Chapter Four - An Interesting Deal

The moment Drake saw Ronan, the air itself seemed to thicken.

Something crossed his face but he masked it, tightening his fists as he approached him. “How dare you?” he growled.

“You won't like to do that,” Ronan said, voice calm, smoke clouding his face. “After all, you are using him.”

Drake paused, inches from Ronan, chest heaving, he lifted a fist, aiming straight for Ronan's face. “Using him? You….”

Ronan caught it midair and twisted it aside.

“Not here for a fight,” he said, eyes glinting. “I'm here to make a deal.”

Drake’s jaw clenched, nostrils flaring. “I don’t want to hear your deal. Get out of my office.”

Ronan leaned back in his chair, cigarette smoke curling lazily around his sharp jawline. “You sure. It's something quite interesting.”

Drake's brow furrowed. “Interesting?”

Ronan’s smirk widened. “A bet. The first person to sleep with him. Becomes the heir.”

Drake’s head snapped up, voice sharp. “Wait! You’re using my boyfriend as a pawn? And who says I haven't already…..”

“No one's touched him,” Ronan interrupted, tilting his head, eyes dark and gleaming with amusement. “Because all you cared about was dragging me down.”

Drake swallowed, his teeth grinding. “And you think you can just… just sleep with him before me?”

Ronan leaned forward, lips curling. “Let’s watch then. But there is a simple rule.”

Drake stared at him, eyes impatient.

Ronan's eyes twitched. “No drugs. And it has to be mutual. Otherwise, the bet’s void.”

Drake blinked, his chest heaving, trying to act composed. “Mutual? You’re insane if you think he would ....”

Ronan chuckled, slow and low. “Do you think love makes you own him?”

Drake’s lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowing. “We will see about that.”

Ronan snapped his fingers, and two men in black appeared instantly, placing documents on the desk.

“Once our signature is engraved on this. The bet is on. The winner takes the company and inheritance, everything. And whoever violates the rule has a compensation to pay.”

Drake’s heart hammered, his fingers hesitate as he took the pen.

He stared at the documents as if they burned his fingers, before finally signing with a sharp exhale.

Ronan’s smirk widened as he signed his documents. “May the best man win.”

—

Later that afternoon, Ronan returned to his office, to see everything set and arranged.

Jayden sat behind a desk at the rear end of the office, a smile plastered on his face as he talked on the phone.

Ronan shut the door silently behind him, chest tightening at the sight.

“Did you check my schedule?” he asked, voice low and dangerous.

Jayden spun abruptly, his heart skipping noticing Ronan’s presence.

“I…..yes,” he mouthed.

Ronan leaned against the edge of the desk, eyes sharp.

Seconds later, Jayden ended the call and approached Ronan's desk with a tablet in hand.

“You really have no big events during this week,” he reported.

Ronan nodded, sliding into his chair.

Jayden placed the tablet on his desk and returned to his desk, draping his jacket over his shoulders.

“Going home?” Ronan asked, lighting a cigarette. “To your boyfriend?”

Jayden nodded, his ears reddening as he grabbed his bag.

He stepped forward, reaching for the door but Ronan's voice stopped him.

“Wait.”

Before Jayden could turn, Ronan's hand crossed over his neck, fixing his pendant neatly.

Jayden froze, a sharp jolt of surprise and confusion shooting through him. “Why…..”

But the moment Jayden turned, Ronan silenced him with a kiss, soft and short.

Jayden pushed him back, eyes ablaze as his chest heaved heavily.

“You owed me that,” Ronan murmured, returning to his chair.

Jayden clenched his fists, face red. “You know this is called sexual harassment. And I can sue you for that.”

Ronan’s eyes glimmered, unreadable. “I will love to see you try.”

Jayden turned sharply, storming out, leaving Ronan twirling on his chair, amusement flickering across his face like a flame dancing in shadow.

—

Later in the evening, Jayden returned home to find his apartment transformed.

Candles flickered along the edges of the room, a soft glow painting the walls.

The dining table was set, elegant and meticulous, and Drake was there, tie off, sleeves rolled up, hands busy with finishing touches.

Jayden froze, mouth slightly open, cheeks flushed. “What…?”

Drake looked up when he heard his voice, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“I know it's too late. But at least we should celebrate our anniversary.” he said.

Jayden swallowed, feeling a rush of warmth, relief and lingering guilt. “You did all this…?”

Drake nodded, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “For you. Now go wash up quickly.”

Jayden nodded, heading towards the bathroom.

Minutes later, he returned downstairs dressed in his night wear.

Drake pulled a seat out for him, Jayden's face flushed, his ears bright red.

They ate in silence but Jayden’s stomach clenched as Drake’s gaze lingered, warm and assessing.

Suddenly, Drake leaned in kissing the corners of Jayden's lips.

“There was a sauce there,” he murmured, licking his lips. “And it seems it tastes better.”

Jayden lowered his head, his face reddening, a huge smile dancing on his lips.

—

After dinner, they sat on the couch eating late night snacks while watching a movie.

Jayden leaned into Drake's arms, his face buried in Drake's chest while Drake hands tightened around Jayden's waist.

Each fleeting touch of fingers, each breath dripping familiarity and longing that made Jayden's heart thump loudly.

Eventually, Jayden spoke, voice hesitant. “I…switched offices.

Drake's eyes flickered for a moment, his fingers curling into a fist but he masked it, voice steady. “Your happiness is what matters.”

Jayden lifted his gaze, leaning out of Drake's arms. “You are…..”

But Drake leaned in, shutting him up with a soft short kiss.

Jayden’s eyes watered, his heart spinning with a heat he couldn’t name.

Without thinking, he leapt into Drake’s arms, lips colliding in a desperate, consuming kiss.

Drake groaned, tilting him closer, hands exploring, lips claiming, until their breaths tangled and his body pressed against Jayden’s.

Every touch sparked fire, every gasp pulled them deeper as their clothes got untangled beneath the red glow.

Just as Drake’s lips began their dangerous descent, Jayden’s phone shattered the moment with a sharp ring.