The neon-lit battlefield of NeonStrike pulsed with fierce, electrifying energy, explosions blossoming in fiery bursts above the war-torn cityscape. The setting was futuristic, a dystopian metropolis shattered by relentless warfare—buildings scarred and hollow, streets littered with debris and glowing neon signs flickering intermittently. Digital rain streamed down from a glowering sky, shimmering briefly before dissolving into the pixelated ground. This was the final round before the international semifinals, the crucial match that Charlie had trained for relentlessly, her team "Mixed_Nuts" just moments away from securing their place in Tokyo.

  In her dimly lit room, a stark contrast to the chaos on her screen, Charlie's elegant gaming station hummed quietly, its sleek setup meticulously organized. Her state-of-the-art gaming PC towered beside dual monitors displaying vibrant gameplay and a swiftly scrolling stream chat. The minimalist decor was punctuated by subtle accents reflecting her carefully guarded identity—family heirlooms subtly hinting at her lineage as the youngest daughter of a senior member of the formidable Black Lotus syndicate, San Francisco's most elusive and powerful criminal organization.

  Black Lotus had ruled Chinatown discreetly for decades, renowned for its silent dominance, white-collar crimes, and strategic powerplays hidden behind legitimate businesses. Charlie's father, Jonathan Mak, stood among the organization's upper echelon, respected and feared in equal measure. His sprawling mansion, located in an affluent, gated community overlooking the city, was a testament to his power and influence—a blend of traditional Chinese architecture and modern elegance, an impenetrable fortress of luxury and subtle authority.

  From her headset, Ollie's steady voice cut through the frenzied digital gunfire, composed even amidst virtual warfare. "We've got two teams coming through round back."

  "Order coming right up!" Charlie quipped confidently, her voice slicing effortlessly above the chaos. Instinctively, she flicked her mouse, her avatar firing rapidly, instantly eliminating two enemy players. The stream chat erupted with exhilaration, flooding her screen with praise:

  [Great shots Charlie!]

  [That's our scorched_almond!]

  [she's so ?? when she's in kill mode]

  "If you guys can spare a moment, Ollie and I could use some help right now—" Emi chirped, voice bright and bubbly before shifting sharply into a burst of creative profanity. Gunshots flared brightly, the digital counters spiraling downward.

  "On my way!" Niko's voice crackled, energetic and eager. "Just cleaning up. Warnut, you asleep or something?"

  Charlie caught a blur at the corner of her screen, instantly recognizing the short, wiry character topped with vivid blue hair—Warnut. He moved with surgical precision, gunshots snapping out like lightning strikes, swiftly eliminating four opponents. Bright red font hovered unmistakably above him.

  "I am not asleep," Jazz replied coolly, his tone unperturbed amid the chaos.

  Charlie's own character surged ahead—a streamlined avatar reflecting her gaming persona: fierce, fast, and uncompromising. With her shaved head and striking neon-pink eyepatch, the character moved fluidly through enemy fire, bullets deflecting harmlessly as she closed in on the opposition. Her skill had earned her a devoted international fanbase, followers captivated by her aggressive, strategic gameplay and magnetic charisma.

  "Twenty bucks says I finish this in ten minutes," Niko boasted playfully, his tattoo-covered character appearing beside hers.

  "Ah, the delusion is strong today, Niko," Emi laughed.

  Charlie smirked silently. Ten minutes was too generous—she had already mapped out the enemies' critical weaknesses. Spotting an overlooked sniper nestled in a distant watchtower, she dispatched him instantly, clearing a crucial path.

  Ollie quickly outlined their tactical plan, his voice calm and authoritative, but Charlie interrupted swiftly, urgency evident. "Sorry team, fuck that! I gotta be offline in two minutes."

  The team exploded simultaneously in disbelief. "WHAT?!"

  "Ooh! Is it a hot date?!" Emi teased gleefully, the streaming chat erupting into playful speculation.

  [nooo! Not my scorched almond]

  [no man deserves our queen]

  [can I have a date, Charlie?]

  Charlie rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. "Family thing." Her fingers moved with blinding speed, commands flying as her character soared gracefully through the air, bouncing agilely from rooftops to abandonedo vehicles. Her trajectory was erratic, impossible for enemies to anticipate or counter.

  Gunshots crackled rhythmically:

  Click click click—Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Click click click—Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Opponent after opponent fell amid curses and disbelief streaming through the in-game chat. Charlie's fans cheered frantically, emojis blooming explosively.

  "Jesus! Charlie is on fire!" Niko cheered exuberantly.

  "Leave some for the rest of us, will you?" Ollie added warmly.

