"Amusing?... Maybe if my head was on a spike." Gideon responds with a grimace. It is hardly the sentimental sort of imagery that should be conjured on a night like this one, but the pragmatist in him can't help it. Thought if he thinks he'd do poorly with Hasan's father, he knows the Turk's right in surmising he'd fare no better with Lara.
"Maybe in another lifetime, Demir. In this one, I'll forfeit the philosophical merit of that theory if it means I get to keep a head on my shouldersâno offense, of course."
With that, he tries to steer the conversation into less choppy waters. "Not the biggest fan of Monaco, then?" It's a rhetorical question, Hasan's hardly been subtle in his assessment of what the city-state promises. "Don't worry, I've no intention of performing for anyone on this date, much less every passing eye. I'll count myself lucky just to keep a low profile and not steal too many glances at my watch all the while."
Hasan gave a small shrug, one shoulder rising like he wasnât quite willing to commit to the gesture. âMaybe itâs just sour grapes talking. Half of me thinks I should have staged something so lavish it made even a Rutherford bookkeeper nervous, really leaned into the spectacle of it.â
A faint smile flickered, there and gone. âBut I think I would end up a guest in my own evening. A date ought to feel lived in. Something that settles properly, not just something impressive to recount later. If Monaco does that for you, I wonât hold it against you, well, not more than I already might.â
He exhaled softly through his nose, gaze drifting for a moment before returning. âI imagine you didnât have much choice in the matter anyway. Expectations and all that. And a contest like this, I think I made my peace with losing it before it started. Iâm just glad it didnât go entirely unclaimed.â
At the mention of family, something in his posture tightens just a fraction, subtle but there. âYouâre not exactly at the top of my fatherâs list,â Hasan said, tone careful but not cold, âso I suppose that counts for something.â
A beat, then a softer addendum. âBut youâre right. Not tonight. Bad timing, bad omens.â














