Chapter 184 They have guns
June
As we got to the restaurant, I swing the car door open before either of them can, sidestepping their silent competition. It’s kind of cute in a ridiculous way, watching two grown men hover over who gets to do the simplest thing. My mood swings, though, like a pendulum, because of the text I just got from Lucien. Tomorrow is the last day. The last day I’ll see Hermes if he doesn’t remember me fully.
I exhale, pressing a hand to my forehead. The stakes are high, and this “fake” dinner with Ted is now my weapon. I need Hermes to remember everything… especially that he’s going to be a father.
At first, Ted’s proposal had thrown me for a loop, but now I see the method in it. And still, I silently pray Hermes doesn’t open his mouth about the… earlier incident. That could ruin the delicate trust I’m building with Ted.
I let out a shaky sigh, closing my eyes briefly. When I open them, I see both Ted and Hermes standing right in front of the restaurant door, waiting like two overprotective puppies. I chuckle softly—it’s adorable—but there’s no time for cute moments.
“Guys, I’ll go in myself,” I say, giving them a gentle push and sliding inside.
The warmth of the restaurant hits me immediately. Soft lighting, the faint scent of grilled food and fresh bread, and murmurs of other diners make it feel deceptively normal. A waiter approaches, clipboard in hand.
“How many seats do you need?” he asks.
“Two,” Ted blurts before I can respond.
“Three seats,” Hermes interrupts sharply, his gaze flicking daggers at Ted.
I exhale through my nose, suppressing a sigh, and force a weak smile. “Three seats, please.” My eyes flick to Ted, and I can’t help the small, mischievous smile tugging at my lips. Is he enjoying tormenting Hermes this much? Well, they are friends… so I guess it’s normal.
We slide into the booth. Ted and I on one side, Hermes on the other, his gaze sharp even as he fiddles with the napkin in front of him. I inhale softly, silently thanking the stars he didn’t make a fuss about the seating arrangement.
Inside, he’s scanning the restaurant, lost in thought. Is he remembering anything? No. Not helpful. This isn’t even a place he’s been with me before, so there’s nothing familiar to trigger him.
Ted nudges me gently, tilting my gaze toward him. “Are you okay?” he asks softly, voice barely above the hum of the restaurant.
I nod slowly, fishing out my phone and showing him Lucien’s text. Ted’s brows tighten, jaw flexing like he’s holding in a storm. “Don’t worry. We’ll get him to remember,” he whispers, full of quiet confidence.
Before I can respond, Hermes’s irritated voice cuts through, sharp enough to slice the tension. “Hey, I’m literally in front of you guys.”
I sniffle, forcing my face into a smile even as my chest tightens. Turning toward him, I throw him a teasing wink. “We know. Are you… perhaps jealous?”
Hermes scoffs, crossing his arms. “Jealous of what? This? This doesn’t look real,” he mutters, eyes darting elsewhere.
Ted leans forward, smirking, “What if it isn’t?”
Hermes’s gaze snaps to him, his expression darkening. “What—”
A voice cuts through before he can finish, sweet but sharp. “Hello. What do you guys need?”
We look up to see a female waiter, pen and pad in hand.
Ted starts, “We’ll get your signature steak and a glass of wine.”
“I need a glass too, Ted,” Hermes says sharply, glaring at him.
The waiter freezes, then her eyes widen. “Oh my God… Hermes!” Her voice carries recognition.
Hermes arches an eyebrow. “Hi… do I know you?”
“It’s me—Rita,” she says, pointing at herself. “At the delivery shop—you came to rent clothes and I practically made you take my number. You didn’t even argue!”
I roll my eyes, cutting her off smoothly. “Uh—please, just get our orders ready. He doesn’t remember anything right now,” I say, forcing polite finality while shooting Hermes a look.
Rita nods, confused, and quickly scurries off.
Hermes keeps staring after her, tilting his head like he’s actually thinking about her.
I click my fingers sharply, forcing him to snap back to me. He wasn’t supposed to be ogling another girl—he was supposed to be remembering me.
“What? I can’t stare?” he asks, voice tinged with mock indignation.
I bite my lip. Of course he can. He’s always been a playboy. Always.
Turning to Ted, I intertwine my hand with his, leaning slightly closer. “Honey—remember that time my mother died and I came to your place and we rode a bike—”
“Stop that,” Hermes cuts in, deadpan, voice tight.
I glance at him, silently begging for a flicker of memory, praying he recalls that story.
“Take your hands off her, Ted,” Hermes adds, fists tightening.
Ted laughs, unfazed. “Who are you to her? Since when do you get to boss me around?”
Hermes bites his lip, hands trembling slightly. He’s fighting it—the desire, the memory, the jealousy. I swallow hard, heart racing.
“Her boss. I’m her fucking boss,” he snaps.
“That doesn’t count. We aren’t in an office. What else are you to her?” Ted fires back, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The air thickens. Thick with tension. Desperation. Anticipation.
Hermes opens his mouth, closes it, opens it again—words failing him.
Then—BANG! The entrance door swings open with a forceful thud, rattling the restaurant.
“Everyone down!” a harsh, commanding voice booms.
All attention shifts. My eyes snap ahead, heart in my throat.
Three men in black masks storm in, guns raised.
“Shit—they have guns—” someone screams.
Screams and shouts erupt around us. Chairs scrape against the floor, glasses clink as people drop to the ground. Patrons cry out, some hiding under tables, others pressing against walls.
Ted instinctively moves closer to me, his hand gripping mine tightly. Hermes leans forward, eyes scanning the masked intruders, calculating.
“Money! Everyone get on the floor!” one of the men shouts, waving his gun wildly. Another yells, “No sudden moves!”
I squeeze Ted’s hand, trying to steady my racing heart, but my eyes are drawn to one of the robbers. His gaze snaps to me, sharp and unsettling.
“You,” he growls, voice low but commanding. He steps closer, making the others pause. “Come outside. Now.”
I freeze, my eyes instinctively landing on Hermes, "Hermes," my voice cracks.