Dating With The Devil

Chapter 4(Best Friend Vs Him)

The leather jacket felt heavy on Dean’s shoulders. He leaned back against the seat of his luxury car, running a hand through his messy hair. His face looked tired, etched with exhaustion. He had been running around the city all day, handling field operations and urgent matters, so busy that he hadn't even had time to let alone eat.

He looked at the two phones resting on the dashboard.

Dean was a man who kept his life strictly separated. One phone was for business—cold, professional, filled with numbers of employees and partners. The other phone was his personal one. Only a very select few, people he truly trusted or cared about, had that number.

And today, for the first time, he was about to use it to call someone new.

The clock showed 20:15 PM.

"I miss her," he whispered to himself.

Without hesitation, he dialed Riana’s number using his private line.

It rang. And rang. No answer.

Dean frowned. Did she ignore it? anger flared up instantly.

He sent a quick text message: "It's me. Dean. Pick up."

He called again immediately. This time, the line connected.

"Hello?" Riana’s voice sounded cautious.

"I miss you, Riana," Dean said straight away, his voice deep and husky.

"Liar," she replied, but he could hear the smile in her voice.

"I'm not lying. I want to see you. Now."

There was a brief silence on the other end. Riana hesitated, then spoke. "I'm with a friend right now. If you really want to meet...come pick me up here."

"Where?"

Riana gave him the address of a famous cafe not far from her house. Dean didn't waste a second. He ended the call, started the engine, and sped off.

[ At the Cafe ]

Raymond watched Riana fidgeting with her phone, a blush rising on her cheeks. He chuckled softly, teasing her.

"Well, well... looks like I'm going to be left alone to finish my food, huh?"

Riana looked away, feeling shy. "Sorry, Ray. If he comes, I really have to go."

"Who is he actually? Your boyfriend? or just a crush?"

Riana sighed, stirring her melting ice cream. "Neither. He's... my manager at the office."

Honestly, even Riana didn't know how to label what they had. Manager and employee? Enemies? Lovers? Or just... "friends with benefits"? It was all so confusing.

"Manager?" Raymond’s expression darkened instantly. He put down his fork. "How long has this been going on?"

Riana clarified quickly, sensing the tension. "It's not what you think. We are just coworkers but we like and are attracted to each other, that's all.

"Be careful, Ana," Raymond warned her, his voice serious and low. "Man like him... they usually just want to play. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Riana admitted quietly. "I know I should be smart, I know I shouldn't trust easily... but sometimes... my heart just doesn't listen."

Love really is blind. It makes even the most rational person act stupidly.

"No need to worry. I'm not a criminal."

A deep, cold voice sounded right behind them.

Riana surprised, Raymond froze.

Dean walked out from the shadows, looking tall and intimidating in his black outfit. He didn't look at Raymond first. His eyes were locked only on Riana.

He walked straight to her, completely ignoring the public around them. He held her face gently, and then—without any warning—he leaned down and kissed her lips deeply. Right there. In public.

It wasn't just a peck. It was a claiming kiss. Possessive. Hot.

Riana’s mind went blank. When he finally pulled away, she was breathless.

Then, Dean turned his gaze to the man sitting opposite her. He extended his hand, his expression unreadable.

"You must be Raymond, right? I'm Dean."

Raymond stared at him for a long moment, assessing him. Then, a smile appeared on his face but it didn't reach his eyes. He shook Dean’s hand firmly.

"Yes. I'm Raymond. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Dean replied, but his grip was tight, almost challenging.

"Let's go," Riana whispered, holding Dean’s arm, trying to break the tension.

"Nuh," Dean pulled his hand away slightly and sat down on the empty chair next to her. "I'm starving. I haven't eaten since morning. I need food first."

Riana blinked. Seriously? After that dramatic entrance?

She handed him the menu. "Here."

Dean ordered a heavy meal. While waiting, the conversation started, but it felt less like a chat and more like a battle of wits.

"How long have you known Riana?" Dean asked casually, cutting his steak.

"Since Junior High," Raymond answered, taking a sip of his coffee. "We were classmates. And our first meeting... it was very memorable."

"Oh? Memorable how?" Dean raised an eyebrow.

Raymond glanced at Riana, a soft look crossing his face that made Dean’s jaw clench.

