RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 108: FRIDA -

A COUPLE OF HOURS EARLIER

They walked into Disneyland, immediately enchanted by the sight of various princesses, the excited crowd, and the magical atmosphere.

"So, where should we go first?" Frida asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Anywhere you want. We’ve got VIP access to all the rides," Laz replied with a chuckle.

Her jaw dropped. "That must have cost a fortune!"

"You’re worth a fortune, angel," he said smoothly.

Laz scanned the area before turning her toward the Haunted Mansion.

"Oh, hell no!" Frida shrieked, pulling away.

"Why not?" Laz asked with a dark chuckle.

"Because I know you, Laz. You’ll try to scare me in there!" she whined, making him laugh.

"So, you admit you’re scared?" he teased.

"I didn’t say that! I said you’ll try—and fail, obviously." She rolled her eyes.

"Really, darling? Wanna bet?" he challenged, his grin widening.

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "What are we betting?"

"Whatever you want, shawty," he said, biting his lip, the dimple on his right cheek deepening.

Frida reached up and poked his dimple. "Kawaii!" she cooed in a mock-cute accent, making him laugh.

Spotting a booth nearby, she dashed toward it. "Two of those Mickey and Minnie ears, please, and two ice cream cones," she said excitedly.

She took the glittery Minnie ears and stretched up toward Laz. "Bend down, you tall tree," she demanded.

"Why do I get the glittery ones?" he asked, incredulous.

"Because I’m buying them. Now, bend down."

He reluctantly complied, and she placed the ears on his head. Running her hands through his hair and across his cheek, she giggled. "Aww, so cute!" She planted a kiss on his lips.

He blushed, taking the Mickey ears and placing them on her head.

With their ice cream cones in hand, they made their way to the Haunted Mansion. Frida felt a chill as they approached the entrance.

She suddenly turned her ice cream toward Laz’s neck, pressing the cold treat against his skin. As he startled, she leaned up on her toes and licked it off, shocking him.

A couple behind them giggled.

Laz’s gray eyes landed on her in disbelief. "Frida?"

She smeared some of her ice cream onto his lips and kissed him.

"What was that for?" he whispered.

"Stress relief," she replied with a smirk.

Laz grinned as they stepped into the dark, eerie building.

A shrill scream made Frida grab his hand. Laz chuckled. They’d barely walked five minutes.

"Geez, these photos are creepy, Laz," she whispered.

"Really? AHHHH! Oh my God, I think it’s looking at me!" Laz feigned being startled.

She shot him a look. He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, princess."

Rolling her eyes, her heart nearly stopped as a ghost swiped past her.

"Fuck, what the hell!" she yelled, looking around, only to realize Laz was gone.

Grabbing her phone, she called him.

"Laz? Where are you?"

He chuckled through the line. "What’s wrong, sunrise? Thought you weren’t scared?"

She chuckled nervously. "I’m not. I just wanted to say hi." She hung up quickly.

"Run..." His voice echoed through the speakers.

"What the—how are you doing that? Is this even allowed at Disneyland?" she squeaked as the eyes of the portraits seemed to follow her.

"When you’re a programmer like me, rules don’t apply," he said darkly, his voice still in the speakers.

A ghost turned its head 360 degrees toward her. She bolted.

"Nope. Nope. I’m not doing this. Laz, you asshole!" she screamed, running.

Finally reaching the doom buggies, she jumped in, panting. Thrilled, excited, and terrified, she could feel her pulse racing.

"Gotcha," Laz whispered, his hands wrapping around her mouth as he pulled her onto his lap.

"Relax, I’m here," he chuckled.

She lightly punched him. "Idiot! You scared me to death!"

"Sorry, love. Did I frighten you?"

"No. It wasn’t scary at all," she lied. "I watch horror movies all the time."

He smirked. "If you say so, princess."

They stepped out of the Haunted Mansion, and Laz pointed to the Ferris wheel. "Wanna ride that?"

She nodded eagerly.

"Give me a sec," he said, disappearing into the crowd.

Frida settled onto a bench to wait. The laughter and joy around her were contagious.

"Hey," a familiar voice said.

She turned. "Alex."

"Hey," she replied, keeping her tone neutral as she shifted slightly on the bench.

