THE NEXT MORNING - 3 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Me: Now I remember!

Lee: Remember what?

Slightly startled that I blurted out without realizing Lee was awake in bed, I turned to him, my sides still hurting from the taser, but forcing through the pain anyway.

Me: Our wedding is in 3 days. You are going on a business trip. Look, our wedding may not be real, but hey.

Lee: Who said I forgot?

Me: Your business meeting...

Lee: Away from the prying eyes, I wanted us to elope to the North.

Me: What?

Lee: Far from these prying eyes.

Me: But Lee, they prepared everything-

Lee: It wouldn't hurt to give them a taste of pain.

Me: Lee... (smirking) Are you already in love with me?

Lee turned to me, smirking. Guess we were good at sarcastically flirting.

Lee: In your dreams Liana. I'm doing my duty as a husband. You however, were smitten by me yesterday.

Me: First, I was showing appreciation for what you did. Secondly, never.

Lee: We will see about that.

Me: What? Want to bet?

Lee: First person to fall first gets to do whatever the winner wants.

Me: I don't like the sound of that... (smirking) But I can't say I don't like it. I'm in.

Lee: It's a deal.

Me: But back to the wedding Lee. I don't want to look weak in their eyes. So, if there really was no business needing to be handled, why not give them a show?

Lee: A show?

Me: Come on Lee! You love showing off. Do the same here.

Lee: You mean even if we kept our boundaries, I can break them on the aisle?

Me: I mean, it's a wedding.

Lee: Of convenience.

Me: Which a kiss wouldn't mean anything, so all the more put effort in it.

Lee: You are interestingly strategic, klutz.

Me: That's because you never got a chance to know me, rich boy.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Lee and I exchanged looks. Did they overhear our conversation?

Lee: How about we give them a show now?

Me: Okay.

Lee pulled me into his arms, and I 'pretended' to enjoy it. Really, I was not enjoying that.

Me: (muttering) Just an act. It is just an act.

Lee: Come in.

It was Linda walking in and asking for Lee.

Linda: Didn't mean to disturb...

Don't make it sound weird as it already is Linda.

Me: It's okay, I will head back to bed.

Linda: Right, how are your injuries? Don't push yourself too much, okay?

Me: Will try.

Lee: Will be back.

Me: Okay.

I watched Lee freshen up and head out the bedroom door. My eyes didn't bother to wait any longer as I fell asleep.

* * *

Finally feeling fresh and ready to face the day, I took a shower and realized the only clothing I had was the gala outfit. I knew Lee was busy with his family, but this was an emergency. They will understand.

Me
Lee.
I don't have clothes.

Lee
Just wear my shirt.

Me
Not funny Lee!
I'm being serious.
I want to come downstairs.

Lee
Check the other closet.

Me
Other closet?

Lee
It's next to mine.

Me
I barely see anything.

Lee
Because it's yours.

I blushed. Mine? Already?

Lee
Open it. 
You should find something to wear there.

Following orders, I opened to see all types of dresses, most of which were my style.

Me
Wow Lee.
Never took you as the remembering stuff person.
I'm impressed.

Lee
Careful Liana.
Don't make me win this game easily.

My thoughts returned back. I couldn't let him win.

Lee
I can feel you blushing on your end.
Maybe this game might be easy after all.

Me
No, I am not.
Just get back to your family meeting.

Lee
See you soon.

Returning back to the dresses, I decided to get a bit... mischievous.

Me: What can get Lee distracted?

Deciding to wear something entirely different from my usual style, I chose a floral dress - letting go of the turtle neck - with my silver heels. I mean, Lee said it's my closet now.

Me: Let's see who will be drooling over who now.

Looking at the mirror one more time, I then walked out the door and down the stairs. Lee and his family were on a heavy meeting and guess who it was all about?

Me. Liana. Of course.

I walked in casually. Everyone stopped to look at me. Lee's eyes were widened and his lips carved into a smile. I hit the nail with my outfit.

Me: Good morning.

I then did the Romano formal greeting, everyone on the table, shocked. I then walked to the kitchen, making a cup of chai for myself.

Nana: Since when did you know the formal Romano greeting?

Me: My parents were fond of the Romanos. I never understood why, but yes, they taught me the Romano greeting.

Lawrence: Your parents. Did we ever meet them?

Me: I don't know. I was 9 at the time.

Lee: And you captured this greeting from that time on?

Me: It looked interesting to me.

Opening the fridge to grab milk, Nana then spoke.

Nana: We have people for that. Come, sit down.

Me: I know, I just like to do it my own way.

Taking my mug, I was about to make my way outside when Lee's mom spoke.

Lee's mom: You know, we were thinking of postponing the wedding and Romano Games.

Me: Why?

Lee's mom: Due to your injuries. I bet dressing up was a bit difficult.

Lee: She made it just fine, no need to belittle her.

Me: Like Lee said, I got ready just fine. Everything can continue as is.

Linda: Are you sure you can handle the games? They are quite a challenge.

