Kira's PoV
On the way out of the building, I noticed dozens of people taking care of the men in suits we had left behind. We took a taxi home, Lance riding beside me.
"I'll send you home myself. Something like this could happen again," he said calmly.
I fumbled for my phone and called Dad. The moment he picked up, I blurted, "Dad, I was kidnapped, but I'm okay now."
"Where are you? I've been looking everywhere. Stella's been crying because you didn't come home," he said.
"My friend helped me escape. I'm on the way home now," I said, glancing at the familiar streets.
"Invite your friend over," Dad suggested.
"Okay," I replied before hanging up.
"I'm sure there's been an uproar in your household," Lance said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Maybe… and Father would probably like to invite you over," I said, glancing at my phone.
"Okay," he replied nonchalantly, almost like he didn't care, but I could feel the faint humor in his tone.
We stopped in front of the gate. I paid the taxi, then pressed the intercom. When no one responded:
"Open up," I called.
"I thought it would open on its own," Lance muttered, unimpressed.
"When our car arrives, it does. But I'm not a car," I shot back, and the gate finally creaked open.
"Wow… that's impressive," he said, following me inside.
As I stepped through the door, everyone froze in place, mid-task.
"Young master! You're okay! Thank goodness!" one maid shouted.
"Tell the Master he's home," the head maid barked, glaring at the others.
"Young master, where have you been? We were so worried! Master formed a search party!"
She followed me down the hall while Lance walked silently behind, watching everything carefully.
"Where's Father?" I asked.
"He's at the office," she replied.
"Bring us some food. We haven't eaten anything yet," I ordered.
I knocked on Father's office door and waited.
"Thank heavens you're safe," he said, pulling me into a hug.
"It's actually thanks to him," I said, gesturing to Lance.
"Thank you for saving my son, Mr…?" Father asked.
"Lance Redela, sir," he replied, shaking hands.
"Kromer Stormsword. You haven't eaten, right?" Father asked.
"Aki already asked them to send food in here," Lance said smoothly.
"Good. Now, tell me exactly what happened."
I recounted everything, from the meeting to the moment I was blindfolded. Then I let Lance fill in the rest.
He explained how he saw me forced into the van, followed on a bicycle, and called for backup. Within thirty minutes, 250 men had arrived. They planned for an hour, executed in thirty.
"How did you manage 250 people in such a short time?" Father asked when Lance finished.
"Ah… it's hard to explain, but here," he said, fishing his phone out and handing it to Father.
"You're the leader?" Father asked, returning the phone.
"They made me one. It came in handy this time," Lance replied.
I peeked at his phone and saw a group chat named "X." Scrolling through, I read messages about the fun they had helping their boss and how awesome he was in combat.
"I rarely ask for help, so when I do… they all come through," Lance said, taking his phone back.
"You're truly a blessing in disguise. Thank you for saving my son. Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you," Father said.
A knock interrupted us. "Come in."
The maids entered with food, perfect timing, because I was starving.
"You should eat first," Lance said before I could move.
Then he added, "I would like to have your son… ah, that came out wrong. I mean, I'd like to hang out with Aki." he said, his lips twitching as if he was enjoying my reaction.
The first part made my heart drop into my stomach. Does he really mean that?
"Hahaha, that's a given. Ask me something else," Father laughed.
"I don't have anything else at the moment, but if I do, I'll ask you, sir," Lance said, before following me to the coffee table. Father simply nodded and made a call.
Every little movement, every glance Lance gave me felt deliberate, like he was teasing, testing, and maybe even… flirting.