  Charlie laughed brightly, exhilarated by the victory but acutely aware of the ticking clock. "Not tonight guys. Dad will kill me."

  The last few players went down swiftly beneath Niko and Jazz's coordinated assault.

  GAME OVER.

  WINNER: Mixed_Nuts!

  Cheers and triumphant exclamations filled her headphones, Emi and Ollie's voices brimming with pride and excitement.

  Charlie waved enthusiastically to her fans, ending the stream amidst a flurry of affectionate messages.

  [we love you, Almond!!]

  [marry me!]

  [u guys are gonna kill it this year!]

  As the vibrant screens faded, Charlie's room returned to quiet serenity, soft lamplight illuminating polished mahogany shelves lined meticulously with books, elegant trinkets, and discreet family heirlooms—silent reminders of her dual life.

  The door clicked open softly, revealing Louisa, perfectly poised and stunning in a pale cream silk dress that fell gracefully to her knees. Her dark hair was elegantly twisted up, revealing delicate pearl earrings that caught the gentle lamplight. Louisa radiated quiet sophistication, her gentle aura a striking contrast to the adrenaline-filled victory Charlie had just experienced.

  "Charlie! You're not even dressed?" Louisa's delicate brows furrowed gently. Her voice was soft, barely disturbing the room's calm ambiance.

  "I know! I know!" Without hesitation, Charlie shed her casual gaming clothes, energy from the game still buzzing through her veins.

  Louisa grabbed the pale yellow halter dress hanging by the door, handing it over smoothly. "Where are your shoes?" she asked, casting a critical yet fond glance around the softly lit, slightly messy room.

  "Closet, left, somewhere on the floor. Just grab whichever."

  Louisa sighed softly, moving gracefully across the plush carpet. With practiced ease, she retrieved matching heels from among scattered sneakers and boots, returning quickly to her sister's side. "Hurry up. Dad is already downstairs, and half the guests are here."

  Louisa drifted out of the room as swiftly and elegantly as she'd entered, leaving behind a lingering perfume, soft and delicate—worlds apart from the adrenaline and gunpowder Charlie's senses had been drenched in moments before.

  Charlie glanced fleetingly at the mirror, noting her slightly disheveled hair falling in loose waves, framing her flushed cheeks. Her makeup, leftover from streaming, still held up decently. The dress fit comfortably, its smooth fabric cooling her heated skin. Good enough.

  Tonight was about Louisa anyway, she reminded herself firmly. She was simply supporting cast, the dutiful younger sister. She took a slow, calming breath, slipping easily into her polished persona—the ideal daughter.

  Descending the softly illuminated staircase toward the grand hall, elegant and poised, Charlie mentally braced herself. Black Lotus' senior members and their impeccably polite families awaited downstairs. Her father's expectations pressed heavily against her shoulders, an unspoken demand for perfection tonight.

  Tonight had to be flawless. She needed leverage—something to hold triumphantly over her father when she made her request tomorrow.

  With determined resolve, she stepped forward confidently into the glamorous yet suffocating world awaiting her downstairs.

  Tonight she would be flawless, even if the effort crushed her.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  The servers moved quietly around the hall of the Mak family's sprawling estate, placing dish after dish of expensive-looking food on the tables. Lobster drenched in sauces, plates stacked with stir-fried vegetables and meat, crispy roast pork, and glossy ducks filled every corner of the multiple round banquet tables distributed in the hall. The smell was enticing, but Eddie wasn't hungry.

  He sat back in his chair, barely touching his wine, eyes fixed across the large hall toward the main table. His fiancée, Charlie Mak, was seated there, politely nodding as some older woman Eddie didn't recognize talked her ear off—probably one of Louisa's future in-laws.

  Charlie wore a pale yellow dress that hugged her figure nicely, her pale skin practically glowing beneath the soft lights. Eddie's gaze lingered on her dark eyes, the subtle movements of her fingers as she picked at her food, and the soft waves of black hair cascading around her shoulders. Someone called her name, and she turned her head, causing that hair to shift smoothly, sliding over her bare shoulder. Eddie's fingers twitched involuntarily, imagining the feel of that hair between his fingers, imagining pulling her closer, tasting those lips he'd only watched from afar.

  He hadn't thought about her much until recently. The marriage arrangement had originally been between him and Louisa—the older sister, pretty and proper but painfully dull. Eddie never complained; it was all business anyway, a strategic union between two powerful families.

