Lay in rest while your heart stays pure, unveiled,
Clasp another hand before it bears the weight of toil.
Lose yourself in eyes before they awaken,
Love while the night still veils the fading dawn.

Chapter 15

Willy and Lyyli sat in her recording studio in front of the computer, in silence. Lyyli glanced at her computer screen, checking the time. Her fingers tapped nervously on the desk, a subtle but constant rhythm that betrayed her anxiety.

"What time does the meeting start?" Willy asked, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving her.

"Five minutes," Lyyli replied, her voice steady but her fingers betraying her nerves. She could feel the tension bubbling beneath the surface, a mix of excitement and dread.

Willy watched her closely, his gaze softening. "Have you figured out how to bring up the orchestra with the band?"

Lyyli nodded, though her expression was tight. "I've already talked to everyone except Tero. They're on board. They think it's an exciting direction."

Willy leaned forward, his voice low and reassuring. "Don't let him bully you. Stand up for what you want. This is your band too."

Lyyli gave him a small, tight-lipped smile. "I will," she said, though her voice wavered slightly. "But I'm still nervous about how he'll react. The others... they'll support me. But Tero..."

"Don't let him push you around," Willy said, his voice firm but gentle. "This is your decision, not his."

Lyyli looked at him, drawing strength from his words. Then, with a deep breath, she turned on her computer. The screen flickered to life, and soon, the faces of her bandmates filled the video chat. The familiar sight of their faces was comforting, but beneath it all, she could still feel the tension of what was to come.

"I've got to admit," Matti said, breaking the silence, "I've been spending way too much time in my studio during quarantine. I've learned to bake bread. Who would've thought?"

"Bread, huh?" Jukka chuckled. "I've tried a few new things, but most of them ended up burnt. Guess that's the metal drummer in me—everything just goes up in flames." He laughed, the sound warm and easy.

Lyyli managed a smile. "At least you didn't burn the house down."

"Not yet," Tuomas grinned. "But it could happen. How about you, Lyyli? It looks like you've kept yourself quite busy, huh? You've worked a lot already."

Lyyli hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well, I've been... thinking a lot about where we want to go with our sound. I think it's time to push the boundaries a little. This album is more mature—more complex, really. I want us to add an orchestra to it."

The band was quiet for a moment. Then, slowly, one by one, they started to speak.

"I like it," Jukka said, nodding. "It's bold. It's different. It's like we're growing, you know?"

Matti chimed in. "Yeah, I'm excited about it. This new direction could be exactly what we need."

Tuomas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Lyyli, I've got to say, these lyrics are some of the best you've ever written. They feel... deeper. Like there's something raw in them."

"Yeah," Jukka agreed. "There's a weight to them. They hit hard."

Matti scrolled through the document on his screen. "And the way the music builds? The orchestral elements will take this to another level. I can already hear how it's going to sound live."

Tuomas nodded. "I love how the strings mirror the intensity of the guitars in From G to E Minor. That crescendo in the bridge—it's massive."

Lyyli's nerves eased slightly as she listened. "I wanted it to feel cinematic, almost like a film score. I thought layering the orchestration with the heavier parts would bring out the contrast."

Jukka grinned. "Well, you nailed it. But I do have one thought—maybe we should let the orchestra carry the intro before the guitars come in? Let it breathe a little before we hit full force."

Matti snapped his fingers. "Oh, I like that. Give it a haunting start, then build it up."

Tuomas scrolled down. "And in Stardust, the vocal line in the chorus—it's powerful, but I wonder if extending the last note would give it even more impact?"

Lyyli nodded, already making mental notes. "That's a good point. I'll experiment with it and see how it feels." She smiled, relieved. "I'm glad you both feel that way. I've been nervous about how it would go over, but I really think this is the right move."

Before they could discuss it further, Tero's face appeared on the screen, and the energy in the room immediately shifted. He didn't greet anyone or make small talk. He just jumped straight into business, his voice already critical.

"What's all this about?" Tero asked, his expression skeptical. "You're changing the style too much, Lyyli. It's... ambitious." His tone was unreadable. "I mean, it's a big shift for us. More symphonic than we've ever gone before. We don't need this. It's too much."

