"What do you mean be more like that?!"

    "Well... Would you sit on my lap?"

    "Huh? Why would I do that? Of course not."

    "See! That''s the problem."

    "Why is that a problem? You always said you liked being in my lap."

    "That''s not the point!"

    "Then what is the point? I mean... You like feminine women, right? You want me, as your girlfriend, to be strong and courageous and-"

    "Yes! Yes! Yes! But that''s not the point! You also have to be... You know... Sensible."

    "The fuck does that even mean?"

    "Ugh! Would you sit on my lap if I told you to?"

    "No...?"

    "That''s the problem!"

    "Do... Do you want me to sit in your lap?"

    "Ugh! You''re not hearing me! Why do you always refuse to understand me?"

    "Refuse to do what?! I''m trying to understand!"

    "Just... Nevermind." The boyfriend sighed. "I wish I was gay sometimes."

    "...?"

    The chaos ruling the lovers'' square continued long after Liz and Cero left the area.

    ***

    "Holy shit..." Cero muttered.

    "I know, right?" Liz nodded. "Impressive, huh?"

    "Impressive doesn''t even begin to... Just how big is-"

    "It''s practically the whole neighbourhood."

    "Wow." In trying to decide which flake to go bother, Liz and Cero decided to make a game out of it. "I can''t even begin to guess who lives here. Someone like Jay? He did know a lot about expensive things... But you wouldn''t take me to see him. We didn''t even agree on him meeting up with us."

    Liz nodded silently as Cero talked.

    Unfortunately, the game was interrupted as security approached them.

    Standing in front of the gates like that, they were bound to be suspicious.

    "What''s your business here?"

    Liz pressed her lips together. She turned towards Cero.

    He lowered his gaze, dejected.

    Game Over, he had lost.

    ''Oh... I see where Rea gets her height from, and her temperament.''

    "I-I present to you my wife, R-"

    "Geh!" An exclamation interrupted the husband''s words. "How are you so tall? A guy being that tall is so-"

    "Dear, please don''t be insensitive."

    "Fine." The wife sighed. "The maids will see to you. Please try to pull that mole out of her burrow. Anyway, we''re already late." She walked right past Liz and Cero.

    "Right." Paris nodded and followed his wife, stopping just before passing Liz and Cero. "Please, excuse her. These are stressful times for our company, and we''ve already had to delay our meeting to welcome you. I''m sorry for the rather cold and unceremonious welcome that-"

    "Paris, we''re late."

    Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

    "Y-Yes, dear!"

    Cero and Liz were left with the maid.

    "How did they know we were coming?" He whispered.

    "The rich have their ways. The top 1%... Surveillance cameras and all."

    "Seriously? You''re fucking with me."

    "No, it''s serious. Rea''s family has deep ties with the government, apparently."

    "That makes me a bit uneasy..." Cero frowned. "You''re fucking with me, aren''t you?"

    "Yeah, I am." Liz admitted with a smile. "I called before coming. Would be rude to show up uninvited and without announcing oneself."

    "You really think about everything, huh?"

    "Weeeell..." Liz shrugged, enjoying the praise but acting like it was nothing. "Someone has to, you know."

    "I love you so much."

    "And I love you more."

    ''...''

    The maid remained silent, unable to decide how to act.

    ''Should I say something? Go away and leave them? Being a third wheel has never been more awkward. Feels like they might just jump on each other at any moment. I can''t say anything. I can''t leave, since that would confirm the existence of this awkwardness. I should just stay like this. They might kiss at any moment. Should I look away? But it would be rude since they are guests. But it would be rude not to look away! I''ll just stay like this. Yes, I will stay still and completely immobile. As immobile as possible...''

    "So."

    The maid nearly flinched at the word.

    "Yes?"

    "Can you lead us to Rea''s room?"

    "Of course."

    After long and glamorous corridors, three flights of stairs, and an incredibly spacious and luxurious living room,

    "Yey!" Rea''s shout could be heard through her room''s door. "Another Victory Royale, let''s gooo!"

    Cero''s facial expression froze at those words. A blast from the past.

    ''Fortnite?!''