  As Richard Leung's only child, Eddie had spent his life surrounded by the harsh realities of his father's business. Gambling dens, back rooms filled with smoke and whispered deals, and tough, dangerous men were his playground. His father, a senior member of the Black Lotus syndicate, had built an empire from the shadows, expanding his influence alongside Jonathan Mak. Eddie's mother had drifted out of his life early, superficial and uninterested. Eddie had learned to expect little from people.

  When Louisa had found herself a rich tycoon's son from Hong Kong, their fathers casually shifted the arrangement to Charlie, the younger sister. Eddie couldn't care less about the details, but he hadn't forgotten the night two years earlier when he first noticed Charlie Mak.

  It was another Black Lotus banquet, held in a fancy function center, decorated with elaborate chandeliers and silky drapes—overly extravagant and mind-numbingly boring. Eddie had slipped away from the main hall, searching for some quiet. Walking down a dim corridor, he'd heard something that instantly caught his attention—a young woman's voice swearing like crazy, vividly enough to surprise even him.

  Amused, he'd quietly approached the partially open door and peered inside. Sitting cross-legged on the floor in a sleek pale-green gown, seventeen year old Charlie Mak stared at a laptop screen, fingers hammering the keys aggressively. Digital gunfire echoed faintly through her headphones.

  "No, don't fucking go that way, you idiot!" she snapped angrily, eyes flashing. "I said go to the left! Oh, you—" She launched into a stream of profanity that impressed Eddie.

  Footsteps approached, and Eddie quickly ducked out of sight, just as Louisa Mak appeared, annoyance clear on her face. Louisa opened the door sharply, whispering angrily, "Charlie! Dad is going to kill you if he finds you here—and how did you even get your laptop here without him knowing?!"

  Charlie didn't look up, intensely focused on her screen. "Just a sec, Lou, we're about to blow this wide open—"

  Louisa snapped the laptop shut. "Now, Charlie!" she hissed.

  Charlie glared up at her sister, clearly furious, but bit her tongue. Eddie watched silently as she reluctantly stood, brushing herself off, and followed Louisa out of the room, muttering under her breath.

  Yeah, the younger Mak sister was definitely the interesting one.

  Now, sitting here watching her pretend to be the perfect daughter, Eddie felt a thrill of anticipation. Marrying Charlie had become far more appealing than any business deal. This was going to be fun.

  Then Charlie stood up. Eddie watched her say something to the woman before politely stepping back. Reading people was easy for Eddie, and he could tell from the tenseness in her shoulders, she was at her limit. She needed a break.

  He let his eyes fall on one of his father's men behind him, dressed in their usual black suit—pretty much a standard uniform for Black Lotus at these events.

  "You," he said firmly. The young man beside him turned, ready to listen. "Give me your clothes."

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  Charlie stepped out onto the secluded balcony, the cool night air immediately washing over her, sharp and refreshing compared to the suffocating atmosphere inside. She glanced around, relieved to find the area empty. From this vantage point, she could see her father's meticulously maintained gardens sprawling beneath her, illuminated softly by hidden lights nestled among the plants. Beyond the gardens, the San Francisco skyline glittered in the distance, city lights shimmering against the dark sky.

  With an exhausted sigh, she kicked off her heels, the shoes landing haphazardly beside her. Charlie rolled her neck slowly, trying to release the tension from enduring Louisa's future mother-in-law. Listening to that woman's endless bragging had tested the limits of her patience.

  "Jesus fucking Christ," she breathed out, savoring the rare moment of solitude.

  "You're not supposed to be here," came a sudden, calm voice from behind her.

  Charlie spun around quickly, startled. A young man stepped from the shadows, his figure sharply outlined by the ambient glow from the windows. He was a few years older than her, tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair swept back neatly, framing a handsome but carefully neutral face. His black suit was typical of Black Lotus men, and a discreet earpiece in his ear indicated his role as security for tonight's event.

  Charlie frowned slightly, studying him. She didn't recognize him—he must have been one of the security personnel brought in by another Black Lotus senior.

  "It's fine," she said dismissively, gesturing casually around her. "It's my house."

  "I'm aware, Miss Mak," he replied evenly, a faint hint of amusement coloring his voice. "But isn't it dangerous to be alone here?"

  Charlie scoffed, folding her arms defensively. "Dude, this is the house of Jonathan Mak. The place is swarming with Black Lotus. There's no safer place on earth for me right now."

  The young man stepped closer. "Not everyone in Black Lotus might be a friend."

  The quiet warning sent an involuntary chill down her spine. She realized abruptly that he was right—she was entirely alone with a stranger, and a suit didn't necessarily mean he was trustworthy or even genuinely affiliated with Black Lotus.

