CHAPTER TEN: STACY'S FEAR V(WE ARE FRIENDS)

"Woah, I've never heard anyone with that name before," she exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Do you like my name?" he asked, his brow furrowed in mild confusion.

"Yes, it's really different from the names I'm used to hearing," she said, waving her now free hands for emphasis, which made him chuckle softly before his expression suddenly froze.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at her, realizing it had been a long time since he had laughed. The feeling was foreign, yet oddly refreshing.

"How old are you, De?" she asked curiously, and his face darkened.

"What did you call me?" he asked, his jaw clenched, his body going rigid.

"De," she repeated. "It's short for Devon. I'm smart, right? Do you like it?" she asked eagerly, oblivious to his frown.

"No," he answered flatly, and her bright expression faltered.

Noticing her disappointment, he sighed. "It's okay, you can call me whatever you want," he added, surprising himself. For some reason, he couldn't stand seeing her sad.

"Okay!" she responded, her smile returning.

"You talk too much. Eat." He handed her a small bundle wrapped in a black nylon bag. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw the food, the delicious smell making her mouth water.

"Is it for me?" she asked innocently, her voice full of wonder.

He nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. But then her face fell.

"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled by her sudden change in mood.

"My sister said I shouldn't take food from strangers," she explained, looking torn.

"But I'm not a stranger. We're friends now, right? You know my name, and I know yours. That makes us friends." He reasoned, watching her expression shift.

"Really? Is that how it works?" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Yes, but only with me," he warned firmly.

"So we're friends," she repeated, her smile beaming up at him. He nodded.

She looked down at her swollen hands and frowned again. "But how can I eat, De? My hands hurt," she said, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. The sight of her tears made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

"I'll feed you," he offered, his normally cold voice softening just for her. He carefully fed her, and she eagerly ate, her spirits lifted by the warm meal.

Suddenly, his expression changed, his body tensing. "Someone's coming. I have to go." He quickly began tying her hands and legs back, though loosely, the same way as before. Then he stood to leave.

"Wait, De! You still haven't told me your age," she pouted, looking up at him.

"I'll tell you next time," he said, rushing off as the sound of footsteps grew closer. She nodded, watching him disappear.

Moments later, the door creaked open. Boss Scorpion entered, his cold gaze sweeping over her. "Who was here?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the small girl sitting stiffly, her wide eyes staring up at him.

"No one," she lied, her voice steady as she tried to protect Devon from the trouble she knew he'd be in if she told the truth.

"Hmm," he muttered, his eyes scanning the room suspiciously before he turned and left.

---

"Boss, she called, claiming she's gathered the money and will bring it tomorrow," Boss Scorpion's voice crackled through the phone, causing the man on the other end to freeze. His eyes widened in shock, and his grip tightened on the wine glass he held.

With a sickening crack, the glass shattered in his hand, shards embedding into his flesh, blood seeping from the cuts. His eyes burned with fury as his breathing became ragged.

"How did she manage to gather the money?" the man growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"I don't know, boss," Scorpion answered nervously, sensing the rising anger.

"I told you to keep tabs on her, to watch who she met with! So how do you *not* know?" the man snarled, the words hissing through his clenched teeth.

"I did, boss! My men followed her every move. She only met with one friend, a local—Daisy Woods. They spoke at a café, but we couldn't hear their conversation. Getting too close would have made them suspicious. And earlier today, she went to a hotel—Wellington's Hotel. I suspect she met someone important there, possibly an elite, but we couldn't gather any information on who it was."