FOREWORD - CHAPTER 10 - AN UNPLANNED STOP

I get in.

I don’t know why, but I do.

The door shuts with a sharp click, and for a moment, it feels like I’ve locked everything out—the villa, the lights, the flawless faces.

Kai drives in silence.

Then, without looking at me, he says,

"Got tired of being around all those faces pretending perfection exists?"

I glance at him.

His eyes are fixed on the road, like he’s not expecting an answer.

But I give him one anyway.

"It’s not the faces that tire me. It’s the noise they make pretending to be something they’re not."

A half-smile touches his lips.

"Interesting. I like that."

Then he glances at me sideways.

"So, where am I taking you, Scared Eyes?"

I freeze.

"Scared Eyes?"

"Yeah. You’ve got that look that says ‘I don’t trust this,’ but you got in anyway."

I smile.

"At the second intersection, turn right."

"Got it."

Silence.

I pretend to look out the window.

He pretends not to notice my awkwardness.

But it’s there. Between us.

Like a radio playing softly in the background.

Then, suddenly, Kai slows down.

He turns.

"Now I’m taking you somewhere."

"Where?"

"Trust me."

I’m not sure I do.

But I say nothing.

My heart speeds up.

The road shifts.

The lights grow warmer, more real.

Then I see it.

A small food stand with string lights, wooden tables, people laughing.

Kai parks.

"Relax. I’m not selling you to an organ trafficker."

He grins.

"I don’t like the food they serve at those party buffets. I prefer Benny’s Grill."

He looks at me.

"What were you thinking, Scared Eyes? I just got hungry."

I ease up.

Smile.

"Okay. You convinced me."

We get out.

He walks up to the counter.

"Benny!"

A burly man with a white beard and apron looks up.

"Kai! The usual?"

"For two."

We sit.

The table wobbles, but the evening doesn’t.

Kai looks at me.

"So, Scared Eyes… should I keep calling you that, or do I get to know your name?"

"Vale. My name’s Vale."

"Hmm. Italian?"

"No. My mom has Italian roots. We moved here when she met my dad.

She named me Valentina Rose. But everyone’s always called me Vale."

Kai nods.

"Valentina Rose… sounds like a song. But Vale feels more real."

"And you?"

"Me?"

He smiles.

"Too mysterious to reveal right away."

"Come on…"

"Oh no, I can’t."

He leans in, lowers his voice.

"I’m undercover."

I stare at him, confused.

Then he laughs.

"I’m kidding."

"Ah, so you like to joke."

"Only with people who joke this beautifully."

I look away, flustered.

Benny arrives with the sandwiches.

The smell of grilled meat, onions, secret sauce.

I take a bite.

Close my eyes.

"Mmh… so good."

Kai smiles.

"Told you. This is the best place I know. A simple sandwich here turns into magic."

"You’re right."

"Anyway, don’t play coy. Now it’s your turn."

"My turn for what?"

"To tell me your name."

"Oh no, I can’t."

He leans in again.

"Undercover, remember?"

"Still?"

"Okay, okay."

He laughs but doesn’t answer.

We eat in silence.

Then his tone shifts.

"So… what brought you to that charity event?"

"I help Linda. The woman you saw.

I volunteer at the children’s home she runs."

"You like helping others?"

"Yes.

I’m very close to Linda.

Ever since I went there the first time, I never stopped.

I love helping the kids.

Maybe because I see myself in them.

It was just me and my mom growing up.

My dad left us.

I know what those kids feel."

Kai looks at me.

He’s no longer the tough guy.

He’s something else.

Like my words opened a window inside him.

"Your mom cares a lot too, right?

I saw the girl on stage say she organized the event. And your uncle too."

Kai stiffens.

"Well… yeah. We care a lot."

But he says it vaguely.

Like there’s more.

Like he doesn’t want to talk about it.

"And you? What do you do?"

"You saw the place, didn’t you?

Let’s say my uncle lets me run it. I handle the family business."

But he doesn’t elaborate.

And I don’t push.

We finish our sandwiches and stand up.

We walk slowly toward the car.

"Alright… I promise, no more mysterious places."

"Unless there are sandwiches."

"Exactly."

I reply with a small smile.

We get in the car.

The ride is short.

We arrive near my house.

"You can drop me off here, thanks."

Kai stops.

I open the door.

"Thanks for the ride.

Oh… and thanks for dinner."

I smile.

Kai looks at me.

"No problem.

Next time I’ll take you to a Michelin-starred restaurant.

But only if they serve sandwiches."

"Goodnight, Scared Eyes."

I’m about to get out.

Then he says,

"Oh… Kai.

I’m Kai."

I look at him.

Say nothing.

Smile.

Head toward home.

He stays there.

Engine running.

Eyes fixed on me.

Until I close the door.

And he… drives away.

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