THE TEMPTRESS

||Rumors||

•STEPHANIE•

"There's a business kinda thing tonight, and I want you to come with me."

Kaden announced as he lit up a cigarette. This unexpected news immediately caught my attention.

"What's this business event all about?" I inquired, though I had a hunch about the type of event it might be.

He exhaled a puff of smoke and nodded in my direction.

"Just a regular formal party with some important associates will be there. I want to make a good impression by showing up."

I grinned, taking in the view of the expansive swimming pool in front of us.

"A good impression, huh?"

"Mm-hmm."

I understood what he meant - he wanted to flaunt his new arm candy to these 'important' people, stroking his oversized ego.

This was also an opportunity for me. If Luca happened to be there, it'd be a perfect chance to keep an eye on him and see who he was mingling with.

Whether they were significant or not, I'd bring them all down for associating with him.

"Will your dad be there?" I lowered my voice, trying to appear wary of the guy, hoping Kaden would buy into my act.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and leaned in closer to the table between us.

"Don't worry about him. He won't come near you unless I allow it."

I flashed a satisfied smile, taking the cigarette from his hand and bringing it to my lips for a puff.

I took a long drag, exhaling the smoke slowly to the side. Kaden watched me in silence, a smirk on his face.

Voices drifted from inside the house, and I turned my head to see Lucy and Ben emerging and heading our way.

"Hey, Steph," Ben greeted, flashing a warm smile.

I returned the gesture and shifted my gaze to Lucy. She simply glanced at me before dropping onto the plastic chair beside the pool lounge chair I occupied.

"Did you tell her about the party tonight?" Ben asked Kaden. He nodded slowly, looking back at me.

"Yeah, she agreed to be my plus-1."

"Awesome," Ben exclaimed, his excitement evident. "We're going to have so much fun."

"Not really. You guys will probably wander off to find chicks and get wasted. Kaden will be stuck with Stephanie all night, and I have to stay sober to make sure none of you embarrass yourselves. So, how is that fun?" Lucy quipped.

I couldn't help but laugh, and she shot me a quick glance, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Whatever, Luce, that's your problem. You know what I think, though?"

"No, I don't, and I don't want to," Lucy retorted.

"I think you just need some dick," Ben teased.

Lucy immediately swatted his arm, and Ben continued laughing. After their laughter died down and I dropped the cigarette butt into the ashtray, an odd silence settled among us. I noticed Ben's expression had suddenly turned serious.

"Hey, I was looking into those murder cases involving your father's friends. I found some pretty interesting shit the other day," Ben announced.

Kaden sat up straight, clearly intrigued by the news, and a cold shiver ran down my spine.