𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 | 𝐋𝐍𝟒

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈

«Hey.» she said lightly, tilting her head just a little, her voice was smooth, almost playful, like nothing was strange at all.

Lando didn't say anything—just looked at her, blinking like he wasn't sure if she was real.

«...Milaine?» he said finally. «What are you doing here?»

Milaine gave a small shrug, her eyes flicking from Lando to Magui and back again. «Uh... celebrating?» she said..

Her voice catching slightly in the back of her throat. She hadn't meant for it to sound like a question, but it did. Because the truth was, she was celebrating—Ines had dragged her out for this—but she hadn't expected to meet Martin, and she hadn't expected him to be with Martin.. be here.

Lando nodded slowly, a lopsided, awkward smile forming on his lips. «Right. I saw you won gold. Congrats.»

«Thanks» she said quickly, too quickly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, needing something to do with her hands..

Next to him, Magui was watching the two of them, eyes darting from Milaine to Lando, back and forth, sharp and quiet. She didn't speak, didn't move, there was no hostility, not exactly—just... awareness.

Awareness that something was happening here that didn't include her.

Lando cleared his throat. «This isn't really your scene» he said, gesturing vaguely at the club. «Didn't expect to see you here.»

Milaine chuckled awkwardly, arms crossed lightly over her chest. «Yeah, exactly. But someone—unfortunately—dragged me here.»

As if on cue, Ines appeared from behind, sliding her arm casually around Milaine's shoulder with a smug smile. «Well, I heard someone mention me» she said.

Lando stared for a moment, caught off-guard again. It was clear—he didn't know Milaine had a friend. Let alone someone like Ines, She looked like trouble, already scanning him and Magui with an unreadable expression.

«Oh» Milaine glanced between them, suddenly aware that no one had been introduced. «Ines, this is Lando.» She gestured toward him briefly.

Then she looked at Magui. Her mind went blank. Totally blank.

«And this is... uh...» she hesitated, blinking. «Magui?» she said finally, drawing out the name in a way that made it very clear she hadn't remembered it.

Magui smiled, a little tight. «Magui» she repeated herself, like she'd half-expected the slip. Her tone wasn't mean, but there was a quiet sting to it—just a hint of defensiveness laced with pride.

She knew her name had been forgotten, and she was absolutely not going to let it slide unnoticed.

«Right» Milaine said smoothly.

Then she turned toward Ines. «This is Ines. My friend.»

«Best friend» Ines corrected, a little too quickly.

Milaine laughed under her breath, but before she could say anything more, she felt herself being grabbed—Martin had reappeared with a tray full of cocktails in hand, practically bouncing with excitement.

«There she is! The Dutch lioness herself!» he shouted into the mic from his booth, somehow already dedicating the next set of songs to her and yelling into the crowd. Phones flew up even more.. Flashlights blinded her for a second.

She didn't want this kind of spotlight, not really. But it was happening, and fast. The attention, the music, the drinks. It was too much. But refusing would've drawn even more attention, and the last thing she wanted was to make a scene in front of them.