Just then, someone from behind suddenly called out loudly, “Vanessa!”
Vanessa turned immediately before looking back at Amara apologetically.
“That’s my mom,” she sighed. “I have to go.”
Then she squeezed Amara’s arm one last time and smiled brightly.
“But seriously, seeing you two together tonight made me so happy.”
With that, she waved goodbye and hurried toward the car.
Amara remained standing there alone. The surrounding noise suddenly felt distant. Her heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt.
That night at Phantom had hurt her more than anything else.
She had left believing Elias didn’t care. Believing he had simply let everyone humiliate her without defending her even once.
But she hadn’t known…
After she left, he had protected her like that.
Amara stood there silently for several seconds, her chest tightening painfully as the realization slowly sank in.
Then, still lost in thought, she absentmindedly began walking again.
Elias leaned against his car with one hand tucked into his pocket, the other resting lazily on the roof as he watched Amara walk out of the building. The evening breeze lifted a few strands of her hair, and his gaze followed her without moving away for even a second.
The moment he saw her heading toward him, the tension in his expression eased slightly.
But just as Amara got closer, the sharp sound of another engine cut through the quiet street.
A black car slid smoothly to a stop right beside her.
Elias’s eyes immediately darkened.
The passenger window rolled down, revealing Jasper leaning over the steering wheel with an easy grin on his face.
“Perfect timing,” Jasper said casually. “I came to pick you up.”
Amara blinked in surprise. “Pick me up?”
“So we can finally go to that dinner place tonight,” he said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “You promised me days ago.”
A small smile tugged at her lips. She rolled her eyes lightly.
Behind her, Elias straightened slowly from his car, his jaw tightening as he stared at Jasper’s car.
Jasper noticed immediately.
And the grin on his face widened.
“Oh,” he murmured under his breath, clearly entertained. “This just became even more fun.”
Amara frowned slightly. “What?”
“Nothing.” He unlocked the passenger door for her from inside. “Come on.”
She hesitated for half a second before walking around the car.
