever they want—unless you lock the hallway to keep it private."
She nodded. "So… this woman who once slept with your boyfriend now wants access to that hallway, and only showed interest after you changed the photo at the entrance?"
I nodded again.
"That seems like she is hoping to see more photos of him," Aluma said calmly. "It is saying… hung up on him, to me."
She's super famous. Couldn't she have anyone she wants? And she's dating Michael now—who's also a big star.
But… if Valin and I ever broke up, two years wouldn't be enough for me to get over him either.
"I think you should be direct with this b*tch, to see where she stands."
I blinked. "I didn't know you could talk like that!"
"If you're too direct, it could be career suicide," I explained. "If I offend her, she could easily blackball me in the music industry. She has a lot of power right now."
"If she does that," Innoccence said, jumping up, "we break her face. No problem! She won't be able to work for a year!"
"Why is violence always your answer?!"
"I have to do something with all this burning rage!"
Aluma and I hugged her. She screamed, "Nooo! Stop trying to smother my rage—it must burn on!"
We let her go after ten seconds. Then she mumbled, "All I'm saying is… we've got your back. I might not hurt her. Maybe. But I definitely won't let her hurt you. We're friends now."
I sniffled. Aluma added:
"Accept the request. Watch what she does. If you pretend to be naive, she will be more likely to show you her true intentions. If they're bad, we will handle it together."
She's a bit schemey.
"Alright. Thanks, guys."
We hugged again, then I made dinner while they picked a movie. I accepted Dite's request. She didn't like any photos—but I noticed all the ones with Valin had their view count increase by at least 2–10.
Valin kept in touch all week, right up until his return. It relieved my anxiety… but somehow made me miss him even more.
(Snowe's POV)
Zai flopped onto the bed beside me. I hadn't seen him in a week—he'd been working around the clock to expedite our return home.
"Hey... when we get back, we should stream that movie you saw with Rai," he mumbled.
I giggled. "Yeah. I've been dying to see that with you."
I haven't thought about Stiletto in a while. I hope Zai likes it.
He turned toward me and smiled.
"I've never been this exhausted. My muscles ache—I feel like I could pass out right now."
"Hmm... want a massage?" I offered.
"Sure, but… if you do that, I'm definitely going to f*** you. I don't care how tired I am."
I blushed, weighing my options.
"It has been a while... we didn't even do that last time you visited."
"Yeah, because of all that damn paperwork! I had no idea ruling involved this many decisions. I thought we'd be done in a week, max."
I laughed, then gently motioned for him to lie on his stomach. He rolled over and I straddled his hips, massaging his back and arms.
"You're very optimistic."
"Hey... I still wish you'd told me ahead of time, but… thanks to you, peace with Infaniya is going smoother than expected. They're even declaring the war officially over for Earth—so the Kill on Sight law is being abolished. Any Afarions who aren't Feeders are safe."
I could feel his body heat rising beneath my hands. He must be flustered.
"I'm glad it turned out well. I didn't know how things would go at first… but it seemed like you really earned Smoke's respect. He still felt guilty... about not protecting me… and the whole kissing thing."
"I don't forgive him," Zai said flatly.
I chuckled, giving his shoulders a good squeeze.
"I mean it," he insisted. "But I am still grateful he convinced his brother to help. And that he didn't rat me out as an Afarion."
He flipped over and pinned me beneath him.
"Enough about him now."
"O-Okay…"
Zai's eyes locked onto mine, as if holding me in a trance. Then he kissed me—tenderly—sending sparks through my whole body.
"I want all your attention for the rest of the night," he whispered, brushing my cheek with his thumb.
I nodded so enthusiastically it made him laugh.
"I love you, Snowe."
"I love you, too!"