Kai's POV
My pen dropped on the table as I palmed my face and exhaled sharply. Zane wants to return the favor with a dinner. I could just ignore him cold-heartedly, but I couldn't help but think about it. The possibility of this dinner to fix our relationship as brothers-in-law is tempting, but the fact that it might strengthen our relationship in that way makes my stomach churn, not because I'm disgusted by the idea, but because I hate the fact that he's marrying my sister, and he'll completely become my brother-in-law.
"You are so doomed…" I whispered to myself and chewed my bottom lip. What should I do to fix myself? I'm sure as hell my self-control and self-preservation are slipping off.
I decided to decline his dinner offer. Safe space, I have to draw it.
It was eight o'clock in the evening when I decided to go home. I'm sure that Zane is already pissed enough to ignore me tonight. I'm sure he won't even want to see my face.
The living room was dim when I arrived home, but my heart almost jumped off of my chest when someone towered over me, trapping me between his large body and the door behind me.
"You're late."
"Zane!" I gritted my teeth. "Is this your hobby? Popping out of nowhere?"
I can see his face clearly because he's too close. His lips pursed as his eyes bore at me—-tainted with annoyance. "I didn't pop out of nowhere. I was calling you from the garden, but you were busy lurking like a thief. Did you come home late purposely?"
I stood straight and pushed him. He voluntarily stepped back.
"I'm tired. I wanna rest."
"Nope." He stressed the letter 'p' while shaking his head. "Melissa confirmed you're not that busy the whole day. So, you're coming with me."
"Why don't you find someone else to accompany you?"
"Lemme think about it." His head tilted, and I watched him in disbelief. "No. I want you."
"What—Zane!" I was beyond shocked when he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the house. Thorn, who just threw a cigarette butt, looked at us. I know what he's thinking, and I immediately shook my head. I guess Zane saw it.
"Is he that loyal to you? He's your bodyguard, but when you told him to just stay here, he didn't even insist."
I languidly turned to him. "That's what I like about him."
His eyes turned into slits. "Is he the person you made out with?"
I gave him a big frown. "No! What do you think of me?"
He shrugged his shoulders and opened the passenger seat of my own car. "Get inside."
"This is what I don't like about you. You're so bossy!"
His brow shot up. "You're just as bossy as I am, Montclair. Just fcking get inside, or I'll shove you in the passenger seat."
"You think you can scare me?"
"No." He stared at me intensely. "Just get inside, Kai. You're starting to irritate me."
I want this to end, so I didn't argue anymore. Frowning, I handed him my car key and slipped myself into the passenger seat. My eyes were sharply watching him as he went to the driver's seat.
Zane was driving the car while singing lowly, and even if I'm not familiar with the song he's singing, I found myself listening because of his voice—raspy and cold.
"~It's been rainin' since you left me, now I'm drownin' in the flood
You see, I've always been a fighter, but without you, I give up~"
I looked at him. He was slightly banging his head, enjoying himself while his eyes were fixed on the road. His muscles flexed in every movement.
His lips were parting and close while singing, and I didn't realize that I was staring too much until his lips that were singing stopped and curved into a playful smirk.
My forehead creased. Why did he smirk?
"Do I look cool while singing?"
I inhaled sharply and looked away. "I'm already liking your singing, but never mind."
He chuckled—low and sharp. It sounded so sexy. "See? It's good to talk without fighting."
"You're always the one igniting a fight between us, Zane. You're always insulting me."
He groaned and glanced at me. "I didn't insult you, Kai."
"You did. You always do."
He hissed and glanced at me again. "I didn't. When did I insult you?"
My brows knitted. "Did you have amnesia? From the very first time you met me, you insulted me."
His jaw ticked as he inhaled. He pulled the car over and looked at me. "I surrender."
My eyes turned into slits as I stared at his face. "What's wrong with you?"
His brow shot up. "What?"
"What's gotten into you? Why are you so kind tonight?"
His lips pursed. "I'm controlling myself, Kai. Just follow my lead."
"I'm just thinking what's gotten into you. Why are you so considerate tonight?"
He opened the car door and got out of the car. I watched him as he opened the door beside me. He sighed as he leaned forward, leveling our eyes. "Let's go. I'm hungry."
I just sighed and got out of the car. I looked at the high-end restaurant and I suddenly felt hungry. I forgot I haven't eaten dinner. I was preoccupied by Zane's dinner offer that I forgot to eat my own dinner.
Well, I'd thank Zane later for taking me to a high-end steakhouse.
"That's not where we're gonna eat." Zane stood behind me and held my shoulder. I couldn't do anything when he turned me around, and my eyes were fixed on the restaurant on the other side of the road.
My jaw dropped as I stood frozen beside him. The two-storey restaurant was simple, and I didn't even imagine that he would bring me here to have dinner.
I looked at Zane, and he was smiling while looking at the restaurant as if he was so excited to eat here.