  Her expression hardened as she took a cautious step back, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

  He immediately raised both hands in a gesture of harmlessness, a genuine laugh escaping him. "I'm half kidding," he reassured her quickly, his voice warmer now. "But you see my point about you not supposed to be here."

  Charlie didn't relax, keeping her voice firm and unwavering. "You leave, and then I'll leave."

  He shrugged smoothly, stepping back into the shadows once more. "Can do, Miss Mak. You have a good night."

  Charlie watched him closely until he vanished around the corner. She stayed still for a few more moments, her skin prickling from the cold and lingering unease. Finally, she picked up her shoes and reentered the hallway cautiously, gripping her heels as if they could double as weapons.

  The familiar staff nodded respectfully as she passed, their curious eyes flicking briefly to her shoes before politely averting their gaze.

  With a sigh, Charlie slipped her heels back on and straightened her posture. She shook off the unsettling encounter, rolling her eyes in irritation.

  "Weird fucking guy," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. What a creep.

  She sincerely hoped she'd never see him again.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Though, annoyingly, a small voice in the back of her mind noted, he was kind of cute.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  In the end, Charlie didn't manage to get into bed until 1am.

  Used to late nights, this wouldn't have been a problem except she felt like her cheeks had sprained themselves in keeping that stupid placid smile in place for so many hours.

  When she woke up at 8 the following morning, her head throbbed as if she were hungover.

  But there was no time to feel sorry for herself.

  Everything she did last night—every fake laugh, every feigned interested "ah, really?", every stupid conversation she sat through—had led up to this morning.

  She made her way downstairs to the dining room. Her father, Jonathan Mak, sat at the head of the long polished mahogany table. His hair was greying at the temples, cut short and neat, his broad shoulders straight beneath a crisp white shirt. Even older, he retained an aura of strength and command, cutting a silhouette that hinted at the formidable young man he once had been.

  "Morning, Baba," Charlie greeted warmly, using the Cantonese term for 'Dad' as she delivered a sweet peck on his cheek and took her seat beside him.

  The staff immediately set down her usual coffee and toast. "Thanks, Aunty Claire," Charlie smiled. The older woman, who had watched her grow up, smiled fondly back and returned to the kitchen.

  Jonathan's brow arched slightly at the affectionate tone. "What is it?" he asked evenly, sipping his coffee and scrolling through the news on his iPad.

  Charlie grinned. There was never a need for preamble with her father. "I wanna go to Tokyo this year for the NeonStrike finals."

  "No," Jonathan replied immediately, eyes barely lifting from his screen.

  "What? Why? I was so good at dinner last night! Didn't you hear all of Louisa's new family rave about me?!" Charlie protested.

  "That's your duty to your sister. You're supposed to do that."

  "Dad," Charlie insisted, voice edging toward pleading, "be reasonable. I've been nothing but agreeable and obedient this whole year, and you did say you'd think about it."

  Jonathan sighed but said nothing, continuing to read.

  Charlie reached out, tugging gently at his sleeve. "Dad, please? In two years, I'll be married and won't be able to do any of this stuff for real. I just want to go to this competition, just this once. Can't I?"

  Jonathan remained silent, but Charlie could see his expression soften slightly. She knew he would miss her when she left home.

  It was the perfect moment to land a cheap—but undoubtedly effective—shot.

  "Mom would have wanted me to at least try. She always encouraged my streaming."

  It might as well have been a bullet.

  A pang of guilt came and went as Charlie watched her father's shoulders sag in defeat. He cast a reproachful look at her.

  "That was a low blow, Charlotte."

  Her full name. She winced slightly. "...but did it work?"

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jonathan tried to ease the growing ache between his temples. His younger daughter had always been the tougher one to manage, yet she had a valid point. Ever since informing her that she would marry Edward Leung instead of her sister, Charlie had been surprisingly cooperative. The only condition she'd insisted on was that the wedding not take place until she turned twenty-one. She wanted to stream just a bit longer.

  And his late wife truly had encouraged Charlie's streaming dreams. Jonathan knew that if Evelyn were still alive, she would have boarded the flight alongside their daughter, sitting front row and cheering her on.

  The thought twisted painfully in his heart, and he involuntarily glanced at Evelyn's empty seat at the table.

  "Fine, you can go," he conceded quietly.

  Charlie let out a loud whoop, startling one of the nearby staff.

  "But," Jonathan interjected firmly, "you have to bring some of the guys along for protection."

  Charlie's face fell instantly. "What? No! Why? I can't just show up to the competition with my own security detail. That's going to be weird."

  Jonathan's voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Security or no trip."

