Chapter 30

When Dane finished speaking, the surroundings were as quiet as if a mouse had died. Everyone belatedly realized that even the next table had stopped talking and had been listening to his words. But despite this, they only watched each other's reactions without readily breaking this awkward silence. In the embarrassing atmosphere, Ezra was the first to speak.

"Still, I believe that someday you'll meet someone you love."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Ezra added with conviction.

"Like with me and Sandra, just being together makes you happy, seeing their face makes you want to kiss them, you think about them constantly, and when they're not around, you feel like dying..."

He continued speaking while twirling his cup with his fingertips. Even as he spoke, he was unconsciously smiling. Just thinking about Sandra seemed to make the corners of his mouth rise automatically. Though she wasn't in front of him, it was as if she were smiling beside him.

He must have been recalling ordinary days spent with Sandra. The feeling of shoulders touching while walking, the warm cup of tea she would hand him on tired days, the strangely ticklish heart every time her name was called.

Ezra, who had been listing these one by one, looked at Dane.

"Someone like that."

After a not-so-welcome silence, Dane murmured.

"You're lucky. Congratulations."

"What? ...Oh, no, I do think meeting Sandra was incredibly fortunate..."

Though flustered, Ezra laughed awkwardly. He looked like he didn't know what to do with himself, just from thinking about his wife. He lightly patted Dane's shoulder as if to encourage him and said.

"Don't worry, you'll meet someone someday too. Just like I met Sandra. When that time comes, you'll understand how great love is."

Though his response seemed to seek agreement, only a cynical sneer appeared on Dane's profile.

"If such a thing as love exists."

After saying that much, he emptied his remaining beer at once and added another glass. Orders were placed here and there, and the topic soon changed to something else, making them quickly forget the previous conversation.

* * *

It was quite late when Dane rose from his seat. Seeing him completely empty the beer in front of him and stand up, Ezra asked in surprise.

"Oh, are you leaving?"

Dane nodded and answered.

"It's late. Darling will be waiting without sleeping. Wil, thanks for the drinks."

Just as he turned around after briefly raising his hand to greet his colleagues, he inadvertently turned his head and unexpectedly met eyes with Greyson. Dane briefly met the purple eyes staring at him with an expressionless face, then withdrew his gaze and walked around the table. Though a waitress he happened to meet cast a meaningful glance, Dane just gave a light smile as if to say see you next time and left. While he wouldn't have refused such temptation at other times, today was an exception. He truly felt dead tired and could only think about collapsing into bed.

As he walked down the corridor, he saw an incredibly tall man walking from the opposite direction. It was Greyson Miller.

Even at a glance, his physique was extraordinary. Slender limbs with a solid frame, combined with his natural height, would make most people look shabby standing next to him. A sophisticated suit perfectly wrapped his broad shoulders and long legs, and deep-set eyes were visible beneath his naturally swept dark hair.

But despite his flashy appearance, Dane unconsciously frowned and continued walking without saying anything.

Unfortunately, their timing overlapped with Greyson returning from the bathroom. Though he didn't feel particularly good about it, Dane didn't want to appear as if he cared, so he continued walking without adjusting his pace. The same seemed true for Greyson.

Or so he thought. Dane had no intention of engaging in conversation with him, but Greyson had different ideas. As they got close enough to touch if they reached out, he suddenly smiled broadly.

"Hey, leaving already? The night is still young."

Greyson spoke in a light tone befitting his reputation as a playboy. Was his ability to greet someone he had fought to the death with just hours ago so casually a sign of his broad-mindedness, or was it because he was a psychopath who simply couldn't feel emotions?

"Tired."

As Dane tried to leave after a brief answer, Greyson continued to speak.

"Marsa seemed interested in you, are you just leaving?"

Marsa must be referring to the employee of the establishment who had flirted with Dane earlier. Amazed that he had already figured that out, Dane couldn't help but snicker.

"You noticed well. Even while flirting with all the female employees in the station."

Rather than being offended by the sarcastic remark, Greyson responded with a bright smile.

"Love can't be hidden. It's bound to be noticed."

Dane stared blankly at his grinning face, dumbfounded.

Right, even one-night love is still love.

As he cynically thought to himself and tried to pass by without saying anything, Greyson suddenly grabbed his arm. What's this? As Dane looked at him, clearly showing his displeasure, Greyson smiled nonchalantly and said.

"Where are you going? You should accept Marsa's feelings."

"I told you I'm tired."

"What if you regret it later?"

"Regret? Me? Why?"

At the unexpected word, Dane threw three short questions. Greyson answered with a rather serious face.

"She could have been your one and only love."

Greyson's voice was cheerful as always. Dane frowned and asked.

"So?"

"If you miss this chance, you might never meet her again. How terrible and sad would that be? Ah, I feel like crying."

Greyson put on a deeply sentimental expression. He even wiped his eyes as if sobbing, but of course, nothing came out. It was an exaggerated gesture as if performing in a play. Dane looked at him in disbelief before asking sarcastically.

"So, what exactly is this love that you're searching so desperately for?"

It was a distinctly challenging question. There was no way Greyson had seriously contemplated something like love. But contrary to expectations, Greyson showed an unexpected reaction. His expression subtly changed. The joking tone around his mouth remained, but his eyes strangely sparkled.

"Being happy, joyful, feeling good just being together, having someone take my side no matter what I do..."

His face as he spoke about love was ecstatic, as if having a wonderful dream. After going on about only good things for a while, Greyson concluded with a satisfied face.

"Being with me, by my side, for a lifetime."

"Hmm."

In contrast, Dane, who had been listening with an indifferent expression as if his soul had left his body, let out a careless exclamation before soon snickering. The dreamlike answer unfolding before his eyes sounded rather absurd to his ears.

"So it really doesn't exist."

In contrast to Greyson's long explanation, he left just that one sentence before turning around. Even the sweet pheromone scent that always lingered around him gradually faded. He thought this was the end, but suddenly Greyson threw an abrupt question.

"You didn't come that day, right?"

"Uh, I didn't go."

At the sudden question, Dane answered halfheartedly without even looking back. At that moment, a somewhat mischievous silence flowed behind his back. He suddenly felt as if Greyson was smiling. It was irritating. No, rather, it was strange.

And finally, Greyson added.

"I didn't say which day."

Only then did Dane stop walking. When he turned around, his eyes immediately met with Greyson's, who had been watching him until then. Dane's mouth moved briefly.

"Not bad."

After snickering, he walked away with his hands thrust into his jacket pockets. Dane left the establishment without looking back once.

What are you thinking, of course it's not him.

Greyson, who had been standing in the same place until then, turned his body. Wondering why he had said such a thing, even to himself, he strode back to his seat in the opposite direction from Dane.