Mason sighed heavily, dragging a hand through his hair as he turned—only to meet Zara's sharp, cold gaze paired with a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes. Beside her, Ethan stood still and composed, his face void of emotion like a frozen lake in winter.
Catching Zara's inquisitive look, Mason mouthed, "Later." Zara offered the smallest of nods, a barely-there smile tugging at the corners of her lips before she turned gracefully toward Vivienne.
"Hello, Ms. Vivienne. It's nice to meet you," she said, her tone a curious blend of formal politeness and subtle warmth.
The soft and cool voice brought Vivienne's attention sharply to the speaker. As her gaze landed on Zara—on the flawless skin, the poised elegance, and those commanding eyes—Vivienne froze. She had seen the girl from a distance earlier, but now, up close, Zara was breathtaking in a way that made comparison futile. Words refused to come.
Zara tilted her head ever so slightly, raising an eyebrow at the silence. Still, Vivienne seemed lost in a trance.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. The intense way Vivienne looked at Zara didn't sit right with him. Clearing his throat sharply, his eyes turned arctic cold—so much so that even Mason subconsciously tensed beside him.
Mason lightly shook Vivienne's shoulder and called gently, "Vivienne…"
She blinked, startled, returning abruptly to reality. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she realized she had been staring.
Not missing a beat, Mason smirked and gestured toward Zara. "Lia greeted you, Vivienne."
"Lia?" Vivienne echoed, blinking in confusion as she turned toward Mason.
He chuckled. "I mean Luna. Lia's her nickname."
"Oh." Vivienne nodded in understanding and turned to Zara with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Miss Luna. I was… thinking about something. Anyway, nice to meet you too. Let's not be formal—you can call me Vivienne."
Zara said with a composed nod. "You can call me Luna as well, Vivienne."
As introductions settled, Mason turned toward Vivienne again, asking casually, "So, how's the business going, dar—"
He didn't even get to finish. Pain flashed across his face as he hissed and nearly doubled over—Vivienne had stomped on his foot. Hard.
Mason's face twisted into a blend of surprise, pain, and comedic disbelief, everything except anger.
Across the table, Zara raised a brow in amusement. Ethan, seeing Mason's misery, gave a sarcastic smirk, his voice low and laced with cold mockery. "You're in no better situation, Mason."
Mason shot him a glare, instantly catching the deeper meaning behind Ethan's words. Ethan merely arched an eyebrow, that same impassive expression daring Mason to object.
Zara chuckled softly. She understood exactly where this was heading. But Vivienne, utterly lost in the cryptic exchange and startled by Ethan's icy aura, chose to stay silent. She didn't dare probe further.
Soon, the waiter arrived, carrying a feast of signature dishes and drinks, setting them neatly across the table.
Mason's face lit up. "Lia, try these dishes! Everything here is a specialty."
Zara nodded, but before she could pick up her fork, Ethan was already serving food onto her plate with quiet familiarity.
She said nothing—this had become routine over their past few dinners together.
As the meal began, Ethan and Zara sat with the same quiet, poised expressions. Their silence wasn't awkward—it was calm, composed, comforting in a strange way. Ethan's cold gaze mirrored Zara's, though hers held a slight, gentle warmth in contrast.
Used to this dynamic, Mason paid them no mind. Instead, he focused his attention completely on Vivienne, offering her bites, engaging her with playful conversation throughout.
Zara eventually looked toward Ethan, noticing the way he kept piling food on her plate. She paused, calm yet visibly confused, and met his eyes. When he looked back, she raised an eyebrow, questioning.
"What happened, Lia?" Ethan asked, his voice surprisingly soft—cold as ever, but with a sliver of warmth peeking through.
"Enough of your service, Mr. Anderson," Zara replied flatly, her tone cool and cutting, completely unbothered by whoever might be watching.
Mason, mid-sip of water, spat it out, jerking his head to the side to avoid spraying anyone.
Wiping his mouth and laughing, he said, "Ethan, you really met your match."
Ethan's gaze snapped to Mason. Glacial. Lethal. Piercing. His eyes held no warmth now, only a bone-deep warning.
Vivienne, catching that stare, shuddered. Her earlier boldness evaporated.
Mason fell silent immediately, swallowing hard.
Zara, after a few more bites, quietly set her fork down and sat in serene silence.
Ethan, noticing she had stopped, leaned in slightly. "Do you need something else?"
Zara turned her head slightly, then shook it.
Ethan nodded and continued eating—but he, too, stopped after only a couple more bites.
Eventually, Mason and Vivienne finished. Mason signaled the waiter and settled the bill.
Turning to Vivienne, Mason asked brightly, "Vivi, are you free?"
She looked at him, puzzled.
"We're planning a night ride. Want to join?" he asked, hopeful.
Vivienne glanced at the others, then back at Mason. "No, I won't come. You guys enjoy. I have some work to do."
"Oh…" Mason's smile dimmed, the light in his eyes flickering out briefly. But he quickly perked back up. "No problem. Let's try another time, yeah?"
Vivienne smiled, stood up, and turned to Zara and Ethan. "Bye."
Zara simply nodded with her usual calm expression. Ethan gave her a cold glance and said nothing.
Vivienne turned to Mason. "Bye, then."
"Byee, Vivi," Mason replied, pouting like a child who'd just lost his favorite toy.
Vivienne chuckled and shook her head. "Don't act like a kid."
With that, she walked away and disappeared into the restaurant.
Still pouting, Mason slumped in his seat.
Ethan turned to Zara with a rare warmth in his voice. "Shall we?"
"Mm." Zara stood gracefully.
Ethan followed, reaching for her hand and holding it gently.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Mason still rooted to the spot. "If you're not coming, then we'll get going," he said coldly.
And with that, he and Zara walked toward the side path that led directly to the front of the restaurant—avoiding the interior completely.
Zara, though silent, looked over her shoulder at Mason and gave him a light smile.
Mason snapped out of his daze, his eyes widening. "Hey! How can you guys do that?! Can't you see I'm sad?" he called out dramatically and jumped to his feet to follow.
As they neared the parking area, Zara suddenly stopped walking.
Sensing her pause, Ethan turned toward her, brows drawing together in confusion. "Lia?"
She looked up at him, then turned to Mason who was catching up.
"Mason," she called calmly.
"Yes, Lia?" he asked, quickening his pace.
Zara raised her hand, palm open. "Keys."
Mason blinked, confused. "What?"
Ethan answered for her. "Car keys."
Finally understanding, Mason fished out his keys and dropped them into Zara's hand.
Without a word, Zara walked toward Mason's car and slid into the driver's seat.
Ethan pulled out his own keys and tossed them at Mason, who caught them reflexively, still baffled.
Moments later, Ethan joined Zara in the passenger seat. The engine roared to life.
Mason stood frozen, then realization hit him like a thunderbolt. "GUYS! WAIT FOR ME!!"
He scrambled toward Ethan's car, jumped in, and hit the ignition, muttering to himself.