Chapter 138

"Damn it."

As he cursed again and shifted his gaze, he saw Greyson looking at him with wide eyes. He had stopped mid-motion of placing bacon and eggs on bread and was just blinking. Feeling embarrassed, Dane scratched his head and muttered.

"Sorry, eat up."

At the sight of him unnecessarily picking up salad with tongs and transferring it to the plate, Greyson finally resumed his previous actions. Dane, who had been staring at Greyson, tilted his head back to look at the ceiling and let out a "ha" sigh. What had already happened couldn't be helped. He could only hope it would quietly die down.

"Why did that bastard come?"

At Dane's question, Greyson looked at him again. Dane said patiently.

"Keith Pitman."

"Ah."

Greyson soon answered with his usual grinning face.

"Because of the article."

As expected. He had thought that man wouldn't just let it slide, but to actually show up by helicopter...

He must have been quite angry.

But thanks to that, it would be resolved quickly. Since Yeonwoo was mentioned, he was definitely not the type of man to just sit back and take it.

"He warned us not to get involved with Yeonwoo anymore."

As expected.

At Greyson's snickering words, Dane just blinked indifferently. It was a natural result. Now this matter would be concluded like this, but...

The problem was that he was going to have to do ridiculous volunteer work. When Dane first heard about a week's vacation, he thought it was great. He was already imagining lounging around, swimming in that wide and excellent outdoor pool, and sunbathing, and his mouth corners naturally rose, but as if he had seen this right before his eyes, the chief laid down conditions.

<Go do volunteer work during that time.>

The moment he heard those words, anger welled up inside Dane, who had been relaxed until then.

<Chief!>

<Go!>

The chief shouted just as loudly as Dane. When Dane, overwhelmed by the momentum, hesitated, the chief didn't miss the opportunity and quickly continued.

<Do you know how messed up the fire station is because of you two? Everyone's flocking here for interviews and whatnot! And how many phone calls are coming in! Prank calls, obscene calls, report calls - they're all pouring in, and this is all because of you and Miller! Am I wrong? Huh? Am I wrong?>

Pressed by the scolding, Dane had no choice but to mutter.

<...You're right.>

<Right?>

The chief became triumphant and poured out his next words.

<I'll send the dates and locations by email. Finish everything without being late and come back, and report to me each time you finish a task!>

<...Understood.>

To Dane, who answered weakly, the chief added.

<Tell Miller exactly what I said too. I'll send Miller's destinations separately by email, so tell him to check.>

At those words, Dane hesitated.

<Will Grey-, I mean, Miller and I be doing activities separately?>

<Of course, what if you two stick together and cause another accident! Stay apart! Don't stick together again!>

That wasn't the end.

<If I see you two together one more time, you'll both get a 6-month pay cut!>

<Chief!>

<One year!>

The chief immediately hung up. Dane could only stare at his mobile phone with a blank face.

And now.

Dane was lost in thought with a serious expression. Looking at the puppy in front of him casually babbling about honeymoons, it was clear he hadn't received this news yet. When does this guy check his email? Surely he doesn't not check it at all?

"Haa."

Dane, who let out a sigh close to a deep breath, looked at Greyson's face. Now he had to make the bomb announcement. Inwardly anxious about how this brightly smiling face would soon change, he spoke.

"The chief sent you an email."

"Really?"

Looking at his face that seemed uninterested, Dane continued.

"Check it. I'm leaving first."

"What?"

Leaving the puzzled Greyson behind, Dane hurriedly cleaned up the dishes and left the snack bar. Greyson, who was about to get up and follow, realized that the breakfast Dane had made for him was still left and hurriedly sat back down. After quickly emptying his plate, he similarly cleared the dishes and headed to the corridor following Dane.

"Dane, where are you going? We should go together."

Greyson, who discovered Dane coming out already prepared, shouted urgently. Dane ignored him and passed by, casually saying.

"Check your email."

"What email..."

After alternately looking at his mobile phone and Dane, he irritably opened his email and froze.

"What is this?"

Ignoring the flustered shout from behind, Dane hurriedly escaped the mansion. And before Greyson could chase after him, he quickly started the engine and drove toward his destination. When Greyson rushed out, Dane's car had already disappeared without a trace.

* * *

Damn, fucking hell, shit.

Greyson was pressing the accelerator with a furious face. After understanding the situation, the first place he headed was naturally the fire station. He had planned to catch the chief who had given such ridiculous orders and persuade him to withdraw the command, but it was impossible. As Dane had told him in the morning, numerous reporters and paparazzi were camped out in front of the fire station. If he got out of the car, he would surely be surrounded by them and unable to do anything, let alone meet the chief.

Fuck.

Greyson struck the steering wheel with his fist, but there was no other way. Moreover, the email had a special warning attached.

If either of you fails to properly complete the volunteer work, you'll both get pay cuts.

Of course, it was a warning that didn't even make Greyson snort. But it was different for Dane. If a pay cut was imposed because of Greyson, Dane might strangle him.

Reluctantly, Greyson gritted his teeth and headed to the first location, suffered all day, and was now barely returning home. This couldn't continue. He had to come up with a plan with Dane. Let's think of some method. Dane wouldn't want this either...

"No."

But Dane firmly rejected Greyson's idea.

Having left first and gone straight to his destination without fooling around, he had returned early, finished showering, and was drinking beer. To Greyson, who was about to rebel immediately, he spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Stirring things up will only make the period longer. Not only that, we might even get pay cuts. Just shut up and do as told, a week will pass quickly."

"But separately, not together..."

"Just do it."

Dane sighed and shook his head.

"The chief is stubborn. Once he makes a decision, he never backs down. Talking will only backfire."

He was probably right. But Greyson couldn't easily give up. Less than half of the promised period remained. A week out of that was an enormously fatal matter. If reasoning didn't work...

"If we keep quiet and do it for about 3-4 days, the chief will soften up a bit. Maybe we can talk again around then."

Greyson hesitated and looked at him. Dane continued while drinking beer.

"If we buy him a drink and talk, he'll give in quickly. The problem is timing."

He looked at Greyson sideways and raised the corners of his mouth. Anyone could see it was the face of a villain plotting.

"Just watch, damn old man. Do you think I'll really do a week of free volunteer work?"

"Dane...!"

That's my man! Just as the moved Greyson clasped his hands together and called his name.

♬♪♪♩♬♪....

The doorbell sound echoing throughout the house made them both stop. Greyson looked at each other with Dane for a moment, then tilted his head and headed to the corridor. Dane, wearing only training pants with his upper body bare and a towel draped over his shoulders, moved to the balcony in puzzlement.

When he leaned out to look below, he saw several unfamiliar vehicles parked in front of the house. The moment he saw people who were obviously bodyguards spread out, Dane frowned.

Could it be...

With an unpleasant feeling, he went out to the corridor and leisurely walked to the stairs. And after hiding behind the wall and sneaking a look below, he soon got his answer.

As expected.

Dane contorted his face and sighed. He saw Greyson embracing Koi and Ashley Miller standing a few steps away.