The next day, Kael invited her to a meeting—not over dinner, not by chance, but formally. A private restaurant on the top floor of a building most people didn't even know existed.
"You're dressing up for this?" Sora asked, watching Lina pick out a black midi dress.
"He said, 'come as you are,'" Lina replied. "But I don't think that means sweatpants."
Sora raised a brow. "You trust him?"
Lina paused. "More than I expected to."
---
The restaurant had no name on the door.
Inside, it was candlelight, soft jazz, and silence.
Kael stood as she entered. Always the gentleman, but never warm.
Until tonight.
He pulled out her chair. Didn't speak for a long moment. Then:
"You did well on the show."
She exhaled. "It didn't crash. That's my definition of success."
"You were sharp. Composed. Beautiful."
Lina looked up.
She'd been complimented before. Flatterers, flings, stylists.
But not like this.
Not like a man stating a fact he would die to protect.
---
As dinner arrived—an elegant, quiet spread—Kael finally told her something she hadn't expected to hear.
"I have family," he said.
Lina blinked. "Okay…"
"My grandparents raised me. They're… complicated. But they'd like to meet you."
She nearly dropped her fork. "Why?"
"Because I told them I'm interested in someone."
Lina felt heat crawl up her neck. "Kael—"
"I don't want to force you into anything. This isn't a game. I just wanted to be honest."
She looked away, heart skidding in her chest.
"People don't usually choose me. Not fully. Not like that."
"I do."
Quiet.
Then she whispered, "...Okay. I'll meet them."
> [System Notification: Emotional Thread Strengthening – Kael Marlowe]
Affection Level: 3.2 / 5 | Bond: Active Path – Romantic Development Confirmed
---
After dinner, Kael escorted her down through a private elevator.
But the moment the doors opened into the underground parking lot—
Lina froze.
Two paparazzi, not from a tabloid but from a blacklisted agency, were waiting with silent cameras and long lenses.
"Get back," Kael said sharply.
Security swept in, but the damage was already done.
Flash. Flash. Click.
Lina's face. Kael's hand on her lower back. The black dress. The secret place.
By the time they reached his car, she was shaking.
"I told you I was bad press," she whispered.
Kael's jaw clenched. "This isn't on you."
"Yes it is. I'm the unknown. I'm the question mark."
"You're the answer," he snapped. "They just haven't accepted it yet."
> [System Alert: Public Exposure Surge – Damage Control Required]
Recommended Action: Choose Visibility Route or Full Denial
She sat there, silent, watching the traffic slide by in red and gold.
Then said quietly, "Let them see. If they're going to write stories, I'd rather they get the headline right."
---
Later that night, Kael sent her one more message:
> "My grandfather says if you survive dinner with him, you're already family."
She stared at it.
Smiled.
Typed back:
> "Good. I was born surviving."