A Silent Threat

Ryu watched vigilantly as he saw Lang Han's tall frame, a smirk adorning his dignified face while nearing Darah. It felt like a streak of lightning passed through his heart, his grip over Pixie's hand tightening beyond his strength. The young lady whimpered in pain, not realising why his eyes were fraught with wrath and fury towards a direction behind her. 

"Ryu!? It hurts!" She whispered, her lips trembling in anger and pain. As soon as she blurted those words, she saw the space between his brows furrow at his own behaviour and leave her hand immediately. 

"Sorry but that's enough." He muttered without any emotions whatsoever and stepped back from the circle leaving Pixie confused and disappointed. She couldn't even say anything! 

Ryu glared at the same direction, taking a step forward but he stopped, noticing Devin approach Darah right in time before Lang Han. It felt like they both shared the same feelings about that man. 

"May I have a dance?" Devin bowed slightly, extending his hand forward to the gloomy young lady. Darah's eyes lightened up a little bit seeing his ever so cheerful smile and nodded without any hesitation. As he held her hand within her's carrying her to the dance circle, Ryu smiled wistfully as Devin passed him a wink… 

He did well taking her away from that seed of the devil. But somehow, Ryu couldn't keep up with his smile that faltered at every step they took to their dance. 

"What are you looking for?" Devin asked quite curiously, seeing Darah's sparkling brown orbs search for something. She suddenly shook her head and tripped at the same time. Devin held her carefully to his chest, an awkward smile over his lips.

"Take slow, gentle steps. You'll be fine." He whispered into her ears as she nodded back enthusiastically.

"You barely reply to my texts." Devin said in a low voice, twirling her around. 

"But I've been busy. There's way too much to catch up in class. I'll surely reply next time!"  She smiled a wide toothy one, making his heart go warm. No matter how many times he'd see her, Devin would recall that confused awkward girl that she was when he met her at that cafe on a busy morning. What if they kept seeing each other? What if none of this happened? Now that he thought about it, Devin couldn't imagine how he could've ghosted this pretty little lass who later on grew to be very dear to him, even though she probably does not know how much she means to him. Maybe destiny didn't want them to part, he thought. Now he couldn't pass a day without knowing how she's been doing.

The dreamy dance even though made her heart flutter in nervousness and happiness at the same time, Darah didn't fail to notice Lyra who'd been swarmed by more men like literal bees. She couldn't hold in her smile, unknown to the fact that it was Devin's timely interference and his cold aura that made other young bachelors step away from Darah. She looked like an unattainable fortune to the watchers...  Lyra on the other hand loved the attention but when she got entangled in a dance with a literal middle aged man she didn't know how to back out.

"Forgive my curiosity, young miss Lyra Sheng. But may I know your age?" The man asked quite casually, giving her an ugly smile. Lyra felt her skin crawl at the man's audacity to have a dance with her in the first place but she didn't want to offend him at the same time. In short, she was trapped. That was until a young man's deep voice sounded from behind her. 

"Miss Lyra doesn't entertain such questions." 

Even though Lyra couldn't see who it was from behind, she had a proud smirk on her face to the cold reply that the young man gave to the uncle. Yes you did it! She cheered for him in her mind. She didn't know why the old man stepped backwards warily but as soon as he did, a set of long, warm fingers gently slid upon her hand and pulled her to the circle, blending in with the couples. When her eyes met his, all the blood seemed to drain from her face. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lyra Sheng." Lang Han smiled politely and Lyra forgot for a moment if what she was seeing was real. How come a man can be prettier than her!? 

"Should I interfere?" Zeke crept up behind Ryu who had taken a place at the top of the stairs, whispering into his ears as he watched from a side. Ryu simply shook his head. He knew Lyra was able to handle things better… 

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Lang Han." Lyra smiled even more strongly so that he could see the glint of pure hatred in her crystal clear black eyes. The man couldn't lie, she was an incomparable beauty. But as the little chat began between the duo, Zeke observed from a distance how her lips slowly lost it's strength to smile, a little bit of fear creeping up to her face. 

"Even though your father and I had met a gazillion times, I'd never personally had the opportunity to kindly thank him for the things he did for my family." He muttered, pride laced over his lips.

Lyra's lips pressed into a thin line. Why was he mentioning his family? It was years ago. Maybe it was the buried memories that crept up to her mind again. She feared every bit that what the people suspected were true… That ten years ago, her father really did have a part in the sinking of that cruise ship, causing the death of Lang Han's father, Dawon. 

"Your brother Ryu is putting up quite a great competition against me these days. I appreciate that. He strives to be a better person everyday, just like me. But don't you think every one of us, has someone dear that makes us grow into our best versions?" Lang Han asked quite curiously, this time making Lyra's eyebrows twitch. The mention of her brother's name on his lips seemed to rub her off very badly.

"Yes indeed." She said firmly. 

"Then I suppose the young lady who arrived with your brother is that someone?" He smirked.

Lyra's face went pale… This wasn't going the way she wanted it to. Unknowingly her gaze met with Darah's innocent, charming ones which were lost in a dreamland amidst her dance with Devin. She looked around again, finding Ryu at the top of the stairs, his black cold eyes lost in the same direction as Darah's. Her hand clenched tightly against the fabric over Lang Han's chest. 

"If you have anything against us, then throw it at me. Don't you dare mention my family." Saying so, Lyra stepped back, breaking the dance with a daring glare. Lang Han only smiled, watching her twist her head away from him in disgust as she walked away. So full of pride, just like her father, he thought.