Lyyli felt the tension tighten in her chest, but she held her ground. "I'm not changing it. I'm evolving it," she said, her voice calm but unwavering. "This is about pushing our sound to the next level. We can't just keep repeating the same thing every album."

Tero scoffed. "You're losing focus. All this factory nonsense with Wonka... it's distracting you. You're getting caught up in something that has nothing to do with the band."

Lyyli's eyes flashed with determination. "No. I'm focused, Tero. This is exactly what the band needs. It's not a distraction, it's growth."

Willy, watching from the side, smirked. He could tell—she was winning him over.

Tero didn't seem convinced. "You're making a mistake. You're trying to force something that doesn't fit. It's not us."

"I'm not asking for your permission, Tero," Lyyli said, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "I'm telling you that this is happening. The orchestra is part of the vision. If you don't like it, that's your problem."

There was a long silence as Tero's face twisted in frustration. The rest of the band sat frozen, unsure of what to say next. Willy, however, was leaning back against the wall, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He was watching Lyyli with a mix of admiration and pride. She wasn't backing down. She was holding her ground, and it was clear that Tero didn't know how to handle it.

"You think you can just demand things like that?" Tero sneered.

"I'm not asking, Tero," Lyyli repeated, her tone cutting through the tension like a blade. "This is my band too. I've already spoken to the others, and they support me. The orchestra is happening. If you can't handle it, you're free to leave."

Tero's face turned red. "Fine. But you'll regret this," he spat, before abruptly ending the call.

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of the confrontation hanging in the air. The other band members slowly began to speak, their voices full of disbelief.

"I can't believe you did that," Matti said, his voice a mix of awe and respect. "You just... bossed him around."

"Yeah, that was intense," Jukka added, still processing what had just happened. "I didn't think anyone could put Tero in his place like that."

Lyyli exhaled, the tension slowly draining from her body. "Sometimes, you just have to stand your ground."

As soon as she clicked off the computer, Lyyli quickly covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide in disbelief. She looked at Willy, her voice muffled as she spoke between her fingers, "Oh my God... I did it."

Willy leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with pride. "See? I told you. I knew you could do it," he said, his joy barely contained. "So, what happens now?"

Lyyli smiled, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "The guys are going to work on the music next. Once they finish recording the demos, they'll send them to me, and then I'll record my vocals over it." She shrugged slightly, a hint of impatience in her eyes. "So now, I just have to wait."

Willy grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hey... you know what? We should celebrate!"

Lyyli raised an eyebrow, glancing at the clock. "It's only 10 in the morning... It's a bit early to be drinking, don't you think?"

Willy chuckled, shaking his head. "Who said anything about drinking? Come on, let's do something special."

Without waiting for her response, he gently took her hand and guided her out of the studio. Lyyli was surprised when Willy reached out and grabbed her hand, which was a rare gesture coming from him lately. Without a word, she followed him, curious about where he was leading her.

He led Lyyli down a narrow hallway she had never noticed before, the walls lined with colorful, shimmering lights that seemed to pulse with energy. As they reached a large, ornate door, he turned to her with a grin. "You've never seen this room, have you?"

Lyyli shook her head, curiosity piqued. "No... what's behind that door?"

Willy's smile widened as he opened the door, revealing a stunning sight. The room was vast, filled with towering shelves of sparkling soda bottles in every flavor imaginable. The air was sweet and fizzy, the scent of sugar and citrus wafting through the room like a dream. At the center of it all stood a massive soda fountain, its chrome spouts glowing in the soft light.

"Welcome to the Pop Palace," Willy said, his voice filled with pride. "A place for celebrating the simplest joys."

Lyyli's eyes widened in awe. "This is incredible... I had no idea this existed!"

Willy moved to the fountain, pressing a button that set the machine in motion. A stream of fizzy, rainbow-colored soda flowed into two crystal-clear glasses. He handed one to Lyyli, his eyes twinkling. "Here, to you and your successful new album!"

Lyyli raised her glass, a smile spreading across her face as the bubbles tickled her senses. "Cheers!" she replied, clinking her glass against his.

