Chapter 7: A quite drive filled with silent Thoughts.
Rory harrumphed, turning on her heel. "That's the least you can do after kidnapping me and he's not my prince charming! Julian's my best friend!"
Ethan chuckled lowly, falling into step beside her. "Kidnapping, is it? Interesting choice of words. If I'd known you were such a dramatic little thing, I would've made sure to tie you up properly."
Rory's steps faltered, her face heating instantly. "What—"
"Relax," Ethan murmured, brushing past her as he headed for his changing room. "Just teasing, sweetheart."
She exhaled sharply, willing her heartbeat to slow down.
'Damn him!' she glared at Ethan's retreating back.
---
The moment they stepped outside the hotel, the crisp morning air brushed against Rory's skin, and she instinctively pulled her jacket tighter around herself. The grand entrance of the St. Laurent Hotel was lined with luxury cars, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the nearby café on the other side of the street.
Just while Rory was admiring the scenery, A sleek sports car came screeching to a halt right in front of them.
Rory's eyes widened as she took in the expensive vehicle, the deep obsidian paint gleaming under the sunlight. The powerful engine purred softly before shutting off, and a second later, the driver's door swung open.
To Rory's surprise, Julian stepped out.
A light gasp escaped her lip's." When did Julian get a sports car?"
She had known Julian for years, but never—not once—had she seen him in this light. His usual warm demeanor was nowhere to be found. Instead, he carried himself with a cold, aloof intensity, his jaw clenched tight, his stormy gaze locked onto Ethan as she sauntered over.
Not only her but Ethan's eyes also squinted ever so slightly at the sight of Julian, a chilling glint flashed past his eyes before vanishing the next moment.
" Of all the lowlifes on this planet who would've ever thought she was talking about you..." Ethan muttered beneath his breath.
Julian, without breaking eye contact with Ethan, moved swiftly toward Rory and grasped her wrist, his touch firm but not rough. "Lets go," he said.
To his surprise and Ethan's amusement, Rory remained standing, staring at him with a scowl.
" Rory?" Julian raised a brow. But Rory still remained standing. Seeing Ethan's growing smile Julian's eyes began to twitch but he regained some calm and let out a breath.
" Fine... Would you please, get into the car so that I can escort you home. I'm sure Aunty must be worried about you. "
" Better" Rory rolled her eyes at him before getting into the car.
As she settled in, she glanced at Ethan, who, despite Julian's obvious hostility, remained utterly unfazed. If anything, he seemed entertained by the entire situation, a lazy smirk gracing his lips as he watched them.
Julian slammed Rory's door shut before striding back to the driver's seat.
The moment he slid in, the engine roared to life.
Rory barely managed to get her seatbelt on before the car peeled away from the hotel, the tires screeching slightly against the pavement.
She cast one final glance at Ethan through the side mirror. He was still standing there, hands tucked into his pockets, watching them go.
" To think he actually set aside his pride because of a little girl... Just who was that little fairy."
As the car sped off into the bustling city, Ethan exhaled through his nose, amusement lacing his voice as he muttered to himself. "…I wonder if she remembers that her luggage is still with me."
" Rory huh....what an interesting little girl." Ethan's lips curled upwards ever so slightly.
Moments later... The purr of the engine was the only sound filling the sleek confines of the obsidian-black sports car as it surged down the boulevard, weaving seamlessly between the slower vehicles that dared to share the road. Outside, the city was buzzing with its usual fervor, neon signs flashing, pedestrians rushing, tires hissing over asphalt. But within the car, tension clung to the air like thick smoke. unspoken, stifling, and sharp.
Julian gripped the steering wheel with one hand, his other resting loosely near the gearshift. His jaw was clenched tight, though his expression remained the composed mask he wore like armor. From the passenger seat, Rory sat rigid, arms crossed and eyes practically boring holes through the side of his face. She didn't try to hide her glare, didn't pretend to be subtle. Her irritation radiated off her like heat from the car's engine.
Julian exhaled slowly through his nose, not bothering to look at her as the city lights danced over the car's polished dashboard.
She's definitely mad, he thought dryly. 'Perfect...'
He tilted his head slightly, voice calm and measured as he broke the silence. "I don't understand why you're glaring at me like I'm the villain here. Shouldn't you be happy that I came to pick you up?"
Rory scoffed, her brows arching. "Happy?" she repeated incredulously. "You storm in like some overprotective dad and yank me away like I'd done something terrible, and I'm supposed to thank you for it?"
Julian's lips twitched, though he didn't smile. "You're exaggerating."
Rory wasn't done. Her gaze narrowed into suspicion, the edge in her voice sharpening. "How did you even find me so quickly?"
Julian blinked once, the corner of his eye twitching slightly. That's what she's more worried about? She's not even going to ask about the car?
He kept his face stoic as he shifted lanes. "I made some calls. Amongst the people I know. One of them mentioned seeing someone matching your description at St. Laurent's." he replied with practiced ease.
' Seeing me at St. Laurent's? But Ethan said he took me there yesterday night. How come he didn't come yesterday?'
Rory tilted her head slightly, skepticism flaring in her expression. "That's really it?"
Julian finally allowed himself a small, amused exhale. "Of course. What did you think happened? That I hacked your phone? Deployed a squad of agents to comb through the city?" He added with a mock-serious tone, "Perhaps summoned a satellite drone to track your heat signature?"