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Prologue.
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Spade revealed something he shouldn't have.
He accidentally dropped an item in front of his friends—an item he had kept hidden all these years.
His father died in a car accident eight years ago—after his taxi was hit by a speeding bus that had lost its brakes. He would've still been alive today if his car key hadn't gone missing that night. Or maybe... the accident wouldn't have happened at all.
But that night, Spade was mad at him for a simple reason—he didn't buy the food Spade wanted. So, out of spite, Spade stole his father's car key and hid it. He wanted his dad to be late for his emergency meeting. Just a little payback.
Now, the very key that had been missing all this time was seen by his friends.And they, unfortunately, knew the full story. They knew what what happened that night. And Spade was scared of how they would use his secret against him.
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"Spade! I'm here!"
Heir had been friends with Spade since they were six. They met only because their parents were close friends since college, and they lived just a few blocks apart.
"Oh hey, Ma! Is Spade ready?"
"Good morning, honey. Yes, he's just putting on his shoes... ohh, your hair looks even whiter today."
Clover—Spade's mom—treated Heir like her own daughter-in-law. She was sure that Spade and Heir would end up together someday, even though Spade had told her countless times that he only saw Heir as a close friend.
"Thanks, Mom. I tried a new shampoo my mom's been suggesting."
Heir had a wide smile on her face, blooming like a flower more and more each day. Her eyes sparkled like the ocean behind her glasses.
"Morning, Heir."
Spade rushed down the stairs, glancing at his watch. Heir smiled as he came down—her eyes admiring him, as always.
"Careful, Spade. Don't run on stairs remember?."
"Alright, alright. You sound more like my mom than... my mom."
"I'm only looking after you, dummy. Don't you like that someone's watching over you?"
Spade grabbed his tumbler from the table and slid it into the side pocket of his bag.
"We're going, Ma. Wish us luck."
He gave Clover a cheek-to-cheek kiss before heading out.
"Good luck, son! Heir, take care of him, alright? Keep watching over him!"
"Oh, please."
"Yes, Mom! Love you!"
Heir also gave Clover a cheek-to-cheek kiss before hurrying after Spade, who was already waiting at the door.
Spade lived next to a bike shop. Down the slope in front of thejr gates was the main road, and just on the corner before the curve it stood their favorite place to go to every afternoon, a 7-11 convenience store. Also, Heirs house was next to it, so Spade usually drops her their.
He and Heir walked to school every day—whether it was burning hot or freezing cold.
"You're looking more handsome today Spade... Charming as ever huh?"
"Ehh, stop it, Heir. You're making me cringe, really."
"I'm just complimenting you, you know?"
She had always been clingy to Spade—and he simply let her be.
Heir was famous at school. Known for her intelligence, modesty, and quiet charm. Many guys tried to court her, but none of them ever won her over. Even the most handsome guy at school had taken a shot once... and she rejected him like it was nothing.
Everyone knew Spade had always been close to her—but he never showed any signs of liking her back. Because of that, he became the go-to source of information:
Her favorite flower?
Favorite chocolate?
Favorite kind of gift?
Spade knew them all—and he was even willing to help those guys get to her. Even though Heir was always telling him to stop.
And Heir had been honest about her feelings lately. She kept telling Spade that she had a crush on him—and Spade kept telling her the same thing every time:
He only saw her as a friend.
For now.
"For now," however, was enough hope to fuel Heir's determination. Enough to make her believe that maybe, one day, Spade would finally accept her as a partner—and dump their "just friends" label for good. That's also the reason why she didn't entertain any other guy, no matter how great their gifts are, no matter how famous or wealthy they are. For her, they are no match to Spade.
As they entered the classroom, most of the boys' eyes weren't on Heir—they were on Spade. They needed him for answers since Christmas party was getting close.
"Spade, help me out here, man. What kind of gift would Heir love for Christmas?"
"Spade, can you help me get Heir's number?"
"Spade, Heir's your best friend, right? Mind introducing me to her?"
Everyone always came to Spade. In the restroom. At the lockers. Even in the changing room. He was bombarded with random questions—always about Heir's preferences.
Sometimes, Heir asked him not to share her number with anyone, since too many guys were texting her.
She also told him to stop spilling her favorite things.
But Spade was hard-headed.
Later that day, Heir was groaning again.
"Spadeee, I told you not to leak my numberrr!"
"I didn't," Spade replied with a smirk, eyes closed, proudly walking while Heir stressed beside him.
"You idiot! I'm not giving you my number again!"
She pulled out her SIM card and threw it on the ground.
"You've said that many times. Yet you still give it."
"... Because I have no other way to contact you! Just don't leak it again, please—I'm begging you! This is my third SIM card this year!"
"Alright, alright."
"Promise?"
Spade smiled and held out his pinky.
"Promise."
It might seem like Spade was going too far.
But trust me—they'd been together for twelve years.
Heir never took any of his stupid antics the wrong way.
They knew each other better than anyone else.
This kind of thing?
It wasn't enough to make them fight anymore.
_