New family member?

His eyes stayed on the road.

"Don't call me boss here. Call me Vincent."

Is that even legal?!

I whispered, "So... are you really transferring soon?"

Vincent's eyes flicked to me, his brows furrowed.

"Who told you that?"

"I-I'm not eavesdropping or anything... just Miya kinda mentioned it..."

My voice got slower and slower, like a dying phone battery.

Then he laughed. "Miya, huh?"

He chuckled again, clearly amused.

"So tell me. What if I am?"

My eyes went wide.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

He smirked. "Do I need to tell you everything?"

Oh no. Here we go my cheeks betrayed me, turning red like a tomato again.

"No... I mean..." But before I could finish, he asked.

"Are you worried?"

The car stopped at a light. He turned his whole head to look at me.

"Are you worried if I go?"

AAGHH! "No...!"

Yeah, I said that. But my heart? I don't even know what it's doing anymore.

The way he looked at me butterflies. Everywhere.

"Are you sure?"

Fine! You win!

"Yeah... I kinda worry. So... are you going?"

He ruffled my hair so casually.

"Nope. Miya's not the best source for secrets. 

I just have to handle some adjustments for the other branches. No transfer for me."

The light turned green.

I smiled without even realizing. He caught it instantly.

"Relieved?" he teased.

"N-No!" Hehehe. We both laughed. Then he just dropped it like it was nothing.

"You look good today."

Eh? "What?"

"Nothing. Just saying you're doing good today."

Hehehe. OF COURSE I am!

Finally, we pulled up in front of my gate. My eyes immediately scanned the area.

"Looking for Lucas?" he asked, that sly grin again.

I shot him a glare but before I could deny it.

A scream cracked the air.

"Mom! Rose brought a boyfriend!!"

Wait WHAT?! My little sister. Of course she'd show up right now and my dad too, both home at the worst possible moment.

I turned to Vincent, full panic mode activated.

"Alright, just ignore anything my sister says thanks for the ride BYE—"

I was halfway out the door when he asked.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your family?"

"W-WHAT?!"

Too late. My sister popped her tiny devil head right into my seat.

"Hey mister! What's your name?"

I swear I saw the smirk of pure evil satisfaction on his lips.

"Well, my name's Vincent. And yours?"

My sister squinted at him dramatically... then her eyes sparkled.

"I like you."

WHAT?! Now she likes my boss?!

Next thing I knew yup, it happened. We were all sitting at dinner together.

With my boss. My BOSS. At my family's table. With my mom, my dad, and my traitor sister.

Oh great. And to make it worse she bonded with him instantly.

"So you're Vincent! Rose talks about you all the time. All good things!"

WHAT?! EXCUSE ME, MA'AM! I do NOT! I only said nice things because he's my boss not all the mean things he does to me!

"Oh, it's an honor, Ms. Anna," Vincent said, all polite and charming, 

basically stealing my entire family's heart.

The dinner was delicious but my family teamed up to embarrass me every five seconds.

And just when I thought it couldn't get more dramatic. the TV news blasted through the room.

"Breaking News! A group of thieves just broke into a 24/7 

convenience store near this area. They stole $400 from the register and tied up the storekeeper. 

Please stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately."

"Four hundred bucks easy money," Dad muttered offhandedly.

Vincent set down his glass. "Alright then. Looks like I'll be dropping you home every day until they catch the thieves."

"W-WHAT?!" I squealed, while my sister squealed even louder pure happiness.

Yeah. Why do robbers even exist?!

After dinner, we stood at the gate waving him off.

"Bye, Vinnie!" my sister squeaked like he was a pop star.

WAIT WHAT?! Since when does my sister get to give my boss a pet name?!

Oh great. Just perfect. Now my whole family's under his spell.

That night, I flopped onto my bed and video-called Zera.

"Hey girl! What's up?"

We chatted for ages, catching up after so many chaotic days.

"So, my Miss Rose à Montasia got any new friends?" she teased.

"Oh yeah I'm building an empire now!" I declared dramatically.

"I've got Cleo for gossip, Miya for information, and a new guy the shampoo commercial guy. 

They all work under me now! WAHAHAHAHA!" I let out my best villain laugh.

Zera giggled. "Okay, queen boss. And what about me huh?"

"Oh please you're my number one CEO co-founder. Duh."

She giggled. "Good. So anything spicy on your end?"

"What about you, Zera? Any drama?"

"Me? Mmm... nothing much. Just hanging out with Larry."

"Ohhh, your baby genius?" I wiggled my eyebrows.

"Yeah, him. Anyway he told me something. About Lucas."

My face froze. Just hearing that name made my stomach do backflips.

But Zera kept going like it was no big deal.

"Yesterday, we saw Lucas fighting with Sienna. Big messy drama.

And Larry says Lucas is acting all weird lately. Less caring, kinda cold. Nobody knows why."

My brain spiraled in a million directions.

"Zera..." I whispered.

"What?"

"Is it because of me... kissing my boss?"

"WHAT?!" Zera screeched so loud my phone shook in my hand.

"YOU KISSED YOUR BOSS?!"

"AAGHHH! It's not what you think!"

So yeah. I explained everything the car, the accidental moment, the whole meltdown.

Zera pinched her nose on screen, dramatic as ever.

"Let me get this straight. He kissed you. Lucas kissed Sienna. And now Lucas is sulking around like a prince in a drama? Girl, your life is more chaotic than my Netflix playlist."

I sighed and hugged my pillow.

"Zera... why did he kiss Sienna in the first place?"

"Leave it to me. I'm gonna dig it up. I need to know with popcorn in hand."

We giggled and talked a bit more, then finally said goodnight.

Meanwhile, in a dark alley somewhere.

Four figures stood under the flickering streetlight. Hoodies. Masks. Shadows.

Person A hissed, "We only got four hundred. So a hundred each."

A lady's voice snapped back, "This is unfair. After all that work, we split it equally? For that newbie who just tagged along? I deserve more."

Another guy sneered, "Then how about a new rule? Whoever plans the next job gets the bigger cut. Or maybe... we put him to the test. See if he's really up for this game."

They all turned, eyes falling on the silent newcomer.

He stepped forward. Cool. Unbothered. Deadly.

Then slid his phone across the table. A photo lit up on the cracked screen.

"Vincent LeClair. Glam & Glow."

The newbie's eyes glinted through the mask.

"I had a plan."