Ch. 72
The car door opened slowly. A figure stepped out, holding a black umbrella.
It was a guy with a bright red hair and a familiar grin.
Raze.
Selene arched one brow the moment she saw him walking toward her like he had been looking for her the whole time.
"He already has a car?" she muttered to herself.
Raze stopped right in front of her and tilted the umbrella slightly so it covered her from the rain as well.
"Hi." he said with a teasing smile.
Selene stared at him blankly. Then she spoke in a flat voice.
"...Yea...Hi? I'm starting to feel like you appear at the most questionable timings."
Raze laughed, shaking his head.
"You make it sound like I'm stalking you."
"But why are you here?"
"Ah, I'm here to fetch you," he said, playing along with her tone as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Selene narrowed her eyes slightly at him.
Fetch me? Since when?
She glanced at the bright yellow sports car behind him and clicked her tongue softly.
"So this is why you parked right in front of me," she said.
"To show off your new toy?"
Raze placed his hand on his chest dramatically.
"You wound me," he said.
"I worked hard for that car, you know."
He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice.
"And I thought you'd at least say it looks cool."
Selene looked at him for a second... then looked away.
"It's too flashy."
Raze laughed again.
The truth was, he didn't come here by coincidence. He had seen her from afar earlier and immediately noticed she didn't bring an umbrella, which was why she was waiting in this area.
Part of him just wanted to make sure she got home safely.
But that wasn't the only reason.
Another part of him wanted her to see the car he bought with his own money.
Not because he wanted to brag.
He just wanted her to notice him.
And maybe... this was his way of trying to pursue her.
Damn.
Selene had been on his mind a lot lately, especially after that day he saw her with that Adrian guy.
The moment he saw them together, something inside him clicked in a way he didn't like. A sharp, unfamiliar feeling that made him realize something he couldn't ignore.
He wasn't stupid.
He knew exactly what that feeling meant.
He liked Selene.
And once Raze realized something like that... he wasn't the type to pretend it didn't exist.
Raze straightened his posture and gestured toward the car.
"So," he said casually, "do you want a ride home, or do you plan to stand here until the storm ends?"
Selene crossed her arms. For a moment, she didn't answer. Her mind was still stuck on the gossip.
The video...
The coma..
Liana.
Then she sighed.
"...Fine."
Raze blinked, clearly not expecting her to move so quickly. Selene walked past him as if it was the most natural thing in the world, slipping under the umbrella and sharing the space beside him.
"But don't misunderstand," she said coldly. "I'm only accepting because my driver is late."
Raze almost closed his eyes the moment Selene stepped closer to him. He caught the faint scent of her perfume mixed with the fresh fragrance of her shampoo.
Raze smirked while holding the umbrella over her head.
"Of course," he said. "I'll gladly be your temporary driver, Your Highness."
Selene clicked her tongue.
"That... annoying way of talking. Can you stop calling me that in public?"
Raze smirked, leaning slightly closer under the umbrella.
"What? I love calling you 'Your Highness.' Makes me feel like I was your personal bodyguard in your past life—or maybe I still am, just for today." His eyes glinted, teasing.
"Don't tell me you're going to make me stop having fun?"
Selene clicked her tongue lightly, keeping her tone cool.
"That... is mildly annoying, you know."
"Annoying? I call it honoring royalty. Besides, it's not every day I get to escort someone as... fascinating as you." Raze chuckled, tilting his head as if amused by her attempt at annoyance.
Selene arched an eyebrow but didn't reply. She just adjusted the umbrella, letting the light rain drizzle over them both.
Raze matched her pace, stepping carefully beside her.
Inside the car.
Selene settled into the passenger seat, adjusting her straps, and Raze did the same on his side— but he spoke up again.
"You know," he continued, voice casual but teasing, "I could get used to being your... temporary chauffeur. Makes me feel important."
Selene glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, her tone calm but dripping with subtle amusement.
"Wow... just because you have a car now, you want to become my chauffeur? Looks like you're trying to steal my driver's job."
"At least I can make sure you get there safely. I can't put you on my motorcycle, eh." Raze smirked, leaning slightly as he started the engine.
Selene clicked her tongue lightly, hiding a faint smile behind her composed expression.
"You have a point... I suppose I can tolerate this, for now."
He chuckled, the playful glint in his eyes making it impossible for her to look annoyed for long.
"Raze, instead of home go to the nearest mall," she said smoothly, as if ordering a chauffeur, though her tone carried that effortless casualness.
Raze's eyes widened slightly.
"Shopping?" he repeated, a mix of surprise and delight in his voice.
"Really?"
Selene arched an eyebrow but tried hard not to make it obvious.
"Why? Is it wrong to go shopping now?" she asked, her tone calm.
"No, no," Raze laughed softly. "I was just surprised that you chose this exact time to go shopping... when there's a storm outside."
"What storm?" Selene asked, genuinely confused.
"This rain, haven't you seen the news?" Raze teased lightly, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
Selene exhaled softly, leaning back against the seat. Hah... this is what happens when you've been super cooped up in a novel plot, she thought to herself.
"Weather is not my problem... in fact shopping with you might be a good idea," she said finally, a small, sly smile tugging at her lips. "Coz, I really need someone to hold my paper bags."
Raze's grin widened. That was all he needed. Inside, his heart did a little skip. He'd been hoping for a reason to stick around her, and here it was.
"Of course," he said smoothly, trying to sound casual, though the warmth in his tone betrayed him.
"Your Highness."
Selene rolled her eyes lightly but said nothing, turning her attention back to the street outside.
As the yellow sports car merged into traffic, Raze stole a glance at her.
Watching her like this so calm and composed, made him feel like he'd somehow been given a glimpse into a world he'd been waiting to enter.
And he'd gladly be her sidekick for as long as she allowed it.