Tomorrow came. Before noon, Mallory received a call from Don to meet them at a restaurant at St.Velvet street, ensuring that he can bring a friend and he will get a free reservation. Mallory accepted the invitation and came with Rose.

Rose and Mallory carefully walked and looked around the restaurant. Rose paused silently as her eyes wandered around, her yellow peacock dress swishing from the movement, complementing her velvet heels. She patted her hair, which was tied in a braided top knot to make sure it's not astray.

Mallory tucked his hands in the pocket of his denim jacket. He then grabbed his phone from the back pocket of his dark blue jeans as his black heels made a tapping sound.

His face was blank and, unlike Rose, unimpressed with being somewhere fancy. He used to accompany lonely old rich men to leech money from them when he was desperate in places like this. 

"Ooh, Don invited us to such a fancy place! He even got us to be VIP guests!" Rose clasped her hands in excitement. "Never in my life have I ever stepped into a posh restaurant like this. For the first time in forever-"

Mallory nudged and gave her a scolding glare, which made her stop singing. He then silently loathed the affluent people on their seats as he took a glimpse at them. 

Mallory burrowed his hands in his jacket's pockets as they walked towards their assigned seats, "I'm amazed, too. My band and I trashed the owner's hotel a year ago. I'm supposed to be banned from their establishments."

Rose suddenly giggled and whispered, "I know that, Mal. I was there." 

"Wait, you were?" Mallory asked confusedly.

Rose nodded casually, "Yeah."

"Why don't I remember?" Mallory questioned, bewildered. 

Rose stared at Mallory and said, "You were as high as a kite."

They both quietly laughed as they sat down. The waiter approached the two and poured red wine into the champagne glasses. Rose was sipping daintily as Mallory's eyes wandered around. 

"Salut," Don appeared from behind their backs, startling the two. 

"Dang it, Don! I almost dropped the wine," Rose whispered angrily. 

The blonde man suppressed his desire to burst out laughing. He just grinned mischievously at the two, "Sorry. I just couldn't help myself."

He caught a glimpse of Mallory, who seemed to be curious. He bent down and inched closer to Mallory's face to whisper seductively, "I hope you two are having a great time."

"So anyways... Uh..."

Mallory had an internal panic and tried to act unflustered. "How did you persuade the restaurant owner to make us special guests?" 

Don smirked while he looked at Mallory head-to-toe, "She owed me a favor."

"You escorted her?" Mallory jested. 

Don shook his head disapprovingly, "She owes the place I work for."

"But wasn't she extremely wealthy? What happened?" Rose asked. 

"Poor financial decisions," Don answered quickly. "She probably hasn't told anybody about how she's almost going bankrupt."

Mallory gazed at Don, "Why wouldn't she?" 

Don shook his head and smiled as if it was the most obvious question, "Pride, obviously."

Mallory was about to inquire again, but Don stopped him, "Alright, we shouldn't be gossiping about her in her own territory."

Don looked at his designer wristwatch,"Oh, look at the time. I should go start my song."

Mallory took a large gulp in his champagne glass. "Right, I almost forgot that's the reason why we're here. Good luck, Blondie," He said haughtily. 

Instead of glaring at Mallory's insincerity, Don grinned proudly. 

"Thanks, but I don't need luck," Don smirked cheekily before walking away with a sophisticated gait.

Mallory's smug face was immediately wiped off from the response. He couldn't help but be secretly impressed by Don's confidence. 

Rose whispered teasingly, "He got you good, Mal." 

Mallory squinted at her menacingly and sneered, "He may have talent and moxie, I admit. But I won't go easy on him just yet." 

"Do you dislike him?" Rose asked suspiciously before she took another sip of liquor.

Mallory rolled his eyes, "He's a man, Darling." 

"Bah. Come on, Mal. Don sounds so mature and smart. He's lovely, " Rose responded dreamily. 

Mallory raised an eyebrow, "Pft. He literally surprised us after we sat down." 

"Whatever. I want him," Rose muttered. 

Mallory darted his eyes at her and nudged sharply, "Hey, I flirted with him first." 

"What?" Rose replied loudly, making other guests hush her. She lowered her voice and said, "Why would you flirt with your enemy?"

"He's not an enemy. He's... my target." Mallory smirked suggestively. Rose stared at him with disbelief and scolded him. "Mal! Unlike your.. Uh.. Other friends, Don is not a himbo!" 

Mallory laughed and looked her in the eye as he said, "I know a himbo when I see one." 

Rose rolled her eyes then elbowed Mallory vigorously, almost pushing him off his chair. Mallory glared at her and childishly elbowed back with the same brute force. The two laughed before being hushed by the waiter.