Chapter 05

“So, will you come?” he asked, his voice low and inviting.

I still felt shaken, my heart slowly returning to a normal rhythm.

“You⸺you couldn’t have just asked me normally instead of cornering me like this?” I replied, feeling annoyed and vulnerable at the same time.

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk growing wider, as if he found my reaction amusing.

“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked, his eyes roaming over my face.

“It’s more interesting this way, don’t you think?” His fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the wall next to me, the movement making me shudder involuntarily.

I clenched my jaw, feeling irritation and something else⸺something I didn’t want to admit⸺stirring inside me. He was clearly enjoying this game, his smirk never faltering.

“You find it fun to scare me?” I said, trying to sound defiant despite the rapid beating of my heart.

His smirk was replaced by a small smile as he studied my face, as if he could read my emotions.

“You looked adorable when you were scared,” he said, amused.

“Your eyes were wide, your lips were trembling. It was quite endearing, really.”

His proximity, his heat, his scent. It was all overwhelming, sending shivers down my spine and making my stomach flutter with a strange sensation, like butterflies dancing in my gut.

He walked away from me, expecting me to follow. I swallowed feeling nervous and did as he silently ordered, my heart was still racing.

I reached the table where he and his friend, Minjae, were seated. He pulled out a chair for me.

It was an unexpected gesture, one that seemed almost... chivalrous. Minjae’s eyes widened slightly, his expression filled with surprise, as if Zayren treating a girl like this was unusual.

I hesitantly took the seat, my eyes darting towards him, who was sitting beside me. His friend was still staring at both of us, clearly taken aback by his behavior.

I couldn’t quite believe it myself. Just a few moments ago, he had me trapped against the wall, making my heart race with fear and something else. Now, he was pulling out a chair for me?

He settled into his seat and poured himself a drink. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, the memory of his body pressed against mine still fresh in my mind.

But why did he switch so quickly from being intimidating to acting like a gentleman?

As the manager approached the table, I felt a wave of surprise when he bowed respectfully to me, Zayren and his friend.

“Bring cake for my girl friend,” Zayren said to the manager, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

The manager nodded, glancing at me before hurriedly leaving to get the cake.

Meanwhile, Minjae’s eyes darted between us, seemingly trying to figure out what was happening between me and Zayren.

The entire situation was becoming more and more perplexing.

Why was my manager bowing to me?

And why was Zayren asking for a cake for his girlfriend?

My confusion only grew as I exchanged glances with Minjae, who seemed just as puzzled as I was.

I leaned toward Zayren with curiosity and irritation.

“What’s going on?” I whispered.

“Why did the manager bow to me? And why are you asking for a cake for your girlfriend when you’re with me right now?” He turned his attention to me.

“Oh, he’s just being polite,” he said casually, as if it was no big deal that the manager had bowed to me.

“And about the cake, it’s for my girl friend... who just happens to be you,”

He added, a smirk playing on his lips. His eyes flicked down to my wrist, and I felt a shiver run through me as I remembered the bruise he had left earlier with his tight grip. My eyes widened in shock as his words sunk in.

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘girlfriend’?” I protested, my voice slightly raised. He feigned innocence, placing a hand on his chest.

“I mean exactly what I said. You’re my girl friend,” he declared, his tone matter-of-fact. His friend, Minjae, raised an eyebrow.

I made a move to stand up, but his hand came down on my wrist, stopping me from leaving. He chuckled, obviously amused by my reaction.

“Relax, I’m not implying you’re my girlfriend in that way,” he explained.

“You’re a girl, and you’re also my friend, so that’s why I called you my girl friend.” He smirked, enjoying the fact that he had gotten such a reaction out of me.

“I’m not your friend.” I silently protested, but he heard me murmur under my breath. He leaned closer to me, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

“Did I just hear you say you’re not my friend?” he mocked, his voice still holding a hint of amusement.

“Isn’t that a shame? I thought we were getting so close just a few minutes ago.”

I tensed up. I wasn’t sure how to respond to his teasing, especially with his friend, Minjae, watching our exchange with confusion and curiosity.

“We’re not close,” I retorted, trying to remain calm despite the growing irritation stirring inside me.

“I don’t even know you.”

He feigned hurt, placing a hand over his heart.

“Ouch,” he exclaimed, a smirk still present on his face.

“That stung. But don’t worry, we have the whole night to get to know each other better.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur.

“And I plan on learning very important things about you, my ‘not-friend’.”

My face flushed at his suggestive comment, and I tried to pull away from his intense gaze. But his grip on my wrist remained firm, preventing me from fully escaping his presence.

“You–” Our conversation was interrupted as the manager returned with the cake, a large, extravagant treat decorated with intricate designs.

All eyes turned to the cake, but Zayren’s gaze didn’t leave me. He reached out, his fingers lightly tracing my bruised wrist before letting go. I shivered at the touch, feeling discomfort and confusion coursing through me.

My eyes flickered between the cake and him, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he had been so possessive a moment ago. But the question remained unvoiced as he thanked the manager for the cake and signaled for him to leave.

“What’s with the cake? Whose birthday is it?” Minjae broke the silence.

He was barely sparing a glance in Minjae’s direction, leaned back in his chair and gestured toward me.

“It’s for her,” he said simply, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Minjae raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. I was taken aback by his remark, my mind racing with confusion.

“What do you mean, it’s for me?” I asked, genuinely perplexed.

“Consider it a welcome gift,” He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on me as he explained.