[The Day Before]

A metallic blue sports car approached the Der Beste building.


It was not for nothing that the man at the wheel was driving there, as he had an appointment to meet a beautiful woman that afternoon.

The grip on the steering wheel unraveled slowly, as Pedro Viscout let his sturdy arms adorned with tattoos of various shapes become public consumption.

The nobleman who had fled to Indonesia a few years ago to live another life, was now back where he belonged.


Back to Heidelberg, back to the company, back to the family, and more importantly; now he was facing a ridiculous arranged marriage.

After making sure the engine was off and unbuckling his seatbelt, Pedro's long legs hit the ground and swaggered unceremoniously towards the entrance.


Pushing open the brownish-colored door with one decisive push, the fighter glanced around the room.

His tail found a woman with faintly red hair, sitting in a large lounge chair and facing a lit laptop screen.

Their gazes met, followed by a wave from the woman who seemed to be connected to a phone call.

Giving a big smile and signaling that she needed to talk on the phone for a while, Valerie asked Pedro to come over and sit on the sofa not far from where she was sitting now.

Nodding his head as a sign that he understood, Pedro continued walking with two hands tucked into his pants pockets. His gaze scanned around, finding that Valerie seemed to be alone in the large hall.

Moments later, the man had pulled out a chair to sit right next to Valerie.

"Ah, something like that," Valerie said into the phone. "So you've never joined a society before, ma'am?"

Pedro had overheard the conversation, but he was already busy with his phone.

"Okay," Valerie said again. "Actually, we're not accepting members until the end of this year. But Rouletta did say that someone would call me, and it was you."

Two seconds of silence.

"Ah, no. Of course you can join, Mrs. Lueic. There are still a few slots left unfilled, and I think you can fill them."

The movement of Pedro's hand that was scrolling through the screen stopped instantly, just as he heard the words 'Mrs. Lueic' in the air.

Was it true what he had just heard? Was it true or was it just him fantasizing too much?

"Oh, okay." Valerie's voice came back. "Sure. You can come tomorrow afternoon, I'll be at Der Beste from two in the afternoon until eight at night."

If Pedro hadn't paid much attention to Valerie's conversation with her interlocutor on the other side, then this time he set his ear radar high.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow afternoon, Mrs. Lueic."

Valerie seemed to turn off the cell phone, then turned the chair to face Pedro now.

"You have indeed arrived, dear Mr. Viscout," Valerie greeted him with a bright smile. "Since when have you been in Munich?"

Pedro returned a smile, but this time moved his chair closer to the table.

"Just last night," he replied casually. "How are you Val? I hear you miss me?"

Valerie laughed. The Pedro she had known since they were teenagers never changed. He spoke as he pleased, no matter if it was fact or not.

The closeness of their two families could be said to be like brothers, and perhaps it was for that reason that their parents requested that the single men and women should just get married.

"You haven't changed, Ped," Valerie said lightly. "I heard you were in an Asian state. Is the sun shining there?"

This time it was Pedro who let out a chuckle, while also adjusting his sitting position to be more relaxed.

"I told you Indonesia was beautiful, Valerie," he said. "You should try to visit it once in a while, and I can assure you that you will fall in love with the country."

Valerie had an interested look on her face, as she had never set foot in the country where Pedro had fled.

"By the way, who were you talking to just now?"

Pedro could not deny that his curiosity was soaring, especially after he heard the word 'Lueic' earlier.

Valerie took a quick glance at the screen, before replying.

"Ah, that. Rouletta said she met the wife of a successful businessman and nobleman in Leipzig, but the Lady doesn't have an association yet. That's why she gave her my cell phone number, and the Lady just called."

Pedro seemed to be listening intently, as there was a curiosity he needed to resolve.

"Who is she? Maybe I know her?" Pedro baited.

Valerie grabbed a pen and a piece of paper from the table and wrote Luana's full name on it.

'Luana Lueic.'

"Pretty name, isn't it?" complimented Valerie with her eyes still on the paper. "She seems like a nice person."

Pedro doesn't know what made him feel that way, but Pedro clearly felt his heart suddenly beat faster.

This was her.

The woman he had been looking for all the way to Munich was actually in their vicinity.

"Luana Lueic?" murmured Pedro in a half-whisper.

Valerie turned her head as Pedro pronounced the name with his own lips.

"You know her? The Lady's husband is one of the most successful businessmen in Munich, you know? Mr. Rey Lueic," Valerie said. "And it would be a great honor for the Society if Madame Lueic were to actually join us."

Pedro smiled faintly at the corner of his lips, eyes rolling slowly.

'The world is so small, Luana. I thought it would take months to find you, but it turns out I've been sniffing your scent before I've even set foot in the city for 24 hours.'

"Do you know him?"

Not getting an answer from Pedro, Valerie asked again. This time the beautiful woman brought herself closer to the fighter.

"If you don't know him, I suggest you make his acquaintance," Valerie suggested. "He's one of the most influential people in the city, and perhaps you can establish a business partnership to catch up on your escape."

Pedro knew Valerie had good intentions for him, but for some reason he wasn't really interested. The only thing that kept Pedro there was Luana, and he didn't want to pay any attention to the successful businessman.

"Did you eat?" Valerie pushed back her chair, looking ready to get out of there. "Come eat with me."

Pedro gave a small nod, just as Valerie was standing upright now. Rising from the chair he was in, Pedro followed Valerie's footsteps that swung firmly first.

Keeping pace with the woman who was supposed to be his wife, Pedro wrapped an arm around Valerie's shoulders.

"When will she come?" he whispered.

Valerie let Pedro's hand remain on her shoulder, not really bothered by such matters.

Turning her head briefly, Valerie replied casually. "Tomorrow, four o'clock in the afternoon."