KV AUTOMOBILE
"What the hell did I say?" Warren barked, towering over the trembling worker who looked like he'd wet his pants if Warren even blinked wrong.
"F-F-file ready in... in fifteen minutes," the man stuttered out, voice barely audible.
"Fantastic. Now get the hell out of my sight," Warren growled, waving him off like filth on his shoe.
Something was definitely off—and every single soul in KV Automobile could feel it. Warren, usually composed and charming these past couple months, now looked like a beast that just lost his mate. And the whole damn building was paying for it.
"Boss... the Chinese investors are here," Stanley, his bodyguard, informed cautiously. The PA was too terrified to utter a word.
"Cancel it. I'm not interested," Warren said flatly, no trace of warmth in his tone.
"Boss, you can't just—"
"Use the fucking door, Stanley," he snapped, shutting down any argument.
As soon as Stanley left, Warren slammed his fist onto the desk hard enough to shake it. He felt empty. Unhinged. He needed someone—her. He needed Skylar. Her soft voice, her annoying but adorable rants, her unpredictable touches. He needed his girl. But she wasn't there. And every second without her was pure torture. Flame wasn't around. Raymond? Busy. Even his father wasn't reachable.
So what did Warren do? He made a choice. He had to see her. Now.
---
BLACK EAGLE CLAN
Barbie was deep in her tech haven, eyes locked on a series of complex codes. Her fingers danced across the keyboard like it was a damn symphony. So caught up, she didn't even register the presence behind her... until something cold touched her cheek.
"What the hell—? You?" she blurted out, spinning her chair.
"Mhm. Me," Blaze said smoothly.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I brought you this." He held out a bottle of banana milk.
Barbie raised an eyebrow. "What, you think I'm five?"
He didn't answer—just set it on the table within reach.
"Thanks. You can go now." She turned back to her work, but before her fingers could touch the keys, her chair twirled around, bringing her face-to-face with Blaze, who was suddenly close—way too close—and cupped her cheek.
"You good?" he asked softly.
"What?" Barbie blinked, genuinely confused.
"Let's go on a date."
And just like that, Barbie's brain short-circuited.
---
KRUZ MANSION
"Mom," Warren called as he stepped into the mansion.
"Mrs. Kruz is in the garden, Master," a maid answered.
Without a word, Warren made his way there.
∞∞∞∞∞
"Mom," he sighed, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her shoulder like a broken boy.
After a long moment, Mrs. Kruz gently cupped his cheeks, her eyes soft with concern.
"Tell Momma what's wrong," she whispered.
Warren smiled faintly. His mother had always understood him... well, except her. But now, he wasn't even sure Skylar wanted him anymore.
"Can we go inside?" he asked. She nodded and led him into the game room, knowing her son was breaking.
Once settled, she ran her fingers through his hair, coaxing the truth out of him.
"I just... Skylar and I had a fight. She's mad. I haven't touched her, heard her voice, or even seen her for more than eighteen hours. And it's... unbearable. I need her, Mom. And I don't know what to do." His voice cracked, a tear rolling down that perfect cheek.
"What happened?"
"Linda's hair got caught on my button. I know it's stupid, I know I shouldn't have let her that close. But Amore... she won't even listen. I feel like she's going to leave me again. And I can't... I won't survive that this time."
Mrs. Kruz pulled him into another hug, her heart aching for her son. She had watched this boy fall hopelessly in love with Skylar since he was ten. That love... that obsession had survived years, heartbreak, even abandonment. If she left again, it wouldn't just break Warren—it would destroy him.
When Warren had finally calmed, she pulled away slightly and smiled.
"I think your Amore's more jealous than angry."
"Huh?"
"No woman reacts like that over a button and a few strands of hair unless she's hopelessly in love. Skylar doesn't hate you, Warren. She's scared, just like you."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. That girl's been through hell and back, and expressing emotions isn't her strong suit. Give her a little time."
"Thanks—"
"And Warren," Mrs. Kruz cut in sharply. "Tell her the truth."
He froze.
"But—"
"No buts. If you want to keep her, she needs to know everything."