Lina stared out the window. Well-dressed guests strutted in and out of the lavish hotel where water fountains greeted the cars and a golden carpet was laid out.

  "Young Miss," The driver said, opening the doors for her to come out. ??

  Lina placed one foot out, then the other, and climbed out of the car. At this point, it had become muscle memory for her to elegantly exit. The minute she exited the car, Lina was forced to remember her roots.

  No matter how far she ran, no matter how much she's changed, no matter her current lifestyle, she will forever and always be the youngest daughter of the Yang family.

  "The Madam…" The driver said, handing her a phone with two gloved hands.

  Lina glared at him. The audacity to bring her here and then ask her to talk to her mother. Lina ignored the phone and walked into the hotel. She knew where to go.

  "Young Miss, please wait, the Madam has outfits prepared for you upstairs—"

  "My outfit should suffice," Lina responded without batting an eye.

  Lina strolled into the hotel, her heart burning with irritation. Modern chandeliers graced the ceilings and priceless paintings were at every turn.

  Gracing the hotel were people with eyes the color of blood and the occasional sprinkle of human.

  "Stupid blind date," Lina muttered under her breath, wondering if she should ruin the entire date, so that one would be set up for her. Ever again.

  Suddenly, Lina froze.

  In the distance was the devil himself. He strolled with confidence, his eyes sharp, his features indifferent, and his posture powerful yet nonchalant.

  Dressed in white button-up rolled to his sleeves, a black coat hanging from his shoulders, and dark pants, he was gaining everyone's attention and he didn't even have to try.

  Every woman was watching him in awe like he was a war god on the battlefield.

  Lina quickly stumbled backward, but it was too late. Out of everyone staring at him, he noticed her.

  Their eyes met, for a brief moment, and the world blurred. It took three long strides for him to reach her, and she couldn't tear her gaze from his towering body.

  Frightened by his future, Lian turned to flee, even though there was nowhere in the world she could run off to.

  "Ah, wait—" Sebastian called out, grabbing her wrist.

  Instantly, the temperature dipped, a chilly air blowing through the spacious environment.

  Lina spun around to see who it was. Sebastian had grabbed her wrist, staring at her in surprise, yet he wasn't the cause of this icy atmosphere.

  Kaden threw a seething glower towards Sebastian, who quickly dropped his hand and nervously laughed.

  "B-Boss, I was just helping you catch the fish before she escapes," Sebastian said.

  "You—" Lina hesitate, wondering if she dared to offend him.

  Lina was suddenly reminded of her first life, of his nature, and of his future. She recalled the blood-stained wedding dress and the woman's tears.

  Lina glanced at his large hands, where strong chords of veins curled up his arm. He could easily snap her neck.

  "Are you going to continue standing there like a lost lamb?" Kaden inquired, quirking a sharp brow. Her head snapped up to him, innocently, naively. His body tensed, her reaction stimulating him far too much.

  Lina gawked"Are you stalking me?"

  Kaden rubbed his thumb across his watch, releasing a haughty breath. Lina's stomach knotted at the sound, her heart skipping when his lips curled in slight amusement.

  "And what prospects do you have for me to stalk you?" Kaden taunted, his voice smooth as velvet, but cold as ice.

  "Don't you have more creative lines?" Lina mumbled, remembering what he said in the car.

  Kaden narrowed his gaze, sending chills down her spine. Yet, when he tucked his hands inside of his front pockets, observing her carefully, her face went red.

  "Don't you have classes to attend, little dove?" Kaden returned, staring at her outfit.

  What was she doing in a hotel, all alone, and wandering about? His glare darkened. Who was she here with?

  Deciding to change the topic, Lina glanced around their surroundings. They had everyone's attention. More importantly, Kaden was accompanied by a team of men.

  Lina thought to his name, his resemblance to the Second King of Ritan, and grew confused. How did people not point out his similarities to the Second King of Ritan?

  "How did you know what university I went to?" Lina finally asked.

  "Why should I tell you?" Kaden asked her, his voice low and leveled.

  Lina frowned.

  Hastily, Sebastian tried to fix the scenario before his Boss lost her interest, though that was impossible. Almost every woman wanted him.

  "Your wallet had your school ID, young lady," Sebastian explained, so that Lina didn't get the wrong impression.

  Sebastian glanced at his Boss for approval, but was met with a nonchalant expression. The Boss was continuously staring at Lina like she was the only woman in the world.

