A ding~ from the oven jolts Neva out of her daydreams, snapping her back to the present. The sound reminds her just how much time has passed.
She abruptly sets down the novel she'd been engrossed in and hops off the white marble kitchen counter. Slipping on her oven mitts, she quickly clicks the button to stop the cooking cycle. The scent of freshly baked chocolate cookies wafts into the air, tingling her senses.
A soft, satisfied smile curls on her lips.
"I'm back~" a loud, sing-song voice echoes through the apartment.
She stays in the kitchen, placing the hot tray of cookies onto a steel rack to cool. Then gently sets them on the dining table.
"Angel, I'm back!" Rhett beams as he strolls into the kitchen, his smile growing the moment he sees her.
"I see that," Neva says, nodding with a faint smirk.
His gaze lands on the still-steaming cookies.
"They're done?" he asks, glancing back at her. Neva nods. Tossing the grocery bags carelessly to the floor, Rhett makes a beeline for the treats.
Neva narrows her eyes at his eagerness.
He bends over the tray, inhaling deeply. "Mmm… smells amazing."
Just as he curls his fingers to grab one, Neva slaps his hand.
"Ow! Why?!" he exclaims, rubbing his hand.
"They're hot," she warns.
Rhett silently mouths an 'oh' and nods sheepishly. "How long will they take to cool?"
"Soon," she replies, walking toward the scattered groceries.
"Did you bring everything I asked for?" she asks, lifting the bags.
"Yes," he says, nodding quickly. Then whines, "Angel, I can't wait. I need to eat one now!"
"Have patience," she mutters, unpacking items one by one.
From the corner of her eye, she sees him drooling over the cookies like a restless pup. She sighs. Such a foodie. Knowing he might burn his mouth, she picks up one herself.
Rhett watches her every move like a hawk. The cookie's still hot, but she blows on it a few times. Once satisfied, she holds it near his lips.
"A reward," she says softly. "Try it."
His eyes widen in surprise. He leans in and takes the whole piece into his mouth, lips grazing her fingers. A shiver runs down her spine.
He moans in bliss, eyes closing in sheer delight. "Mmm—took me to heaven!"
Neva giggles, turning back to the groceries. "Rhett, where's the rice?"
"Rice? It should be there."
"It's not. I checked thrice!" She glares at him. "What are we supposed to have for dinner?!"
"Did I… forget?" He stares at the ceiling, trying to recall. "Maybe I did. Cookies for dinner, then?" he grins.
Her cheeks puff in irritation. "Go back to the store—or no dinner for you!"
His eyes widen. "No! That's cruel! I'm exhausted. Let's just eat cookies!"
A deep frown etches between her brows.
And so, the unnamed couple begins bickering like a pair of grumpy newlyweds.
"You're getting nothing!" Neva declares, reaching for a jar.
"I'm sorry!" Rhett wails dramatically.
—
After a long debate, Neva decides she'll go.
"Why are you following me now?" she grumbles, adjusting her pink scarf.
"What if something happens? What if bad guys try to kidnap you? You're not scared?" Rhett squints at her.
Truthfully, he just doesn't want to be apart from her.
Neva glances at him, too tired to argue anymore.
---
At the convenience store, Neva inspects different rice packs while Rhett quietly pushes the cart, unusually quiet and alert.
"Do you need anything else?" she asks.
"No. Are you done?"
She nods, but frowns. He seems… distracted. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. If you're done, let's go."
---
Ten minutes later, they arrive at the apartment building. Rhett's suspicions are confirmed—someone has been following them the entire way.
"You go in first. I need to make a call," he says, holding the door open.
"Okay. Don't be long—or the cookies will he gone," she jokes, walking inside.
"No fair!" he calls out, feigning betrayal.
After making sure she's safely inside, Rhett closes the door behind her.
His expression turns grim.
He descends the stairs and heads toward a secluded corner of the compound, where shadows gather thick between the bushes and trees.
From beneath the back of his shirt, he draws a Sig Sauer P365 X Macro Tacops—sleek, compact, lethal.
The matte-black finish swallows the light. Threaded barrel. Extended mag. Suppressor-ready. It's the kind of weapon built for someone who doesn't miss.
"Come out," he says flatly, voice sharp—pistol raised.
He's known since the grocery store.
Someone's been following them.
A tall, shadowy figure steps from the trees, face masked, hood drawn low.
Rhett doesn't flinch. "What do you want?"
His tone is ice. The Sig doesn't waver.
The man slowly pulls down his hood and unmasks himself.
Rhett's brows tighten. With a sigh of irritation, he lowers the pistol.
"Explain, Ace," he says coldly, slipping the weapon back into the waistband of his jeans.
"Damn, Boss—you got a girlfriend? She's hot," Ace smirks, blue eyes twinkling.
With a swift flick, Rhett draws the dagger from his ankle and hurls it at Ace in one fluid motion—fast, silent, deadly.
Ace doesn't flinch.
His hand flashes up, catching the spinning blade by the handle an inch before it impales his face—without so much as tilting his head.
The steel stops cold in his grip.
"Whoa," he mutters, heart pounding beneath his calm exterior. A grin creeps onto his face. "I was just joking! I wouldn't dare steal Leader Czar's woman."
"Don't test me," Rhett growls, deadly serious.
Ace raises both hands. "Elk sent me."
"I'm on leave," he turns to leave.
"It's another team job." Ace quickly reacts. "Elk says if you don't cooperate, we're all fired."
Rhett pauses, back turned, jaw tense.
"Tell that scheming old man to kindly fuck off."
And with that, Rhett turns and walks away, leaving a baffled Ace behind.
Ace sighs, pulling his hood back up. He glances at the apartment once more before leaving.
Hard to believe his cold, aloof leader could not only land a woman—but seem so genuinely smitten. And with someone so… radiant.
He clicks his tongue. There's clearly more to unravel about Czar.
But right now, he needs to mentally prepare—for Elk's wrath will be thunderous.