Chapter 14
Thiago casually brushed the hair off his forehead, his sharp, mischievous eyes gleaming as he said, “I’m into you. What, is that a problem?”
Kevin, well aware Thiago had a mouth that often ran off–leash, let out a chuckle and didn’t take it seriously. Instead, he switched gears. “My Monica is still hung up on you.”
Thiago didn’t flinch. “Let her be. Just don’t let her get too attached.”
Kevin gave a resigned laugh, teasing him like an old friend. “Come on, tell your professor–what kind of girl do you actually like?”
Thiago shrugged. “The clueless kind.”
“Seriously?” Kevin blinked.
Later that evening, a sleek black Rolls–Royce was parked at the curb outside of Jorendale University’s main gate. As soon as Thiago stepped out of the campus, a sharply dressed man in a full suit jumped out of the driver’s seat.
“Mr. Langston.”
Thiago glanced him up and down. “What are you sweating out here in a full suit for? Trying out for the mob or something?”
Hans Dalton was momentarily stunned by the jab but quickly straightened up and replied seriously, “You know how your father is. It’s the house rules.”
Thiago leaned casually against the car. “So, what does he want this time? Another matchmaking setup?”
Hans sighed. “Your dad wouldn’t dare try that again after last time. He said he just… misses you.”
Thiago’s father, Lawrence, was well into his 60s now. Ever since Thiago turned 20, Lawrence had been dead–set on becoming a grandfather. He had lined up introductions with every heiress from a “respectable family” – as many as he could find.
There weren’t many of these setups, mostly because Thiago made sure each one he did go on was a complete disaster. Once, he told the woman he was gay. Twice, he made the women cry. Another time, he straight–up pretended to be possessed by a ghost and scared the poor woman into bolting from the restaurant.
After that, no one dared bring up blind dates around him again.
Thiago chuckled to himself as he slid into the back seat of the Rolls–Royce. “Who’s home tonight?”
“Mrs. Parker and Mr. Parker are still in Escana on business. Ms. Langston should be back. Mr. Langston Senior and Mrs. Langston are both home.”
Thiago usually lived alone in a penthouse suite at Capital Crown Plaza and rarely set foot in the Langston residence. The ones who did live there full–time were Lawrence, his wife, Brenda, and their daughter, Cecilia, with her husband, Hamish.
Thiago made a face and let out a lazy curse. “So, even that sister of mine is home?”
Hans drove as he chuckled lightly. “Mr. Langston, if Ms. Langston hears you referring to her by that, she’ll knock your teeth in.” “She nearly drowned me in a pool when we were kids. I’m praying she takes a swing so that I finally have an excuse to hit her back.”
As they chatted, the car glided through traffic until it hit a red light and came to a stop.
Thiago glanced out the window and froze. There, sitting alone on a bench at the bus stop, was Luciana. Her head was down as she quietly nibbled on a sandwich. Her eyes looked glassy like she had been holding back tears for a while now.
At this hour, she should be at The Fable Fox working her shift. What was she doing here?
Thiago’s jaw clenched, his lips drawing into a straight line. A second later, he flung the car door open without a word and jumped out. Behind the wheel, Hans blinked in confusion.