  "It's a gaming competition, Dad," she objected. "The most dangerous thing there is going to be an over-consumption of junk food!"

  The argument continued stubbornly for several minutes, each side pushing back equally hard.

  Finally, Jonathan raised his hand decisively, voice sharp. "You bring one guy—that I choose—and he stays beside you twenty-four seven, or I swear you are not even leaving your room!"

  Charlie hesitated, but she could work with that compromise. "Deal!"

  Jonathan struggled to suppress a smirk as his younger daughter triumphantly threw her arms around him, quickly digging into her breakfast afterward.

  The silly girl was still young enough not to realize she'd walked straight into a trap of her own making.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  Charlie's fingers flew excitedly across the keyboard as she logged onto their group chat.

  [Charlie: i have news]

  [Emi: you met a gorgeous man at the party and finally slept with someone]

  Charlie blushed furiously at the message. Emi was always like that—too blunt, no filter. Annoyingly, Emi was also the only one in the group who knew something like that would never be possible for Charlie.

  They had been friends since high school, meeting online through NeonStrike. Charlie didn't have many friends at her private school. Either she had nothing in common with the other girls or they were wary of her because of her father's reputation.

  But Emi was different. Emi only cared that Charlie was stupidly obsessed with NeonStrike—just like her. They skipped class together to meet up at Internet cafés. Eventually, Charlie had reluctantly shared her background.

  Emi had leaned across the café table, eyes wide, and asked, "So your dad is like the Godfather, but Asian?"

  "Yes, without the cotton balls in his mouth," Charlie replied dryly.

  "Ah, damn, that was the only interesting part."

  And that was it. Emi gave no shits, and the friendship became unbreakable.

  It had been Emi who invited her into their gaming group. But they had tactfully agreed to keep the truth about Charlie's family background hidden. Emi was sure the others would freak out—especially Niko, who was basically a human embodiment of a nervous tick.

  Emi was also the first person Charlie called when she learned she would be marrying Edward Leung instead of her sister. Emi understood Charlie could never have a normal love life—no dating, no overanalyzing texts, no blushing at friends dissecting romantic dinners.

  That said, Emi had insisted two years was plenty of time to have fun, but Charlie had shaken her head.

  What was the point?

  Besides, the only person she had ever had even the faintest of feelings for was Ollie, and Charlie knew that was a pipe dream.

  Ollie was one of the most popular guys at Emi's school. A rare combination of nerd and jock, he was an all-around green flag. And Charlie? She was loud, brash, quick-tempered, a streamer who yelled profanities with a mouthful of roasted almonds whenever a game got too stressful.

  Yeah, somehow Charlie didn't see that happening—even without considering her father's deadly reputation in San Francisco.

  Charlie shook her head to clear her thoughts and continued typing.

  [Charlie: fuck no. i meant i got the all clear to come to Tokyo this year]

  [Emi: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!]

  [Niko: NO FUCKING WAYYY!!]

  [Jazz: ??]

  [Ollie:WOO! great news, Charles!!!! Glad to hear it!]

  Charlie grinned broadly. This trip was going to change her life. She could feel it in her bones.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  The staff helped Charlie load her luggage into the sleek black car, carefully arranging her suitcase and carry-on items with practiced efficiency. Jonathan stood rigid by the grand doorway, his expression unusually tense, a stark contrast to his normally composed demeanor. It was clear he was deeply uncomfortable with letting his youngest daughter leave his watchful gaze for this long.

  Beside him, Louisa rested a comforting hand gently on his arm, offering a reassuring presence. "It'll be okay, Baba," she murmured softly, her voice steady and calm.

  Charlie bounded up to her father, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce, affectionate hug. Jonathan's stiffness melted slightly, and he returned the embrace firmly, patting her back as if trying to imprint the protective gesture into his memory.

  "Don't worry, Baba, I'll be home soon," Charlie reassured him brightly.

  Jonathan didn't reply, but his expression softened marginally, a reluctant acceptance visible in his eyes.

  Charlie stepped back from her father and immediately embraced Louisa, squeezing her older sister tightly.

  "Be careful, okay?" Louisa said warmly, brushing Charlie's hair lightly away from her face with sisterly affection.

  "I will," Charlie grinned, feeling excitement bubble up inside her.

  Jonathan cleared his throat, regaining his usual stern composure. "The man I've assigned to you is already in the car," he announced firmly, his eyes drilling into Charlie's to emphasize his seriousness. "Twenty-four seven," he reminded her pointedly. "If you so much as try to leave his side, I'll have him drag you home and lock you up until you're fifty."

