Inside the car, Luna suddenly realized she was still holding onto Alex's arm. Her cheeks flushed pink as she quickly let go, awkwardly interlocking her fingers on her lap.
"S-Sorry," she murmured, glancing out the window, then back at him with a nervous smile. "Uhh… surprise seeing you here. What were you doing there?"
Alex, eyes on the road, chuckled lightly. "Came with a friend. You know, the guy currently in the backseat with your abandoned friend."
Luna turned to him sharply. "Hey! I didn't abandon her. That's your fault—everything happened so fast, I'm still processing it."
"Uh-huh," Alex said with a smirk. "And what about your friend? She seemed pretty… salty. Even I could hear it, and I swear I wasn't eavesdropping."
Luna let out a dramatic sigh and leaned her head back. "Let's just say… some people don't even like it when you're just breathing near them. We never really got along. She and I—just not compatible, I guess. And honestly, we were never close. I don't even know why she's always so salty with me."
Alex glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I get it. Happens in business too. Some people just can't stand each other, even if they've never had real conflict. But that's a different world from yours, so I probably shouldn't compare."
Luna gave him a sideways look. "Different world, huh?"
He nodded slightly. "Yeah. But I think that's how people are, no matter the setting. Some click. Some don't. That's life."
Luna hummed in agreement, her voice softer now. "True. But still, it stings a little when they mock you for things you're proud of."
Alex gave a faint, knowing smile. "That only further proves those things matter."
Meanwhile in the back, inside of the black Mercedes-Benz G—
Samuel cleared his throat, shooting a friendly glance at the girl beside him. "So… Hello. I'm Samuel, but you can call me Sam if you want."
Bella smiled politely. "Hi. My name's Bella. Some of my friends call me Bel… but honestly, I don't like it. Sounds like a school bell or something."
Sam chuckled. "Noted. No Bel, got it. Only Bella it is."
She nodded, relaxing a little. "Thanks. And Sam, huh? That sounds cool. Kinda suits you."
He grinned. "Yeah? I was worried it sounded like someone's friendly neighborhood IT guy."
Bella laughed, and the ice between them cracked a little more. "Well, maybe you do look like someone who resets passwords all day."
Sam feigned offense. "Ouch. You wound me with your words."
She leaned back, teasing, "I'm just saying… you've got the vibe."
Then after a short pause, Bella tilted her head curiously. "So… how does your friend know Luna? I mean, I haven't seen them together before, and she's never even mentioned a guy like him."
Sam looked genuinely surprised. "Beats me. I was actually about to ask you the same thing."
Bella raised a brow. "Seriously?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Alex isn't the type to randomly offer rides to just anyone, let alone open the door himself like some shining white knight from a novel."
Bella blinked. "Wait—he never does that?"
"Never," Sam confirmed. "He barely lets people into his car unless it's business or family. And that smile? Man. That was not a 'just being polite' kind of smile."
Bella's lips parted slightly, processing it all.
"Huh… So weird. Luna didn't mention anything about him. Though she never really hides anything from me, I have been friends with her for years we share every little things with eachother…"
Her voice trailed off, suspicion and curiosity beginning to stir beneath her casual tone.
---
Back in the sleek black Maybach, a quiet atmosphere hung between Luna and Alex. The city lights passed by in a blur, casting fleeting glows over their faces.
Alex cleared his throat. "So… where should I drop you off?"
Luna blinked, pulled from her thoughts. "Oh. Westin Apartment Complex, please."
He nodded, the silence settling in again inside the car—comfortable, yet tinged with awkwardness.
A few minutes later, Alex pulled up to the gate of the apartment compound and gently hit the brakes. "We've reached your destination."
Luna looked out the window, spotting Bella stepping out of Sam's car across the street. She hesitated for a heartbeat, then opened the door. "Thanks… for the ride," she said softly, turning back to him with a brief smile. "See you."
Alex gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. See you."
Luna closed the door gently behind her and hurried over to Bella. Together, they entered the gate, their silhouettes gradually disappearing into the warm glow of the apartment compound.
---
A moment later, Samuel sauntered up to Alex's window and leaned against the side with a crooked grin.
"So…" Sam drawled, peering into the car. "Who was she?"
Alex didn't reply, his eyes still fixed on the apartment gate.
Sam grinned wider. "You've got quite a taste in girls, my friend. Honestly, for a while there, I thought you were into guys. But now... I'm convinced you've been hiding something more than eyes meet."
Alex finally turned to look at him, one brow slightly raised. "Seriously, Sam?"
"I'm just saying," Sam shrugged. "You opened the car door for her. You smiled. And she sat in the front seat, not the back like some stranger. That's history or chemistry. Or both."
Alex looked away, the corner of his mouth twitching. "She's… different, you know someone time it happens, you really can't point your fingers on it like you have known her before, she seems so familiar but I really haven't seen her more than ones, that too because of some coincidence."
Sam straightened up with a low whistle. "Oof. That's how it always starts."
Alex didn't deny it, because he was too lazy to bother with him.
Sam straightened and stretched his arms. "Alright, I'm off. See you, buddy. Gotta run back to the hospital before they start thinking I'm slacking."
Alex gave a nod, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Take care. I'll visit Auntie soon—I promise."
Sam's expression softened at the mention of his mother. "She'll like that. She's been asking about you lately."
Then he leaned back in his seat, drumming his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, the faint echo of Luna's voice still lingering in his mind.