Chapter 110

9

The world feels like it's all mine

Clouds in the sky, birds chirping in the trees

And by my side, you who are so lovely...

The love song by a currently popular singer had a considerable disconnect as music playing in a car with two men. The reason Dane didn't turn off this song, which he would never have listened to if he were alone, was simple. If he refused this and the damn 'Boobs Boobs' returned, that would be even worse. This one was at least tolerable because the singer's voice was good.

Greyson, sitting in the driver's seat, whistled and occasionally tapped the steering wheel. Dane, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at him, who seemed unable to contain his good mood, and thought, 'Well, it doesn't matter.' So he reclined the seat back, stretched his body, and just closed his eyes to rest. There was still a long way to go to their destination.

It was two days ago that he discovered Darling's carrier was torn. Though he wouldn't need it for a while, he needed to prepare for any eventuality, so Dane decided to go shopping on his day off. And when he came out of the mansion in the morning, he found Greyson waiting at the entrance.

How did he match his day off?

Since the fire station basically operated on shift work, there were more days when employees' days off didn't coincide than when they did. But soon Dane recalled.

He must have stolen a look at my work schedule.

Since this kind of thing was no longer surprising, he tried to shake off Greyson and get into the car alone. But Greyson blocked Dane, who was about to get into the driver's seat, and declared.

"If you let me go with you, I'll buy you whatever it is."

If Greyson hadn't confessed his feelings to Dane, Dane would not have missed this opportunity and would have sucked him dry to the bone. However, it was Dane's principle not to accept even a single coin from someone who liked him. What would he do if he got his ankle caught?

Normally, he would have cursed with disgust, but Dane just frowned, pinched Greyson's nose, and shook it gently.

"Didn't I tell you not to spend money like that? Didn't I? Huh?"

As he pushed him aside saying "move" and tried to sit in the driver's seat, Greyson caught him again.

"I have rights too!"

What nonsense is this now? As Dane looked at him with a frowning face, Greyson laid out his sophistry.

"Darling is your cat, and you are mine, so naturally Darling's business is my business too. In other words, I'm not spending money on you, but on Darling."

Dane looked at his face with cloudy eyes. Greyson also seemed to know that he was making an absurd argument, as his expression was somewhat awkward. As Dane tried to get into the car without saying anything, Greyson hurriedly blocked him again.

"Three hours."

At those words, Dane hesitated, and Greyson immediately added.

"You said you would be with me for three hours a day, right? Then you can go with me now, can't you? Since it applies to days off too."

Unlike before, confidence was visible on Greyson's face. Along with the certainty that this time Dane wouldn't be able to push him away.

After staring at him blankly, Dane closed the car door without saying anything. Greyson promptly ran to his own car, which was parked right behind, and opened the passenger door. As Dane silently walked over and sat in the seat, Greyson soon went around the hood toward the driver's seat. And they were now driving toward the shopping mall.

...or so he thought.

After falling asleep for a while and opening his eyes, they were speeding through an unexpected place. It was a luxury street lined with stores selling incredibly expensive items without price tags, a place he had never imagined coming to except for accidents or fire drills.

"What, why, what is."

Dane was so flustered that he stammered. He hurriedly looked at the driver's seat while frantically looking out the window, but Greyson paid no attention and just whistled.

"Hey, what on earth..."

"We're here."

Before Dane could finish his sentence, Greyson spoke first and slowed the car down. As soon as the car came to a complete stop on the roadside, men in suits rushed over as if they had been waiting and opened the doors on the passenger and driver's sides.

"Welcome, Mr. Miller."

"Hello, sir."

"You look very handsome today as well."

Greetings and flattery continued from here and there. It was an extremely awkward and bewildering scene for Dane, who was used to just exchanging meaningless jokes or eye greetings with mart employees. But Greyson seemed very accustomed to this kind of thing and walked straight toward the shop without even looking at them, let alone answering their greetings.

Like those who had come out to greet them, the employee standing holding the door handle stepped aside and opened the door in time with his approach. And Dane walked into the luxury shop that he had only ever seen from the outside.

"Hello, Mr. Miller. Welcome."

The manager, who came out with a bright smile, glanced at Dane. Dane didn't miss how quickly he scanned his entire body. Red hair grown any which way, a cheap leather jacket with a stretched-out T-shirt, worn jeans torn in places, and sneakers covered in dust—after instantly completing his inspection, the other party soon turned his attention to Greyson and said.

"It's been a while since you visited. We've prepared the items you mentioned. Please come this way. What would you like to drink?"

Absurdly, Greyson ordered a sickeningly sweet fruit drink and then asked Dane.

"What would you like?"

Dane's answer was predetermined.

"Coffee."

At the indifferent response, the manager smiled and asked.

"Yes, what kind of coffee would you like us to prepare? Espresso, latte, cappuccino..."

"Americano. In a mug, filled to the brim."

"Ah... understood."

The manager seemed momentarily flustered but soon smiled and answered. The place they were guided to was a reception room inside. Dane, sitting on a wide and comfortable sofa, crossed one leg in a figure-4 position, placing it on top of the other knee, and leaned back.

In the interior where mirrors surrounded them, a splendid chandelier hung from the ceiling, reflecting sparkling light everywhere to the point of dazzling the eyes. Lowering his gaze, he saw items occupying one wall. Even Dane could tell they were products prepared for them.

"Thank you for waiting."

An employee approached with a bright smile and placed drinks and desserts that looked incredibly expensive at first glance in front of Greyson and Dane respectively. How much would one of those pastries, not even a full bite, cost? Dane thought as he picked one up and put it in his mouth. With just one of these, Darling's food for a month...

Just as he thought that far, a sweet fruit flavor spread throughout his mouth. Dane, who had hesitated, slowly chewed the pastry and changed his mind.

It's not my money anyway.

As he put the desserts one by one into his mouth with coffee, the manager who soon returned stood in front of them.

"Mr. Miller, are you keeping a cat this time? How is Alex doing these days?"

The face asking about daily life in a gentle manner seemed very accustomed to this kind of conversation. It would be ingrained in them to mention personal matters to the extent that it wouldn't offend the customer's mood. Just as Dane was thinking that, Greyson answered.

"Alex is doing well. This person is the one keeping a cat. I'm just here to look."

"What? Ah."

The manager, who seemed to understand, let out an exclamation and turned his head to Dane. With a completely different expression from before, the manager opened his mouth.

"Then the person who came to buy items today is this gentleman?"

"That's right."

Greyson readily answered. At that moment, Dane, who was bringing the mug to his mouth, froze in that position. First his pupils moved, then his head turned. Despite Dane's gaze, Greyson shamelessly said to the manager.

"Show him everything. He'll be buying it all."

This crazy bastard?

As the manager's face brightened, Dane immediately turned pale and stared intently at Greyson.