Chapter 330: Chapter 330 Alexa Jealousy "I’ll be back shortly!" Alexa announced, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Seeing her stand, Freya began to rise too, instinctively following—but Alexa turned to her with a sharp, pointed glare that froze her in place. Freya hesitated, her hand halfway to the table, before slowly sitting back down. "Yes, Miss," she whispered, her voice small.
Alexa turned away without another word and left the lounge to go to the restroom, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as the door closed behind her.
Scarlett exhaled loudly, rolling her eyes so hard it was almost dramatic. "Back again," she muttered under her breath, swirling her drink. "How is her skin still so thick? I swear bullets would bounce off her ego."
Bella turned toward Freya, her expression softening immediately. "Are you okay?" she asked gently. Her tone carried that quiet warmth that made even strangers feel safe.
Freya blinked, startled by the genuine concern. "I—I’m fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile.
But Bella wasn’t convinced. She tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting as she studied the girl’s body language—her fidgeting hands, her downcast eyes, the way she kept twisting her fingers together like she was trying to hide her nerves.
"Freya," Bella said softly, "is Alexa treating you all right? You can tell us. You don’t have to lie."
Freya’s throat tightened. For a second, she looked like she wanted to speak, but then her gaze dropped again. "Yeah... she’s fine to me," she said, though her voice wavered just a little.
Bella’s heart ached. The girl’s fragile tone reminded her too much of her own past—the days when she used to smile and say I’m fine even when she wasn’t. Maybe that was why she suddenly felt protective toward her, like she was looking at a reflection of her younger self.
"You’re really kind," Freya added softly, glancing up shyly. "And beautiful too."
Bella smiled, her eyes softening. "Thank you," she said gently. I’ll find out what’s really going on later, she promised silently to herself.
Scarlett, who had been busy glaring at her phone, suddenly groaned. "Zeke!" she snapped, pouting as she turned to him. "Where are the others?! Why aren’t they picking up my calls? Do they think this is optional or what?"
Zeke, lounging lazily in his seat with that familiar smirk, shrugged. "Probably pretending to be productive. You know how dramatic they get when they’re five minutes late."
Bella chuckled softly beside them, her excitement bubbling back to life. "I can’t wait to meet them," she said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Scarlett grinned, resting her chin on her palm. "Oh, trust me, Bella Bell—you’ll love them. They’re insane, but in the best way."
Zeke laughed quietly. "That’s... debatable," he murmured, lifting his glass.
They soon drifted into easy, cheerful chatter about their favorite things. Scarlett leaned forward, smirking as she asked everyone about hobbies, movies, and what they liked doing in their free time. Even Freya, who had been sitting quietly at first, was slowly pulled into their little circle.
It felt warm—light laughter blending with the soft music from outside the lounge. Bella talked about her love for baking.
Freya’s face brightened immediately. "You bake too?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise and excitement.
Bella nodded eagerly. "Yes! I love making cupcakes. Especially chocolate ones with little cherry on top."
Freya beamed. "Me too! I like adding chocolate chips, though."
Scarlett smiled lazily. "Two bakers? Wonderful. Maybe I’ll finally taste something sweet that doesn’t come with a bill."
Freya giggled softly, and for the first time that night, she looked genuinely at ease.
Zeke, lounging beside them, raised an eyebrow. "Baking, huh? That explains why you both look like sugar."
Scarlett smacked his arm. "You sound like an old man flirting in a café."
Zeke shrugged, grinning. "At least I’m honest."
Bella blushed a little, hiding her face behind her hands while Freya laughed shyly. The atmosphere had softened—light and cozy—no arrogance, no judgment, just laughter and shared warmth.
Even Scarlett, who usually found it hard to like new people, couldn’t deny that Freya’s quiet sweetness was endearing. The girl had a soft glow that reminded her of Bella, though with a shy charm that made you want to protect her.
Scarlett smiled to herself, swirling her drink again. Maybe this night won’t be so bad after all, she thought as Bella and Freya leaned closer, chatting about cakes and frosting as if they’d known each other for years.
The lovely calm that had settled over the lounge broke like glass when Alexa walked in again.
"Sorry for keeping you guys waiting..." Alexa said with an overly sweet smile, her voice dripping with fake politeness.
Scarlett rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck that way. Here we go again, she thought dryly. Meanwhile, Alexa’s sharp eyes immediately found Freya and the way she was sitting close to Bella and Zeke made Alexa’s stomach twist with jealousy.
How dare that little maid take my place beside Zeke?
With a sugar-sweet grin, she slid right back into her old spot beside Bella, practically shoving Freya aside. "You don’t mind, right, sweetie?" she said in a voice that made everyone want to mind.
Bella blinked, unsure what to say, but Scarlett was already muttering, "Oh, I mind. Deeply."
The lounge door burst open again with a bang that made everyone jump.
"I told you not to do that!" a loud, exasperated voice shouted. "Agh, because of you, we almost got caught by that bald officer again!"
"Relax, he waved at us first!" another voice shot back, deep and teasingly smooth. "Besides, if you drive a sports car, it should feel like one. You drive like a grandma."
"Excuse me?!" the first voice gasped dramatically. "That grandma just saved your pretty face from getting fined again!"
Both of them stumbled into the lounge still arguing, one carrying a jacket half over his shoulder, the other holding an expensive-looking pink helmet.
Everyone inside turned to look—Scarlett, Bella, Zeke, Freya, and even Alan, who had been silently sipping his drink.
The first guy—tall, broad-shouldered, and dangerously good-looking had that kind of magnetic presence that made the whole room tilt for a second. His hair was messy from the wind, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hint of tan skin, and his grin was downright sinful. His voice was low, smooth, and dripping with confidence.
"Ladies," he said, flashing a wink as if he’d just walked into a commercial. "Sorry for the delay. Blame the idiot beside me."