On Your Best Behavior

The intense stare that the two of them exchanged was broken off when the doorbell rang. Rye frowned, displeased to have their moment interrupted.

"Stay here obediently," she said with a threatening undertone.

Lucian's stared at her distancing back, and only he knew that the thoughts that brewed behind that cold demeanor.

With that, she stalked over to the door and unlocked it. Leslie stepped into the apartment, failing to notice Rye's expression.

"Why haven't you picked up your phone? I have already informed you the timing on appointment with the stylist. You are not planning to back away, are you? I am telling you—"

Rye's lips curled up. The ridicule was clear in her tone as she interrupted, "Leslie Parker, long time no see. You are as meddlesome as always."

Those words made Leslie's eyes widen, and she turned back to look at Rye. Rye strutted over to the living room, making her way over to the tense model.

That gaze of Rye was intimidating as she added, "And I told you that I would put a bullet through your head if you did it again."

"R-Rye," Leslie stammered. Cold sweat gathered on her forehead. "W-Why are you here?"

"To claim my ownership," Rye answered.

"Where is Valerie?"

"She? She is being a coward again. She might as well disappear for good this time."

Leslie was about to say something when she noticed Lucian. This gave her further shock.

"What is he doing here? Rye, say, you didn't do anything reckless, right?" Leslie sounded nervous.

Rye's line of sight directed towards Lucian, and she responded, "I just brought what belongs to me. You are starting to annoy me with those questions now, Leslie."

°°°

Leslie and Lucian was seated on the couch as Rye went inside to deal with a matter. Leslie's gaze on Lucian was apologetic.

"She didn't kidnap you, right?" Leslie hesitantly asked.

Faced with Lucian like this made her nervous. This was her first time speaking to the man. She had to admit the man looked handsome even through bare minimum effort was placed in to manage his appearance right now.

It stood to reason why Valerie or Rye had this deep obsession with him although for them it went over this eye-catching visual.

Lucian flashed a soft smile.

"What do you think?"

Leslie cringed. Not aware of until how much Lucian was informed of, she didn't know what to say.

Lucian placed his chin on his hand and pursed his lips into a thin line, most likely thinking of something. He tilted his head slightly, and that gesture of his made Leslie keep her eyes on him.

He then brought himself closer to her and raised his head before asking, "A split personality? Is that what Rye is?"

His eyes that met with hers made her unable to tear her gaze. She had her heart skipping a beat. That voice of his, coupled with those eyes, were seducing her to give off the answer.

She was about to open her lips to answer when a threat was voiced out.

"Does the thought of early death attract you this badly?"

Leslie immediately snapped out of it and turned away her gaze. That man, Lucian, was frightening. No wonder he got the entire nation charmed. Leslie wouldn't have lost that self-control that easily, and in her mind, Rye was more dreadful.

But if this continued, she had to admit that she might have spilled some crucial information.

The air in the room had grown to become hostile and choking due to Rye. Rye glared at Leslie as she stepped towards Lucian and grabbed on to his hand, pulling him upwards.

Leslie's eyes narrowed in on their intertwined fingers as Lucian silently complied with Rye. Although she personally didn't know Lucian, she had an enough idea of how the man was, and she knew how deep his hatred for Valerie went.

What was Lucian planning?

Rye tossed over the car keys to Leslie, which Leslie managed to catch successfully, before ordering, "Go. I will be coming with him in a while."

She then warningly added, "The next time you look at him, you should stop thinking about preserving that pretty neck of yours."

Leslie shuddered before nodding and leaving the apartment.

"Be on your best behavior, alright? That career of yours that you hold dear— you don't want me to ruin it, right?"

Lucian merely smiled at her.