When Dane finished speaking, the surroundings fell deathly silent. It wasn’t until later that everyone realized the table next to them had also stopped talking, listening to his words. Despite this, no one dared to break the awkward silence. In the uncomfortable atmosphere, it was Ezra who spoke up first.
"Still, I believe that one day you'll et soone to love."
"?"
"Yeah."
Ezra added with conviction.
"Just like Sandra and I, simply being together is enough to make us happy. When I see her, I want to kiss her, I think about her constantly, and if she's not around, I feel like I’d die...”
As he spoke, he absentmindedly spun his cup with his fingers. Even while speaking, a smile lingered on his face, as if rembering Sandra. His lips curved upwards naturally just at the thought of her. It was as though she was right there, smiling next to him.
He must have been recalling the simple, everyday monts spent with Sandra. The sensation of their shoulders brushing while walking, the warm cup of tea she handed him on a tired day, the heart that fluttered every ti she called his na.
As Ezra continued listing these monts, he looked at Dane.
"Soone like that."
The uncomfortable silence stretched, but Dane muttered under his breath.
"You're lucky. Congrats."
"What? ...Uh, no, I do think I’m incredibly lucky to have t Sandra..."
Ezra, flustered, laughed sheepishly. He seed at a loss for how to express his joy just from thinking of his wife. He lightly patted Dane’s shoulder in a gesture of encouragent.
"Don't worry, you'll et soone too. Just like I t Sandra. When that happens, you’ll understand how wonderful love can be."
It seed as if he was hoping for a response, but all Dane’s face showed was a cynical smirk.
"If love even exists."
With that, he finished the rest of his beer in one go and ordered another. Orders began coming in from all around, and the conversation naturally shifted to another topic, causing them to quickly forget the earlier discussion.
Dane got up from his seat fairly late. After finishing the beer in front of him and standing, Ezra was surprised and asked.
"Hey, are you leaving?"
Dane nodded and answered.
"It’s late. Darling will be waiting for , awake. Will, thanks for the drink."
He waved a simple goodbye to his colleagues and turned to leave. Just as he casually turned his head, he unexpectedly locked eyes with Grayson. Grayson’s purple eyes were staring at him expressionlessly. Dane t his gaze for a mont before looking away and leaving the table. The waitress he passed by shot him a aningful glance, but Dane only gave a casual smile as if to say "see you next ti" and walked out. Normally, he wouldn’t have turned down such an opportunity, but today was an exception. He was just too exhausted to think of anything else but collapsing into bed.
As he walked down the hallway, he saw an extrely tall man walking toward him. It was Grayson Miller.
It was obvious from a glance that his physique was extraordinary. His slender limbs, sturdy fra, and his height made anyone standing next to him seem insignificant. The sophisticated suit perfectly fit his broad shoulders and long legs, and beneath the dark hair he casually tossed, deep eyes were visible.
But despite his glamorous appearance, Dane, who instinctively furrowed his brows, continued walking without saying a word.
Unfortunately, their timings overlapped when Grayson was returning from the restroom. Dane didn’t feel particularly good about it, but he didn’t want to act like he was bothered, so he didn’t adjust his pace. Grayson did the sa.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
Or so he thought. Dane had no intention of starting a conversation, but Grayson had other plans. As they ca closer, within reach, Grayson suddenly smiled widely.
"Wow, you’re leaving already? The night’s still young."
Grayson spoke in a light tone, fitting the reputation of a playboy. Dane wondered whether Grayson was able to act so nonchalant with the person he had just fought fiercely hours ago because of his expansive heart or because he was a psychopath who couldn’t feel emotions.
"I’m tired."
Dane replied shortly and tried to leave, but Grayson kept talking.
"It seems like Massa is interested in you. Are you just going to leave?"
Massa was the employee from earlier who had flirted with Dane. Surprised that Grayson even noticed that, Dane smirked.
"You noticed that well, even while chatting up every female staff mber of the store."
Grayson answered with a bright smile, unfazed by the jab.
"Love can’t be hidden. It’s bound to be noticed."
Dane stared at his grinning face, baffled.
Yeah, one-night love is still love, right?
With a cynical thought, Dane was about to pass him by when suddenly Grayson grabbed his arm. What’s this? Clearly showing his discomfort, Dane looked at him, and Grayson smiled innocently.
"Where are you going? You should accept Massa's feelings."
"I told you, I’m tired."
"What if you regret it later?"
"Regret? ? Why?"
Dane threw three quick questions at him in confusion. Grayson responded seriously.
"Massa could have been your one true love."
Grayson’s voice still had its usual lightness. Dane furrowed his brows and asked.
"So?"
"If you miss this chance, you may never see her again. Isn’t that terrible and sad? Ah, I feel like I’m going to cry."
Grayson wore an exaggerated, sentintal expression. He even pretended to wipe away a tear, though of course, nothing ca out. It was all theater. Dane looked at him in disbelief before sneering.
"So, what exactly is this love you’re searching for?"
It was a deliberately challenging question. Dane knew Grayson hadn’t seriously thought about love. But to his surprise, Grayson gave an unexpected response. His expression shifted subtly. The playful smile remained, but his eyes glimred strangely.
"Soone who makes happy, soone I feel good with, soone I just want to be with, soone who’ll support no matter what I do..."
The way Grayson spoke about love was almost ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) dreamy, like he was describing a perfect vision. He continued, clearly satisfied with himself.
"Soone who will stay with , by my side, forever."
"Mm."
anwhile, Dane listened with a bored expression, as if the words were aningless, before letting out a soft chuckle. To him, that perfect vision sounded utterly ridiculous.
"Guess that kind of thing doesn’t exist."
In stark contrast to Grayson’s lengthy explanation, Dane’s response was only one sentence. As he turned, the sweet pheromone scent that had always lingered around Grayson faded further away. He thought it was over, but then Grayson suddenly asked a question.
"You didn’t co that day, did you?"
"Uh, no, I didn’t."
Dane answered nonchalantly without even looking back. At that mont, an odd silence filled the air, and Dane felt like Grayson was smiling behind him. It irritated him. No, it felt off.
Then, Grayson added.
"I never said when that day was."
It was only then that Dane stopped walking. He turned around and t Grayson’s gaze. Dane’s lips briefly moved.
"Not bad."
He chuckled softly, slipped his hands into his jacket pockets, and started walking again. Dane, not looking back once, left the store.
What’s he thinking? Of course, it’s not him.
Grayson, who had been standing in the sa spot, turned around. Bewildered by his own words, he began walking in the opposite direction, heading back to his seat.
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