The moment Arion and Lian disappeared to the balcony, Farrah raised an eyebrow and scanned the Veris family like she was picking her target.
Her gaze landed on Lin — who was already trying to peek at the balcony from behind a giant indoor plant.
Farrah grinned.
Lin grinned back.
Instant understanding passed between them.
Farrah walked over casually.
Lin straightened up and pretended she wasn't spying.
Farrah: "You're Lian's sister, right?"
Lin: "Yep. You're the cousin who keeps causing drama?"
Farrah: "I like you already."
They shook hands like two future criminals agreeing to start a gang.
Lin: "So… should we observe them?"
Farrah: "Observe? Honey, we don't just observe. We ANALYZE."
They dashed to the balcony door and crouched behind the curtains like two detectives in a cheesy movie.
Lin peeked.
Farrah peeked.
Both gasped at the same time.
Lin (whisper-screaming): "LOOK! THEY'RE STANDING SO CLOSE!"
Farrah: "If he leans half an inch more, it becomes an engagement before the engagement."
Lin: "Do we record it?"
Farrah: "We don't record memories. We treasure them."
Lin nodded seriously.
And for a solid three minutes, they fed each other commentary:
Lin: "OH! Arion is softening!"
Farrah: "MY COUSIN IS FALLING IN LOVE—SEND THE EMERGENCY CONFETTI."
Lin: "Lian is BLUSHING. NO STOP. I CAN'T HANDLE THIS."
Farrah: "We can never tell them we saw this."
Lin: "Never. Take it to the grave."
Farrah: "Agreed."
Lin: "Also, your grandma scares me."
Farrah: "Same."
Thus, a legendary duo was born.
*****************************
After what felt like a 5-hour drama episode, both families gathered at the door.
Eleanor Vayne smiled politely — the kind of smile that meant "I still disapprove, but I have manners."
Mr. Veris bowed three times because he panicked.
Lin hugged Farrah like they'd known each other for ten years.
Grandma Vayne hugged Lian and whispered loudly enough for everyone:
"If Arion misbehaves, tell me. I'll smack him with my cane."
Arion nearly died of embarrassment.
Lian smiled shyly.
Arion stared at him too long.
Lin noticed.
Farrah noticed.
Everyone noticed.
When the Veris family finally left, Arion escorted them to the gate.
Lian turned to him softly.
"Thanks… for everything back there."
Arion's voice dropped low.
"Anytime."
Lin coughed loudly so they wouldn't accidentally kiss.
Farrah winked at Arion on her way out.
The moment the door closed, the Vayne household erupted into chaos.
Arion's uncle:
"Nice boy. Looks respectful."
Arion's aunt:
"Middle-class, but decent."
Eleanor Vayne:
"…He seems polite. But I am not convinced."
Arion:
"Mother."
The warning tone made Farrah hide a smile.
Grandma Vayne tapped her cane.
"Enough. I like him."
Arion quietly exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Farrah casually flopped onto the sofa.
"And Lin? She's my soulmate. We're besties now."
Arion stared.
"…It's been two hours."
Farrah: "Love doesn't need time."
Eleanor finally turned to Arion.
"Do you really want this engagement?"
Arion looked straight at her.
"Yes."
The family fell silent.
Grandma smirked.
Farrah fist-pumped.
Eleanor pressed her lips together, torn between surprise and quiet acceptance.
_____________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, the Veris apartment was buzzing with excitement.
Mr. Veris:
"That mansion! Those lights! That sofa was softer than a cloud!"
Mrs. Veris:
"Was I too nervous? Did I talk too much? Did Eleanor dislike me?"
Lin, lying on the couch dramatically:
"Mother, Eleanor dislikes GOD. You're fine."
Lian covered his face.
"Lin, please don't start—"
Lin sat up, eyes shining with mischief.
"BHAI. He defended you. TWICE. In front of his entire family."
Lian's ears turned red.
his nother : "He did?"
Lin: "Yes he DID—like a knight with anger issues."
Lian groaned into a pillow.
His father smiled proudly.
"He seems like a good man."
Lin teased:
"A good man who stared at my brother like he was a dessert."
Lian threw a cushion at her.
She dodged easily.
his mother: "Do you like him, Lian?"
Lian froze.
Thought of Arion's touch on his back, his low voice, his protective tone…
He whispered softly,
"…I think I might."
Lin squealed so loudly that neighbors probably heard.
That night…
Arion lay in his huge bed, staring at the ceiling.
Imagining Lian's smile.
The way he whispered his thanks.
The way he tried so hard to fit in.
He found himself smiling — a real, unrestrained smile.
Across the city, Lian lay in his small room, hugging his pillow tightly.
Remembering Arion's gaze.
His warmth.
His protectiveness.
His certainty.
His heart raced.
Two different worlds.
One connection growing stronger.
And just when Lian closed his eyes, his phone buzzed.
Arion: "Did you reach home safely?"
Lian's heartbeat stuttered.
He typed back.
Lian: "Yes. Thank you… for today."
Another message arrived instantly.
Arion: "Good. Sleep well, Lian."
Lian pressed his face into the pillow, smiling like a fool.
✨ BONUS SCENE — "It's Not What I Think It Is"
Arion slammed the bathroom door of his penthouse suite a little too hard.
Not because he was angry.
No. Arion Vayne doesn't get angry over an omega.
He was just… irritated.
Annoyed.
Confused.
The mirror reflected a perfectly composed Alpha CEO: sharp jaw, expensive suit, hair still neat even after surviving an entire day with two huge families. He looked normal. Completely unaffected.
He lied even to his reflection.
"Calm down," he muttered, gripping the sink. "You don't like him."
Why was Lian Veris the first face that popped into his mind the moment he said him?
Arion clicked his tongue.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
"I was only being polite today," he told the empty room. "Helping him down those stairs. Moving his chair. Standing too close— that was just… situational."
He could still smell the faint scent of Lian's nervous sweetness brushing against his senses. Arion's shoulders tensed.
"It's the bond arrangement," he insisted. "That's all. A biological reaction. Temporary. Manageable."
His heart disagreed.
His mind replayed Lian's shy smile when Arion helped him with his coat.
The way Lian looked up at him, eyes unsure yet trusting.
The way his pulse jumped when Arion touched his waist—
Arion shut his eyes.
"I don't like him."
He said it again, harder.
"I don't."
A pause.
"…It's just the agreement. Nothing else."
He exhaled slowly, convincing no one — not even himself.
**************
Lian lay face-down on his bed, groaning into the pillow like a dying plant.
"Why am I like this," he mumbled, kicking his feet weakly.
Lin passed by the door.
"You good?" she asked.
"No," Lian answered instantly.
"Arion—?"
"GOODBYE!" he yelled and threw a pillow at her. She dodged and cackled away.
Now he was alone again, drowning in the memory of Arion Vayne leaning close to whisper, 'Tell me if you feel uncomfortable, Lian.'
His ears burned.
His heartbeat jumped.
And worst, worst of all—
He liked it.
Lian rolled over and slapped both cheeks lightly.
"Stop it. Stop. It." Slap. "You are not—" Slap. "—falling for him!"
He sat up, hair messy, expression tragic.
"Arion only did those things because of the agreement," he told himself. "He's just… being responsible. Professional. He does NOT like me. No way."
His voice softened.
"He probably helps… everyone with stairs… right?"
Even Lian didn't believe himself.
He flopped back down, burying his entire face in a pillow.
"It's just the engagement. Just the arrangement. Nothing else. Nothing romantic. Nothing heart-fluttering. NOTHING."
He whispered one last line to the darkness of his pillow:
"…I hope."