The Cursed Alpha Prince's Replacement Bride-Chapter 14: Lila Introduces Her Boyfriend

{Third Person}

The music pulsed faintly through the club’s walls, low and rhythmic, blending with laughter and chatter spilling from different private rooms.

Inside one of the VIP booths, the atmosphere was lively. Then the door opened, and Lila stepped in. Instantly, the room lit up.

"Lila!"

"You’re finally here!"

"Oh my God, look at you!"

The girls rushed toward her, their voices overlapping as they pulled her into quick hugs, their eyes sweeping over her outfit in admiration.

"You look amazing."

"That dress is everything."

Lila smiled, basking in the attention as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Prisca, seated at the centre, folded her arms and pouted dramatically. "You’re late," she said, narrowing her eyes. "I thought you weren’t coming anymore." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Lila laughed softly and walked over to her, leaning in to hug her. "I’m sorry, birthday girl. You know I wouldn’t miss this."

Prisca tried to hold her act for a second longer, then broke into a grin and hugged her back tightly.

"Fine, I’ll forgive you."

Someone handed out glasses, and soon everyone raised theirs.

"To Prisca!"

They clinked their glasses together, laughter ringing as they took sips.

Moments later, they settled into the plush sofas, bodies relaxing into the cushions as the energy mellowed into conversation.

One of the girls leaned forward, eyeing Lila curiously. "So... where’s your boyfriend?"

Another chimed in immediately. "Yes! Ever since you started dating this mystery man, you’ve been hiding him from us."

"Exactly," a third added teasingly. "At this point, I’m starting to think he doesn’t exist."

Lila let out a soft laugh, clearly pleased by the attention. "He dropped me off first since I was running late," she said smoothly. "Then, he left to pick up the birthday gift I got for Prisca."

Prisca’s eyes lit up. "You didn’t have to do that."

Lila waved it off casually. "I wanted to. It’s your birthday, after all." Then, with a faint tilt of her chin, she added, "And it’s not like money is a problem for my family."

That was all it took and the energy in the room shifted instantly.

"Of course, it isn’t."

"Your dad is literally a minister."

"And part of the Parliament too."

"You’re basically royalty at this point."

Lila smiled, accepting it all like it was her due.

"An aristocrat’s daughter," someone added admiringly. "We should all stick close to you."

"And your boyfriend," another girl said, leaning back with a grin. "He sounds amazing already. Going to pick up gifts for you? That’s rare."

"He must treat you like a princess."

Lila didn’t deny any of that. Her smile softened, almost dreamy. "He does."

The girls squealed lightly, feeding off each other’s excitement.

Then, Lila leaned back into the sofa, crossing her legs elegantly. "But today isn’t about me," she said with a light wave of her hand. "It’s Prisca’s day."

Prisca beamed at her.

Right then, a soft knock came from the door, and it was pushed open a moment later.

A staff member stepped in, followed by several others. One group carried in a crate of champagne, while another carefully brought in a beautifully decorated birthday cake.

The girls immediately perked up, rising from their seats with excitement. "Finally!"

They gathered around the table as the staff arranged everything neatly among the snacks, wine glasses, and bottles already laid out.

The atmosphere lifted again—bright and carefree as Prisca stood at the centre with her cake. Then the girls sang a birthday song for her. And when it ended, she blew out the candles to a round of applause.

The cake was cut, slices passed around, and soon the energy shifted again as gifts were brought forward one by one.

Prisca laughed as she accepted each box, her excitement growing.

Just then, Lila’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and smiled. Then she answered it.

"You’re here?" she said softly. "Okay. Come to our booth."

She hung up and looked at the others, her expression brightening. "He’s here."

Instantly, the room erupted.

"Finally!"

"We get to meet him!"

A gentle knock followed almost immediately. Lila rose and walked towards the door, smoothing her dress as she reached for the handle and opened it.

Torin stood there, effortlessly handsome. His fitted shirt and tailored trousers complemented his build, and when he smiled, the faint dimples on his cheeks made him even more disarming.

Behind him, a staff member stood holding a neatly wrapped gift box.

Lila didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Torin. Then he leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against hers in a quick, intimate kiss as his arms came around her waist.

"What took you so long?" she asked, her tone light but teasing.

"Traffic," he replied easily.

Lila took his hand without letting go, pulling him inside. "Everyone," she announced, her voice carrying over the chatter, "this is my boyfriend—Torin."

There was a brief noticeable pause. Some of the girls exchanged quick glances. A few of them recognized him. They had seen him with Amara before.

The air shifted awkwardly.

Lila noticed immediately. Her eyes flicked over them, her smile sharpening slightly. "Is there a problem?" she asked, her tone casual, but edged.

The hesitation vanished at once.

"No—no, of course not!"

"We’re just... surprised."

"He’s very handsome."

"Like, very."

The compliments came quickly now, layered over each other as the moment was smoothed over.

Lila’s smile returned fully, satisfied. "Don’t get any ideas," she said playfully. "He’s taken."

The girls laughed and the tension dissolved just like that.

Lila turned, took the gift from the staff member, and handed it to Prisca. "This is from me," she said.

Prisca’s eyes lit up instantly. "Can I open it now?"

"Of course."

The girls gathered around again as Prisca tore through the wrapping eagerly. The box opened, and a collective gasp filled the room.

Inside lay a sleek, elegant, pure gold wristwatch.

"Lila!" Prisca squealed, her eyes wide. "This is insane!"

Lila laughed softly, clearly pleased. "Take good care of it. It cost me quite a bit."

"I will! I promise!" Prisca said, already fastening it onto her wrist.

Later, the group moved downstairs. The club floor was alive now—lights flashing, music pounding, bodies moving in rhythm.

Lila and Torin merged into it effortlessly. She danced close to him, her movements intentional and teasing, her body brushing against his as she tilted her head back with a soft laugh.

Torin’s hands settled on her waist, pulling her in as he leaned down to steal another kiss. Then another.

They looked like a couple completely lost in each other, unbothered and unaware.

Across the room, three women stood frozen, watching them. Then, one of them blinked, her expression twisting in disbelief.

"Is that not... Amara’s boyfriend?"

The second woman’s face darkened instantly. "And her sister."

The third clenched her jaw. "It hasn’t even been two weeks since Amara left." Then, her voice dropped, furious. "And he’s already with her sister?"

The anger between them flared.

"This is disgusting."

"I’m not letting this slide."

Without hesitation, the three of them pushed forward through the crowd. "Torin!"

The shout cut through the music. Torin stiffened. His head snapped toward the sound, and recognition hit instantly.

Trouble.

Immediately, he grabbed Lila’s hand. "Come on," he muttered quickly. "We need to go. Your sister’s friends are here."

Lila followed his gaze, and her expression hardened. "Those bitches," she hissed under her breath.

But she didn’t argue.

Together, they turned and slipped through the crowd, moving quickly toward the opposite exit before the approaching women could reach them.