Elina introduced Kai to her friends. Smiling brightly, she accepted the gift Kai handed her.
Opening it, she gasped.
"Oh, Kai, you remembered my favorite perfume!"
Kai chuckled softly. "You once mentioned the brand... I just remembered."
Elina threw her arms around him in a warm hug.
At a nearby table, a boy sat quietly, his gaze never leaving Kai.
Kai gently pulled away from Elina, smiling awkwardly. "Let's cut the cake," he said.
The music got louder, and everyone gathered around.
Elina cut the cake while everyone cheered, "Bottoms up for Elina! Today, you're the star!"
Laughing, Elina poured a glass of whisky — but secretly slipped something into Kai's drink.
She handed him the glass.
"Kai, come on, just one drink! For me!"
Kai hesitated. "I really shouldn't... I make trouble when I'm drunk."
"It's just one," she insisted, pouting playfully.
Finally, Kai gave in. They all clinked glasses and shouted, "Bottoms up!"
Minutes later, Kai's head started to spin. His vision blurred.
"I... I feel dizzy," he mumbled. "I should go."
Before he could leave, Elina grabbed his hand and led him toward a private room.
"You can't drive like this," she said sweetly. "Just lie down and rest for a bit."
She blinked at one of her friends, who smirked and whispered, "Good luck!"
Meanwhile, across town, the boy who had been watching Kai made a quick call.
"Sir, Kai's feeling dizzy. The girl took him to a private room."
On the other side, Bast froze. The file in his hands slipped and scattered onto the floor.
"I'm on my way," Bast said sharply, rushing out.
Back in the private room, Elina helped Kai onto the couch and started slipping off his jacket.
"It's so hot," Kai murmured, feeling lightheaded.
Elina gently traced his cheek with her fingers, her touch lingering on his lips.
"Don't worry," she whispered. "You'll feel better if you relax..."
She leaned in closer.
Kai tried to push her away, panic flashing in his foggy eyes.
"Don't come close," he whispered.
Ignoring him, Elina tried to kiss him.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
A man stood there, leaning casually against the frame — it was Rico.
"Who the hell are you?!" Elina snapped, startled. "How dare you just walk in like that?"
Rico smirked.
"How dare you touch my man without permission?"
Elina blinked in shock.
"What are you talking about? He's my boyfriend!"
Without missing a beat, Rico said coldly, "If you don't want to get arrested, get out. Now."
Panicking, Elina grabbed her purse and jacket and rushed out without looking back.
Kai lay limply on the couch, his breathing shallow. Rico crouched down, gently wiping a tear from Kai's cheek.
"You really do look cute when you're drunk," Rico said softly. "I want to kiss you so badly right now... but I'll wait until you're sober."
Kai whimpered weakly, "Bast..."
Rico laughed under his breath.
"One day, you'll be calling my name instead," he whispered. "I swear... I never thought the Japanese kid would grow up to be this beautiful."
He smiled, pulling a jacket over Kai's trembling body.
At that moment, Bast arrived at the club.
Elina had already fled, but the boy who had been reporting stood alert when he saw Bast storming inside.
Bast's face was tight with anger as he raced to the private room.
But when he pushed the door open, Rico was already gone.
Bast rushed to Kai's side, gathering him carefully into his arms.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, voice rough with worry.
Kai blinked up at him, confused and tearful.
"Are you... really Bast?" he murmured.
Bast hugged him tighter, heart aching.
Without saying another word, he carried Kai out of the club and into his car.
Bast and Kai arrived at the house. The moment they stepped inside, Bast pulled out his phone and called his secretary.
"Find a girl named Elina—Kai's so-called 'friend.' I want everything on her. Where she lives, where she is now… I need details."
"Yes, sir," the secretary responded immediately.
Bast hung up without another word. His grip tightened around Kai as he guided him toward the bedroom.
Kai's voice was weak, barely above a whisper. "It's… so hot."
Bast's jaw clenched. "That's because you were drugged, Kai. I told you not to go, but you trusted that girl." His voice darkened. "I swear… she'll beg for her life when I find her."
Kai suddenly grabbed Bast's wrist, his fingers trembling but firm. "Don't go… don't leave me alone…" His eyes, hazy from the drug, were filled with fear.
Bast softened. He knelt beside the bed, cupping Kai's flushed face. "I'm right here. You're safe now."
Without hesitation, Bast unbuttoned Kai's shirt and slipped it off. His body burned with heat, his skin feverish and damp.
"You need to cool down first," Bast said, lifting Kai into his arms. He carried him to the bathroom and gently lowered him into the cold water of the bathtub.
Kai's skin turned even redder against the contrast, his breath hitching. His wet hair clung to his forehead, his body shining under the water.
Kai suddenly reached for Bast's hand, gripping it tightly. "I still feel so hot…"
Before Bast could respond, Kai pulled him down and kissed him—desperate, hungry, breathless.
Bast froze for a second before pulling away. "You're drugged, Kai. Let your body cool down first."
Kai smirked lazily. "You know how to cool me down."
He kissed Bast again, more demanding this time, his arms wrapping around his neck.
Bast exhaled sharply. His patience was running thin. He was furious at Kai for being reckless, furious at himself for not protecting him sooner… but most of all, he was furious because Kai knew exactly how to make him lose control.
Kai's lips brushed against his ear, his voice teasing. "If you're so angry, then… punish me, Daddy."
Bast growled softly. "As you wish."
He crashed his lips against Kai's, kissing him roughly, possessively.
The cold water in the bathtub slowly started to feel hot again.