Haruka tearfully nursed the hand that Storm nipped. He must've sensed that his mistress was being bullied for him to retaliate in her stead.

"Wahhh! Storm, how could you?" She wailed in comical anguish at the stone-faced wolf. No, the bite didn't hurt. But it did hurt her feelings a bit.

​​

"There, there..." Lillie cooed, patting Storm's head in consolation.

Haruka clutched her chest pitifully.

Lillie-chan, ah. Why is it him who you coddle and comfort, when it was me who was the victim of his cruel fangs?

The aforementioned ash-blonde beauty nonchalantly wiped her lips with a napkin after finishing her chocolate dessert.

"That reminds me, you're staying here for a couple of weeks, right?" She asked.

"Yep, I'm going to check on some of our businesses. Supervise a project, meet up with allies, threaten some upstart punks who think they could get away after messing with our territories here," She shrugged. "You know, the usual."

"If that's the case," Lillie flicked her wrist to throw something in her direction.

Haruka swiftly caught the envelope. Breaking the wax that sealed it with her nail, she took out the firm paper inside and skimmed over the elegant engravings.

"An engagement party invitation?" Her attention shot back on Lillie, her face gleaming with happiness and excitement to the brim. "You're inviting me to yours and Ethan's engagement party?"

"And wedding," Lillie added. "Why do you act so surprised?"

"I-I, uh, just thought that..." Haruka stuttered, lost for words. "I never knew that I was special enough to be a part of something like this."

"What are you talking about?" Sighing in mild exasperation and plenty of amusement, Lillie reminded her dear friend, "Why wouldn't I invite a comrade-turned-family?"

Considering that Haruka is a close and loyal ally of the organization for many years, someone who knows her real identity, a great business partner for the Empire, and a sister in all but blood who took care of Storm after the incident that befell her family, it's not hard to guess why she's a significant part in her life.

She helped her more than the intended agreement parameters of their alliance by offering a helping hand without asking for anything in return.

Obviously, Lillie didn't want to be indebted, so she insisted on returning the favor even if Haruka relentlessly rejects them—which was a futile task because Lillie's stubbornness overpowered hers.

At first, she was cynical. Thinking it was just a ploy in an attempt to lower her guard and gain her trust. But years passed, slowly but surely, Lillie saw through Haruka's intentions.

Her kindness and readiness to help her were genuine. When Lillie asked her why she was doing this, Haruka simply replied, "because I like you."

"Because you like me? What kind of answer is that?"

"Uhm, a real one?"

Lillie all but let go of Haruka without flicking her forehead for her nonsensical answer.

It didn't fill most of the blanks, but Lillie made do of what was offered since Haruka herself couldn't provide a more reasonable answer.

"If you think that after all what we've been through together that I wouldn't at least invite you into an event such as this, then you're sorely mistaken. You need to stop downgrading your worth, my friend."

The Fujikawa clan all but practically adopted Lillie into the family. And similarly, Lillie treats Haruka like a sister. She's more than welcome to attend her wedding.

"Where the hell is that sentimental quality coming from?" Haruka sniffled. "Even if you're drunk, you wouldn't spit anything nice to say."

"If you want me to be mean—"

"You're the best, Lillie-chan!"

Haruka would've sprung up from her seat and over the table just to give Lillie a massive and emotional bear hug at that moment if it weren't for Storm letting out a warning growl and a glare.

This stupidly overprotective and ungrateful brat (pup), ah. Why can't you just let me smother your mistress with my love and affection when she doesn't even seem to mind? Don't tell me you're jealous?

***

The two ladies sauntered out of the beach resort with Lillie's not-so-little, fluffy bodyguard beside her, and Haruka's men in tow.

"Where are you staying for the time being?" Lillie asked as she watched the men Haruka brought with her from their clan carry her luggage into the car.

"I have something that needs to be taken care of at City Z, so I'll be staying in my villa there for a couple of days. After that, I'll return here."

"Good to know."

If you're wondering why Lillie and Haruka are walking together out in the open where someone might recognize Haruka as the boss of the Fujikawa-gumi, there's nothing to be worried about because what many are aware of is that the infamous yakuza boss is a man.

Not this sophisticated young miss of a wealthy family wearing a custom-made designer dress and shoes, carrying a limited edition purse beside Lillie Bai.

For all the onlookers know, she may be a friend or a business associate.

The truth about Haruka's gender is kept strictly confidential that only some in the main family and selected few know about. And these men she's with are in the 'selected few'.

Their loyalty solely lies with her. If not for Haruka, they would've died from hunger, illness, and constant abuse in the slums. Frankly speaking, they owe their lives to her.

"I'm looking forward to the event, Lillie-chan. See you soon." Haruka quickly gave her a peck on the cheek before Storm could intervene.

And before Storm could chomp her leg in retaliation, she playfully bopped his nose and said, "Even though you bully me, I still love you, you stubborn, overgrown puppy."

Lillie chuckled softly at Storm's confused expression and Haruka's quick escape.

"Thank you for treating me lunch, Lillie-chan! Let's do something fun next time when I return, okay!" The car's window rolled down and Haruka poked herself out slightly to wave at the two.

"Sure, sure." Lillie smiled, waving her hand goodbye at the departing car.

Getting into her car with Storm sitting on the passenger's seat, Lillie turned her head at him. "You didn't give her a kiss? I know you missed her too." She teasingly asked Storm, earning her a whine in reply.

Why would I kiss that annoying woman? Storm huffed.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed now, Storm. Was it because I was there that you couldn't show affection, hm?"

"Awuuuu!" No, no, no! That has nothing to do with it!

Lillie laughed and ruffled his head. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you."

Mistress, you're being incredibly mean to me today, aren't you?

"Should I drop you off home, or bring you with me?"

Storm barked two times.

"Second option is it." Lillie steered her car left when they come across an intersection. As she was driving along the highway, she noticed that her car was running out of gas.

Fortunately, there was a gas station nearby. Stopping by the gas pumps, she told Storm to stay put while she hops out to fill the car.

The station was self-service. Swiping her debit on the reader, and tapped on the screen. After she confirmed the transaction, she grabbed one of the pumps and filled her car's tank.

Storm jumped on the backseat to check on her through the window. The windows are tinted, so Lillie couldn't see him.

Storm noticed this, so he smartly pressed his paw on the window switch.

"Ah, Storm," Lillie was slightly surprised to see the window rolling down all of a sudden.

He was whining. His tail wagging meekly while looking at her with those puppy-dog eyes.

He's been giving her that look quite often, now that she thinks about it.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't teach you that. Either you figured it out by yourself, or Haruka taught you."

Storm barked once.

"I see. You're so smart, Storm. Good boy."

All of a sudden, Storm bristled. He started snarling and growling viscously. But it wasn't directed to her, but behind...

Her sight went dark.