Shameless Fiancé

Wearing a black bespoke suit, black mask and black gloves, the man's identity remained hidden. However, his towering height and chilling aura nearly made Kaye stumble back.

"Cigarettes," he uttered. Even his voice was cold, sending shivers down one's spines. As his brown eyes locked onto hers, Gianna couldn't help but frown.

Kaye's palms grew damp, while Gianna proceeded to ask, "Which kind?"

"Menthol."

The voice felt oddly familiar, but Gianna quickly dismissed the thought before it could take root.

It can't be him.

He had no reason to be here.

Turning around, her eyes scanned the shelves until she located the specific cigarettes he requested. Just as she was about to grab them, she caught Kaye, out of the corner of her eye, trying to slip away.

"Where are you going, huh?" Her voice drifted over, cold yet calm, as she pulled out the cigarettes and walked toward him, her arms crossed over her chest.

Kaye froze mid-step, his expression darkening as he turned back. "I'm going to work, of course."

"You haven't paid for what you drank yet."

"Why should I pay?"

"Because you drank."

Kaye grew agitated, humiliated in front of a total stranger. He snarled and placed his hands on Gianna's shoulders. Though they were the same height, his bulk gave him an imposing edge, especially compared to Gianna, who looked almost swallowed in her baggy sweatshirt and leggings.

He bored his gaze into hers. "Look here, I'm your fiancé. What's yours is mine! I can drink anything here without paying a fucking penny. That's what you owe me!"

Gianna's brown eyes darkened, becoming as chilling as the night. She stared into his furious eyes, then calmly lifted his hands off her shoulders.

"Look here," she said coldly, "if you don't fucking pay what you owe, I'm gonna call the cops on you and sue you for theft."

"You wouldn't dare," Kaye shot back immediately, his eyes filled with challenge. He didn't believe for a second that she'd follow through. After all, she loved him so much that all the food he and his mother consumed daily came from her—either stolen or bought from her mother's shop. Why would she suddenly change and become so shrewish?

Gianna looked at him, unimpressed. Then, her lips curled slightly as she said indifferently, "Hm? Let's see."

She turned her attention back to the man in black, who had decided to buy a few other items.

Meanwhile, Kaye kept ranting, still full of bluster.

He glanced at the man in all black and scoffed arrogantly. "Dude, can you believe what this bitch is saying? I'm her fiancé. We're gonna be one family soon, and now she's acting like this. You see, I can tell you're probably a young man, so let me give you some advice—when you find a woman, make sure to teach her properly so she doesn't misbehave like this and act so stupid. Got it?"

The young man hummed, leaning against the counter as he eyed Kaye. He remained silent for a moment before his unbothered voice finally rang out.

"Is that how your father treated your mother?"

"H–uh? What do you mean?" Kaye stuttered, his eyes widening slightly.

The man didn't bother responding again.

But that didn't stop Kaye's face from contorting in anger. "What the fuck do you mean, young man?!"

Gianna smirked, a hint of gratitude flickering in her eyes as she looked at the man.

"$22, sir," she said, handing him his items and watching as he pulled a $100 bill from his pocket.

Before she could get him his change, he was already heading for the door.

She called after him, "Sir! Your change…"

The man turned around and gave her a curt nod. "Keep it."

"Thank you," Gianna said softly, offering a small smile. For a brief second, the man stilled, his eyes darkening slightly.

Something seemed to flash in his gaze... She... reminded him of his sister-in-law. His hand tightened against the cigarettes, his jaw clenching as he turned around.

She is gone.