Rex’s lips curved, a glint in his eye the phone couldn’t catch. "So... you’re saying it’s impossible?"
"I’m saying you’re adorable for thinking you can just ’upgrade’ like you’re swapping phone models."
"I could," he said.
"Oh please," she laughed. "I almost believed you the first ti you bragged about ’knowing soone high up’ in the company. Almost."
"I’m saying people with presidential security still have to beg for them, you’re adorable for thinking you can just ’upgrade’ like you’re swapping phone models." she said.
"I could," he said neatly.
There was silence on the other end, then her voice softened, just enough to let the curiosity slip through. "You’re becoming more and more domineering, you know that? I honestly thought you were bluffing when you said you ’knew soone high up’ in the company."
"Well," he murmured, letting the seat recline another inch, "there’s a lot you don’t know yet. We could... explore that tonight. Learn more... deeply."
Monica laughed, low and amused. "That’s your idea of an invitation? Tempting, but no."
"Mmh, not tonight. Soone didn’t even know how to show rcy for the first ti and I’m not fully healed," she teased, then with mock grandeur, "And it’s not easy to et a hot diva, you know. You should book at least three days in advance."
"I can book you for life," he countered smoothly.
She humd in playful approval. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
They bantered for a mont longer before he circled back. "So, about those bodyguards..."
There was a beat of silence, and then her tone shifted—still playful, but sharper with mory. "Considering I pissed off so people lately... yes. I’d be stupid to say no. And honestly, these ones I have now? Just hired them after I got famous. No emotional attachnt. They can go."
"Consider it done," he said, like it was nothing.
...
By the ti the car rolled into the city, Rex was practically lted into the seat. Limbs loose, mind fuzzy, and a faintly smug smile tugging at his lips... the massage had been relentless, almost sinister in its perfection. Every knot, every sliver of tension had been hunted down and destroyed.
"Stop the car a bit before the university," he murmured without opening his eyes.
Kaelan glanced at him through the rearview.
"Avoiding unnecessary attention," he said lazily. "Still want to enjoy my ordinary college life... or at least the illusion of it."
Anyway, the last thing he needed was the whole university buzzing about the luxury car again. Besides, he liked keeping his "ordinary college life" disguise intact.
Kaelan chuckled and pulled over a couple of streets away. He stepped out, stretching lazily, still feeling like lted butter from that massage. straightened his shirt, and walked the rest of the way. The faint buzz of campus life greeted him — the sound of laughter, the sll of coffee drifting from the open-air café.
Inside, he spotted them imdiately... Sophie’s bright smile, Daisy’s elegant posture, Hannah’s thoughtful gaze, and Elara’s quiet presence at the edge of the table.
"Oh, god, you’re finally here," Sophie exclaid the mont she spotted him, a mixture of relief and mock exasperation on her face.
"Well, couldn’t be late again," Rex said with a warm smile, sliding into the seat. "Morning, Daisy. Hannah. Elara."
Daisy, the top beauty with that clean, top-student aura, gave a polite nod. Hannah, composed and thoughtful as always, adjusted her glasses slightly. Elara, his quiet, timid desk mate, offered the smallest of smiles before lowering her gaze back to her coffee.
"So," he leaned back, "what’s the plan?"
Hannah tapped her phone screen, her tone just a touch sharper than usual. "We’ve already selected the company. Since... certain soone didn’t respond to our ssages last night." Her eyes flicked to him pointedly.
"Ahem," Rex cleared his throat, feigning innocence. "I, uh, left my phone at ho. Only found it this morning."
Three pairs of eyes landed on him at once. The silence that followed was louder than words. Their looks all said the sa thing—sure you did.
"...What?" Rex raised his hands defensively. "It’s true."
"Mm-hm," Sophie humd, sipping her drink without breaking eye contact.
"Completely believable," Hannah deadpanned.
Even Elara, in a rare show of boldness, murmured softly, "You’re a terrible liar."
Rex froze, then chuckled. "Et tu, Elara?"
She quickly looked away, but he caught the faint curve of her lips.
He gave a sheepish grin and moved on. "So... which company is it?"
"It’s a small, dium-sized studio nad Northstar Studios," Hannah replied.
"Northstar, huh?" Rex leaned back in his chair. "Never heard of it."
"You know how difficult it was to get the chance," Sophie jumped in, leaning forward conspiratorially. "We had to call... what, twenty? Thirty studios? and none of them agreed. We only got this one because—" She glanced around, then dropped her voice. "—we bribed a team leader-level employee."
Rex’s brows rose and his gaze shifted to Daisy. She looked down, clearly embarrassed.
Her cheeks colored slightly as she nodded. "It... wasn’t sothing we wanted to do, but we didn’t have a choice. It’s for the credits."
Rex sat back and exhaled dramatically. "Well, well, well... I didn’t expect you guys to be so bad." He shook his head, mock-serious. "Bribing? Tsk tsk. And here I thought you were model students."
Sophie’s mouth dropped open. "Excuse ? You’re acting like you’ve never done worse!"
"Yeah," Hannah chid in with a small smirk. "Coming from you, that’s rich."
Even Elara, who almost never spoke, muttered, "You would’ve probably bribed the CEO instead."
The table fell silent for a beat — then Sophie burst into laughter. "She’s right! Rex wouldn’t bother with so team leader."
Rex put a hand to his chest. "You wound . Here I am, a humble student, being slandered by my own group."
Daisy gave him a tiny smile. "We’re just stating facts."
Rex turned to her with a mock glare. "I’m starting to regret sitting here. Betrayed on all sides."
"Oh, you’ll live," Hannah said, standing up and picking up her bag. "Now co on. We have an appointnt, and you can redeem your honor by at least pretending to be useful today."
Before they could roast him further, Hannah checked her watch. "Alright, enough. It’s almost ti... we should get going if we want to make the appointnt at Northstar."
Rex sighed dramatically, rising from his seat. "Fine, fine. Lead the way to this mythical Northstar Studios. Let’s see if they’re worth the criminal record you almost got yourselves."
Sophie smirked. "With you around, we’ll probably get the record and the credits."
Rex grinned as they filed out, their playful bickering still lingering in the air as they headed toward the studio.
(End of Chapter)
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