He really did have excellent taste. The wine softened the edges of my lonely evening. The city lights outside soothed me. I often fell asleep in the armchair, gazing at the glowing nightscape of this noisy, ever-living city. Shanghai — the city that never sleeps.
— Drinking alone again? — Kai's voice broke my concentration. — Hmmm… — He glanced at my wine and paused in thought. — He came to see you again, didn't he?
Kai took the bottle, turned it in his hands, and poured wine into my glass.
— Must be nice to have such a fan, isn't it? — Even without looking at him, I could feel the smirk on his face.
— Yes, I won't deny it. It's nice.
— But that's all it is?
— Kai, I know who I am and why I'm here. So worry about your own business.
— I just don't want the clans getting the wrong idea, — he said, staring into his wine.
— I'll handle it myself. It's not your concern. — Why is he so annoyingly persistent? — Don't you have a party to get to?
— I couldn't leave without seeing my future wife, — he leaned closer to me and smiled sweetly.
— That doesn't work on me, so you can go now.
Kai lingered for a moment before heading toward the door.
— This is my apartment too. Maybe you don't care, but under the agreement between our clans, we're supposed to live together.
— Only live together. So spare me your cheap little tricks.
We've lived together for five years now. I still can't get used to it. Maybe Kai isn't a bad guy. Maybe the clan needs this arrangement. But I'm not about to bury my pride.
— You're mine. Just accept it, — Kai's voice was firm.
— Kai, watch your words. I'm not one of your cheap toys. I'm the future head of the Western Clan. Choose your words carefully when you speak to me. Neither you nor anyone else has the right to talk to me like that! — My voice was strict yet calm.
— If you're the head, then act like it, — his tone was unyielding.
— I'm not showing up there again this year. Satisfied?
— Hope? — I heard the surprise in his voice.
— If it makes you feel better to take away the one thing I actually enjoy here, then fine, — I tried to sound carefree as I sipped my wine.
— Do whatever you want. I'm not your keeper, — he paused. I silently hoped he'd leave and said nothing. — Just pick a different wine.
— I'll try. — Kai, does it really bother you that I drink the same wine as Leon? You're adorable, but I'll never tell you that.
— And change your pajamas, — his voice was calm.
— Hmmm… — I looked down at myself, not sure what he meant.
— Hitting on you when you're wearing lion-print kiddie pajamas feels a little creepy… — I glanced back at him and saw that warm, familiar smile I cherished.
— Kai…
I didn't even get to finish before he waved me off and, leaving my room, added:
— Alright, alright, I don't have time. They're promising top-tier girls at tonight's party. I've got to go. — Just before stepping out completely, he added: — You should get out, too. Have some fun.
Ah, Kai… If my clan had the same rules as yours, I would have been somewhere else a long time ago. But one way or another, my clan will never give me freedom. They remember the Anna Helsing incident all too well. They will never allow me to be free.
Will I be free when we marry?Will they even let me marry you?