  Charlie laughed lightly, brushing off the threat with playful confidence. "I know, I know. I'll be good, I promise."

  As she climbed into the plush interior of the luxury car, the doors gently closed behind her with a satisfying thud. Charlie waved cheerfully at Jonathan and Louisa, watching them grow smaller as the car smoothly pulled away from the house. Immediately, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to their group chat.

  [Charlie: on my way!!!! See u guys at the airport!]

  [Emi: this trip is gonna be SO AWESOME!!]

  Charlie leaned back into the soft leather seat, smiling contentedly as she savored the first real taste of freedom she'd felt in ages. But the feeling was short-lived when she opened her eyes, catching sight of the man seated casually across from her.

  "Good to see you again, Miss Mak," he drawled, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, eyes glinting with amusement.

  It was the man from the balcony.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  Eddie watched Charlie's eyes widen in shocked recognition, and he couldn't suppress the slight curl of his lips at her reaction.

  "You!" Charlie spluttered. "Who the hell are you? I expected one of dad's regular guys."

  "Alex Lau," Eddie lied smoothly. "It's nice to finally properly meet you, Miss Mak."

  Charlie groaned, pressing her face into her palms. Eddie found himself resisting the urge to chuckle—she was pretty adorable when flustered. He casually leaned back, enjoying the brief spectacle of her obvious distress.

  "If you're not happy with the choice we can always turn back," Eddie offered nonchalantly, pausing a calculated moment before continuing, "though it'll probably take a while to find a replacement and you might miss your flight."

  Her head snapped up, panic flickering across her features. Eddie softened his posture slightly—teasing her was entertaining, but pushing her too far wouldn't win him any points. Yet.

  "Look, Miss Mak, I think we started off on the wrong foot," he said evenly.

  Charlie eyed him warily but stayed silent.

  "I honestly just wanted to let you know it was safer inside with everyone else that night—I'm sorry if it came off weird." He held out his hand in a gesture of truce. "Can we start over?"

  Charlie hesitated, visibly conflicted. Eddie waited patiently, amused by the internal struggle clearly carved across her expressive face. Finally, she sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose in obvious frustration before grudgingly reaching out to shake his hand.

  "Fine," she conceded flatly, "but you have to stop being creepy."

  Eddie smiled warmly, savoring the feel of her delicate hand in his, the moment far too brief. Her wary nature was endearing, yet troublingly insufficient. Had Jonathan Mak kept her so sheltered that she'd shake hands with anyone offering a smile and apology? Eddie made a mental note to address this later—after all, he'd be the one responsible for keeping her safe.

  He cleared his throat quietly, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes. One more confession. He figured this one was going to be extra fun.

  "In the spirit of being honest," he began casually.

  Her gaze instantly snapped back, guarded suspicion returning swiftly.

  "We've actually met before," he continued, deliberately ambiguous.

  Charlie frowned, obviously confused. "I know," she said flatly, eyes narrowing slightly, "the balcony."

  Eddie grinned sheepishly, the warmth in his expression genuine for once. "Not quite what I meant. See, I'm a bit of a fan."

  "Oh," Charlie's expression shifted, suddenly awkward. "You mean you've commented while I stream or something?"

  "Kind of," Eddie admitted lightly. "I'm actually part of your fan club."

  Charlie's brows knitted together, uncertainty clouding her eyes. "Okay..."

  Eddie paused for effect, savoring her growing apprehension. He wondered how this next revelation would land. Would she blush furiously or recoil in horror? Either way, the reaction would be worth it.

  "You might not remember me. My handle is Almond Lover."

  Charlie's phone slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the seat.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  Alex hesitated, then reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out his phone. With a quick swipe, he opened Discord and held it out toward Charlie, screen bright and incriminating.

  Charlie squinted suspiciously, her eyes scanning the familiar interface—her fan club Discord server, and right there, at the top.

  Almond Lover.

  The name rang in Charlie's head like an alarm.

  No.

  This fan had been with her for almost two years. When her streaming took off, Charlie quickly found herself overwhelmed, struggling to manage emails, letters, and gifts from fans. Almond Lover, the president of her fan club, had stepped in effortlessly, becoming her virtual assistant and trusted confidante.

  Charlie's face drained of color as memories flooded her mind—late-night chats, shared inside jokes, even embarrassing conversations about her period.

  Oh my god.

  "You're not a woman!" she blurted out.

  Alex looked at her, clearly holding back laughter, his eyes dancing mischievously.

  "You're not a woman!" Charlie repeated, horrified.

  Almond Lover had become one of her closest online friends—someone she spoke with almost as freely as she did Emi. Their conversations replayed in her mind in rapid, humiliating succession. Anime. Boy bands.

