Chapter 93

2

An awkward silence settled between the two. Dane looked at Greyson as if in disbelief, while Greyson was staring at him with a bright face. With eyes shining full of expectation, like a child waiting for candy.

What is that bastard thinking...

Dane was so dumbfounded that his vision blurred.

"Just what are you... never mind."

He started to speak but gave up, shaking his head and turning to leave again. He didn't want to waste energy on someone with whom conversation was pointless. Right now, there were too many urgent problems in front of him that needed to be solved.

Of course, Greyson didn't back down easily.

"Think about it."

After just a couple of bouncing strides, Greyson quickly caught up with Dane and continued.

"Three months is all it takes, and if there's still no change in your heart, I'll withdraw cleanly. I can even quit the fire station."

When Dane hesitated, he added as if he had been waiting.

"I'll disappear from your sight forever."

Dane silently looked at Greyson's face. With a sister who was a scammer and himself being someone who lied at the drop of a hat, how could he be trusted? At the gaze full of suspicion, Greyson, as expected, probed Dane's thoughts with a grinning face.

"Doesn't it tempt you? Being able to get rid of me forever with just three months out of your long life ahead."

What do you know about how much life I have left.

Dane thought, but it was true that his heart was wavering. This wasn't the first time he had received such a proposal. He had firmly rejected them until now and had never accepted a proposal even once, but...

Coincidentally at that moment, the sight of Darling lying in the back seat of the ambulance entered his view. When he turned his head, there was Greyson. Greyson Miller, with soot still covering his entire face and his blonde hair burned unsightly in places.

Ha, letting out a deep sigh, Dane finally opened his mouth.

"You'll really disappear from my sight?"

"Yes."

"And quit the fire station too?"

"Of course."

Greyson immediately answered Dane's questions. Though some doubt still remained, Dane had no choice. There was nothing to lose, was there? The conclusion was already set anyway.

"If that satisfies you, fine."

Dane finally made his decision. Extending his right hand to Greyson, he continued.

"Three months from now. Not a day more."

Greyson grabbed Dane's hand with a bright face. Dane intended to grip it lightly and let go immediately, but suddenly Greyson pulled his hand. Caught off guard and dragged along, Dane found himself trapped in Greyson's embrace as he whispered.

"Now you're my lover."

"Hey..."

Feeling the hot breath at his ear, Dane opened his mouth.

"Don't forget that you said 'three months as a trial.'"

"Of course I know."

Greyson hugged Dane tightly once more. Embraced so strongly that he could barely breathe even for a moment, Dane was momentarily flustered, but fortunately, Greyson soon released him. To Dane, who quickly backed away as if escaping, Greyson spoke as if he had been waiting.

"So what are you going to do now? I'm your lover, so I should know too."

At Greyson's attitude, promptly crossing the line and coming in as if he had been waiting, Dane frowned, but he had brought this upon himself. He rubbed his forehead with one hand and answered.

"First, I need to take Darling to the hospital. Then I need to find a place to stay..."

"Let's go to my house."

Before he could finish speaking, Greyson promptly suggested. When Dane paused and looked at him sideways, Greyson continued.

"If you stay at my house, it won't cost you a penny. Plus, it's comfortable. There are nine rooms, so you can use whichever room you want. You can also use the spa to unwind after finishing work, and when the sun sets, you can drink alcohol on your room's balcony while watching the sunset. There's also a wine cellar in the basement, and if the outdoor pool water is too cold, you can add hot water to the indoor pool, so you can enjoy it indoors..."

He poured out the advantages as if he had been waiting. Even a real estate agent couldn't be this verbose. Dane just listened with a soul-drained face. Greyson also immediately noticed that he was letting his words go in one ear and out the other, and changed his strategy.

"Darling will like my house too. There's a room where the sun comes in very well. Darling likes to climb on the cat tower and bask in the sunlight, right?"

As expected, focus returned to Dane's eyes. Whenever the name 'Darling' came out of Greyson's mouth, Dane would automatically hesitate. Of course, Greyson knew this fact as well. Every time he mentioned Darling, Dane's pupils would shake. It was a movement close to momentary, but Greyson didn't miss it. All his nerves were focused on Dane.

Therefore, this was also one of Greyson's calculations. That if he mentioned Darling, Dane would surely waver. And that prediction hit the mark. Looking down at the face that was seriously contemplating for the first time, Greyson waited silently. He knew well that pushing forcefully at times like this would have the opposite effect. Just a little more and he would come over. Greyson just had to wait for that timing.

Darling.

Dane fell into thought with a serious face. It was hard to believe that Greyson Miller genuinely cared for his precious cat. It was equally difficult to accept the fact that he had risked his life just for Dane. However, it was also true that when the name 'Darling' came from this man's mouth, he couldn't easily refuse, so he felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

No, still, that's not right.

"No, that's not it."

Dane steeled his resolve and opened his mouth.

"I'll take care of finding a place to stay on my own, so you don't need to worry about it. Thanks for the offer, but I'll decline."

The latter part was an extremely formal courtesy, but for Dane, it was as polite as he could be. He was already struggling to endure how bothersome this whole situation was becoming. Noticing his inner feelings, Greyson immediately pointed out a practical problem.

"But you don't even have a place to stay right now? Then, at least until you find a place to stay..."

"What are you saying, idiot? Motels are everywhere."

Finally unable to hold back, Dane spat out roughly. Agreeing to try getting along for three months didn't mean he was allowing control over his actions. He was, above all, a person who loved freedom, and he had not the slightest intention of giving himself over to someone who wasn't even a real lover, but merely someone to whom he was 'repaying a debt.'

"It will take years for your house to be rebuilt, are you saying you'll stay in motels all that time?"

Greyson tried to persuade him as if it made no sense, but Dane didn't back down.

"It's only three months with you anyway, so what's the difference?"

At those words, Greyson hesitated. As expected, he made a slightly surprised expression and then soon smiled.

"Oh my, you caught my weak point."

This bastard, when he knew all along.

Dane visibly frowned. As expected, he was a man who would immediately exploit any gap if you let your guard down even a little. Taking advantage of the situation where Dane was distracted by the disaster unfolding before his eyes, he was making an absurd proposal while pretending it was nothing.

Dane's rejection was immediately conveyed to Greyson. Thoughts like it would be economical to move in even for three months, or who knows what might happen afterward, did cross his mind. But Greyson put aside all such tedious words and added nonchalantly.

"Let me know if you need help, Dane. I'm always waiting."

Despite inwardly unable to shake off his suspicion at his attitude of readily backing down, Dane went to get his cat. Just as he carefully lifted Darling and held her in his arms, Greyson abruptly said from behind.

"From tomorrow, we'll meet as lovers, Dane."

Dane, who hesitated for a moment, looked back. Greyson waved his arm with a bright smile and then turned his body and ran toward the other guys who were cleaning up. Left behind, Dane stood there for a while, feeling something ominous.