  "We meant no offense," Sebastian added on.

  Sebastian hoped he would get a bonus for being the best wingman this world had ever witnessed.

  "Besides, what are you doing in a hotel?" Sebastian asked, observing the occupied lobby.

  DeHaven Corporation was a major investor of this place, more specifically, his Boss had a large cut of shares.

  "No reason," Lina quickly said, deciding her business had nothing to do with them.

  A fire ignited in Kaden's copper eyes, enough to burn this entire hotel to the ground, but the atmosphere grew freezing cold.

  "Are you here to visit a man?" Kaden asked in a calm and composed voice, but his eyes implied otherwise.

  Lina stared at his handsome face, observing his chiseled jawline that could cut rocks, his ignited stare, and his sharp features.

  "And if I am?" Lina challenged.

  "Who is it?" Kaden's tone was mellow, but murder crossed his mind.

  "Why should it concern you?" Lina shot back.

  Kaden reached her with a single stride of his long legs. She was tiny, his large posture easily covering her small ones.

  Kaden dared her to challenge him, dared her to tell him a lie. After all, it seemed she recognized him, and he definitely recognized her too.

  "I'm here for business," Kaden finally said, to dispel any misunderstandings.

  Lina's heart skipped when their eyes met. "Why should I care?"

  Kaden quirked a brow.

  Lina realized they were beginning to draw a crowd. Vampires and humans alike were peering at them.

  It was rare for humans to be wealthy. High society was predominately ruled by Vampires.

  Lina was beginning to wonder if Kaden was actually a vampire instead. If so, she needed to get out of here. And quickly.

  Lina decided to end this chase. "I don't know who I'm here to see," she slowly admitted.

  Kaden narrowed his eyes. "Really now?" he softly murmured.

  "But it's most definitely a man," Lina concluded, pretending to not be affected by his deep and silky voice.

  Kaden's chest stirred and he felt an urge to snatch her towards him. His fingers twitched, itching to strangle someone. And definitely not her. Unless she enjoyed that.

  "Now, please excuse me," Lina said, even though she wasn't asking for his permission. It was out of courtesy.

  Before Kaden could react, Lina walked around him and rushed off before anyone could grab her again. She hoped this severed his interest in her.

  Lina had left it at an ambiguous ending to trick him into thinking she had a boyfriend when she really didn't.

  Surely Kaden wouldn't go after a woman with a man. Right…?

  Lina thought back to his dangerous stare, the way his eyes crinkled with disapproval. She had a gut feeling he would take the woman by force. Kade, the Second King of Ritan had done it before. And he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

  + + + + +

  Finally, Lina saw the small signs that pointed towards the hotel's restaurant. She hurried down the corridor, ignoring the looks thrown her way.

  Lina was too underdressed for this lavish hotel, sporting nothing but jeans and an oversized campus t-shirt.

  "Good afternoon, Ma'am, do you have a reservation?" The hostess at the front of the restaurant asked, offering the guest a warm smile, despite how underdressed the person was.

  The hostess was not a fool to turn people away, based on appearance.

  The most important person in the room was often the most undressed one, for they didn't need to impress anyone. Their name alone was a flex.

  "I'm not sure if I do," Lina said. She didn't know who made the reservation. "But perhaps there is one under the Yang family name?"

  The hostess's brows shot up with familiarity. In Ritan, who hasn't heard of the infamous Yang clan? The hostess tried her best to remain calm as she browsed through the appointments for today.

  "Unfortunately, Ma'am, there wasn't a reservation made under Yang, but your family does have an exclusive tab with us. Thus, if you present your identification, we will get you a seat in no time," the hostess said.

  Lina had left the car too quickly. She didn't bring her ID with her. "I didn't bring any."

  "Oh…" The hostess tried to think of what to do. "Perhaps I can have your full name then, Ma'am? To search you up online."

  "I'm not one of the most well-known Yang," Lina concluded, deciding this wasn't worth her time. "It's fine, thank you for your time."

  Lina was ecstatic at the opportunity to leave. She could tell her mother she tried her best to enter the restaurant.

  Lina was ready to skip down this hallway and hum her favorite song at this unforeseen victory! But then, someone had to ruin her fun.

  "Esteemed guest!" The hostess gasped, quickly bowing her body 90-degrees.

  "On my premise," he slowly said, each word and syllabi capturing the world's attention. "Let her through."