Chapter 20 - This... is more than enough

"Good evening, Lloyd. A displeasure, as always." 

Clement said cooly, she crossed her arms in front of her and looked down on Lucianna. 

"I see, you never change, didn't you?" 

"Oh I ȧssure you, I am still much better than you."

Lucianna gnashing her teeth in annoyance, almost bristling like an angry wet kitten. 

"As I said, Lloyd, back off. Or are you still sore for being cast aside by me?" The mockery in Clement's tone was obvious and not concealed in the slightest. 

"Blasphemy!" 

That shout got a lot of attention. Those who were gossiping silently were doing it openly now, however, it wasn't directed towards Clement, but Lucianna. 

Lucianna's face turned red and she ducked her head down. Being born in a wealthy family like this was admirable, something to be proud of. But the consequence… Everyone in the town knew you and your existence would forever be in their gossip lists. 

"Looks like you quite cherished your new toy, huh?" 

Before Clement could leave, Lucianna taunted her. 

Heaving a sigh, Clement glared at Lucianna. "What are you trying to say?" 

Someone cut in before Lucianna could respond. "My daughter! Finally, you have arrived!" 

Malakhi Zero had made his appearance, accompanied by his loyal butler and Clement cursed inside. 'Can't I just have a peaceful evening?' 

"My precious, look how stunning you are! I should have insisted you come with me before just so I could flaunt your beauty," Malakhi gushed out. 

"Come, come! Let us greet our host!" He rushed over and dragged Clement away, totally ignoring Lucianna who stood there as if she was invisible. 

They left her standing and while being dragged away, Clement didn't miss the chance to smirk smugly at Lucianna, which had caused her to splutter in disbelief. 

"What the hell…!"

Suddenly, a loud cling rang across the hall. 

"Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention?" 

XXX

"Pretty, isn't it?" 

Jumping, Jian Yu whirled around and a glass of red wine was shoved in front of his face. The red liquid inside sloshed at the movement. 

He trailed his eyes on the fingers gripping the glass to a face he recognized even under the mask. 

Taking the glass of red wine, Jian Yu whistled as he observed the feast displayed in front of him. 

White victorian lace dress shirt with chiffon ruffle collar that protruded out of the white tailcoat suit. The dress shirt was tight enough that it emphasized the slim waist underneath it. 

Dressing in all white, accompanied with polished white dress shoes, Rei looked like an archangel. It only added to the description when Rei wore a white, silvery mask with small golden bulbs decorating the gate of the mask.  

"Tell me, from which heaven's gate have you descended from, gorgeous?" Jian Yu winked, slurring his words to make it flirtatious. 

Rei flushed red under Jian Yu's praise. Hiding it behind a cough, Rei walked over beside Jian Yu and leaned his back against the railings. He twirled the glass in his hand before taking a sip from it. 

"Aren't you one yourself?" Rei murmured under his breath, whispering to himself. 

"Huh? Did you say something?" 

Realizing he had said it out loud, Rei choked on his drink and the wine went down the wrong way, making him cough. 

"Are you even old enough to drink?" Jian Yu chuckled, patting Rei's back to calm the coughing fit before taking the glass of wine from Rei's hand. 

"We are only one year apart, brother!" Rei sulked, trying to snatch the glass back. 

"One and a half, to be exact," Jian Yu teased. "Five hundred and forty seven days, thirteen thousand a hundred and forty hours, don't even mention the seconds." 

He sighed dramatically. "That's a really, really long time apart, how much could I have eaten within those span of days?" 

Rei pouted, crossing his arms over his ċhėst to emphasize it. 

"Now you look more like an Omega, almost doubt myself there," Jian Yu glanced at Rei with the corner of his eyes, chugging the wine in one go. 

The hot burn when the liquid slid into his throat gave him a soothing pŀėȧsurė. 

Rei stayed quiet the entire time, his eyes raked over Jian Yu's form. Jian Yu's word hit him like tons of bricks, smashing him over and over. 

He hated being an Omega. He never wanted to be one. He didn't have a choice. It was a split life-or-death decision. 

"--Are you here alone? Or were you with Inspector Han?"  

Rei clenched his hands, curling them into fist under his armpits. His nails dug into his palm and he was sure they left crescent dents on it. 

"Rei? Rei!" 

Startled, Rei blinked and turned to Jian Yu. "Y--Yes?"

"Are you okay? You don't look well, is your heat close?" Jian Yu asked worriedly. He hastily placed both glasses of red wine on the railing and his palm on Rei's forehead to check his temperature. 

Rei's face warmed at the closeness and suċkėd in a breath. The sounds of guests chatter and waves created from the fountain beneath their feet roared inside his ears. 

The moon behind the man casted a shadow over half of his worried face. Rei exhaled shakily as he wrapped a hand around Jian Yu's wrist, the one placed on his forehead. His thumb traced circles on the skin of Jian Yu's palm. 

A gentle tug and he pulled Jian Yu closer, wrapping his arms around him. 

Jian Yu let out a soft 'oof' before finding himself enveloped in a tight hug. 

He blinked then a sweet smile graced his lips. "You missed me that much, huh?" 

"Come here, baby boy, let big brother shower you with kisses," Jian Yu pushed lightly at Rei's ċhėst, creating a distance between them before placing pecks all over his face. 

From his forehead, cheeks, eyes, chin, everywhere but his lips which Rei was a bit disappointed about. But… This was enough. 

Internally enjoying himself under Jian Yu's pamper, he squawked in surprise when Jian Yu ruffled his hair. "How long this time?" 

"An hour, Brother!" Rei whɨnėd and pouted, hands ready to smooth his hair back. 

"There, there, head back to Inspector Han, kay?" Jian Yu patted his shoulder. "I need to do my job properly and you are distracting me." 

"In a good way--"

A loud cling interrupted their conversation and both looked indoors. 

The party was finally starting. 

"Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention?"

None of them realized that someone had been standing behind the door of the balcony, hidden behind the curtains, eavesdropping on them.