Alluring Remedy

File 11

"And what is it that you want?"

Lucian leaned in slightly, just enough to lower his voice. "I think you already know the answer to that."

I clenched my jaw. Gago.

Lucian studied me, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. Then he smiled.

"I like you, Zeke."

I kept my own smile in place, even as my heart pounded.

"Then I hope that means I'm on your good side," I said smoothly.

Lucian chuckled. "For now," he answered.

Then, he slowed his steps amidst the crowd, turning slightly before glancing back at me.

"Let's talk again soon."

Matapos niyang sabihin iyon ay tumalikod na siya at umalis. Naiwan naman ako habang kumakabog pa rin ang dibdib. What the hell.

Pagkaalis na pagkaalis niya sa paningin ko, napabuga na lang ako ng hangin saka napahagod ng kamay sa buhok ko. Fuck.

"Bro, he's obsessed with you," Baste's voice chimed in over the comms, finally breaking my silence.

I groaned.

Savi snickered. "Honestly, I was completely shocked! I didn't know he's..."

"Gay," si Atlas ang nagtuloy niyon.

"And Ren is totally his type," sabi naman ni Matthias.

I closed my eyes for a second. Shit. What did I just get myself into?

"You did good, Ren. But this is just the beginning." Perzeus voice came last, firm and unreadable.

I opened my eyes, staring at the sea of people around me.

Yeah. I knew that already.

And something told me... things were about to get a lot more complicated. Now that he had set his sights on me, I had no doubt that this was far from over.

"Any update?" I muttered, subtly adjusting my eyeglasses.

"You're clear for now," Atlas responded.

"Let's keep our eyes on him. Wala pa tayong nakukuhang intel," sabi naman ni Savi.

"That was intense," Yssa chimed in. "You okay?"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Define okay."

I heard Baste chuckled. "At least we know one thing. Lucian's into you."

"Hindi ka nakakatulong, gago," mura ko naman sa kaniya. At sana kahit malayo siya sa akin ay maramdaman niyang gusto ko siyang batukan ngayon din mismo.

From the corner of my eye, I caught glimpses of them scattered throughout the crowd, blending seamlessly into the environment.

Perzeus was by the bar, his eyes scanning the room as usual. Yssa and Savi were engaged in polite conversation with some high-profile guests. Baste and Matthias were by the buffet, looking way too comfortable as they piled food onto their plates, while Atlas stood nearby, casually sipping his drink as he observed the crowd.