Chapter 336

Chapter 336
"Are you okay?" War asked Ice as they waited in the living room.

Ice did not speak. He was trying to adjust the tie on his neck that was threatening to choke him to death. He did not have time to make friends.

"I can help—"

"Don't touch me," Ice hissed, stepping away from War's outstretched hands.

He hated that War chose to wear the same white simultaneously as himself. He didn't want to look like some pair with someone he didn't quite like.

"I'm really just trying to help," War sighed.

Ice scoffed. "Keep your delicate hands to yourself." He pulled the tie completely out, shoving it into his pocket.

He was frustrated, and when he thought of the reason for his frustration, he became more frustrated.

War stared at Ice for a while, a small smile playing on his lips. "You hate me." He didn't question.

Ice only glanced at him and went back to staring at the wall.

He had no comment to give.

War slowly approached him again, pausing in front of Ice. "You think I'm trying to steal your man?" he asked softly.

Ice's gaze sharpened only briefly before he forced his shoulders to relax.

"He's not my man. You heard him the first day you were here... it's fake." He stated.

War smiled wider. "Then I am not to feel guilty if I decide to pursue someone I like?" He raised a questioning brow.

Ice clenched his fists, the voice in his head pushing him to tell War that he would break him in half if he ever went near Kenji, but a more rational voice made him say, "It's none of my business who you pursue."

War blinked slowly, nodding. "Thank you. I just..." he sighed. "I just don't want you hating me, and I will never come between a real couple... I'm not a bitch." He murmured.

Ice simply turned and walked out of the house. One second more with that pretentious devil and he might lose it.

He stood beside Kenji's car, folding his arms on his chest and glaring at the door. Through the glass, he saw Kenji enter the living room, looking like a luxurious professor in that dark suit. His hair was slicked backwards, defining that jawline that forced Ice to imagine the sound Kenji would make if he ran his tongue along it.

'I just said he's not my man.' He dug his nails into his folded arms.

He saw War walk over to Kenji and adjust the already perfect tie... Kenji let him.

"Bastard," Ice muttered.

He watched as Kenji glanced around the living room as if he was searching for something and only stopped when War said something to him and pointed outside.

Through the glass, Kenji's gaze found Ice, and Ice only held on for a second before he looked away.

He knew what he was doing might, no... would hurt him. But he needed to do it so he could walk away after their contract was done. If he let himself feel, then he would disappoint his mother, and might even send his father back into a coma if he ever woke up.

Also, his father would not hesitate to hand over everything to Tar the moment they insisted this wasn't fake, so he can't let it get real.

War was actually a nice guy, and he looked so perfect beside Kenji. Perhaps he should even try to matchmake them. That would be better than spending his time thinking of how it would feel if he ever decided to have sex with Kenji.

He snapped out of his thoughts as footsteps approached him. Kenji was in front while War fell a step behind, as if he needed space to summon courage for what he was about to either say or do.

"You look dashing," Kenji complimented, pausing in front of Ice.

Ice shrugged. "I was born this way." He said.

Kenji smiled, reaching up to touch a strand of white hair on Ice's forehead. "You were, Kitten." He whispered.

Ice stepped away. "Don't touch." He said and pulled the car door open.

Kenji only smiled.

"Can I ride with you guys? I feel scared riding alone at night—"

"Actually, you can sit in front." Ice got out of the car, heading to the backseat.

"Ice," Kenji called quietly, his eyes searching.

"It's alright. He's scared to be alone at night. Sitting at the back alone might scare him too. So he can sit with you. I love being alone, though." Ice replied, slipping into the car.

"Oh my, thank you so much, Ice. You're the best." War smiled and slid into the front seat, shutting the door and smiling at Kenji through the glass.

Kenji gave Ice a displeased look before walking around to get in the car.

The car was silent as they pulled onto the road, each man lost in his deep thoughts.

"Ice said there's really nothing between you two. Right?" War suddenly asked, turning to Kenji.

Kenji smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "He did."

He glanced at the front mirror, staring at Ice, who was looking out of the window like he didn't hear what War had said.

"It's alright, Kenji. I know how to keep a secret. I can even help you two act like a real couple—"

"We are a real couple, War," Kenji cut him off smoothly. "I do appreciate your concern, though, but it's better if you don't pry into our relationship."