As she took their first sip, she was greeted by a playful explosion of flavors. It was unlike anything she'd ever tasted before. Lyyli's drink was a vibrant pink hue, and as she drank, a warm, comforting sensation spread through her chest, filling her with a sudden burst of energy and joy. She giggled, feeling lighter than air, as if the worries of the world had just melted away. "This... it feels like I'm floating," she remarked, her eyes sparkling.

Willy's soda, a deep blue color, had a more subtle effect. The moment he took a sip, his usual sharp focus seemed to sharpen even further, a calm intensity settling over him. His thoughts seemed to clear, and a sense of profound clarity washed over him. He looked at Lyyli with a soft smile, his voice slow and deliberate. "This one... it helps me think. Makes everything clearer."

They continued to sip the soda, laughing freely, the sweet, fizzy sensation dancing on their tongues. Though the drinks were alcohol-free, the effects were undeniable. Every sip seemed to strip away the barriers between them, softening the edges of their words, and lightening the weight of the world outside the room.

Lyyli looked at Willy with a playful glint in her eye. "You're unusually calm today. I thought I'd never see the day when you'd be... this calm."

Willy smiled, a little sheepish, but his eyes softened. "Maybe it's you," he said, his voice low, "You always seem to know how to make everything feel lighter."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she leaned in a little closer, the space between them narrowing without either of them realizing it. "Is that so?" she teased softly, her voice like silk. "I didn't know I had that kind of effect on you."

Willy's smile deepened, and there was a warmth in his gaze that made her pulse quicken. "You do," he said quietly. "More than you know."

Lyyli felt a flutter in her chest, the kind she hadn't felt in ages. "Willy..." Her fingers traced the rim of her glass, but her gaze never left his. The room, once filled with laughter and lightness, now felt charged with something deeper, something that neither of them could ignore. "It's funny," she murmured, "Even after all these years, it feels like we've never been apart and... I can still feel the same way I did when you're around."

He took a small step forward, his hand brushing against hers. "I don't know what it is but... I feel like that too." He let out a nervous laugh. "It's funny and... weird."

The silence between them stretched, but it wasn't awkward—it was full of something deeper. Their faces were inches apart now, their hearts pounding in unison. The space between them felt electric, as if the air was charged with everything they had left unsaid, everything they had once shared.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the shrill beep of Willy's phone cut through the stillness, shattering the moment in an instant. Both of them jolted in surprise—Willy flinched so hard he nearly dropped the phone, fumbling with it awkwardly before catching it at the last second.

"Sorry, heh." he blurted out, his voice higher than usual. He cleared his throat and tried again. "These things are so annoyingly noisy."

Lyyli let out a breathy, nervous laugh, her face burning with a blush that matched his own. She had no idea what had just happened between them, but her heart was still hammering in her chest. What in the world had that soda done to them? It wasn't alcohol, and yet...

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze. "Yeah... noisy." she murmured, pretending to focus on her empty glass as if it held all the answers.

Willy swallowed hard, finally daring to glance at the message on his screen. His eyes scanned it quickly before he groaned. "There's a problem in the Inventing Room," he said. "Something about the chewing gum machine acting up again."

Lyyli exhaled, grateful for the distraction even as her stomach twisted with unresolved feelings. "Guess we better go, then," she said, pushing herself off the counter a little too quickly.

"Yeah. Yeah, we should," Willy agreed, stuffing the phone back in his pocket.

Without another word, they hurried out of the soda room, their steps fast and stiff, as if the rush to the Inventing Room could somehow erase what had just happened.

Lyyli leaned against a worktable in the Inventing Room, arms crossed, watching Willy and Charlie struggle—again—with the stubborn gum machine. It never did what Willy wanted, and by the way he frowned at it, tapping his chin, she could tell he was as frustrated as ever.

Smirking, she recalled his story about Violet turning into a giant blueberry. No matter how many times she heard it, it never failed to amuse her.

"Are you sure it's not just holding a grudge against you?" she teased, her voice light but laced with mischief.

Willy shot her a dry glare. "You're a mumbler," he muttered, rolling up his sleeves.

Beside her, an Oompa Loompa mirrored her stance, arms crossed, watching intently. Two others bustled around, handing Charlie and Willy tools without being asked.

Lyyli tilted her head, her smirk softening into a thoughtful expression. "Maybe this is happening for a reason."

Charlie paused mid-bolt-tightening. "What do you mean?"

