Page 54

She hesitated, then answered, “Because Esther’s here. She’s connected to something that happened to me two years ago. I want to find out more.”

Damion nodded in understanding, offering his hand with a warm smile. “Welcome to Bristen. You can join anytime you want.”

She smiled back, leaning into her chair and sipping her cocktail.

At the other table, a defeated Larry slumped back on the couch, head down, heavy sighs escaping him like punches to his chest.

Lorenzo had watched him closely from across the room, observing every step Larry took toward Krystal, every second he returned without her.

After a deep breath, Larry looked up, voice thick with sadness, “She rejected me.”

Lorenzo’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk as he leaned back, a deep breath releasing the tension. He raised his whiskey glass to his lips, savoring the sip.

‘I knew it,’ he thought, pride simmering beneath the surface. ‘I’m still in her heart. How could she connect with anyone else?”

Michael, on the other hand, snickered loudly.

Lorenzo, feigning innocence, asked with a calm drawl, “Why? What happened?”

Larry lifted his eyes to meet Lorenzo’s, his voice slow and flat. “She’s taken. She has a boyfriend.”

Lorenzo’s body, which had been relaxed just moments ago, shot upright on the couch. His calm, unreadable eyes instantly turned sharp and stormy.

His voice dropped, tight with disbelief. “She said that herself? That she has a boyfriend?”

Larry gave a slow nod, his expression gloomy. “Yeah, she said it herself. She was talking to me, and the guy showed up. They looked… close. Real close.”

A sharp crash shattered the air. Lorenzo’s whiskey glass had slipped from his hand and hit the glass table with a loud bang. He was already on his feet, eyes blazing.

Larry gaped. Michael straightened in shock, both of them watching as Lorenzo marched away from the table.

“What the hell?” Larry muttered in confusion. “Where’s he going?”

“Shut up,” Michael hissed under his breath, eyes fixed on Lorenzo’s retreating form. “I think he's losing it.”

As Lorenzo walked across the room, Krystal stood from her seat and made her way toward the restroom outside the sitting area.

She ran a hand through her hair with a soft sigh, heading toward the well-lit corridor and the single-person bathrooms. She didn’t notice him trailing behind.

She stepped into one, and just as she turned to shut the door, a strong hand grabbed it from behind, following her inside andslammed it shut behind him. She flinched, startled, her mouth parting to scream—only to find him standing there.

Lorenzo.

‘Shit.’ Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Why is it always him? Why is he everywhere lately?’

Still, she forced a tight smile onto her lips, her voice honeyed. “Lorenzo… what are you doing here?”

His face was already dark with anger. Hearing her call him by his name and not ‘baby' like she used to, made his blood boil even more.

Something flickered in his eyes. His jaw ticked, lips pressed into a hard line.

“What do you think I’m doing here?” His voice was low but thick with heat. Then he stepped toward her, slow and threatening, eyes locked on hers. “So… you have a boyfriend now?”

She found herself backed against the wall, completely caged in.

“If I didn’t know how in love he is with Esther, I’d think he was jealous right now.”

She lifted her chin, her voice cold. “Why? Only you get to have lovers, and I don’t? I’m not allowed to fall in love?”