Chapter 79 - Temporary Lovers Became Permanent

"To think you would be able to win this round, impressive. I have to say, you did well but it's unfortunate. Enjoy your short victory."

BANG!

Ayami blinked her eyes as her gaze was locked onto the ceiling, her body in an odd position. She had realized that she fell from the bed. Before she could even register the pain from falling, she heard a voice speak that seemed to be stifling the laughter. "Nice fall. Must be nice to enjoy dreaming while free-falling."

Ayami turned her head and glared at the man sitting down on the sofa inside the hotel room. Kayden was holding a phone in his ear, there was a person talking on the other side. Of course, she wouldn't be able to hear what the other person was saying as she was a distance away from them. The room was large after all.

What was odd was the manager sitting down in front of him. He was no longer tied up and was eating vigorously, unlike when she offered him food. She didn't miss the small fear in the manager's eyes as he ate like his life depended on it. 

Ayami got up from her position and massaged the back of her head. These days, she has been having a lot of headaches and weird dreams.

She let out a disappointed sigh after looking at Kayden once again. "You're back already."

A few days ago, Kayden left saying that he had some matters to take care of. Probably something related to his company.

Kayden ended the call after saying a few words. Then he smiled at her. "Nope, I'm not. You're just hallucinating."

"Haha, very funny."

Ayami rolled her eyes at him. She entered the bathroom to wash her face, only then did she notice the icky feeling down there. It's that time of the month again.

"..."

Ayami was stuck in a dilemma. She didn't bring any sanitary pads with her because she didn't remember that it would come around this time. 

With no choice, she decided to ask the person who has been providing her with her needs. She didn't pack any clothes as she ran away on a whim, so Kayden bought her some clothes. Ayami opened the door for a bit and stuck her head out.

"Um…" Kayden looked at her after hearing her meek voice. He was stunned after seeing her face bright red. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"N-no! I… It's that time of the month… so, so… c-could you get me some…" 

Ayami couldn't help stuttering, her face getting redder and redder as she continued to speak. It was embarrassing to say it to a man.

Thankfully, the guy is not that dense. He stood up while saying, "Okay. Wait for a while." Then he left the room while Ayami waited inside the bathroom.

" "

After a while, Kayden returned holding a sanitary pad. He didn't say anything as he handed her the pad.

"Sorry for the trouble." Her face was still red as she spoke. "It's no big deal."

It took her a while before she went out of the bathroom. Kayden acted like nothing happened as he watched the news. There was no need to talk about it.

"Do you have time later?" Kayden suddenly asked. He gazed at her like he was expecting a yes. 

"I'm free. Why?"

"I need you to come with me somewhere later." That was what he only said. Nothing about the location or even why she needed to come with her. It's not like she can't say no, but this guy has been taking care of her for the past few days. She was indebted to him so she agreed to come with him.

"Also, do you still need this guy?" He pointed at the manager who had already finished eating. His eyes held fear, no, something terrible than that. 

"No. Take him if you want."

***

Alfred, Kayden's assistant, came to the hotel room after he left, saying he still had some matters to take care of. 

Alfred was still the same Alfred. Not like she knew him long enough. Alfred scrutinized her before speaking.

"The young master has told me to take care of you for a while."

No, it's more like, keep an eye on her. 

Ayami furrowed her brows for a moment before straightening them again. Just like that, silence ensued and the both of them stared at each other for the whole day, observing the other. It was unknown what the other was thinking.

Kayden came back after the sun had set and witnessed the two of them locked into a staring contest. He wondered what the two were doing before interrupting them.

"That looks fun, mind if I join."

Ayami was the first one to look away. Kayden laughed at her, "You lost."

Ayami didn't mind it and just asked, "Where did you go?"

"It's a secret." Kayden smirked at her. "But I'll tell you if you become my wife." 

Ayami knew that he was just joking, but she did consider it. Her eyes sparkled for a moment before it disappeared. What was she thinking?

"We're not at the stage where you could propose yet." She teased him back. 

"…Anyway, it's time to prepare. Let's go."

Following that, they went to a clothes shop using his car, along with Alfred driving the car. They tried out the navy blue evening strapless dress and it was perfect. The only problem was "It's tight on the chest part." They quickly adjusted the size into something that fit her. 

Afterwards, they went to a salon to get her hair and makeup done. It was just a light make-up while her hair was tied into a fishtail braid. 

Kayden put a mask on her that covered half of her face. He has the same one as her and put it on. Their clothes were matching as if they were a couple.

"Later, don't speak when you don't need to, okay? Just smile occasionally." He gently instructed her as if coaxing a child. Ayami nodded her head in affirmation.

They arrived at a luxurious villa and were stopped at the gate to check whether they were truly guests. They did so by checking the invitation that was sent out to a number of people.

They were guided by a butler as soon as they entered. In the main hall, a number of people wearing masks were chatting with each other. They only stopped for a moment to look at the two guests who entered before chattering again.

"What kind of event is this?" Ayami leaned onto him and whispered. Kayden raised his brow and poke her forehead. "You only asked now?"

"Well, there's someone I need to talk to and they are the one who invited me here. Just think of this as a masquerade ball."

"There are some who come here to play around or find the fire of their life while not exposing their identity, though they fail miserably. I recognize some people here. Take that guy for example. Doesn't he look like a senator's son?"

He pointed at a tall guy who was chatting with some women. Ayami recognizes some of the women. Indeed, they fail at hiding their identities. He also pointed at the others and told her their exact identities.

"You have sharp eyes." Ayami commented, not really caring about their identities. No wait, she could use this as a blackmail material in the future.

"They're just stupid." He sneered. "There are also some smart ones here, but they're not smart enough for me."

The both of them didn't stay in the hall that much and the real party was somewhere else. As they were led by the butler, Ayami couldn't help asking, "Why am I needed here?"

"I need you to be my temporary lover. Actually, when I was negotiating with that guy, he suddenly said that he would agree under the condition that I must have a lover. It must not be a fake one. So, I said that I have a lover. He said to show me proof"

"Then, aren't we fake?"

"Nope, we are temporary lovers so it doesn't count."

They entered a large and spacious room, this time the people could be counted by hand. There are some people who wore masks and while some removed theirs.

At the center was a man wearing a white suit. It was neatly ironed and no stains could be seen. The man had long silver hair that was tied into a ponytail and a pair of blue eyes. He was handsome, but Ayami was already numb to it to the point that seeing that kind of face was perfectly normal.

"Ah! Mr. K, over here." The man beckoned the two of them. The man's gaze fell onto Ayami. "Oh, is this the lover that you were talking about?"

Kayden nodded his head.. The man smiled brightly. Then he suddenly asks them, "So, when is the wedding?"