DESIRE ME IF YOU CAN [EN] - Chapter 30

When Dane finished speaking, the surrounding area was dead silent. Everyone realized belatedly that even the next table had stopped talking to listen to him. Despite the realization, they merely exchanged glances, unable to break the awkward silence. In the midst of the embarrassment, Ezra spoke up first.

"Still, I believe you'll meet someone you love someday."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

Ezra added with conviction.

"Like me and Sandra. Just being together makes you happy. You see their face and just want to kiss them. You think about them 24/7. Feel like you'd die without them..."

He traced the rim of his cup as he spoke, an unconscious smile lingering on his lips. Just thinking about Sandra seemed to lift the corners of his mouth. She wasn't even there, yet it looked as if she were smiling beside him.

He must have been recalling the ordinary days spent with Sandra. The feeling of their shoulders brushing while walking, the warm cup of tea she offered on tired days, the way his heart fluttered whenever he said her name.

Listing these things one by one, Ezra looked at Dane.

"Someone like that."

Dane murmured across the uncomfortable silence.

"You're lucky. Congratulations."

"What? ...Uh, no, I mean, I do think meeting Sandra was incredibly lucky, but..."

Ezra chuckled, flustered but happy. Just thinking about his wife seemed to overwhelm him with joy. He patted Dane's shoulder lightly in encouragement.

"Don't worry, you'll meet someone someday too. Just like I met Sandra. When that time comes, you'll understand how great love is."

He seemed to hope for agreement, but only a cynical sneer appeared on Dane's profile.

"If love even exists.."

Saying only that, he downed his remaining beer in one go and ordered another. Others followed suit, and the topic soon shifted, quickly burying the previous conversation.

***

It was quite late when Dane stood up. Seeing him empty his glass and rise, Ezra asked in surprise.

"Uh, you're leaving?"

Dane nodded.

"Late. Darling's waiting up. Thanks for the drink, Will."

Raising a hand briefly to say goodbye to his colleagues, he turned around. The waitress he encountered cast him a meaningful look, but Dane just gave a light smile, a 'maybe next time' smile, and left. Any other time, he wouldn't have refused the temptation, but today was an exception. He was so dead tired that his only thought was crashing onto his bed.

Walking down the hallway, he saw an exceptionally tall man approaching from the opposite direction. It was Grayson Miller.

His physique was outstanding at a glance. Long limbs, a solid frame, and natural height made anyone standing next to him look shabby. The stylish suit perfectly hugged his broad shoulders and long legs, and deep eyes were visible beneath naturally swept-back dark hair.

*T/N: Yes, the text says 'dark hair' [어두운 머리칼] here even though he's blonde. It seems to be an error.

Despite the impressive appearance, Dane frowned instinctively and continued walking without a word.

Just his luck, he ran into Grayson coming back from the restroom. Though not pleased, Dane didn't want to seem bothered, so he didn't adjust his pace. Grayson seemed the same.

Or so he thought. Dane had no intention of talking, but Grayson had other ideas. As they got close enough to touch, Grayson suddenly beamed.

"Whoa, leaving already? Night's still young."

Grayson spoke in a light tone befitting his reputation as a playboy. Greeting the opponent he had fought to the death just hours ago so nonchalantly—was it broad-mindedness, or just the lack of emotion typical of a psychopath?

"I'm tired."

Dane answered briefly and tried to pass, but Grayson kept talking.

"Martha seemed interested in you. Are you just going to leave?"

Martha must be the waitress who had flirted with Dane earlier. He noticed even that in such a short time? Dumbfounded, Dane smirked.

"You noticed that well. Even while flirting with every female employee in the station."

At the sarcastic remark, Grayson replied with a bright smile.

"Love and a cough can't be hidden. It shows."

Dane stared blankly at his grinning face, speechless.

Right, a one-night stand is love too.

Thinking cynically to himself, he tried to pass without a word, but Grayson suddenly grabbed his arm. What is this? When Dane looked at him with blatant displeasure, Grayson smiled nonchalantly.

"Where are you going? You should accept Martha's feelings."

"I told you I'm tired."

"What if you regret it?"

"Regret? Me? Why?"

At the abrupt word, Dane threw three short questions. Grayson answered with a rather serious face.

"Martha could've been The One."

Grayson's voice was cheerful as always. Dane frowned and asked.

"So?"

"Miss your chance now, and you might never find it again. How tragic is that? Ah, I'm gonna cry."

Grayson put on a deeply sentimental expression. He even wiped his eyes as if sniffling, though naturally, nothing came out. It was an exaggerated gesture, like acting in a play. Dane stared at him in disbelief before asking sarcastically.

"So, what exactly is this love you're searching for so desperately?"

It was a challenging question. There was no way Grayson had ever seriously considered love. Yet, Grayson showed an unexpected reaction. His expression shifted softly. The playfulness lingered around his mouth, but his eyes sparkled strangely.

"Being happy, just enjoying being together... taking my side no matter what I do..."

His face as he spoke of love was ecstatic, as if dreaming a good dream. Listing sweet words for a while, Grayson finished with a satisfied look.

"Staying with me... by my side... forever.."

"Hmm."

On the other hand, Dane, who had been listening with a vacant, indifferent expression, let out a vague sound and smirked. The dreamlike answer unfolding before him sounded utterly absurd to his ears.

"So it doesn't exist."

Contrasting Grayson's long explanation, Dane turned away leaving just that one sentence. The sweet pheromone scent that always hovered around him gradually faded. He thought that was the end, but Grayson suddenly threw a question.

"You weren't there that day, right?"

"Nah, didn't go."

At the sudden question, Dane answered half-heartedly without looking back. In that moment, a somewhat mischievous silence flowed behind his back. He suddenly felt like Grayson was smiling. It was annoying. No, more than that, it was strange.

And finally, Grayson added.

"I never said which day."

Dane stopped walking then. turning around, his eyes met Grayson's, who had been watching him until then. The corner of Dane's mouth twitched briefly.

"Not bad."

Smirking, he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and walked away again. Dane left the bar without looking back once.

What am I thinking? Of course it's not him.

Grayson, who had been standing in the same spot, turned around. Feeling ridiculous for saying such a thing himself, he strode in the opposite direction from Dane, returning to his seat.