Willy, deep in thought, suddenly looked up, intrigued.

She hesitated, then took a breath. "You said this gum would end all cooking. But... have you ever thought about the consequences? How many cooks, bakers, and restaurants would be out of work if this actually worked?"

Charlie blinked, at first thinking Willy might be offended. He braced himself for some dramatic response, maybe a stubborn insistence that his invention was a masterpiece and the world just didn't understand his genius.

But instead, Willy just stood there, silent, considering. His brows furrowed slightly, not in frustration, but in thought. Slowly, he straightened, tapping a finger lightly against his lips.

"Hey..." he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. He turned the idea over in his mind, then nodded, the realization settling in. "You know what... you may be right."

Charlie's mouth fell open slightly in surprise, but Lyyli just smiled, watching as the gears in Willy's mind shifted in a different direction. Maybe, for the first time, he was really seeing this invention in a new light.

Willy smiled while his eyes remained distant, lost in thought. Finally, he looked back at Lyyli and nodded.

"You're right... How come I hadn't seen this before?"

Lyyli and Charlie exchanged glances, both relieved that he wasn't offended or disappointed.

Then, without hesitation, Willy called the Oompa Loompas. "Let's destroy the machine," he commanded.

The little workers stepped forward, ready to dismantle it, but just as they began, Willy raised a hand to stop them. A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Actually... Lyyli, how about you do the honors?" He handed her a hammer. "Destroy it like a rockstar."

Lyyli stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then her expression shifted into sheer excitement.

"Hell yeah!" she exclaimed, gripping the hammer with both hands, ready to bring it down.

As they sat around the dinner table, plates half-forgotten in front of them, Willy and Charlie animatedly recounted their gum machine demolition adventure. The rest of the family listened with curiosity—and a bit of surprise.

"You should've seen it!" Charlie exclaimed, waving his fork for emphasis. "Lyyli started it off with this huge swing—bam!—and the whole machine shook!"

Lyyli chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly at the memory.

Willy, grinning from ear to ear, leaned forward. "And when you hit it, it practically spat gum at you in protest! I haven't had this much fun since the Wonka Puppet Show went up in flames!"

"Oh, I wish I had seen that!" Lyyli exclaimed, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Grandpa Joe turned to Lyyli with a warm smile. "And how's everything going with your work, dear?"

Mrs. Bucket nodded in agreement. "Yes, you've been working so hard these past few days."

Lyyli set down her fork and smiled. "I had a meeting with my band this morning. Now, I just have to wait for my bandmates to finish their recordings so I can do my vocals."

The whole family reacted with excitement, leaning in with interest. "Oh, we can't wait to hear it when it's done, dear!" said Grandma Josephine.

Willy smirked proudly at her. "And let's not forget—you got yourself the orchestra you wanted."

Lyyli laughed. "Well, that was thanks to you for supporting me."

Dr. Wonka, who had been listening intently, adjusted his glasses. "An orchestra? That's quite impressive. I can't wait to listen to it."

Before Lyyli could answer, Mr. Bucket lifted his glass with a grin. "I think today calls for a toast—to success, to music, and to demolishing troublesome machines!"

Everyone chuckled and raised their glasses, celebrating the day's victories.

As Willy and Lyyli left the Bucket's after dinner, their laughter echoed softly through the halls. They walked side by side, reminiscing about the morning's meeting.

"Oh, but Tero's face—" Willy chuckled, shaking his head.

Lyyli grinned. "He looked so done with me. I thought he was going to combust when I told him to leave if he wasn't satisfied with our decision."

"It was brilliant." Willy snickered.

They continued teasing about Tero's reaction until they reached Lyyli's bedroom door. Then, without warning, the energy between them shifted. The laughter faded into a quiet, lingering silence.

Both of them hesitated, their thoughts drifting back to the Soda Pop Palace room—that moment. The almost-kiss.

Lyyli tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. Willy adjusted his collar, glancing at anything but her.

"Well... uh, goodnight," Lyyli muttered, her voice softer than usual.

"Y-Yeah. Goodnight." Willy cleared his throat, forcing a small smile.

Neither of them moved right away. But after another second of awkward silence, they both quickly turned on their heels—Lyyli disappearing into her room, and Willy hurrying down the hall.

