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Winter released Giselle's collar with a frustrated growl and stepped back, pacing as she tried to calm herself.
"So..." Karina said carefully, her voice still tinged with amusement. "Are they the bad guys, or...?"
"They're idiots," Winter muttered, glaring at the pair. "That's what they are."
Giselle got to her feet, dusting off her owl costume with an exaggerated huff. "You're not wrong. But, technically, we're your allies. Sort of."
"Allies?" Winter echoed, incredulous. Winter rubbed her temples. "I am this close to losing it."
Ningning, now out of her parrot costume, was crouched next to Banana, the black cat licking its paw as though nothing bizarre had just happened. Giselle leaned against the SUV, smirking, while the so-called "dangerous men" limped off, muttering something about "never signing up for this again."
"Wait," Winter said, narrowing her eyes at Giselle. "Those two... they're not your men, are they?"
Giselle burst out laughing, holding her stomach. "Oh no, definitely not. Those two? College friends. I called them in for some laughs. They're terrible actors, but hey, you were convinced, weren't you?"
"You mean to tell me..." Winter's voice trembled with anger, "that you orchestrated all of this? The kidnapped, the ambush, the chasing, everything... just to mess with me? And put Karina in danger, and-"
"-made you confess your feelings?" Giselle interjected, smirking. "You're welcome, by the way."
"No!" Winter snapped, her face crimson. "Stop talking!"
Giselle ignored her, grinning as she grabbed a toy gun from the ground and tossed it into the SUV. "Oh, and these? Completely fake. We weren't going to hurt anyone."
Karina laughed softly, clearly amused. "So, let me get this straight. You two chased us across the city, dressed as birds, with fake guns and bad backup, just to tease Winter?"
Ningning shrugged. "What can I say? We're committed to the bit."
Karina chuckled, leaning closer to Winter. "You've got some interesting friends."
Winter sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I'm going to need therapy after this."
"Don't worry," Giselle chimed in. "We'll pay for it. With all the money you owe us."
Winter glared at her. "I'm giving it back. Soon."
"Yeah, yeah," Ningning said, waving her hand. "But that's not the point anymore. The real question is..." She grinned, leaning toward Karina. "What's your answer?"
Winter stiffened. She hadn't realized her arm was still protectively wrapped around Karina, and now it felt like her entire body was on fire. "Ningning, shut up-"
