Jade woke up to the soft hum of the air conditioning in her hotel room. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, and the clear blue sky outside promised a beautiful day. She had spent hours pacing the room the night before, her mind restless with thoughts about Paris, the upcoming Brazil trip, and that kiss with Thiago. Now, after tossing and turning all night, she’d decided she needed a break.
“Just a quick outing,” she muttered to herself as she got dressed. “A mall trip won’t kill anyone.”
Slipping into a casual yet stylish outfit—a breezy white blouse tucked into light denim shorts and comfortable white sneakers—Jade grabbed her crossbody bag and headed out. She knew Milan had said not to leave the hotel, but she wasn’t going far. Besides, how much trouble could she get into at a shopping mall?
The mall was vibrant, bustling with locals and tourists alike. Bright stores with colorful displays lined the walkways, and the air smelled like a mix of fresh coffee, baked pastries, and a hint of tropical flowers. Jade wandered through a few shops, admiring beautiful sundresses and cute sandals, though she resisted the urge to buy anything extravagant.
As she passed by a juice stand, someone called out to her.
“Excuse me!”
Jade turned and saw a young man standing near the stand, holding a cup of something bright orange. He had dark, wavy hair, warm brown eyes, and a broad, charming smile that lit up his tanned face. He looked like he belonged on a surfboard or in a travel magazine.
“Yes?” Jade replied, a little cautiously but intrigued.
“You look like someone who needs a pick-me-up,” he said, offering her a second cup from the counter. “It’s mango juice. The best in Rio. I promise it’ll change your life.”
Jade eyed the juice warily, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re just handing out free drinks to strangers?”
“Only to the ones who look like they need to smile more,” he replied with a playful grin. “I’m Lucas, by the way.”
“Jade,” she replied, taking the cup hesitantly. She took a sip, and her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s actually amazing.”
“See? I don’t lie,” Lucas said, leaning casually against the juice stand. “Are you a tourist?”
“Something like that,” Jade said carefully, not wanting to explain the whole story. “I’m here for work.”
Lucas tilted his head, curious. “Work that keeps you cooped up in a hotel, I bet.”
Jade chuckled. “Pretty much.”
“Well, that’s unacceptable,” Lucas declared dramatically. “You’re in Rio! You can’t waste it hiding indoors. Let me show you around. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Jade hesitated, glancing at her phone briefly. She knew Enzo’s men were probably lurking somewhere nearby, but the idea of spending the day wandering around with someone so cheerful was hard to resist.
“Fine,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Lucas. “But if you’re a serial killer, I’m going to be very upset.”
Lucas laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. “No serial killing today, I swear. Come on, you’ve got a lot to see.”
The afternoon flew by in a blur of laughter and discovery. Lucas took her through vibrant market stalls just outside the mall, where vendors called out and displayed everything from handmade jewelry to brightly colored clothing.
“You have to try this,” Lucas said, handing her a small plate of pão de queijo—cheesy Brazilian bread rolls.
Jade popped one into her mouth, her eyes lighting up. “Oh my god, that’s so good!”
“Told you,” Lucas replied smugly. “Stick with me, and I’ll make you a food expert.”
They continued walking, and Lucas bought her a skewer of churrasco—grilled meat dripping with flavor—and a small cup of açaí, topped with granola and bananas.
“This might be my favorite thing yet,” Jade admitted between bites of the cold, sweet treat.
“You’re welcome,” Lucas teased. “Do I get a trophy for being the best tour guide ever?”
Jade rolled her eyes, laughing. “I’ll think about it.”
As they wandered further, Lucas pointed out landmarks and small hidden gems. They stopped by an art mural painted in bright blues, yellows, and reds. Jade admired its beauty, snapping a quick photo while Lucas stood beside her, cracking a joke about being her “travel assistant.”
“I still can’t believe I met someone as fun as you at a juice stand,” Jade said with a laugh.
“Well, what can I say?” Lucas shrugged. “Some of us are born charming.”
Jade smirked. “Or full of themselves.”
He put a hand to his heart, pretending to be wounded. “That’s cold, Jade. Really cold.”
They shared another laugh before Lucas glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Want me to walk you back to your hotel?”
“Yeah, I probably should get back,” Jade said with a sigh. “Thanks for this. I needed it.”
“Anytime,” Lucas said with a warm smile. “Maybe I’ll see you around again.”
Unbeknownst to Jade, two men sat quietly at a nearby café, watching her closely. Both wore plain clothes but had the kind of sharp, observant look that could only mean one thing—they were Enzo’s men.
The taller of the two pulled out his phone and sent a quick text:
“She’s with a man named Lucas. Local. They’ve been walking around the mall and nearby stalls. Should we step in?”
Moments later, the reply came through.
“No. Just watch her. I want every detail.”
The man tucked his phone back into his pocket, his gaze flicking back to Jade, who was still laughing with Lucas as they walked down the street.