Sebastian

It took nearly a full day to meet this bastard, and he acted strangely the entire time I was there. I checked my wristwatch—it was 11:00 p.m.

Ryan sat across from me, reclining against the headrest. His eyes were half-open, fixed on the ceiling for the past hour.

He held a glass of whiskey, but didn’t take a sip. Not a single grain of rice on his plate was touched. He just sat there like a statue, which irritated me to no end.

I had booked this private cabin at the city’s most expensive Italian hotel specifically at his request because he was uncomfortable in his seven-star club.

And yet, it still wasn’t worth it. I usually saw a half-naked Ryan tangled up with some woman whenever we met, but today, he even shooed away the two women who were supposed to join him for drinks—a fact that worried me.

Because of my ex-fiancée, Rebecca, Ryan developed a sexual disorder known as nymphomania. He was one of the many slaves she bought at mafia auctions and black markets. Another reason to hate those auctions.

During his slavery, he was cruelly exploited by several women before I met him. Rebecca had brought him on vacation specifically to make me jealous. But little did she know that day, she made the biggest mistake of her life.

“You know, Demitri contacted me at the auction through one of their brokers, Xavier William,” I said disinterestedly, cutting a small piece of my steak. “Their new heir, Nicolas Dimitri, wants a cargo of guns and explosives to dock at one of your territory’s ports. They asked for my assistance, and I promised to assemble a team to help them transfer the assets by road.”

“Hmmm,” he hummed but said nothing. His attitude was getting on my nerves, but I kept my cool and focused on my plate.

“The cargo is estimated to be worth around $600 million. They’re offering me ten percent—sixty million—plus their friendship… and I accepted,” I said softly, dragging the last part to see his reaction while chewing.

“Hmmm,” he hummed again, and I lost my patience. I clenched the cutlery tightly, my brow furrowed in anger.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Ryan? I’m here to discuss business; I’ve been waiting two days to meet you, and you’re ignoring me like a barking dog. What’s your problem, man—Bang!” I slammed my fist on the table, releasing my frustration in an irritable tone.

At last, the action caught his attention. He straightened up and looked at me, frowning.

“Sorry, Seb… I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. I just can’t get interested in anything. There’s someone… who’s been clouding my mind twenty-four-seven lately. I’m… developing an unhealthy addiction to her. It’s so intense that I don’t want to touch any other woman,” he admitted apologetically, resting his head on the table. He seemed to be fighting an inner battle.

“Her?!” I was surprised—this was new in the past seven years. He raised his head and looked at me miserably. Ryan’s eyes were filled with emotions I’d never seen before.

“She’s just a girl, right? I’ll get over her in a few days, and then we’ll talk business. Dimitri’s new heir is unknown to us, and I suggest you help him and build a bond with him so we can learn whose side they are on—”

“They’ve been stirring trouble in my territory for years. They even bribed one of your assassins to get to you. Will you let them off that easily? I know you’re thinking about double-crossing them; leave that to me—”

“Assemble a team and help them cross my area safely, and I’ll have my men stage a raid. After that, you’ll have Dimitri’s trust.”

“Set up a meeting with him and learn more. Six hundred million means nothing compared to the information we’ll get. If you still want that cargo, I guarantee you’ll have it. After all, I’ve been working in the mafia for years—I know the ropes.” He winked jokingly, wearing a wide grin.

I sat quietly, pondering, while he calmly drank from his glass. I appreciated that he knew me like a best friend should.

“Hmm, I like that plan. Let’s move forward with it… but who is that girl?” Curiosity got the better of me.

“No one. Just another slave I bought at the auction,” he said calmly, but he couldn’t hide his inner turmoil. He gripped the glass harder than necessary, making it shatter in his hand. Blood gushed from the wound, but he ignored it.

“Watch out, idiot! Is there someone? We need first aid!” I shouted. A maid entered carrying a first aid kit. She swiftly treated and bandaged his hand before leaving.

Ryan sat silently, staring blankly at the wall.

“Have you ever felt like someone’s gaze penetrates your soul? Like you see your past suffering in them? And when you’re with them, time just stops?”

“Have you ever felt bound to someone for no reason? Felt peace from just their presence, or that their glare can tame your inner beast… huh? Tell me, Seb, have you ever felt that way?” he asked softly, sounding lost.

I couldn’t help but recall the first time I met Erika in that elevator. It was exactly as he described. My throat tightened and my heartbeat quickened at the memory.

“No,” I said firmly.

“You’re lucky, because it felt like hell. Like craving something you don’t deserve, like touching a lotus with dirty hands… something that should always remain pure,” Seb, he continued, his words digging deep inside me.

“Get a hold of your emotions and go home early, Ryan. I think you need rest,” I said as I rose and headed for the door.

“Goodbye, and take care,” I said, and he nodded weakly.

“I’ll—I'll,” he murmured softly before lying back on the couch to rest. I left him there and returned to the castle, his words flooding my mind along with memories of that woman.

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