Just when everyone thought the convenience store had reached its maximum level of chaos, the automatic doors slid open with a dramatic whoosh.
Bella, behind the counter, froze. Her eyes went wide, and she gripped the register like it was a shield.
Standing in the doorway was a tall figure, cloaked in dark, flowing robes, with an aura that screamed trouble. His piercing eyes swept the store, lingering on Bella just long enough to make her shiver.
"Hadid Varro," she whispered under her breath.
Vario, adjusting his apron nervously, stepped forward. "You… work here now?"
Hadid's lips curved into a faint, smug smile. "Officially? Yes. I applied last week. Your HR processes are surprisingly lenient."
Nyx nearly dropped her tablet, which was still recording everything. "Wait… that's… him! The one who kidnapped Bella?!"
Gallo, who was sitting on a stack of boxes recovering from the cringe videos, stood immediately, foam axe in hand. "This one?" He raised an eyebrow. "This one looks… angry."
Hadid bowed slightly. "I assure you, I am reformed. My intentions are… strictly professional."
Bella didn't believe a word. "Professional? You kidnapped me! You almost—" She stopped herself, realizing shouting might get her fired instead of him. "—fine. But if you touch anything, I swear—"
Vario held up a hand to calm her. "Let's just… let him start. Maybe he's changed."
Hadid moved with unsettling grace down the aisle, scanning shelves, picking up snacks, and placing them neatly. It was almost… normal. Too normal.
Nyx whispered into her tablet. "Day one: Villain Integration. Current chaos level: off the charts."
Yuwen peeked over the magazine rack. "Does he… still have magic powers?"
Hadid's smile didn't waver. "I prefer to call them… skills. And I promise, no destruction today."
Bella crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "I'll be watching."
Vario sighed. "Of course you will."
Gallo muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "This is going to be worse than training with me…"
Somewhere in Aisle 3, the cans of energy drinks rattled ominously, as if sensing the tension. The convenience store had survived Gallo, cringe videos, and a documentary about Bella… but Hadid Varro's arrival signaled that nothing would ever be peaceful again.