"Mike, please!"
My desperate voice echoed through the third-floor balcony. I was clinging to my last hope—convincing Mike to let me sneak off to the amusement park tomorrow without the other brothers knowing.
"No, Mia. I really can't help you this time." His tone was firm but not unkind. "Please be more understanding, okay?"
"But—"
"No means no." His frown deepened. "How many times have you nearly lost your life before? And now you want to go to an amusement park? What if something unexpected happens?"
"Fine! Don't help me, then. I'll ask Alex instead," I snapped, folding my arms and turning away with a huff. If begging didn't work, maybe sulking would.
Mike sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mia… please stop being stubborn. If Matteo or Mikael finds out you went out without permission, I won't be able to protect you. Not this time."
"Just this once," I whispered. "Please cover for me. You don't have to lie—just say I'm with Alex. I'll really take him with me. I promise I'll listen to everything he says."
He stared at me, expression unreadable. After a long pause, he finally gave in with a sigh. "Fine. But call him now. In front of me. I don't want to be tricked like Mikael was."
"Hehe… alright, alright!" I grinned, quickly pulling out my phone and dialing Alex's number.
"Hello, Mia?" Alex answered, his voice as calm and gentle as always. "Did something happen?"
"Nope! Everything's fine. Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes. It's my day off."
"Perfect. Come hang out with me!"
"Where are we going?" he asked, sounding a bit confused.
"You'll find out tomorrow. Just wait for me at the Aurel Kingdom Mall entrance at nine."
"Mia, wait—"
Beep. I ended the call before he could say more and slipped the phone back into my pocket, grinning smugly.
Standing beside me, Mike groaned and rubbed his temples like he could already feel the migraine coming.
"I'll come with you guys," he said, as if that would solve everything.
"Nooo, that's fine. You're busy, right? Go finish your work." I waved it off quickly. No way I was risking him seeing Caspian. That would explode into chaos.
"Mia Isabella, you—"
I clasped my hands together and gave him my best wide-eyed puppy look. If I could throw in sparkles and a halo, I would've.
He looked away, muttering under his breath. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But if anything happens, I won't cover for you again."
"Yay! Thank you, brother! You're the best!" I squealed, hopping in place like I just won a candy war.
What could possibly go wrong at the amusement park, Mike? I thought confidently.
Once Mike returned to his room, I grabbed my phone and sent a text with a mischievous grin:
I have a date tomorrow with Caspian. If you want to come, meet me at 9 at the Aurel Kingdom Mall entrance.
"Let's use you as my shield until the end, dear ex-fiancé," I giggled to myself.
***
The next morning, I woke up before my alarm. Seven sharp. My heart raced with excitement—my date with Caspian! …Well, technically a group outing. But still, Caspian.
I dressed casually—simple shirt and short skirt, perfect for comfort. I laced up my sneakers instead of heels and packed a freshly cleaned black coat in a paper bag.
"Time to return this to its rightful owner," I whispered, patting the folded coat.
With my outfit on point and excitement bubbling in my chest, I tiptoed out of the mansion, checking both sides of the hallway like a spy on a mission.
Thank the stars the wolf brothers are all swamped this week, I thought, grinning.
Just as I stepped outside, a voice nearly made me jump out of my skin.
"Miss Mia, where are you heading?" came the calm voice of Grandpa Hugo.
"Ah! Grandpa Hugo, it's just you!" I let out a breath, clutching my chest.
"I'm going shopping with Alex. Really, this time. You can call him if you want proof," I said quickly, trying not to sound like a guilty criminal.
"That's fine, Miss. Should I inform Sir Martin?"
"Don't!" I blurted, then bit my tongue. "I-I mean…it's nothing serious. Just a short trip. Eldest brother is already busy enough—no need to bother him."
Grandpa Hugo raised a brow but nodded politely. "As you wish."
"Thanks, Grandpa." I flashed a smile and hurried to the waiting car.
"To Aurel Kingdom Mall, please."
"Yes, Miss." The driver nodded and began the descent down the hill.