  Fuck.

  —Even her favourite smutty mangas.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

  "You're a stalker!" she accused, her voice rising.

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Alex said quickly, holding up his hands. "That's a bit harsh."

  "Does my dad know? That you're this crazy fan?" Charlie instinctively leaned back, desperately wanting more distance between them.

  "I don't know. Maybe? Maybe not?" Alex looked genuinely uncertain, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I didn't mean to make this weird—"

  "How could this not be weird?!" Charlie exclaimed sharply, feeling cornered. "We've talked about all this s-stuff!" She waved her arms emphatically. "I even—we even—" Her face burned, and she couldn't finish the sentence. Her heartbeat quickened painfully, embarrassment making her feel dizzy.

  How could she be so stupid?

  Yet, a nagging voice at the back of her mind pointed out—Almond Lover had never explicitly lied about being a woman. Charlie had simply assumed because their conversations had been so sensitive and supportive. Honestly, she realised she was kind of sexist.

  "Look, I get that this is a bit shocking," Alex said softly, his voice surprisingly gentle, "but honestly, there's nothing to worry about."

  "Easy for you to say!" Charlie snapped defensively, folding her arms tightly around herself.

  "I never thought of our chats as anything more than conversations between friends," Alex continued calmly, sounding annoyingly reasonable. "I only wanted to tell you because I didn't want you to find out later and think I was hiding it from you."

  Charlie groaned, frustration and confusion warring inside her. Alex was making irritatingly valid points, and she knew it.

  Alex leaned down, picking up the phone she'd dropped. He held it out to her carefully, his eyes gentle, almost apologetic. Without thinking, Charlie reached for it, and their fingers brushed briefly.

  It was like an electric shock jolted through her. Her pulse quickened, and she jerked her hand back, clutching her phone tightly. Her cheeks flushed deeply.

  Alex seemed momentarily startled, then a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. Charlie scowled, turning her face pointedly towards the window.

  The rest of the ride proceeded in silence. Charlie's embarrassment slowly gave way to nervous anticipation as they pulled into the bustling airport terminal. The awkward tension lingered thickly between them, but she stubbornly refused to look at Alex again.

  Yet, despite her annoyance, her fingers still tingled slightly where they had touched his, and her heart refused to slow.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  As they approached the bustling check-in counters of San Francisco International Airport, Emi suddenly appeared, waving energetically. Her long brown hair was neatly braided down her back, bouncing behind her as she jogged forward, dragging her bright, oversized suitcase behind her. Emi's petite frame was comfortably tucked into a cozy hoodie and loose pants, perfectly ready for their flight ahead.

  She threw her arms around Charlie enthusiastically, squeezing tightly before noticing the tall, composed figure standing quietly by Charlie's side.

  "Emi, this is Alex," Charlie introduced with clear reluctance, casting a wary sideways glance at him.

  Emi's eyes openly assessed Alex, curiosity mingling with approval as she tilted her head playfully. "This is the guy your dad sent to protect you?" she asked, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Jeez, maybe I should join Black Lotus."

  Charlie glared sharply at her friend, cheeks heating up slightly, but Alex laughed easily, extending his hand with practiced charm. "Nice to meet you."

  Emi shook his hand coyly, dimples appearing as she smiled mischievously. "I'm Emi. Nice to meet you, too."

  Their exchange was interrupted by a familiar grumble approaching rapidly. "There you guys are!"

  Niko stomped toward them, as wiry and disgruntled as ever, looking like a stiff breeze could set off his anxious mood. Jazz trailed quietly behind him, towering awkwardly and offering a shy wave. Last was Ollie, neatly dressed and effortlessly stylish, his warm eyes brightening when they landed on Charlie.

  "Took you guys long enough," Niko muttered, scowling. "These guys wouldn't check in until they saw you. Can we go now?"

  "We still have three hours until the flight," Jazz said softly, voice calm and soothing, though Niko only looked more stressed.

  "You say that, yet my blood pressure isn't going down," Niko snapped anxiously.

  Ollie stepped forward, offering Emi a quick, friendly hug before turning to Charlie. As he hugged her, Charlie felt warmth rise in her cheeks again, heart racing slightly. "Good to see you in the flesh, Charles," he greeted gently, voice familiar and comforting.

  Behind her, Alex visibly tensed, eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the exchange closely.

  Ollie's curious gaze drifted toward Alex. "This is...?"

  Alex began confidently, extending his hand, but Charlie quickly interrupted, her tone sharp. "He's my cousin!"

