CHAPTER 4

The Number

The table remained silent for a few seconds after Mok’s challenge.

“Make me fall for you.”

Dean leaned back in his chair slowly, studying Mok like a puzzle he had just decided to solve.

This was supposed to be a simple favor for Niran.

A little flirting.

A harmless distraction.

But Mok didn’t look like someone who could be distracted easily.

Which made Dean want to try even more.

Across the table, Punn looked between them nervously.

“Wait… are you two serious?”

Dean smiled lazily.

“Very.”

Mok simply lifted his glass again.

Punn sighed.

“I feel like I’m watching a disaster begin.”

Dean chuckled.

“You’re welcome to enjoy the show.”

Punn muttered under his breath.

“I’m not sure I want to.”

Meanwhile, Mok was quietly observing Dean.

Most people stopped flirting after the first few rejections.

Dean didn’t.

Instead, the more Mok pushed him away, the more amused he seemed.

Which meant one thing.

This man liked challenges.

Mok’s fingers tapped lightly on the table.

Interesting.

Dean suddenly spoke again.

“Well then.”

Mok looked up.

“Yes?”

“If I’m going to make you fall for me…”

Dean leaned forward slightly.

“I’ll need your number.”

Punn inhaled sharply.

Bold.

Very bold.

Mok looked completely unimpressed.

“You assume I’ll give it to you.”

Dean rested his chin on his hand.

“You started the challenge.”

Mok’s eyebrow lifted.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy.”

Dean’s grin widened.

“I’m counting on that.”

For a moment, Mok simply stared at him.

Dean didn’t look away.

His eyes were confident.

Playful.

But not mocking.

There was something genuine in the way he watched Mok.

Which annoyed Mok slightly.

But also…

intrigued him.

Finally, Mok sighed quietly and pulled his phone from his pocket.

Punn’s eyes widened.

“Wait… you’re actually giving it to him?!”

Mok ignored him.

Dean immediately took out his own phone.

Their fingers briefly brushed when Mok handed his phone over.

A small moment.

But Dean noticed it.

Mok noticed that Dean noticed.

Which made Mok slightly annoyed.

Dean typed his number quickly and handed the phone back.

“There.”

Mok saved it without looking at the screen.

Then Dean’s phone buzzed immediately.

A new message.

Unknown Number:

“Now you have it.”

Dean chuckled softly.

“Efficient.”

Mok replied calmly.

“You said you needed it.”

Dean leaned closer again.

“Well then… Mok.”

“What?”

Dean smiled slowly.

“Let me start.”

Mok watched him carefully.

Dean’s voice dropped slightly.

“You’re very attractive.”

Punn nearly fell off his chair.

Mok blinked once.

Then he replied calmly.

“I’m aware.”

Dean laughed.

“Confident too.”

“Realistic.”

Dean tilted his head.

“You know most people would get embarrassed if someone said that.”

“I’m not most people.”

Dean smiled wider.

“That’s what I like about you.”

Mok narrowed his eyes slightly.

“You ‘like’ many things.”

Dean didn’t deny it.

“That’s true.”

Punn suddenly stood up.

“I’m getting another drink.”

Neither of them stopped him.

Across the club, Niran watched Punn approach the bar.

“You look stressed.”

Punn dropped into the chair beside him.

“Mok gave his number to that guy.”

Niran nearly choked.

“He did what?”

Meanwhile, back at the table—

Dean’s phone buzzed again.

Another message.

He looked down.

Mok:

“Are you always this shameless?”

Dean typed back immediately.

Dean:

“Only when someone interesting appears.”

Mok’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it.

A small smirk appeared.

Dean noticed.

“Oh?”

Mok looked up calmly.

“You enjoy flirting through messages too?”

Dean shrugged.

“Multitasking.”

Mok typed again.

Dean’s phone buzzed instantly.

Mok:

“Your confidence is excessive.”

Dean grinned.

Dean:

“Your interest is obvious.”

Mok looked up slowly.

Their eyes met again.

“You’re assuming things.”

Dean leaned closer across the table.

“If you weren’t interested…”

His voice softened slightly.

“You wouldn’t still be here.”

Mok studied him carefully.

Annoying.

Confident.

Persistent.

But also…

unexpectedly entertaining.

So Mok answered honestly.

“Maybe I’m curious.”

Dean’s smile became sharper.

“About me?”

Mok tilted his head slightly.

“About how long you’ll last.”

Dean chuckled.

“You really think I’ll give up?”

“Yes.”

Dean leaned back comfortably.

“Then you’re going to be disappointed.”

Mok didn’t respond.

But his eyes stayed on Dean a little longer than necessary.

Across the club, Niran returned with drinks and stared at the scene.

Dean looked relaxed.

Too relaxed.

Mok looked calm.

Too calm.

Niran sighed deeply.

“This plan was a mistake.”

Punn nodded slowly.

“Definitely.”

Meanwhile, Dean’s phone buzzed again.

He looked down.

Mok:

“One warning.”

Dean raised an eyebrow.

“What warning?”

Mok’s eyes held his.

“Don’t get too confident.”

Dean grinned.

“And why not?”

Mok answered quietly.

“Because if you fail…”

Dean leaned forward.

“Yes?”

Mok’s voice was calm but challenging.

“You’ll embarrass yourself.”

Dean laughed softly.

“Oh Mok.”

“What?”

Dean’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I never lose games I enjoy.”

Mok stared at him for a moment.

Then—

very slightly—

he smiled.

And that tiny smile made something in Dean’s chest tighten unexpectedly.

For the first time that night…

Dean realized something dangerous.

This wasn’t just flirting anymore.

This was a game.

And both of them had already started enjoying it.

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