The warm glow of the restaurant’s lanterns reflected off the polished wooden table as Jade sat with Milan, Enzo, and Thiago. The evening breeze from the nearby ocean carried a hint of salt, blending perfectly with the aroma of grilled seafood and rich spices wafting through the air. The restaurant was tucked away on a quiet beach, intimate and relaxed, the kind of place that made you forget about the outside world for a while.
Thiago, true to his charming nature, was mid-story, gesturing animatedly as he recounted an old mishap from one of their trips. Enzo was leaning back, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement, while Milan, seated beside Jade, sipped his wine with a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“…and then Milan here—Mr. Always-in-Control—tried to give directions in French,” Thiago said with a dramatic flair, “but what he actually said was ‘Take me to your socks.’ The driver looked like he was ready to call the police.”
Enzo burst out laughing, shaking his head. “That explains why we ended up on the wrong side of town.”
Jade chuckled, glancing at Milan. “You? Lost in translation? That’s hard to believe.”
Milan’s smirk deepened as he leaned toward Jade slightly. “I’m fluent in seven languages, Jade. That driver just didn’t appreciate my accent.”
Thiago rolled his eyes. “Sure, boss. Keep telling yourself that.”
Their laughter filled the air as the waiter arrived with plates of fresh seafood, steaming rice, and tropical fruit salads. Jade felt herself relax for the first time in what felt like forever. The playful banter, the delicious food, and the peaceful atmosphere made it easy to forget the tension of the past few days.
“You’ve been quiet,” Enzo said, nudging Jade lightly with his elbow. “How was your day? Did you enjoy Bali?”
“It was amazing,” Jade admitted, smiling. “The spa was incredible, and the market was so vibrant. I even bought a few souvenirs.”
“Good,” Milan said, his voice warm but firm. “You deserve to enjoy yourself.”
She nodded, about to share more about her day, when her phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with an unknown number. Her smile faltered, and her heart skipped a beat. The uneasy feeling she’d had earlier in the day resurfaced.
“Everything okay?” Thiago asked, noticing her hesitation.
“Yeah, just a call,” Jade said, picking up the phone. “I’ll be right back.”
She stepped away from the table, moving to a quieter corner of the restaurant. The waves crashing softly on the shore seemed to grow louder as she answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Jade,” a cold, familiar voice drawled on the other end.
Her stomach dropped. “Vivienne.”
“Smart girl,” Vivienne said, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. “I thought I’d check in. Have you been enjoying your little holiday with Milan and the others?”
Jade’s grip on the phone tightened. “What do you want?”
“What I’ve wanted from the beginning,” Vivienne replied, her voice turning sharper. “For you to quit. Walk away from Milan, Enzo, and Thiago, and don’t look back.”
Jade’s pulse quickened. “Why would I do that?”
“Because if you don’t,” Vivienne said, her tone icy, “I’ll make sure you regret it. You’re out of your depth, Jade. They might play nice now, but trust me, it won’t last. When they’re done with you, you’ll have nothing left.”
Jade’s breath hitched. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s a promise,” Vivienne said calmly. “You don’t belong in their world, Jade. Leave while you still can.”
“Why are you doing this?” Jade demanded, her voice shaking. “What do you even gain from trying to scare me off?”
“Let’s just say I’m protecting my interests,” Vivienne said coolly. “And you’re in my way.”
Before Jade could respond, the line went dead. She stared at her phone, her chest heaving as a mix of anger and fear coursed through her.
“Jade?” Milan’s voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see him standing a few steps away, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he took in her expression. “What’s wrong?”
She hesitated, her grip tightening on the phone. “Vivienne just called me.”