CHAPTER 2

First Contact

The music in the club felt louder the closer Dean walked toward the quiet corner.

Or maybe that was just the excitement building in his chest.

He wasn’t exactly sure why he had agreed to Niran’s ridiculous plan.

But the more he looked at Mok from across the room, the more curious he became.

The man looked like a walking “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Dean liked disturbing things.

Especially people.

At the table, Punn was in the middle of telling a story when he suddenly noticed someone approaching.

He paused.

Mok followed his gaze.

And for the first time, Dean stood directly in front of them.

Up close, Mok looked even sharper.

Calm eyes.

Cold expression.

Completely uninterested.

Dean smiled warmly like he had known them for years.

“Good evening.”

Punn blinked.

“Uh… hi?”

Dean casually pulled a chair and sat down beside them without asking.

Mok’s eyebrow moved slightly.

Dean noticed.

Interesting.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Dean said casually. “The bar is crowded.”

Punn looked confused but nodded politely.

“No problem.”

Mok said nothing.

His eyes briefly studied Dean like he was evaluating a strange piece of code.

Dean noticed the silence and turned his smile toward Mok.

“And you are?”

“Mok.”

Short.

Simple.

Direct.

Dean rested his chin on his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

No reaction.

Punn glanced between them awkwardly.

Dean continued smoothly.

“You don’t look like someone who enjoys clubs.”

Mok answered calmly.

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To accompany a friend.”

Punn suddenly became very interested in his drink.

Dean chuckled softly.

“That’s very loyal.”

Mok looked at him again.

This time longer.

Like he was trying to understand something.

Dean didn’t look away.

Instead he leaned slightly closer.

“So Mok…”

He spoke casually.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Punn nearly choked.

Mok’s expression didn’t change at all.

“No.”

Dean blinked.

That was fast.

He laughed softly.

“Straight rejection?”

“Yes.”

Dean tilted his head.

“That’s a little cold.”

Mok replied calmly.

“It’s honest.”

Punn quietly tried not to laugh.

Dean leaned back in his chair.

He had expected resistance.

But this level of indifference?

That was new.

Most people either flirted back or got embarrassed.

Mok did neither.

He simply looked bored.

Dean’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

Now he was definitely interested.

“So you reject strangers often?”

“Yes.”

“What if they’re charming?”

“No difference.”

Dean grinned.

“What if they’re handsome?”

“No difference.”

Punn couldn't hold it anymore and laughed.

Dean looked at Mok with exaggerated disappointment.

“You’re hurting my feelings.”

“I doubt that.”

Dean rested his elbow on the table.

“Then what would make a difference?”

Mok studied him silently for a moment.

His voice was calm but slightly amused.

“Nothing.”

Dean laughed again.

“That sounds like a challenge.”

“It isn’t.”

“Everything can be a challenge.”

Mok leaned back slightly.

His eyes sharpened.

“You enjoy provoking people.”

Dean smiled.

“You noticed.”

“It’s obvious.”

Dean looked almost pleased.

“Then you must also know I don’t give up easily.”

Punn suddenly felt nervous.

He had known Mok for years.

And he knew that expression.

Mok was getting interested.

Which almost never happened.

Mok spoke again.

“So you plan to keep flirting?”

Dean shrugged.

“Probably.”

“Why?”

Dean answered without hesitation.

“Because you’re the first person tonight who rejected me.”

Punn laughed again.

“That’s your reason?”

“Of course.”

Dean’s smile widened.

“I like difficult things.”

Mok stared at him for a few seconds.

Then something unexpected happened.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

A faint smirk.

“Well then.”

His voice remained calm.

“But if you want to try…”

Dean leaned forward.

“Try what?”

Mok’s eyes held his.

Sharp.

Challenging.

“Make me interested.”

Dean’s grin slowly widened.

“That sounds fun.”

Mok took a sip of his drink.

His voice quiet but confident.

“Let’s see how long you last.”

Across the club, Niran watched the entire interaction from the bar.

And for the first time since the night started…

He looked slightly worried.

Because Dean looked way too interested.

And Mok looked way too entertained.

This might not go according to the plan at all.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***