Chapter #2

((Zara Lang))

I didn't know why his expression suddenly turned so cold and cynical.I had only placed my hand on his thigh. That was all.

So why did he have to get this angry?

It was as if my hand had touched something disgusting. Besides being an asshole, he was also incredibly annoying.

Reins Eiser was truly unbearable. Reluctantly, I lifted my hand away from his firm thigh.

I tried to control my expression, which was probably already showing my annoyance. I turned my gaze away to avoid meeting Eiser's eyes. I was afraid my face would reveal what I was truly feeling.

I let out a long breath, then forced a sweet smile onto my face.

I moved closer to him again.

“Sir... what's wrong? You don't like being touched?” I asked in a soft, teasing voice.

“Don't you know the rules here?” His deep voice echoed in my ears.

Damn it.

This man had such a sharp jawline, and he looked incredibly captivating in that white shirt with the buttons undone at his chest.

For a moment, I almost got lost in Reins Eiser's charm.

Anyone would agree with me. Seeing Eiser this close, it was impossible to believe that he was the infamous ruthless mafia everyone feared.

“Don't you know the rules?” he repeated, pulling me back to reality.

“Rules?” I raised my brows. I had no idea what rule he was talking about.

But pretending not to know would only make him suspicious of me.

So I played along.

“Of course, I know,” I replied with a smile.

Eiser tilted his head, staring at me as if he was scanning my every move. Trying to figure out whether I was lying or not.

“No touching... right?” I guessed, then smiled sweetly again.

Eiser shifted his gaze away from me, as if I had answered correctly.

Crazy.

He could make me shiver with just a single look.

God.

I shouldn't be reacting like this, should I? I needed to stay calm and focused so I wouldn't get trapped by this dangerous man.

My hand reached for the whiskey bottle again and poured it into Eiser's glass.

He turned toward me, and I froze for a moment.

“You like to drink, don't you? Let me take care of you,” I said politely, keeping my voice soft and seductive.

There was no rejection.

But there was no reaction from Eiser either. This man completely ignored me.

Almost thirty minutes had passed, and all I had done was pour drinks for him. Honestly, I was starting to get irritated.

If this continued, I would only end up being a hostess without making any progress. I needed to capture his attention.

But who would have thought he didn't want to be touched by me?

How arrogant.

Of course, this was Reins Eiser.

He wouldn't be himself if he wasn't arrogant.

I gasped when I suddenly felt an arm wrap around my waist from behind.

Instinctively, I turned around.

“Hey, sweetheart. Your body is too beautiful to be wasted here. You should just serve me instead,” Eiser's friend said, and I immediately recognized him.

Edward Stood.

The spoiled brat son of Arven's prime minister.

I almost forgot that I might encounter some unexpected people here.

Stood was another bastard who had escaped the law several times. Even though he had clearly been caught abusing illegal substances.

It seemed like he didn't recognize my face because he was drunk.

I forced myself to smile politely at Edward Stood.

“Sorry, but I don't want to steal you away from your beautiful girl.”

He turned his head toward the woman in the dark red dress beside him. The woman glared at me sharply.

I knew she was probably cursing me in her mind.

Stealing another woman's guest was strictly forbidden.

Stood laughed loudly at my response. “You're cute, sweetheart. Now I want to be with you even more,” he said in a hoarse voice.

I guessed he had already consumed countless bottles because he started pushing me against the back of the chair.

What a disgusting bastard.

I planned to step on his foot with my heels if he crossed the line.

But before I could even lift my leg, a hand suddenly pulled me away.

“Go back to your girl, Edward. Don't bother her." Eiser's hoarse voice sounded beside my ear.

Damn.

He had pulled me away from that bastard Stood.

I didn't know what to say to him.

Thank you? Coming from a man who was technically a bastard himself?

Ah, I didn't know.

I simply lowered my gaze, avoiding Eiser's eyes.

It seemed Edward Stood was truly drunk. Even after Eiser pushed him away, he still tried to approach me again.

I frowned.

From the corner of my eye, I looked toward the woman in the red dress. Her hateful glare had intensified.

“Hey, sweetheart…” Stood suddenly said, shaking his head.

“Let me tell you something. Young Master Eiser doesn't like women touching him... so... just touch me instead.”

His voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

I turned toward Eiser. This man only narrowed his eyes, completely indifferent.

I forced a polite smile while looking toward the woman in the red dress.

I stared at her for a long moment, trying to communicate silently.

Come on. Take this bastard away from me.

And somehow, it worked.

The woman stood up and grabbed Edward Stood's arm, pulling him back toward his seat.

I clenched my teeth, annoyed by how I was being treated. This was the most frustrating disguise I had ever done.

I had pretended to be a homeless person, a burger vendor, and a restaurant waitress to spy on my targets before. But never a hostess.

This job was exhausting.

Every man in this room was completely disrespectful.

They had no respect for women at all.

Well…

At least Eiser was someone who didn't want to be touched.

But wasn't that also a kind of insult?

God.

I was almost making an exception for that man. I glanced at him. Really?

***