He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
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THE NEXT MORNING, RHAINE WAS SITTING at the kitchen counter, sipping on her tea when her auntie waltzed in with a bright smile on her face.
"Guess what?" her auntie said, excitement bubbling in her voice.
Rhaine raised an eyebrow, already wary of whatever was coming. "What?"
"I'm planning a family gathering tonight! Just something small—dinner and catching up with the relatives. I've been missing everyone from America," her auntie explained as she began bustling around the kitchen.
Rhaine's stomach flipped, sensing where this conversation was headed.
"And," her auntie continued with a grin, "I want you to invite Ni-ki. It'll be nice for everyone to meet your boyfriend properly, don't you think?"
Rhaine nearly choked on her coffee. "Auntie..."
Her auntie waved her off. "Don't 'Auntie' me! Everyone's curious about him. Plus, it'll make you look good to have your boyfriend by your side at a family event. You know how nosy your cousins are."
"But he's a kumiho, you already know how grandma and grandpa—and especially uncle—feel about them..."
"They're old-fashioned. You can't let them scare you away from someone who seems like a good guy," her aunt replied. "Besides, think of the gossip! If Ni-ki impresses them, you'll be the star of the night. Trust me, this could work in your favor."
Rhaine frowned, weighing her aunt's words. "But what if they don't like him? What if they—"
"They won't bite," her aunt interjected, her tone shifting to one of reassurance.
Rhaine hesitated. The thought of dragging Ni-ki into a potentially awkward situation didn't sit right with her. Not to mention, spending more time together pretending in front of her family? But she knew better than to argue with her auntie.
"Fine," she gulped. "I'll ask him."
"Great!" her auntie chirped.
Rhaine sighed, already dreading the conversation she was about to have.
Later that afternoon, Rhaine sat on her bed, staring at her phone. Her thumb hovered over Ni-ki's contact name—the best boyfriend ever—a reminder of how insufferable he could be.
rhaine hey, my auntie's having a family gathering tonight. she wants you to come. you're invited.
She tossed her phone aside, bracing herself for the kind of reply only Ni-ki would give. The phone buzzed a moment later.
the best boyfriend ever what time? do i have to be on my best behavior or can i just be me?
Rhaine shook her head at his typical response, a smirk tugging at her lips.
