27 : shifts and attitudes

— Everleigh

It didn't take a genius to notice the shift in Sasha's mood. He went from being so playful to serious in just the snap of a finger. I followed his gaze over to the most beautiful woman and man I had ever seen. Emilia thought that we were a beautiful 'couple,' but she'd be in awe if she saw them.

Their aura shed power with ease. I almost wanted to straighten my posture just at the sight of them. I quickly stood up, getting ready to move to the other side with Sasha, since I presumed they'd be joining us.

"Oh, no, please, stay seated. I'll just sit next to you," the woman said. She had the most vibrant ginger hair with eyes such a dark blue that they looked purple. Not to mention, her emerald green dress only made her stand out more.

We looked like idiots with my big shirt and his crop top compared to them. Sasha failed to inform me that not only would we be attending some fancy restaurant but two very seemingly important people would be joining us. Now, I really felt like an outcast. It was already bad enough that every single person in the restaurant stared at us with such distaste as we walked in.

I slowly sat down, secretly narrowing my eyes at Sasha as I did. He didn't bother looking at me, all he did was stare straight ahead like some cold soldier preparing for war. He was ice cold, and I never thought I'd witness it. The host pulled out a chair for the woman just as the man sat down beside Sasha.

"Hello, I'm Madeline." She smiled, holding out her hand for me to shake. I slipped my hand into her own only to realize just how soft it felt.

"Everleigh." I returned.

"Nice to meet you, Everleigh. This is my husband, Ángel Siciliano. He goes by Siciliano, but don't worry, you can call him Ángel," she introduced me. Ángel held out his hand for my shake, so I placed my hand in his where he brought my hand up to his lips and planted a kiss on my knuckles.

I glanced at his wife nervously only to catch her reassuring smile.

"We're Italian. We love physical touch. You'll learn as you're around us more," she told me. I had to refrain from expressing how I was very much against that idea. I didn't know them, and if there was one thing I hated, it was hanging around new people—especially really rich people—it always made me feel out of place. And I could tell that they were rich based on the way she just smelled like money. She had a huge diamond wedding band on her ring finger and a beautiful diamond necklace with a pair of matching earrings. Not to mention her very rare Birkin bag placed on the table, along with her Jimmy Choo heels.

"Great." I laughed nervously, glancing at Sasha.

"You're probably wondering who we are and why we're here..." Ángel began. Yeah, I was. "I'm a good friend of Kayo's. I don't know if you remember me from that night at the club."

Suddenly, it all came rushing back to me. I did remember him. He was celebrating Sasha's victory and was one of the ones who tipped me most generously other than Sasha.

"Oh, right! I do remember!" I exclaimed. "I'm sorry if I seem a little off. I just really wasn't expecting all of this."

"Kayo didn't tell you that we were joining you for dinner? I thought he'd be more respectful," he stated, looking at Sasha who had been dead silent the entire time. Sasha looked at me before glaring at Ángel.

"Right," he said, turning to me. "I'm sorry for not informing you. And I apologize for not greeting you, Madeline. You look lovely," Sasha said. I could see that he was speaking, but it sounded absolutely nothing like him.

"No worries." She smiled.

"It's okay," I muttered. Is Sasha okay?

"So, Everleigh... Kayo tells me that you're in school, is that true?" Ángel asked. Sasha's eyes shot up as he looked between me and Ángel.

"Yes, it is. I do my schoolwork online, though," I explained to him. He nodded his head with an approving smile.

"Do you gamble?" Madeline asked me.

I glanced at Sasha awkwardly only to turn to Madeline since Sasha was beginning to avoid all eye contact with me. He was acting so weird.

"No, I honestly find it a waste of resources," I explained.

She smiled. "Smart girl."

"Yes, but is it really a waste if you win?" Ángel interrupted. It reminded me of the dumb and dumber trio that Xyah just loved to associate herself with. Andre, Malik, and Tyler always said the same exact thing. I wasn't sure how many times I'd have to have the same conversation.