***
Meanwhile, on the fifth floor, behind a tall glass wall that I couldn't see from below, two figures watched the car disappear down the road.
One of them lifted his phone. "Follow Mia," he ordered coldly.
Then he turned to the man beside him. "Guess who she's meeting this time?"
"Either Alex… or Lucas. But it doesn't matter," Mikael said darkly. "She's in serious trouble. I won't let her off easily this time."
"Military way?"
"Just enough to scare her."
"Don't overdo it," Martin warned quietly. "We're only trying to discipline her, not push her away."
"I know, big bro. Don't worry."
***
The bright sun beamed down as I stepped out of the car in front of Aurel Kingdom Mall, the meeting point for my not-a-date-but-totally-a-date. I clutched the paper bag in my hands, heart racing with anticipation. After all, it's not every day a girl meets her charming fake boyfriend, her gentle best friend, and her enraged ex-fiancé… all in one place.
What could possibly go wrong?
I spotted Caspian first. He was leaning casually against the stone railing near the fountain, his ash-blond hair catching the sunlight like something out of a drama. When he saw me, he smiled—that ridiculously unfair smile that made my stomach do somersaults.
"Mia," he greeted, walking over with that calm, warm presence that always felt a little too easy. "You look beautiful."
"I look casual," I muttered, but smiled anyway. "Thanks for waiting."
"Of course. I'd wait all day if I had to," he said, smooth as butter.
I was about to respond—maybe flirt back, maybe roll my eyes—when a voice thundered from across the plaza.
"MIA ISABELLA—YOU!!!"
I flinched. And… cue the drama.
Alex was marching toward us, face tight with disapproval, eyebrows drawn like he'd smelled something foul.
"Alex, please, don't be mad right away! Just hear me out," I said quickly, lifting my hands like I was trying to calm an angry bear.
He stopped a few feet from us, eyes flicking sharply to Caspian. "Him, I get," he said, pointing. "You mentioned he was your new friend. But him—" his voice dropped, and he jabbed a finger behind me.
I froze mid-breath.
Oh no.
I turned, already knowing who I'd see. And yep—there he was.
Lucas Vellard. My ex-fiancé. Dressed like he'd stepped off the cover of a luxury lifestyle magazine—all dark shades, sharp jawline, and simmering fury. He took one slow step forward, hands in his pockets, lips set in a hard line.
"I just used him to cover for me if my brothers asked," I said nonchalantly, brushing invisible dust off my skirt. "No big deal."
Lucas ripped off his sunglasses. "What did you just say? You used me?!"
He started muttering curses under his breath—loudly. In four different languages. Impressive, honestly.
"Serves you right, Mr. Ex-Fiancé," I said sweetly. "Maybe next time don't interrupt my date with Caspian," and whisper under my breath.
"Mia…" Alex's voice dropped into that low, ominous tone he always used when I was a split-second away from making a terrible decision. "What are you planning this time? Do you realize what'll happen if your brothers find out?"
I gave him my best wide-eyed, innocent expression. "But I brought you along this time, didn't I? So technically, I'm not alone."
Alex groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to regret this whole day."
Caspian, meanwhile, just stood beside me, clearly amused by the unfolding chaos. His lips twitched with a smile. "This is more fun than I expected."
"Stop enjoying this," Alex muttered at him.
"I'm not," Caspian lied effortlessly.
Lucas marched up to me with narrowed eyes. "You owe me gas money."
"You drive a sports car that guzzles premium fuel like it's air. No thanks," I shot back, then turned to Caspian and handed him the paper bag. "Here. Your coat. Thanks for letting me borrow it."
Caspian took the bag and smiled. "No big deal. I'm glad that I can help you."
I clapped my hands. "Alright! Since we're all here, let's enjoy the day. How about we start with something fun? Something that'll make all of us scream."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Lucas gave me an unimpressed stare.
Caspian just chuckled under his breath.
And with that, the four of us walked through the gates of the amusement park.
A fake boyfriend.
An overprotective best friend.
A furious ex-fiancé.
And me.
This wasn't just a day out—it was a disaster waiting to happen. And I was ready for it.
Bring it on!