Me: If you are telling me, you have the wrong person. When will they take place?

Lawrence: Close to the end of the year.

Puzzled, I asked.

Me: Why that long?

Lawrence: Because I want you to compete with someone... (To Lee) Someone you know very well.

Lee and I exchanged looks briefly. Whoever that person is.

Me: Looking forward to that then. I will start practicing.

Nana: What do the Romano Games consist of?

Me: (Smiling) The Romano Games consist of 7 types of sport, which are: archery, racing, chess, horse racing, tennis, golf and game of cards all of which the order can be changed accordingly.

Nana: Good.

Lee: If we are done, Liana and I will be taking our leave.

Lawrence's mom: Where are you going?

Lee: No need to worry about that. We will be back later.

Lee stood up, taking his blazer, putting it around my shoulders, then my hand, and we walked out.

I watched our intertwined hands as we walked to the car. Lee's firm yet soft and warm hands. I wanted to hate him, but I couldn't. Was I falling for him already?

Me: Lee, we are outside. You can let go now.

Lee: Who said I want to?

Me: Playing your side of the game huh?

Lee: Just like you played yours with your outfit.

Me: What? (Smirking) In love with me already?

Lee: (Smirking) In your dreams.

* * *

Elena's POV - North Cybric

Ace: And I didn't see you at home. What happened?

I had just arrived after being away for 3 days. I didn't tell Ace where I was headed because it's none of his business and we are here for different goals. None of which aligned with mine.

Me: Nothing. I was using Lance as leverage to get through the people. No one would trust a man who committed treason. Such a man is deserving of death. Besides, it's none of your concern. You said so yourself.

Ace: I never said it was wrong to ask how your plans are going. I thought you missed Liana and decided to ditch the mission.

Me: (Laughing) I love Liana, but I have a mission to complete. I never drop my missions halfway. Ever.

Ace: Actually, I wanted to let you in on my plan.

Me: (shocked) Since when?

Ace: Since you might be worried about my whereabouts-

Me: I don't care really. Don't give me the insecurity title.

I looked at the man in front of the door, his arms folded and a smirk on his lips as he leaned by the wall of the passage. Unlike Lee, Ace had a flirty expression on his face. I wondered how they are friends - they don't even have the same expressions or personalities. Poor sisters, how did we end up with them in this situation?

Ace: You sure you don't care?

Me: Don't push it Ace. I'm not up for your flirts.

There was glint in his eye that would easily have me fooled. He seemed composed and relaxed; like he knew he would win whatever mission he's on. I looked at Ace again, walking up to him.

Me: We came together in a convenient relationship to better disguise our missions. You better not try to mess this up. Just because I asked for your help, doesn't mean I can't achieve this plan alone.

Ace: ...

Me: Got it?

Ace: Got it.

Me: Good.

At that very same moment, our phones buzzed.

Me: Odd.

Ace shot up, pulling me to his chest as we ducked down. A gun shot passed above us by an inch. I landed on his chest, his hand wrapped around my waist; eyes locking with each other.

Me: Sent by Lance?

Ace: No.

We froze there for a while before getting up awkwardly.

Me: So, if not Lance Reynolds, then who?

Ace: A good nemesis of mine.

I tilted my head.

Ace: My mission is a dangerous one; they might target you too. I am sorry about that.

Me: Don't undermine my mission. It has its dangers too.

Ace: Elena, I'm being serious. I don't want you being in the crossfire when it's my mission to deal with. I want... I want to keep you safe as much as I can.

Me: Ace, you know our relationship isn't real. I can't be under your care while knowing that I won't be in it forever.

Ace: Says who?

Me: You, sir.

For some reason, that ached my heart more than it should. I should be happy, right? Once I get my title back and he deals with his nemesis as he says, we will all go back to being strangers.

Me: Don't worry. It's currently a blast encountering danger with you.

Ace: (Smirking) If that's the case, I will be with you for as long as you do.

Then, after some time, he chuckled.

Me: What?

Ace: You are interesting.

Me: You find me interesting?

Ace: You are determined yet quite fun to tease.

Me: Ha. Is that supposed a compliment?

Ace: Yes.

I shook my head.

Me: (Laughing) You are weirdly funny Ace. Really funny.

* * *

Liana's POV

When I 'accepted' this offer of eating out, I didn't think I would be in the middle of these two. 

Liam somehow managed to follow us all the way to the restaurant and Lee expected it.

Lee: Liam is the third wheel. Don't mind him.

I looked at Lee.

Me: Sorry, what? A third wheel?

Lee: He follows wherever I go. Guess he is enjoying your company too.

Me: ...

Lee: I mean, you are a Romano.

Me: Soon to be one.

With that, Lee switched his phone off, packing it in his blazer (I returned it to him).

Lee: It's as good as official.

I shook my head, laughing.

Me: So you can be romantic when you want to, huh?

Lee: (smirks) Is that a compliment?

Me: (smirks) I don't know. Maybe it isn't.

Or maybe it is.