Alone in their rooms, both lay awake longer than they meant to, staring at the ceiling, pretending nothing had happened—while knowing very well that something had.

The next few days dragged on for Lyyli. With no recordings to do until her bandmates finished their parts, she quickly grew restless. That's when she started sneaking into the Inventing Room, drawn by curiosity—and boredom—to see what Willy and Charlie were up to.

At first, she simply watched in awe. The way they worked together was fascinating. Charlie was incredibly smart, asking all the right questions, bouncing ideas off Willy like a seasoned inventor himself. And Willy—he acted like an older brother, guiding Charlie, challenging him, teasing him. The dynamic between them was endearing, like they had always been meant to be a team.

Before long, just watching wasn't enough. Lyyli started chiming in, offering ideas, asking questions. Eventually, she was rolling up her sleeves and helping them, laughing along when experiments went wrong and celebrating when something finally worked.

But what captivated her most was Willy himself.

She always knew he was a genius, but seeing him in his element was something else entirely. The way his mind worked, the way his hands moved with precise confidence, the way he explained things to her, turning impossibilities into reality—it was mesmerizing.

Lyyli found herself lingering on the way he had matured, how much more grounded he had become. Yet, he was still Willy Wonka, still full of whimsy and unpredictability. Watching him create, invent, bring the impossible to life—it was almost intoxicating.

One crisp morning, Willy made his way to the Inventing Room, his mind buzzing with ideas for new projects. As he approached the door, he wondered if Lyyli was already awake. He had been enjoying having her around lately, watching her get involved in the daily routines of the factory. Her presence in the Inventing Room had added a sense of lightness to the usually chaotic space, and he found himself looking forward to her company every day.

As he reached the hallway, one of the Oompa Loompas from the underground secretive security room hurried toward him, signaling that they had something to show him. Willy followed the Oompa Loompa down a narrow corridor to the factory's hidden security room.

Inside, the team of Oompa Loompas who were responsible for monitoring the factory's safety and security were already waiting. They handed Willy a thick dossier, their expressions grim.

Willy carefully opened the file, his eyes scanning the documents inside. The Oompa Loompas had done exactly what Willy had asked them to do—spying on Tero to see if he had been stealing from the band. The evidence was damning.

He read the report carefully. The other band members were not to blame. They had been just as deceived as Lyyli had been. Tero had been taking advantage of their trust, manipulating them and slowly siphoning money for years. His betrayal ran deep. Willy's blood began to boil as he read the details. His mind raced with anger and frustration at how Tero had exploited them—and worse, how he had betrayed Lyyli.

Willy closed the dossier, his face hardening with a mixture of fury and concern. He thanked the Oompa Loompas for their thorough work, though his mind was already racing with how to break the news to Lyyli. He knew this would hurt her, and he hated the thought of causing her pain. Yet, there was no way around it. The truth had to come out, no matter how much he wished it didn't.

He walked into the studio, the familiar sounds of music filling the air as Lyyli listened intently to the tracks her bandmates had sent. She was so absorbed, her body swaying slightly with the rhythm, completely lost in the music. Her smile was wide, her eyes glowing with excitement.

She didn't notice him at first, but when she finally glanced up, she pulled off her headphones and grinned at him. "Willy! You won't believe this, the tracks they sent are amazing! The orchestra makes everything sound so much better! I'm so ready to record my vocals! It's going to be epic!" She was practically bouncing with joy.

Willy smiled weakly, but his heart felt heavy as he watched her, knowing the storm he was about to unleash. His stomach twisted with dread. How could he spoil her happiness? But it had to be done.

Lyyli raised an eyebrow, noticing the change in his expression. "Willy, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice suddenly shifting from excitement to concern. "What's with that folder you're holding?"

Willy stayed silent for a moment, looking away. He couldn't meet her eyes. Her smile faded as she stared at him, sensing something was off. "Willy?"

He sighed deeply and finally spoke. "We need to talk," he said, his voice more serious than he intended.

Lyyli's face scrunched in confusion. "Talk about what?" Her concern deepened as he led her to sit beside him on the couch.

Willy placed the folder in her hands. "I needed to know if you and the others were being fooled. I'm sorry, but I had to be sure," he said carefully, his voice low. "I had some Oompa Loompas spy on Tero."