War's shoulders slouched, cheeks flushing lightly in embarrassment. "Oh... I understand."

Ice held his breath, stealing a short glance at Kenji.

Why had he insisted on making War think they were real? He knew very well how War felt about him.

Or...

No, it was impossible. Kenji only wanted sex. He could never want anything real.

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

Finally, they arrived at the towering Takumi building, cars already pulling in and people dressed like money walking into the hall.

"We're here," Kenji announced quietly.

Ice was the first to leave the car, walking toward the building without waiting for anyone.

"Ice," War called after him, walking elegantly toward him.

Ice paused at the stairs, glancing over his shoulder. Kenji was approaching.

"You should go in with him. People might question how true it is if you enter separately." War suggested.

Kenji paused beside Ice, his hand finding the small of Ice's back.

"He's right. Walk with me, Kitten." He murmured.

Ice reluctantly hooked his arm around Kenji's.

They walked into the hall together.

The Takumi building opened into light and noise — crystal, black marble, cameras flashing at the entrance, money dressed as people. Ice kept his face still. His arm stayed where Kenji had put it, but his body stayed tight, like he was performing a part he already regretted accepting.

Kenji led.

Not fast. Not uncertain. His hand stayed at the small of Ice's back as they crossed the floor, guiding him through the crowd as if Ice belonged against him. War followed a step behind, white on white, smiling the way people smiled when they wanted to be remembered.

Kenji took them toward a cluster near the inner tables.

Sebastian was there first — tall, black on black, that same cold, expensive stillness. Beside him stood Zeno, sharper in the eyes, looking like he would rather be anywhere with fewer cameras. A few of the others turned as Kenji approached.

Kenji's smile was polite. Public.

"Sebastian. Zeno." He nodded to the rest. "You remember Ice."

His hand pressed once against Ice's back.

Then he glanced over his shoulder.

"And this is War. He's staying with us for a while. Family."

War stepped forward, delicate and bright under the hall lights.

"It's an honor," he said softly. "Kenji's told me… well. Not much. But enough."

Sebastian's gaze moved from Kenji to Ice, then to War. Measuring. Unimpressed in that quiet way of his.

Zeno's eyes lingered on Ice a second longer, then on the space between Kenji's hand and Ice's waist.

Ice felt every stare.

He did not look at War.

He looked at Kenji instead, and hated that, for one second, standing there on his arm in front of all of them, it did not feel fake at all.

"Good to see you again, Ice." Zeno finally said, nodding once at War.

"It's a pleasure, really," War smiled.

"Kenji told me how you all are like a family to him... I would like to be friends, too." He said gently.

Ice almost rolled his eyes, his arm tightening unconsciously on Kenji's.

"I really hate this job... the president's son?" Thomas walked over, holding a glass of champagne in his hand.

Kenji sighed. "The offer is worth it."

"I don't care about the money—"

"You don't?" Jeremiah asked, returning to the table with Jasper.

"Okay, maybe... a little." Thomas rolled his eyes.

"Who knows, you might fall in love with him." Zeno teased.

"I bet my Lambo he will," Sebastian smirked.

Zeno smiled. "I bet my Nana's pie recipe he will."

Thomas chuckled. "Now that's a good reason to consider falling for this unknown president's son. But I'll pass. I can just eat the pie whenever Nana makes it." He shrugged.

"What are we betting on?" Cross asked, his head buried in his phone. "These dumb designers can't take simple instruction." He muttered to himself.

"Easy, babe. They'll deliver." Andre kissed the top of Cross's head.

Cross sighed and placed his phone face down on the table. "So, what are we betting on?" He asked, glancing at Ice with no recognition.

"Boss and Zeno think Thomas is going to fall for his new boss." Andre filled him in.

"Huh? The president?" Cross grimaced.

Thomas glared. "Seriously?"

"Well, who?" Cross asked.

"The president's son." Jeremiah stated.

"Although, I don't think love can happen for my dear twin. He's too nosy to be a partner. So I bet 20k they won't fall in love." Jeremiah winked at Thomas.

Thomas chuckled. "Now that's a motivation never to fall for the spoiled president's son."

"Interesting," Andre murmured. "Babe, we betting?" He asked Cross.

