Dominic smirked, swirling his drink. "They're not exaggerating. You've been the quiet backbone of our entire circle for years, and now you're here, beautiful, shy, and completely flustered. Kind of unfair, if you ask me."
Scarlett leaned toward Bella and whispered with a smirk, "They're totally overexcited."
"I can tell…" Bella murmured, her cheeks glowing but her eyes bright.
Jason suddenly clapped his hands. "Okay! Group selfie! I refuse to believe this moment without evidence."
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Leo's patience was cracking.
He had checked his watch, then the lounge clock, then his phone again. A low frustration crawled beneath his calm exterior. Finally, he called the manager, his tone sharp and cold, and after receiving a vague answer, he stepped out of his private lounge and walked down the corridor, his shoes clicking steadily against the marble floor.
He hung up the phone, sighing deeply but then froze.
