2. New Target at the Dinner Table

The campus canteen was sweltering that afternoon, but the corner table under the cherry tree stayed cool, mostly thanks to Lona’s loud, infectious laughter.

She sat perched sideways, showing off her long, toned legs in a tight, pastel mini-skirt. Beside her, Noah was busy twirling the ends of her blonde hair, leaning in to press shameless kisses against her shoulder.

"Serious, Lon? Number five? Is your mom trying to start a football team or what?" Sarah, Lona’s best friend, shook her head in disbelief while sipping her iced tea.

Lona let out a soft, breathy laugh—the kind that sounded playful but carried a sharp edge of mockery.

"I know, right? Mom says this one is different. Apparently, he’s younger, 'fresher,' and most importantly... supposedly gorgeous."

Noah, who had been distracted, stopped what he was doing and frowned. "Younger? How young? Don't tell me he’s our age, Lon. I’m not down to have a father-in-law who still spends his nights playing Mobile Legends."

Lona pinched Noah’s cheek playfully, making him wince. "Of course not, babe. Probably early thirties. But relax, you know the drill. He’ll last two months tops, and then... poof! Another divorce."

"You’re really going to ruin this one too?" Sarah asked, leaning in. "I heard he’s some big-shot businessman just back from overseas."

"The taller the tree, the more fun it is to chop it down, Sar," Lona replied airily. She reached into her designer bag, pulling out a small mirror to check her pink lipstick.

"All men are the same. Give them a little bait, show a little skin, and they lose their minds. Once that happens, I just play the 'crying victim' for Mom, and my bank account gets a nice fat bonus after they’re kicked to the curb."

Noah sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I’m not gonna lie, Lon, I hate it when you have to act all flirty with them. I feel like... they’re getting a free show that should only belong to me."

Lona immediately slid closer, wrapping her arms around Noah’s neck and pressing her firm body against his arm. "Aw, is my big baby jealous? You know my heart is yours. It’s all just an act, Noah. Just a way to get rid of the parasites trying to bleed my mom dry."

"Yeah, but what if this one is actually hot and you end up falling for him?" Sarah teased with a giggle.

Lona rolled her eyes. "Fall for him? For some guy obsessed with status and respect? Please. My taste is still guys like Noah—someone I can actually have fun with, not some stiff, boring board."

"Promise?" Noah looked deep into her eyes.

"Promise, babe. Besides, he’s coming over for the first dinner tomorrow night. Want to bet? How long do you think he’ll last once he catches a glimpse of me in a sheer nightgown while he’s trying to work?"

Their laughter erupted again. To Lona, the men in her mother’s life were just new levels in a game. She didn't see them as human beings; they were just targets waiting to be taken down.

______

Later that afternoon, Lona and Noah walked toward the campus parking lot. Lona walked with that signature strut that turned every head with every step, her short skirt rode up just enough to tease the smooth, tight skin of her thighs. She caught the stares from other students and lived for it. She loved being the center of the world.

"Wanna hang out tonight?" Noah asked, holding the car door open for her.

"Can't, Noah. Mom wants me home early. Apparently, there’s a dress fitting for the 'shotgun wedding' next week. She’s really desperate to taste-test this new Daddy." Lona snickered.

"Man, your mom’s energy for switching husbands is actually impressive," Noah commented as he slid into the driver’s seat.

"Well, that’s a lonely woman with too much money for you, Noah. She’s a sucker for sweet talk. Lucky for her, I’m always there to 'save' her from the wrong guys."

"Save her, or just have some fun?" Noah smirked.

"Both, obviously. But hey, I heard his name is Revan. Sounds pretty stiff, don't you think?"

Noah started the car and pulled out. "Revan? Sounds like a guy from those drama novels you read. Careful, Lon, names like that usually mean they’re strict."

"Strict on the outside, soft on the inside," Lona countered, busy taking selfies for her I*******m story. "Just wait until tomorrow. I’ll send you a photo of his face when he’s caught staring. It’s gonna be epic."

_______

When they pulled up to Lona’s mansion, the house was already buzzing. The staff were cleaning the garden with more intensity than usual.

"Alright, good luck with the 'mission' tomorrow night," Noah said, pulling Lona in by the nape of her neck for a quick kiss.

Lona kissed him back with a sudden heat, intentionally biting his lower lip until he let out a low groan.

"Don't miss me too much. I'll let you know tomorrow what Stepfather Number Five actually looks like."

She stepped out of the car with a slow, deliberate grace, letting her hips sway right in front of Noah’s eyes before shutting the door. She waved without looking back and walked inside with a wicked smirk already etched onto her face.

Inside, her mother was buried under interior design magazines. "Lona! You’re home? Look, I want to re-theme the master bedroom. Revan likes earth tones, so I thought..."

"Whatever you want, Mom," Lona interrupted, tossing her bag onto the sofa. "Who even is this Revan guy? Why are you going so overboard for him? You weren't this hyped for the other four."

Her mother smiled, her eyes shimmering. "He’s different, Lona. He’s independent, runs his own company, and... oh, you’ll see tomorrow. He’s the most masculine man I’ve ever met. I really hope you two get along."

Lona’s smile turned crooked, a look that meant everything but getting along. "Don't worry, Mom. I’ll be very good to my new Daddy. I’ll make sure he feels... right at home."

"That’s my girl," her mother said, completely oblivious.

Lona headed upstairs, her steps light and airy. In her head, she was already picking out her outfit for tomorrow. Something modest enough for Mom, but lethal to any red-blooded man. She couldn't wait to see New Daddy’s life crumble after she laid the trap.

"Revan, huh?" Lona whispered, closing her bedroom door. "Let’s see how long you can hold out against your new 'daughter'."

She flopped onto her plush bed, staring at the ceiling with a wandering mind. To her, breaking her mother’s marriages wasn't a tragedy—it was a thrill, a testament to the power of her own beauty. And Revan, whoever he was, was just the next pawn she was going to kick off the board.

She closed her eyes, imagining the look on Revan’s face the moment he saw her. She was certain that in less than a week, he’d be groveling at her feet, just like the four poor souls before him.