"How have you been?" he asked, his voice laced with something between regret and hope. He looked good—his usual charming self, though his eyes carried a weight she hadn’t seen before.

"I’m alright. Nothing much."

The silence between them stretched awkwardly, broken only by the hum of nearby laughter and the rustling of movement. Then, Alex reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box.

"Happy birthday, Frida... and Merry Christmas," he said, extending it toward her.

She shook her head, leaning back. "No thanks. I’m good."

His eyes reflected his disappointment, but he pressed on. "You won’t even take gifts from me? I’m sorry, Frida. I know I was wrong, and that’s why I’ve been apologizing."

She sighed, her tone softening. "And I forgive you, Alex."

His expression shifted, hope flickering in his eyes. "You do?"

She nodded, offering a small smile. "I do."

He exhaled in relief, his smile growing. "So, we’re friends again?"

"Still friends," she confirmed, "but with boundaries."

He nodded, accepting the terms with a faint grin. "That’s okay with me."

As the snow began to fall, tiny flakes caught in her lashes. Without thinking, Alex reached toward her to brush them away, but before he could, Laz caught his wrist mid-air.

The tension between the two men was palpable. Laz didn’t say a word, nor did he acknowledge Alex’s presence. He simply took Frida’s hand, slipped it into his coat pocket, and began walking away with her.

"Aren’t you going to ask me anything?" Frida asked softly as they made their way to the Ferris wheel.

He stopped, turning his stormy gray eyes toward her. "I trust you. It doesn’t matter."

Her heart fluttered at his words.

When they reached the Ferris wheel, the operator opened the door, and Laz helped her step into the gondola. She wobbled slightly, laughing as he steadied her.

"Woah," she murmured, settling into her seat.

He chuckled, taking the seat opposite her.

Pressing her face and hands against the glass, she gazed out at the view as the ride began to move. The parade below, the sparkling city lights, and the grandeur of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle took her breath away.

"So beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

"It is," Laz said, his eyes fixed on her rather than the view.

"Laz," she said, her voice taking on a playful edge, "wanna bet I can destroy you in five seconds?"

He smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Surprise me, sunrise."

Without hesitation, she began unbuttoning her coat. As she peeled away the layers of thick sweaters, she revealed a stunning lingerie set beneath.

The snow whispered around them, laughter from the crowds below faded into the background, and the faint scent of popcorn lingered in the crisp air.

Laz sucked in a breath, his eyes darkening. "Damn it."

Frida leaned back, opening her legs just enough to tease. "You like what you see?"

His smirk deepened as he bit his lip. "Well, hell yeah."

Maintaining her balance, she moved to sit on his lap. His hands instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her steady.

"You want some of this?" she asked, her voice low and seductive.

"Right here? Yes, please," he said, utterly captivated.

She laughed, placing a hand on his chest. "It’s too public, Laz. We could get arrested."

He grinned, tapping something on his smartwatch. Suddenly, the lights on the Ferris wheel went dark, and the ride stopped, leaving them suspended at the very top.

Frida’s eyes widened in shock. "How... How are you doing this?"

"This will only last five minutes," Laz said, his grin turning wicked. "So we gotta be quick, baby."

She chuckled, pushing herself off his lap and back onto her seat.

"Wait—what are you doing?" Laz asked, his voice rising in panic.

She smirked, crossing her legs. "Oh, darling, revenge has never been sweeter."

As the lights flickered back on and the ride resumed, Laz stared at her in disbelief.

"Scare me next time, big guy," she teased, her laughter filling the gondola.

---

PRESENT...

The cops moved the body out of the house, their presence a sharp contrast to the festive memories Frida had just been reliving.

She stood frozen, her heart pounding as the officers’ questions blurred into white noise.

Laz handled them effortlessly, his calm demeanor unshaken. When they finally left, Frida remained rooted in place, her thoughts racing.

She turned to him, her eyes wide and searching. "Laz..."

"Hmm?" he replied, his tone casual.

"I trust you," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yeah," he replied, watching her carefully.

"That’s why I’m only going to ask this once," she said, taking a shaky breath.

He nodded, his expression unreadable.

"Did you kill Alex?"

His gray eyes darkened as they locked onto hers. "Baby, what are you talking about? We’ve been together all day, remember?"

She nodded slowly, whispering, "Right... So why is there blood on your shirt?"