บท 22: Old Friends

Zeke walked.

Walked until he reached the dessert table. He eyed at the colorful cakes lined in symmetrical order, various cake pops and cookies, and as usual, Zeke went for those with chocolate flavor.

He munched on it and savored the taste. He was munching on one hand and thinking on the other hand. He had planned to ask Jian Yu for a dance, yet he managed to stumble upon their conversation.

He felt his insides twisted when he saw Jian Yu and someone unfamiliar to him so close. It was like sprinkling salt on his wounds when he watched both of them hugged so tightly and longingly against each other.

He stood there, holding two glasses of wine, one to offer Jian Yu, but this guy beat him to it.

An omega, nevertheless.

He clicked his tongue irritably and watched the scene unfolded.

Imagine the relief he felt when he realized they were brothers. It was like a huge boulder being lifted from his shoulder.

However…

Those eyes.

He knew those kinds of eyes, how it shone with unshed tears.

It was filled with love, burning with intensity. It was love… But not that kind of love.

He gnashed his teeth in frustration. When Jian Yu was in his presence, he looked rigid, too polite. But here, he was smiling happily and letting his expressions go free, unrestrained.

Zeke's expression contorted. He wanted that smile only for him. He wanted to clench his fist, wanted to throw this glass of wine, anything!

A growl broke out of his throat, earning a few looks from some guests. He pressed his lips flat and ducked his head awkwardly as a greeting before fleeing away.

He downed both glasses of wine and handed them over to the waiters.

'Take it slowly, step by step,' He thought to himself.

Before he could court Jian Yu openly, he needed the contract marriage eliminated.

When he realized that, he turned to find his father.

First, he needed to cancel that marriage.

"..."

He had gone and came back empty-handed. Well, at least he made his dad pay for what he did today. Have fun handling these hypocritical egoistic human beings.

He munched on the chocolate sweets angrily and a dark figure was caught in the corner of his eyes as he darted around the second floor.

XXX

"A Barolo Villero, one of the best and expensive Italian red wines, you haven't changed at all."

A man stopped in front of Derek, holding the glass of red wine in one hand.

The full moon shone above them, surrounded by thousands of stars, complementing the silent night.

"Shouldn't you be enjoying the ball I had wholeheartedly arranged?"

The water from the fountain made a low sound similar to that of a waterfall so people were able to enjoy conversations without being overpowered by the water fountain.

The man scoffed, his silky black mask glinted under the moonlight. He eyed the bottom of the fountain.

'Memoirs of Icarus Roderick.'

The man dipped his head to pay his respect before placing himself down beside Derek, sitting on the edge of the fountain.

"Then I should have thanked our lovely Lynn over here?"

Lynn coughed and hid a smile behind his hand. "You flatter me too much, old friend."

"Are you only going to show yourself during annual parties like this?"

"Don't tell me… You missed me, my friend?" The side of the man's lips curved upwards.

"Oh, he missed you so much that he couldn't sleep at all thinking about how he should greet you," Lynn helpfully replied. "You actually saved him the trouble by meeting him like this."

"Nonsense!" Derek spluttered and huffed angrily, but the smile on his face betrayed his tone.

All of them laughed out loud like best friends that had separated for years finally reunited again. There was no tension and was full of happiness.

There was no terrible imposter fashioned from greed, fear, vanity, sloth, and selfishness. The absence of these emotions brought a harmonious atmosphere.

"How's… The kid?" Derek asked.

"Doing well. Hasn't remembered anything yet," The man said, bringing the glass of wine to take a sip. "Sangue Bevada~ I missed this taste."

Derek huffed, a soft smile graced his lips. "You haven't changed at all either. So, what about the other one?"

"The other one?"

Seeing Derek nodded, the man sighed. "I really hope he was coping as well as he portrayed himself."

"Having your sub-gender altered was not something as simple as changing your name. Not everyone can accept that reality as well as him," He continued.

"These two kids… I hope we are doing the right thing," The man sighed.

"They are strong kids, let's not worry so much," Derek patted the man on his shoulder. "Our wrinkles are overcoming our handsomeness."

The man chuckled.

Three of them, two sat by the fountain and one standing not far away, enjoying each other's presence in the silence, accompanied by the soft trickling of water.

"I believe you received it?" The man asked softly.

"I did."

"It's nice working with you again," He thrusted his hand out towards Derek.

"Likewise, Inspector Han."

Derek reached out to grasp Han In Sik's hand and gave it a shake.

"Let's end it for real this time," Derek vowed.

"For real. No more deaths, no more sacrifices," Inspector Han agreed. "Cheers to Zariya," He lifted his glass.

"Cheers to Zariya," Derek clicked Inspector Han's glass with his.

Before they could click their glass together, shrieks of terror startled the three of them.

"FIRE!!"

***

NB:

Sangue Bevada means blood potion in English. Han In Sik said those to compliment how this red wine tasted magnificent and it brought nostalgic feelings to him.

Barolo Villero - an Italian red wine, rich complex aromas of fruits; violet and red fruits, cocoa, and liquorice.

The Barolo Villero is expressed in a characteristic uplifting scent accompanied by a dry taste, while at the same time giving a lasting impression of warmth and elegance.