Declan spoke up. "First of all, you were the one who threw yourself at me. Plus, I’m single. Maybe I was just acting on impulse."

"So, you’re admitting you’re a jerk, huh? In that case, I guess I’ll just have to let you jerk me around," Hailey quipped.

She knew he wasn’t a jerk, of course.

Declan fell silent.

Just then, Declan’s friend walked in. "Damn, Declan, where did this beauty come from?"

He had come looking for Declan, only to be met with an unexpected sight. His eyes widened as he took in Hailey’s presence.

Hailey quickly stepped back from Declan, offering the man a nervous smile. "Hi, I’m Hailey Young."

"Justin Griffin," he replied. "So, Declan, you finally got yourself a girlfriend, huh?"

Declan immediately shut it down. "She’s not my girlfriend."

"I am!" Hailey declared confidently.

Declan was momentarily speechless.

Justin let out a laugh. "Damn, Declan. I thought you were destined to be single forever. You’ve never been interested in anyone before, but now I get it—you’re just picky. Looks like Hailey put all those other girls chasing after you to shame."

Declan set the spatula down and turned to Justin. "Let’s talk outside."

Without another word, they stepped out.

"Alright, get to the point. Why are you here?" Declan asked.

"Phantom has resurfaced. He’s here."

Phantom was the infamous drug lord responsible for Declan’s father’s death. Years ago, his father had gone undercover in Phantom’s cartel, only to be exposed and executed.

For years, Declan had been tracking him. And now, Phantom had finally resurfaced.

A cold wind swept through, making Declan’s black T-shirt ripple. His eyes turned steely as he replied, "Got it."

Just as he turned to leave, Justin called out to him, "Declan, that girlfriend of yours is gorgeous."

Declan pressed his lips together. "We’re not a couple."
----
"Oh really?? Justin replied, studying
him closely. "We’ve known each Co
other since we were kids. If you
weren’t interested, you wouldr’t let
her get this close... unless, obcourse,
yateactually do like her."
Declan stayed quiet for a moment
before responding, "From the start, |
knew I couldn’t offer her a future:
There’s no point in getting invélved.
She-bomes from a good familly."
Cattent belongs to xX


----
Justin chugkled. "Rich, beautiful,
sweet... ad totally into you. Declan,

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are yourfeally telling me you dart
feel anything? You’re overthinking it,
mags hat girl is crazy aboutyou."
"Let’s head back," Declan said.

With that, he stepped back into the house.

Hailey emerged from the room. "Did Justin leave?"
Declan nodded. "Yeah, he left.”

“Justin always brings gifts but never stays for a meal,”
Pamela commented.

Declan set the dishes on the table. "Let’s eat."

Hailey didn’t hesitate, taking a seat at the table. Declan had


----
even made fried chicken wings—Aileen’s favorite.

He picked up a piece and placed it on Aileen’s plate.
"Thanks, Declan," she said with a smile.

As Declan set down his cutlery, he noticed Hailey watching
him, her eyes filled with anticipation. She subtly pushed her
plate closer to him, silently asking for a piece.

Aileen quickly said, "Declan, hurry up and give Hailey a
piece too!"

Hailey gazed at him with hopeful eyes.

With that, Declan reached over and placed a chicken wing
onto Hailey’s plate.

Hailey took a bite. She’d wanted to try his fried chicken
wings ever since she first saw him make them, but she
hadn’t expected them to taste this incredible.

Her lips curled into a satisfied grin. "This is amazing."

“Hailey, if you like it, you should come over more often and


----
let Declan cook for you," Pamela chimed in.

Hailey turned to Declan, her smile brightening. "I’ll definitely
be back."

Just as dinner was ending, a sudden booming sound
echoed from outside, followed by a flash of lightning and a
sharp crack of thunder.

Moments later, the sky opened up, and a torrential
downpour began to fall.