  Alex paused, a brow arching slightly at her outburst, lips twitching into an amused smirk. He smoothly picked up her lie without hesitation. "Alex, her distant cousin."

  "Oh," Ollie responded after a brief pause, recovering swiftly and shaking Alex's hand. "Nice to meet you, Alex. I'm Oliver."

  Charlie quickly redirected the conversation, introducing the others hurriedly. "This is Niko, and Jazz."

  Jazz glanced curiously at Alex's luggage. "Are you coming too?"

  "Charlie's dad asked me to tag along," Alex explained casually, offering no further details.

  Charlie shifted nervously, eager to change the topic, and Emi, catching her discomfort, quickly intervened. "Let's check in, yeah?" Emi winked knowingly at Charlie.

  Niko eagerly led the way toward the counters, grumbling anxiously about time management, with Jazz following calmly behind. Ollie gave Charlie a reassuring smile before following Emi toward check-in.

  Charlie jolted slightly as Alex leaned closer, his breath brushing softly near her ear. "Well, that was interesting," he murmured, voice teasing and low, amusement evident.

  Charlie flushed, stepping away abruptly and glaring defensively. "Just so you know, only Emi knows about my family," she snapped, voice sharper than intended due to embarrassment. "So keep your mouth shut."

  Alex merely shrugged, unbothered, and offered her an amused grin. "Whatever you say, Miss Mak." With an exaggerated gesture toward the check-in counters, he bowed slightly, his eyes playful and challenging. "Shall we?"

  Rolling her eyes, Charlie strode past him. Alex quickly caught up, falling into step beside her.

  They approached the counters together, and Charlie stole a quick sideways glance at him, her pulse calming slightly. Her dream trip was certainly more complicated now.

  ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

  Eddie settled into his seat on the flight, scanning his surroundings casually but thoroughly. Beside him, Charlie was preoccupied, fiddling with the in-flight entertainment screen while chatting animatedly with Emi seated on her other side. The three young men he'd met earlier sat directly ahead, talking quietly among themselves. The cabin bustled with passengers settling in for the long flight from San Francisco to Tokyo—a solid twelve hours, with an added day lost due to the time difference.

  From his quick survey, Eddie found no immediate threats, though being this far from his weapons put him slightly on edge. He had arranged for his gear to be waiting at the hotel upon their arrival, but until then, he'd need to stay alert. Despite Jonathan Mak's intention for this trip as a chance to bond with his daughter, Eddie took the security aspect seriously. Charlie, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious, excitedly scrolling through the in-flight menu, likely experiencing her first taste of freedom without her father or sister with her.

  The takeoff was smooth, uneventful, and once the seatbelt signs dimmed, Eddie allowed himself to relax slightly, though his attention remained subtly alert. He glanced briefly toward Oliver, seated ahead. Eddie hadn't missed the blush that lit Charlie's face earlier when Oliver hugged her. It irritated him, even if he recognized his own hypocrisy. Eddie had his fair share of casual encounters, never serious, always knowing marriage was arranged for him. But Oliver's open warmth toward Charlie grated on his nerves. The friendly demeanor, easy smiles, and that ridiculous nickname—Charles—annoyed him more than he'd admit.

  His intel indicated Charlie had never dated, but what if they were wrong?

  "So this is why people joke about 'chicken or fish'," Charlie muttered quietly to herself, eyes glued to the menu.

  Eddie's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Overwhelmed by the choices?"

  She flushed defensively. "No."

  Emi leaned over, eyes sparkling with curiosity and mischief—a combination Eddie instantly recognized as trouble. The good kind.

  "So, Alex," Emi began, "will you be staying at the same hotel as us?"

  "Of course," Eddie responded smoothly, his gaze sliding to Charlie. "I'll be staying with Charlie, actually."

  Charlie nearly choked. "What?!"

  Ahead, Oliver's shoulders visibly tensed. Eddie felt a small, wicked satisfaction.

  "Didn't your dad tell you?" Eddie feigned innocence, though his eyes showed amusement. "Twenty-four-seven," he repeated meaningfully, "he wants me to keep an eye on you at all times."

  "Oh, for fuck's sake," Charlie muttered under her breath.

  Eddie grinned openly.

  The flight attendants began distributing snacks and drinks, breaking the momentary tension. Charlie accepted hers eagerly, eyes lighting up when she spotted the roasted almonds. Without hesitation, Eddie casually dropped his own packet onto her tray table.

  Her eyes darted up, surprised.

  He shrugged lightly, offering a small, easy smile. To his quiet delight, Charlie flushed again, silently accepting the almonds without another word.