Hailee chuckled to herself. Elliana was truly something else.
Elliana and Hailee stepped out of the hotel and hopped into a cab bound for Willow Lane.
About an hour later, they reached the entrance to the lane, which was bursting with life. Crowds wove between stalls, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled meats and spices, a rhythm of chatter and clatter filling the space.
With energy in their steps, Elliana and Hailee jumped out and began weaving through the lively crowd, heading straight for the Loftus family diner.
Though both turned heads, their vibes couldn’t have been more different. Hailee gave off wholesome sunshine, the classic sweetheart charm. Elliana, on the other hand, carried herself like a heroine out of a high-stakes drama-striking, magnetic, unforgettable.
Side by side, they stole the spotlight-like two stars casually strutting through a movie set lit by neon and streetlights.
A couple hundred feet in, Hailee lit up and pointed down the lane. “That’s it! My family diner, right there.”
Elliana followed her gaze to a cheerful, glowing sign that proudly read Loftus’s Comfort Eats in bold block letters.
Squeezed between neighboring eateries, the diner gave off an inviting warmth. The smell of something delicious wafted into the street, and through the pristine windows, Elliana spotted a bustling crowd. Clearly, this place was a local favorite.
Inside, a man in a spotless chef’s coat moved like a whirlwind, bouncing between the kitchen and dining area with practiced urgency. “That’s my dad,” Hailee said with pride, motioning toward the man. “All our recipes come straight from the family vault. Way better than the usual stuff-and they won’t burn a hole in your wallet. That’s why people never stop coming.”
“Looks like I’m about to have the best meal of the week,” Elliana said, grinning as the taste played out in her imagination.
With a bright smile lighting up her face, Hailee pushed open the door and guided Elliana into the warm, inviting diner.
Behind the counter, Hailee’s father, Briggs Loftus, was juggling plates when he caught sight of Hailee. His tired eyes lit up instantly. “Hey there, sweetheart!”
When he caught a glimpse of Elliana next to Hailee, he paused midstep and blinked. “Well, now-who’s your stunning friend?”
“That’s Elliana Marsh,” Hailee replied, nudging her with a grin. “She came for the food everyone keeps bragging about.”
Waving them over, he motioned to a booth near the back corner. “You’ll like this spot-quiet, cozy, and perfect for first-timers. I’ll cook up something real good for you.”
“Appreciate it,” Elliana remarked, her smile both warm and polite. Hailee’s dad let out a soft chuckle and disappeared behind the swinging kitchen doors.
Before heading off, Hailee leaned down and said, “Sit tight. I’m gonna lend my dad a hand in the back.”
Elliana gave her a simple nod, her smile lingering.
Once Hailee was alone, Elliana sank into the booth and glanced around. The air buzzed with casual conversation and the clink of utensils. From the nearby murmurs, she gathered that Hailee’s dad had a good reputation-friendly, steady, the kind of guy who got along with just about anyone. Hearing that only made things click-of course Hailee was so grounded. She’d been raised right.
A few minutes later, Hailee returned, balancing two plates piled high with food. “Alright, Elliana, time to feast!”
“Perfect,” Elliana said, already reaching for her fork. But just as she was about to taste the first bite, a burst of shouting erupted from the street outside..
A burst of noise echoed from the street, but neither Elliana nor Hailee paid it any attention. It felt distant, and neither of them had a taste for unnecessary drama.
Wearing a small apron dusted in flour, Hailee looked every bit the hardworking chef’s daughter-her cheeks still warm and rosy from her time in the kitchen.
As Elliana reached for her fork, Hailee flopped into the seat across from her, clearly ready to eat and gossip in peace.
Before they could dive in, Hailee suddenly jumped to her feet. “Hold up,” she said, grabbing an apron from the counter. “It gets hot in here, and food tends to fight back. Better cover up.”
Elliana chuckled at the thoughtful gesture and tied it around her waist without protest.
Once Elliana was geared up, both women settled in again, plates steaming, conversation ready to flow.
But before Elliana could taste her first bite, the earlier noise came crashing through the front door like a storm.
Elliana’s eyes darted to the entrance-and there Myles was, dressed to impress in a crisp, tailored suit. He stormed in, trailed by bodyguards dressed head-to-toe in black. Among the easygoing regulars, they looked like they’d wandered in from a movie set.
Confusion flickered across Elliana’s face. What the hell was Myles doing in this place?
Before she could piece anything together, Briggs-cheerful and ever the host-hurried over with a welcoming grin. “Looking to eat, gentlemen?” With a cold glint in his eye, Myles adjusted his glasses and spoke like it was business as usual. “Our boss wants this spot cleared. Everyone else-out. We’re taking over the diner.”
Elliana stared, dumbfounded, her fork frozen in midair. Cole was really clearing out an entire diner for a meal? Had he lost it? Cole was Ublento’s top dog, the kind of guy who dined at a swanky private restaurant. What business did he have showing up at a family-run eatery on Willow Lane? If Cole felt like mingling with the locals, why not do it subtly-blend in, eat quietly, and leave like a normal person? Reserving the entire diner like it was some large event? He had clearly taken a detour into madness.
Myles’s request backed Briggs into a corner. Briggs’ modest diner thrived on familiar faces and returning customers. High-profile customers didn’t just stroll in and call for a private event.
“Uh, sir, I-” Briggs said, his voice unsure.
Before Briggs could finish, two more suits-Aron and Hugh-strode in like they owned the block. “All clear outside,” one of them said. “Just need this place cleared.”
A flicker of disbelief curled at the edge of Elliana’s mouth. Out of every corner joint in the city, Cole chose this one. Was that a coincidence, or was he here because of her? She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, her fingers trembling slightly. No way he’d recognize her-he’d never seen her without the layers of her usual disguise.
As her thoughts spiraled, Myles gave a subtle nod, and the bodyguards sprang into action-silently slipping thick bundles of cash into each patron’s hand like it was a planned ritual.
“Our boss will be here soon,” Myles announced, his voice loud and flat. “Take the money and grab dinner somewhere else.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.