"There's a small chance that you'll win. I don't like to go through life based on chances. I'm a firm believer in working for what you want. If millions is what you want, go make millions. Sometimes, when you work for it, you appreciate it more, so it lasts longer," I told them with a shrug.

"Hmm," Ángel hummed.

"I like you," Madeline smiled. "You picked a good one, Kayo."

Kayo gave this fake, little smile. I narrowed my eyes at him in suspense and made a mental note to ask him about this whole situation later.

"I'd like you to meet someone," Ángel told me. My brows rose. More people I have to meet?

"Actually, I think you might know him..."

"What the hell are you doing?" Sasha asked. I was beyond confused. Now, I was seeing the real Sasha. His facade was officially gone.

Instead of blowing up like I thought he might, Ángel's smile grew as he threw his arm over Sasha's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. I could visibly see Sasha's face contorting into anger by the second.

"Everleigh, you remember Kyle, don't you?" Ángel introduced. My heart dropped at the sound of his name. Of course, I remembered Kyle. It was hard to forget how his dark aura. How he reaped with murderous intent. I had hoped I'd never see him again.

"Everleigh..." he said. My eyes widened as I turned to the sound of his voice. There he was, heading toward our table. I looked at Sasha only to see that his fists were clenched so tight that I could see the whites of his knuckles.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked Sasha before turning to Madeline. She looked just as confused as I was.

"I just couldn't get you out of my mind when I met you. I had to see you again," Kyle confessed.

"Ángel—" Madeline began. Ángel held up a finger to hush Madeline, but I could almost feel her resistance to obey.

"What the fuck?" I whispered. And where the hell did the waitress go with my drink?

Kyle was so close to me that he easily towered over me. With the pads of his fingers, he placed his hand directly under my chin and lifted my head up to meet his gaze.

"You're beautifu—"

"Get your fucking hands off her," Sasha growled from his seat. I tore my gaze away from Kyle to focus on Sasha. He had stood up so fast that his seat fell. His anger was flowing off of him in waves.

"Or what, little boy?" Kyle challenged. "Are you throwing a little temper tantrum now?"

"You mean the same one you've been throwing since I killed your little brother?" Sasha mocked. What?

That seemed to really tick Kyle off. I thought he might've flew across the table and both Sasha and Kyle would've began to fight, but he didn't. Instead, Kyle chuckled darkly. He did the last thing I'd ever expect. He slid his hand against my scalp and grabbed a fistful of my hair. I had no time to protest as he held me only a centimeter away from his crotch.

"Stop it, now!" Madeline protested.

"You see this, Kayo? Remember this," Kyle said. I tried to push Kyle off of me but his grip was far too strong. In seconds, he released me with a smirk on his face. I watched as he got down on his knee in front of me so we were eye-level. I had to resist the urge to spit in his face. He eyed my clothing with absolute distaste.

"I'm sorry, princess. I just had to teach your boyfriend a little lesson. I hope you'll forgive me," he whispered in my ear. I wanted to throw up in my mouth as he planted a kiss on the corner of my lips.

"Leave me alone," I muttered.

He smiled. "Never."

I glared at him as he pulled away. "Thank you for allowing me to briefly join you, Siciliano. It was a pleasure.

"I will not rest until I kill you with my bare hands, you son of a bitch!" Sasha yelled.

"Can't wait to see you try." Kyle smirked, standing up and turning on his heel. We all watched him him whistle a tune with his hands buried in his pockets as he walked away.

Sasha quickly came around the table and grabbed me by my arm. "We're leaving."

Thank God.

"I am so sorry—" I could hear Madeline speaking as Sasha practically rushed me out of the restaurant. I only hoped he wouldn't run into Kyle on the way out—actually, I secretly hoped he would. Kyle needed his ass beat.

—

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Another update for my lovassss! This is my apology for taking so damn long. I've just been going through it. I forgot how much writing is such a release for me, but I'm glad to be back in the groove.

Love you guys,

A. Marie

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