Chapter 115

12

"It's a misunderstanding..."

That one phrase was all Dane could barely utter. Cold sweat ran down his back and his head started to ache.

"I told you last time it's a misunderstanding, nothing happened with Yeonwoo."

"Then why were you coming out of there together?"

Though he denied it again, Greyson didn't back down easily. The finger tapping on the mobile phone screen was pointing at the shopping bag Yeonwoo was holding. The store's logo was clearly printed on it, as if blatantly showing "we bought a lot and came out" to anyone who saw it.

In a situation with no room for excuses, Dane could only open and close his mouth without continuing his words. He couldn't even remember how many years ago this photo was taken.

At that time, at Yeonwoo's request, he had gone to the shop together, been photographed by paparazzi, and gone through a lot of trouble.

Dane covered his face with one hand and groaned. How much time had passed since then? He had been living without even remembering that such a photo existed, only for it to hit him on the back of his head like a bolt from the blue.

"He asked for help because he wanted to use tools, so I just helped him shop, that's all."

Somehow, even to his own ears, telling the truth sounded like making excuses. As Dane frowned, Greyson dared to look at him with a suspicious gaze.

"There's no way you would help with something like that without any reason."

Surprisingly, Greyson knew Dane well. Dane ground his teeth and spat out.

"I got a necklace for Darling from Tiffany, satisfied?"

Only then did Greyson's eyes soften. Dane didn't feel good about being treated like a materialistic person, but he had nothing to say because it was true. Just when he thought this situation had been resolved, Greyson suddenly frowned and asked.

"Why did he go with you?"

"I don't know, I don't! How would I know what kind of shit they're doing among themselves, you fucking bastard!"

Dane finally exploded with anger and banged his fist on the table with a "thud." At his frightening face, glaring with clenched teeth, Greyson finally took a step back.

"Alright, then."

"What do you mean 'then'?"

Just as he was about to say that's the end of it, Greyson continued.

"When will we do it? I'm ready anytime."

"Do what, again?"

Dane asked in a tired voice. He had spent too much energy and just wanted to rest now. But the moment he saw the mobile phone screen Greyson showed next, focus returned to his cloudy eyes.

There was a photo of a man with his limbs bound, a blindfold over his eyes, and a gag in his mouth.

Of course, completely naked.

Dane squeezed his eyes shut and backed away. At his reaction, as if he didn't want to dirty his eyes any further, Greyson took the phone away with a frowning face. Dane opened his eyes slightly, and only after confirming that the hideous object had disappeared did he finally open his mouth.

"Why should I do something like that with you?"

To him, who showed a strong rejection, Greyson asked seriously.

"You do it with guys you sleep with for one night, but you won't do it with me, your lover?"

Dane was so dumbfounded that his jaw dropped again.

"What... hey, when did I ever..."

He stammered from how absurd it was, but Greyson immediately poured out words.

"The reason Yeonwoo asked you for such a favor was because you're knowledgeable in that area, right? To give shopping advice to others, how many times must you have done it, seriously! If you're that familiar, of course you should try it with me too, why are you saying no, why?"

Dane was at a loss for words. Greyson's words weren't wrong. At first glance, it even seemed like a very reasonable demand.

Of course, he had no intention of nodding.

"I don't need to do what I did with other guys with you too, pretty one."

Dane, who muttered in a tired voice, prevented Greyson from saying something by extending one hand forward.

"There are times when you want to do such things and times when you don't. It also depends on the partner... Anyway, I don't want to do it with you, I'm not in the mood."

The image he had briefly seen remained on his retina and wouldn't go away. Imagining Greyson tied up like that sent chills down his spine. No, please. I don't want to see that bastard's naked body anymore...!

If Greyson charged at him naked one more time, he felt like he would develop trauma. If this was shock therapy to correct Dane's promiscuous lifestyle, it was an extremely effective method. Just recalling what happened earlier made Dane feel like he might never be able to get an erection for the rest of his life.

Greyson silently looked at Dane. Not knowing what kind of talk he was going to push with next, Dane felt anxious, but unexpectedly, he meekly subsided.

"Alright, then."

Unlike just before, Greyson drooped his shoulders with a very deflated face. His appearance, clearly showing disappointment to anyone who saw it, made Dane hesitate.

This bastard, I clearly told him not to put on a show.

Habits couldn't be easily abandoned. So Greyson making such a gloomy expression was surely coming out according to calculation.

And yet.

Haa, Dane sighed and pressed his forehead with one hand.

"Next time..."

He continued in a drained voice.

"Let's see next time. I'm not in the mood today..."

"Really?"

Immediately, Greyson's voice brightened. As if he had sucked out all of Dane's energy, he was full of vigor. In contrast, Dane's face had turned ashen, and he just nodded slightly with a soulless expression.

"Are we done now? I'm going to sleep..."

"Wait, just a moment!"

As he was getting up with a tired face, Greyson urgently stopped him. Despite Dane's face filling with irritation, he took something out and held it out. It was a shopping bag that Dane remembered seeing. It was the item that Greyson had bought when Dane had urged him to buy something at the luxury store they had visited not long ago.

"It's a gift, for our 30-day anniversary."

Dane was bewildered that he had bought a gift for him at that moment. After hesitating briefly, he took it, and Greyson said with an expectant face.

"You should open it here."

It's natural to want to see a reaction after giving a gift. This guy seemed to have stronger curiosity than others, so he must be more curious.

Dane looked inside the shopping bag without much thought. Until he took out the beautifully wrapped box, he had no idea what might be inside. And the moment he opened the box in question, Dane stopped even breathing.

"Ta-da!"

Greyson, who was watching, absurdly made a sound effect. Ignoring Dane's reaction, who was just silently looking inside the box, Greyson reached out, took out the gift inside, and immediately pressed it against Dane's chest. After placing the risqué piece of fabric on his chest, Greyson let out an excited "Haaaa" sigh.

"It's the best...!"

Dane stared blankly at him, who was even blushing and exclaiming. After removing the hand holding the piece of fabric against his chest and grabbing it, what Dane would do next was predetermined. It was to beat Greyson mercilessly with the brassiere.

"Die, just die, you pervert bastard! Die!"

"Heheheh, heheheheh."

Though the brassiere whipped his body like a lash, Greyson still let out consecutive snickering laughs. And Dane barely restrained himself from strangling Greyson with the brassiere. After extracting a promise that he would never celebrate any anniversary again.

* * *

With a loud siren, the fire truck sped down the road. As always, in the tense atmosphere inside the vehicle, the staff were hurriedly equipping themselves.

"It doesn't seem to have spread to the side like last time, so let's finish it quickly."

At Wilkins' words, there were "yes" responses from here and there. Soon, they arrived at the fire scene. As the team leader had said, there was only one house burning.

Dane, who had gotten out of the car, frowned and looked at the flames. It's amazing that such a big fire hasn't spread. Thinking that, he was busy putting the fire hose over his shoulder when suddenly a shadow fell over his head. When he looked up, he saw Greyson looking down at him. After briefly meeting his gaze, Dane, without saying anything, took off the hose he was draping over his shoulder and hung it on Greyson's arm. Seeing this, DeAndre was startled and shouted.

"Wait, just a moment!"