Chapter 2

"They messed around behind our backs, totally betrayed us—how can we just let it slide that easily, right?" Honestly, he wasn't wrong. Anna felt fired up at first, almost nodded in agreement, but then her sanity kicked in, and she shook her head hastily. "Heh... better not." She subtly shuffled away, trying to escape Julian's intense gaze. The guy was absurdly good-looking, sure—but maybe getting cheated on messed with his head? What if he dragged her into something crazy like arson or murder? That would be game over. "Scared already?" Julian's charming, slightly sly eyes twinkled as he spoke calmly, but Anna couldn't help feeling teased by his tone. Anna had always been the bold, fearless kind since she was a kid. Being challenged like that? No way she was backing down. She straightened her back and blurted, "W-Who said I was scared?!" She stared him down, jaw tight, stubborn fire in her eyes. She didn't realize that her chest rose and fell with each breath, and from Julian's perspective, the whole scene was... distracting. Julian's eyes darkened. He reached out and gently pressed a finger to her lips. "You said it yourself, remember. No backing out." The sudden cool touch startled her, and—don't know what flipped in her brain—she bit him. Their eyes locked. The air between them was suddenly... thick. "Ugh! Why're you sticking your finger in my mouth, you creep!" Anna snapped out of it first, spit out his finger, blushed furiously, and quickly flipped the roles with a loud accusation. Julian just glanced down at her, unfazed, pulling out a handkerchief from his suit jacket and carefully wiping off his finger like nothing happened. Ew. Anna stuck out her tongue in disgust; her arm broke out in goosebumps. That look he just gave her? Way too icy. "What's your name? Where do you live? How old are you?" Julian lowered his head, not even looking at her directly, but fired off questions one after the other without pause. What—was he a cop? Anna didn't want to answer, but remembering that chilly glare, she shrunk back a little, then mumbled unwillingly, "Anna Green. From the capital. I'm 21." Julian lifted his hand under the dim light, eyeing the clear row of bite marks on his finger. A strange smirk tugged at his lips. "Oh, so you're part puppy, huh?" "Uh..." The second she answered, Anna realized something was off—but it was too late to take it back. Eyeing this total stranger warily, she laid down the terms for teaming up. "Fine, I'll help you get revenge or whatever, but you've gotta promise me nothing illegal. No killing, no arson—count me outta that. Though... even if you really do something bad, my lips are sealed." Yeah, she totally just sold out her boyfriend without hesitation. Well, ex-boyfriend now, anyway. "They left. Did you take your ID?" Julian didn't address her condition directly. Instead, he tossed her this random question. "...Huh? I always carry mine..." Anna poked her head around and finally realized the room was trashed, but the couple who had been all over each other earlier was now long gone. "Good. Then we're leaving too." Pleased with her answer, Julian stood up, adjusted his clothes, and reached down to pull Anna up from her crouch. "Wait... where are we going?" "You'll see. Just come." Julian ruffled her hair like she was some kind of pet. Still in a daze, Anna let him lead her out. By the time they stepped out of the hotel, morning light had already broken across the sky.