𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

22

As I leaned against the balcony railing, I sighed in frustration. "He is so annoying," I muttered, venting to Jade when she asked what had happened. "He’s stalking me at the hotel, here, everywhere."

Jade raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Is this the secret you haven’t been telling me?"

"Hmph, that son of a bastard," I scoffed, crossing my arms.

She held back a smile, clearly amused at my frustration. "Well, he must've done something really irritating to get you this worked up," she said, nudging me. "Where's the calm, ever-so-straightforward Akira I know?"

"I hate his guts," I groaned, exasperated. "God, he’s infuriating. Can we please just go back to the party? I need a drink—something strong."

Jade nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "Wait here for a sec."

I watched as she left my side, moving across the balcony to where her husband was still deep in conversation with him. Ezekeil. Even from here, I could see the frustration clouding his face, his brows drawn together in a way that only fueled my own aggravation. He didn’t deserve a second of my thoughts, but somehow, he was managing to slip in, lingering in the back of my mind like an unwelcome guest.

Moments later, Jade returned. "I’ll accompany you," she said, her voice calm and steady. "You could use a friend right now."

I offered her a small smile, thankful for her silent support as she led me back to the ballroom.

Jade sat beside me in silence, a comforting presence without a single question. She didn’t ask me why I was downing one vodka shot after another or why I ordered champagne to follow. She just stayed, letting me drown out the memories without any judgment. I was grateful for that. Tonight, the free-flowing alcohol was my only escape, numbing the sting of every memory of Ezekiel’s annoying face, his touch, his kisses on my skin—all things I desperately wanted to forget, if only for a little while.

Xavier appeared beside us, leaning in to whisper something to Jade. I barely registered their conversation, too focused on draining my glass. But then I felt it—the weight of someone’s gaze on my back, intense and unyielding. I already knew whose eyes those were.

Jade stood, preparing to leave. I forced myself to look up, trying to maintain an air of calm, even though the second glass of champagne was beginning to blur the sharp edges of my resolve.

“Kira-chan, I have to leave you alone for a moment. Is that okay?” Jade asked gently, wanting to make sure I was alright.

I gave her a firm nod, hoping to appear unfazed. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just go. I can handle myself,” I assured her, feigning confidence.

But Jade caught something in my eyes—a flicker of uncertainty I couldn’t entirely hide. She held my gaze for a moment, her expression softening with understanding.

“Eze is here, guarding you. He won’t say a word, so you won’t be irritated,” she murmured, sending a pointed look his way. Ezekiel gave a slight nod, his serious gaze softening for a second as he watched us.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms in defiance. "Tell him to keep his mouth shut when he’s near," I muttered, the irritation clear in my voice. The last thing I needed tonight was his presence, especially when I was already in my feelings.

Jade just smiled knowingly, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before stepping away. Now it was just me at the bar, with Ezekiel hovering a few steps behind, silent but ever-present.

I took another sip, forcing myself to ignore him. He stood there like some loyal guard dog, keeping his distance yet always watching. But as I looked past him, I noticed a few other men, all in dark suits, lingering around the edges of the room, their eyes never leaving him. The irony of it all made me smirk—Ezekiel was guarding me, yet here he was with an entourage of men guarding him, too.

It was almost funny, this chain of watchers.

Curiosity got the better of me. I tilted my head, slurring a bit as I motioned him to come closer. "Why are they guarding you?" I asked, blinking up at him. The room was starting to spin just a little, and I was definitely getting drunk.

He leaned in, just enough so I could hear his low, calm voice over the background noise. "It’s a royal protocol if the king is nearby. I’m a prince, related to the king, so they stand guard."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Prince, my ass! Probably just another one of your stories for women,” I muttered, waving my hand dismissively.

He chuckled softly, and there was something about that sound that almost made me drop my guard. How could he be so annoyingly beautiful and charming at the same time? Then, with a smirk, I reminded myself of one simple fact. Right—he’s also a total womanizer.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Mind if I sit beside you, Akira?” he asked, his tone gentle but a little too hopeful for my liking.

“No!” I snapped, crossing my arms and shooting him a glare. “Go stand over there, you…asshole of a prince!”

He grinned, taking a small step back with his hands up in mock surrender, but his eyes never left mine. And even though I hated to admit it, the warmth in his gaze made my heart race just a little.

🤍🤍🤍

As the night wore on, I ordered one more drink. And then another. The champagne had turned into vodka, which was quickly turning into something else that I didn’t bother to check the name of. Each sip made Ezekiel’s presence feel hazier, like a dream hovering in and out of focus, but I knew he was there, watching me.

"That’s enough, Akira," Ezekiel said, his voice soft but firm. I waved him off, laughing a little too loudly, but the laughter faded as I realized my legs were no longer steady.

I tried to stand, only for the world to tilt. Before I could stumble, his arms were around me, steadying me. “Looks like you’re coming with me,” he murmured, guiding me out of the crowded ballroom.

The cool night air hit my face, and I closed my eyes, the dizziness setting in deeper. I felt myself leaning into him, his arm warm and steady around my waist as he helped me into the car. I didn’t bother to ask where we were going—I didn’t care. I just wanted the spinning to stop.

The next thing I knew, I was lying on a bed in a quiet, dimly lit room. I blinked up at the ceiling, then realized Ezekiel was there, sitting on the edge, watching over me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

“You…” I muttered, my words slurring as I propped myself up. “You think you’re so…so charming, don’t you?”

He smirked, his gaze softening as he leaned closer. “Only when I’m with you.”

A wave of warmth filled the small space between us, and without thinking, I reached up, pulling him down to me. His breath hitched as our lips met, soft and tentative at first, as if neither of us could believe it was actually happening.

The kiss deepened, his touch setting every nerve alight in a way I hadn’t felt in ages. His hands cradled my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks with a tenderness that almost made me melt. There was something grounding in the way he held me, as if his warmth alone could steady the world beneath my feet. The taste of him lingered, headier than any drink, more intoxicating than any champagne.

Damn him. Damn this man for making me feel so alive—and so weak.

As the kiss finally broke, a wave of weariness washed over me, my eyelids growing heavier by the second. I could barely keep them open as he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for just a moment. There was a softness in his gaze that almost pulled me back in, but the weight of exhaustion was impossible to fight.

A part of me wanted to hold onto him, to cling to this warmth, this fleeting sense of security. But sleep was a stronger force, pulling me under with a final sigh as I slipped into oblivion, his presence the last thing I felt before darkness claimed me.