𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥

Realized I haven't updated in nearly two months...so here's this long chapter to compensate.

06:45 pm

Victor's

    Victor's was alive with the energy of the evening rush. The restaurant's warm lighting cast a golden hue over the bustling space, where the clatter of cutlery and the murmur of conversation blended into a comforting hum. Luka moved through the crowd with practiced ease, his eyes scanning the room as he finished serving a family near the large window. Their table was a colorful display of half-eaten birthday cake, scattered confetti, and the glow of melting candles. The parents beamed at their children, who were still giggling from the festivities. Luka exchanged polite smiles with them, offering a soft "Goodnight" as he collected the last few plates.

As he walked back toward the cashier's counter, Luka felt the comforting weight of a good tip in his pocket. He pulled out the crumpled bills, smoothing them with his fingers before dropping them into the glass tip jar. The satisfying clink of coins rang out, momentarily piercing the ambient noise of the restaurant. Around him, servers weaved between tables, balancing trays laden with steaming plates, while diners leaned in close, their conversations punctuated by bursts of laughter.

Nick, another waiter with a perpetual smirk, sauntered over with an air of arrogance. The loose change in his hand jingled as he approached, and he tossed the coins into the jar with a dramatic flourish, the metal clattering loudly against the glass.

"The job's easy enough," Nick said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. He leaned casually against the counter, his sneer widening as he eyed Luka. "Might not be as lucrative as dealing drugs, but at least you won't get arrested, huh?"

"Right," Luka replied, his tone deliberately flat, his expression unreadable. He refused to rise to Nick's bait, focusing instead on organizing the scattered receipts by the register.

Nick's smirk twisted into something darker as he leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a venomous whisper. "Unless those murder charges come back."

Luka's hand paused mid-motion, but his face remained impassive as he turned to meet Nick's gaze. "Which they won't," he said coolly, his voice steady. "Because Caleb did it."

Nick chuckled, the sound low and humorless. He shook his head as if savoring a private joke. "I remember when you thought I did it," he said, his eyes glinting with a twisted amusement.

"Whatever, Nick," Luka said, his patience fraying. With a dismissive shake of his head, he turned sharply on his heel and headed toward the kitchen. The heavy door swung shut behind him with a muted thud, muffling the noise of the bustling restaurant.

    Across the room, tucked away at a table by the wall, Alexia, Calypsis, and Danny sat in a quiet corner. The dim light cast shadows over their faces, giving their conversation an air of secrecy. Alexia's eyes were fixed on Luka, tracking his every movement with a mix of intensity and apprehension.

"So, that's why we're here? Stalking Luka?" Calypsis asked, her tone skeptical as she took a slow, deliberate sip of her water. Her brows knitted together in confusion as she glanced at Alexia.

"No," Alexia replied immediately, her voice clipped and defensive. She didn't take her eyes off Luka, her French tips acrylique nails tapping a silent rhythm on the table.

"Then why are we here?" Danny asked, leaning forward, her voice low and laced with curiosity as she stared down Alexia.

"You wanna know why we're here?" Alexia finally shifted her gaze to meet Calypsis's questioning look.