"Back then, we both accidentally wore the exact same outfit—plain purple t-shirts and blue jeans. We looked like twins. Everyone laughed, but that's how we became inseparable."

Dean smirked faintly. He reached out, took Riana’s spoon, and ate a spoonful of her ice cream right in front of Raymond. Riana gasped, but she didn't stop him.

"Btw," Dean continued, wiping his mouth. "Do you two always spend time together like this? Alone?"

"Not really," Riana answered this time. "Since we started working, we mostly chat on the phone. We meet only when we have time."

"Now it's my turn to ask," Raymond interrupted, leaning forward. His aura changed completely. "Are you planning to date her seriously, Dean? Or are you just here to have fun and break her heart?"

The table went silent.

Dean stopped eating. He turned his head and looked deeply into Riana’s eyes, holding her gaze for what felt like an eternity.

"I don't know about labels yet," Dean said slowly, his voice low and sincere. "But what I know for sure is... I want her to be mine. Only mine."

Riana’s heart skipped a beat.

"Then you have only two options," Raymond said coldly. "Date her properly. Or stay away from her. Don't play games."

"To make it official, we need time, right?" Dean replied calmly. "We need to test if we are compatible. But I can assure you... I am not playing."

Raymond pressed further. "Are you seeing anyone else? Any other women?"

Dean looked him straight in the eye. "No. Only her. If I'm lying, you can punch me, and I will never bother her again."

Hearing this, Raymond finally relaxed slightly. Maybe this man wasn't a total jerk after all.

Dean finished his meal quickly. He wiped his mouth and stood up.

"You go home with Raymond," Dean said suddenly.

Riana stared at him, confused. "Wait... what? Aren't we going to your place? You said you wanted to see me..."

Dean smiled faintly, a strange, distant smile. He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.

"I changed my mind. I'm full now, and I'm suddenly very sleepy. I just want to go home and crash. See you tomorrow at the office."

"..."

Before Riana could say anything else, Dean turned around and walked away. Leaving her sitting there, shocked and confused.

"What just happened?" Riana muttered.

Raymond watched Dean’s disappearing back, a complex expression on his face. "He is... unpredictable. One moment he acts like a possessive lover, the next moment he leaves like you don't matter."

***********

His car drove into the underground parking lot of a high-end apartment building. He took the private elevator, his steps heavy and slow.

He unlocked the door with a key card that he always kept hidden, separate from his other keys.

The room was dimly lit, clean, and quiet. Too quiet.

And lying on the bed, connected to various tubes and monitors, was a woman.

She was beautiful. Pale skin, long hair, but her eyes were closed. She had been sleeping for a long time.

Dean walked to the bedside. All the tiredness, the arrogance, the coldness... it all melted away. His face crumpled, showing a pain so deep it was heartbreaking.

He held her thin, cold hand. Tears that he had been holding back all day finally fell.

"Hi..." he whispered, his voice breaking.

He stroked her hair gently, kissing her knuckles over and over again.

"I knew someone ... she looks a little bit like you. Not in face, but in spirit. She makes me feel alive again."

Dean buried his face in their joined hands, sobbing silently.

"Please wake up. Please... I miss you so much."

The machines beeped rhythmically, the only sound in the room. The woman didn't wake up. She didn't answer.

Dean stayed there for hours, talking to her, telling her about his day, about Riana, about everything. He was living a double life. The cold MANAGER in front of the world, but a broken, loving man in this room.

# Back at the Cafe

Riana and Raymond were still sitting there. The atmosphere was strange after Dean left.

Raymond looked at Riana, who was looking down sadly.

Suddenly, Raymond reached out and held her hand firmly. His expression changed from a friend's concern to something much darker and more determined.

"Listen to me carefully, Ana," Raymond said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"I don't care what Dean said. I don't care if he claims he wants you. I have known you longer than him "I am the one who deserves to be by your side."

Riana widened her eyes. "Ray... what are you saying?"

Raymond said, squeezing her hand. "Dean is hiding something. I can smell it. He has secrets. Big ones."

He leaned closer, his eyes burning with intensity.

"And mark my words... I will find out what he is hiding. I will expose him. Because I am not going to let anyone hurt you."

Riana pulled her hand back, her heart pounding wildly.

What is Dean really like? ?Should she believe Raymond?