At the Family Home – Evening
Mom raised her eyebrows in concern:
"Ava, why are you late returning?"
Ava carelessly tossed her leather travel bag aside, then sat on the sofa as if she owned the place, crossing one leg over the other. She said confidently:
"I was visiting my ex-boyfriend."
Mom sighed sharply, correcting her:
"Aidan was never your boyfriend. You were always by his side... but you were never his girlfriend."
Ava lifted her chin with a cold smile:
"So what... he'll be mine, even if he doesn't want to be. Hearts change, Mom."
Early Morning – In front of the Orphanage
Arin arrived at the old iron gate, the sun still rising, but he brought nothing new except:
* Aidan's entry date into the orphanage.
* And his later transfer date to Izora Orphanage.
Information he already knew…
At Seira's House
Mom:
"Seira, eat your breakfast first!"
Seira (in a hurry):
"Sorry, Mom, I'm very late for work!"
At Arin's Place…
He opened his phone, a message from Ava appeared:
"Party location tonight, don't be late."
At the same moment, Aidan received the same message. He smiled as he sent a short message to Seira.
Aidan:
"Listen, get ready tonight. I'll pick you up at 9:30."
Seira:
"Okay! Where are you now?"
Aidan (in a firm voice):
"I'm sorting something out."
Police Station –
Officer:
"Sir, what are we going to do about Luna?"
Aidan (with a half-smile):
"Luna… again? Did you check the cameras?"
Second Officer:
"They're all down."
Aidan chuckled lightly:
"Amazing… Luna has started playing again."
At Seira's Pharmacy – At the Same Time
A man entered in shabby clothes, his yellow hair dirty, his blue eyes and disheveled features. He had a messy beard and wandering eyes.
The man (hesitantly):
"I won't buy the medicine, Miss… Sorry, I don't have money."
Seira (gently, smiling at him):
"Don't leave your children without treatment. This medicine… is on me, consider it a token of friendship."
She handed him the medicine with a clear smile.
The man (in a hushed voice):
"Thank you, Miss."
He exited the pharmacy, and after taking a few steps… he subtly turned and a sly smile appeared on his face.
He entered an alley behind the neighborhood, where Luna was standing, leaning against her motorcycle.
Luna (sarcastically):
"01, you really made me believe you. You would have succeeded if you were an actor!"
01 (confidently):
"I told you before… I'm multi-talented."
…. In the Evening…..
Aidan stopped his luxurious car in front of the gleaming hall, its lights reflecting on the wet pavement from a light rain. He stepped out of the car, waiting for Seira to descend.
She slowly opened the door and quietly stepped out in a sky-colored dress.
An off-the-shoulder dress, with transparent sleeves like clouds, a high neck, an elegant tie around the waist, and a skirt that swayed gently with every step.
Aidan looked at her with deep admiration, without saying a word. Only his eyes were enough to fluster her.
Her face suddenly flushed, and her flustered voice lowered:
"Th-this… I mean, I didn't have time to prepare myself more than this…"
He smiled, approached her with calm steps, gently lifted her face, moved his lips towards her cheek, then placed a light kiss that made her breath catch.
He extended his hand to her and bowed slightly:
"May I have the honor of escorting you to the party… my princess?"
She took his hand with clear shyness.
Outside – Moments Later
Ava stood near the entrance, in a tight, daring dress that shimmered under the lights, exuding femininity in every detail.
Arin appeared from the crowd, and she ran to him and hugged him warmly:
Ava:
"I missed you! How are you?"
Arin (a little cold):
"I'm fine… and you?"
Ava:
"Amazing as usual."
Arin:
"Aren't we going in?"
Ava:
"We have to wait for someone first…"
Then Aidan and Seira appeared, hand in hand.
Ava (in a possessive whisper):
"He's arrived…"
Arin turned in surprise:
"Do you know Aidan?"
Ava (with a forced smile):
"Of course. He's my adopted cousin."
Inside the Hall – Under the Lights
To the loud music, Ava began to dance boldly with any man who approached her, trying to attract attention, and crossing the distance between Aidan and Seira with her glances.
Arin watched with his eyes:
Aidan (seriously):
"Hey Arin, don't be fooled by what she says. I have no family relation to her as she claims."
Seira (with a worried smile):
"Arin… has your wound healed?"
Arin:
"I'm better now… Hey Seira, how about we become friends? I don't have real friends. We three can meet up and have fun?"
Seira (with a gentle smile):
"Deal."
They exchanged numbers.
When Ava approached Aidan
Ava (dancing):
"Dance with me, just once…"
Aidan:
"No."
But she pulled him with gentle force onto the dance floor, and began to dance around him while he remained standing, unmoving, his eyes only following Seira.
Seira was watching them. Something in her eyes changed. She raised a glass of drink for the first time and quickly gulped it down.
Arin (worried):
"Hey Seira, stop. That's enough!"
She laughed, put the glass aside, and said:
"Okay, I stopped!"
But then she pulled a random young man and started dancing wildly with him.
Aidan Moves
He couldn't stand it anymore. He walked steadily, gently took her hand and pulled her into his embrace, whispering in her ear:
"The party's over. We're leaving."
Ava, who was watching the scene, seethed with anger and gritted her teeth.
In the Car – Moments Later
Seira's steps were faltering. Every time she almost fell, Aidan caught her. He opened the door for her, helped her in, and then buckled her seatbelt.
She was pale, barely opening her eyes.
Seira (muttering softly):
"Aidan… hot…"
"Aidan is stupid… he belongs only to Seira…"
Aidan laughed as he drove calmly:
"Really?"
Suddenly, she leaned towards him, pulled his shirt collar, and said in a soft voice:
"Because I'm in love with you…"
Then she kissed his lips.