Cross smiled, glancing over at Kenji and Ice. "We'll bet. But you know we're still waiting on our bet with—"

"I bet 30k Thomas would fall in love." Kenji interrupted, giving Cross a crossed look.

How could Cross want to talk about their dare in front of Ice? If Ice ever heard that Kenji put a bet on his ass, that would be the end of whatever was growing between them.

Cross shrugged. "Me and my very sexy and hot boyfriend bet 40k. Thomas is loving that boy in a few weeks."

Andre nodded. "It's just like us, right? Proximity can change a lot of things." He whispered.

"Well, it's mainly like all of us. Proximity brought us all together with our partners... especially them." Cody suddenly spoke up, pointing toward Sebastian and Zeno.

Ida groaned quietly. "We agreed to stay out of their crazy conversation."

"Ida, come on, man, bet on me. I don't see myself losing by the end of this job. Whether I fall in love or not, I'll be leaving richer." Thomas grinned.

Ida frowned. "I don't care if you fall in love or—"

"We'll bet Ida's credit card for a week. You fall in love." Cody smiled brightly.

"Babe!" Ida gasped.

Cody laughed. "Don't worry, he won't." He whispered to Ida.

"He won't." Jasper said.

"Okay? What's your bet? I see the new game thing you bought. Looks nice for a bet." Thomas suggested.

Jasper shrugged. "You get it only if you don't fall in love with him."

"Done," Thomas nodded.

"Where's Andrew and Ken?" Kenji asked, looking around the table.

"Took Ken to..." Sebastian paused, glancing at Zeno. "Where again?" He smiled.

Zeno sighed. "To see a movie at the nearby cinema. Ken hates these boring events."

"Makes the two of us." Ice muttered.

Kenji looked at Ice, his eyes softening. "We'll leave after we've spoken to the president. He has to know we came." He said softly.

"I bet he'll fall in love." War suddenly said.

All eyes turned to him, curious.

Only Sebastian and Zeno had seen him when he arrived; others were either not looking or not present.

"Oookay... he's—"

"Don't," Andre placed a hand on Cross's thigh.

"Okay... blonde... what's your name and what's your bet?" Thomas asked slowly.

"I'll take down my YouTube channel if you don't fall in love with this guy we're speaking of—"

"We?" Cross arched a serious brow.

"Babe," Andre shook his head.

War cleared his throat. "I'm War. Claudia's cousin. And my YouTube channel is my major income, so... please fall in love with him." He chuckled softly.

"Ah, look, the president's heading to the stage," Cody pointed.

Everyone immediately turned. Some guests moved closer to the front, wearing the ass-kissing faces.

"I asked him not to mention us," Sebastian said.

Kenji scoffed. "He will."

The president stepped onto the stage.

The hall quieted in layers — first the front tables, then the rest, cameras turning like they had been waiting for this exact moment. He smiled the practiced smile of a man who knew every lens in the room.

"Good evening," he began. "Thank you all for coming tonight. It means a great deal to see familiar faces… and new ones."

Polite laughter. Glasses paused halfway to mouths.

Ice stayed still at Kenji's side. War clapped softly, perfectly. Sebastian did not move at all.

The president's gaze swept the hall, then settled, briefly, on their table.

"I also want to use this evening — and this media — to make an announcement."

Kenji's fingers pressed once against Ice's back.

Sebastian's jaw tightened.

"Tonight, I am proud to announce a formal partnership between the Takumi Group and Orion's Corp."

The room turned.

Every important face in the hall found them at once. Kenji. Sebastian. The two names that made money sit up straighter.

Applause broke first from the front, then rolled through the crystal and marble until it filled the place.

People nodded. People smiled. People congratulated them with their eyes before their mouths could catch up.

Kenji lifted a hand and waved, the public version of himself sliding into place without effort.

Sebastian smiled too.

On the outside, it was clean. Controlled. Exactly what a partnership like that was supposed to look like.

Inside, Sebastian groaned.

He had asked the man not to mention them. He had come tonight for the deal, not the spotlight. Not the cameras. Not the way a hundred strangers were now looking at him like he had just been placed on a plate.

Zeno's glance flicked to him, quiet and knowing.

Sebastian kept waving anyway.

Kenji leaned in just enough for Ice to hear him over the applause.

"Smile, Kitten," he murmured. "They're looking at us."