Lyyli froze, staring at him as if she couldn't believe her ears. "You had them spy on him?" she said, a flash of anger in her eyes. "Willy, what did you do?"

Willy raised his hand, cutting off her rising anger. "Please, just hear me out," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "He's been fooling you all. Just like I predicted."

Her expression hardened. She wasn't going to take this lightly. "What?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but there was a cold edge to it. "What do you mean?"

Willy nodded, his jaw tight. "He's been stealing from you. From all of you. You weren't the only one he deceived."

Lyyli took the dossier, her hands shaking slightly as she read. The more she read, the darker her face became. By the time she finished, she slammed the folder on the couch and stood up, her eyes wild with fury.

Her voice was a low growl. "Se on vittua!" she hissed, walking back and forth. "That son of a bitch! How dare he!" Her fists clenched, her breath coming faster. "Miten se kehtasi?" She was muttering to herself, her words turning to curses. "I trusted him... and he fucking stabbed me in the back!"

Willy stood and watched her, unsure if he should speak or try to calm her down. He had never seen her like this. It was almost terrifying how angry she was.

Then, she snapped. "Saatana!" she yelled, throwing her arms up in frustration. "Perkele! That lying, cheating asshole!"

He took a step back, unsure how to approach her.

She turned to Willy, her eyes flashing with fury. "What the hell am I going to do now?"

Willy swallowed hard, his heart pounding. "I... I don't know yet," he said, almost afraid to speak too loudly, as though speaking might set her off more.

Her eyes burned with an intensity he had never seen. "No, I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to make that bastard pay. In every way possible. I'll destroy him."

Her voice was so cold and dangerous that Willy felt a chill run down his spine. The mix of curses coming from her was enough to make his blood run cold.

"Lyyli," he said softly, almost as if trying to calm her down. "I know you're upset—"

She interrupted him with a sharp, "Upset? You think I'm just upset? I'm going to rip him apart, Willy. He's going to regret ever crossing me. You can't even imagine how much I want to strangle him right now."

She stopped pacing at last and sank back onto the couch, her face hidden in her hands. He noticed the Oompa Loompas making their way toward the studio, but he gestured for them to stay back, and they obediently retreated. Sensing the tension had eased just a bit, Willy cautiously approached Lyyli and sat down next to her.

Lyyli's hands remained buried in her face, and the only words she managed to get out were, "I need to think." Willy nodded, understanding the weight of her words. He didn't push her. Instead, he quietly backed away, giving her the space she needed to cool down.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of worry and sadness for Willy. He couldn't shake the feeling that Lyyli was upset with him for putting the Oompa Loompas in the position to spy on Tero. He couldn't focus on anything, his thoughts constantly drifting back to her.

The Oompa Loompas, who had been quietly observing him, could tell something was wrong. Charlie noticed the change in Willy's mood too. When he asked what was bothering him, Willy told him everything. Charlie, ever the optimist, reassured him, "Be patient, Willy. Everything will settle down. It's not your fault." But Willy couldn't find solace in those words.

As evening fell, he found himself sitting alone by the window in the library, staring out at the view, his mind spiraling endlessly back to Lyyli. He couldn't stop thinking about her and what had happened.

Just as the darkness began to settle over the room, the door to the library creaked open. Willy's heart skipped when he saw Lyyli standing there. He was startled, unsure of what to expect.

"Lyyli, I—" he began, rising to his feet, but she interrupted him, stepping forward and pulling him into an unexpected embrace.

Her voice was soft, barely more than a whisper in his ear. "I'm sorry for not believing you at first," she murmured. "You were right... I can see that now."

Willy stood motionless, his mind racing. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with eyes full of sincerity. "Thank you," she said quietly, her words laced with deep gratitude. "Thank you... for doing this for me."

"Yeah... sure. Anytime," he replied, his voice trembling, his cheeks still warm from the lingering touch of her embrace.

She pulled away from the embrace, her mischievous smile curving into something almost diabolical. "I know how to destroy Tero," she said, her eyes gleaming with a dark satisfaction.

Willy, who shared her taste for a well-executed revenge, raised an eyebrow and asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of excitement. "How?"