At that moment, August felt like running his fingers over his hair. He felt frustrated because Sean was gay? Why did he nibble in his ears?
Making it worse, the place became eerily silent, not a single sound except for his own irregular breathing, which seemed too loud in the stillness.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden *click* that also cut through the silence, its sound sharp and intrusive. It was the unmistakable sound of a camera shutter.
August's heart jumped in his chest. He looked up, eyes wide.
There, raised just a few feet away, was Sean's hand, holding a smartphone. He quickly shot his gaze beside him to glare at Sean who had a smirk on his lips.
Sean's eyes, though cold, sparkled with a strange excitement that felt almost out of place as he looked right back at August, giving their close proximity some distance.
"Finally," Sean said, voice smooth, almost too smooth, "I got a picture of the engima August Farley. I'm so happy." His tone was light, but something in it didn't match the coolness of his gaze.
August's mind raced. So, all that… that stuff was to sneak take a picture? What did he want with a picture of him? He tried to compose himself, but the surprise had left him rattled.
"Uh... you took a picture of me?" August stammered, his voice faltering. He unconsciously straightened his jacket, feeling exposed.
Sean nodded, his expression still calm, though the excitement in his voice felt more like a mask now. "Yes," he replied, almost purring the word, "I couldn't resist. You looked... intriguing."
August swallowed hard, his gaze flickering between Sean and the phone. "Well, I guess... I guess you got what you wanted," he mumbled, his voice trailing off.
He needed to get out of there. The room felt too small, the walls too close.
He stood up then took a step away from Sean, then another, his movements slow and measured, all towards the door. The floorboards creaked softly under his shoes, the sound echoing in the silence.
"I... I should go," August said, almost to himself, as much as to Sean. He glanced towards the door, longing to escape to the comfort of the hallway beyond it.
Sean's gaze followed him, unblinking, as if he was watching an animal back away in fear. "Leaving so soon?" Sean asked, his voice lilting, almost teasing. "Don't be a stranger, August. We should talk more... sometime."
August forced a shaky smile. "Sure... sure," he murmured, nodding slightly.
He reached for the door handle, his fingers trembling as he gripped it. The cool metal was a strange comfort, something solid in the midst of all this unease.
As he gently pulled the door open, a soft rustling sound from behind him made him pause. His breath caught in his throat. "Who's there?" he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath.
But there was no reply, just the faint echo of his own words. The shadows in the room seemed to shift slightly, but maybe it was just his imagination. Maybe it was just him being scared of Sean. He hated this guy!
August quickly slipped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him as quietly as he could, as if trying not to disturb whatever was in there.
Out in the hallway, his heart still pounded in his chest, but the cool air was a relief. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
He couldn't shake the feeling of the hate he bore towards Sean and that he was gay! Or seeming to be so. He didn't even want to believe it. But he was sure something about Sean was off.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Sean remained where he was, eyes fixed on the door where August had just left.
His smirk widened slightly as he lowered his phone as his fingers deftly flicking through the images. He stopped at the one he had just taken, zooming in on August's face, particularly his eyes.
Those eyes… something about them seemed familiar, almost haunting.
Sean narrowed his gaze, muttering under his breath, "I've seen those eyes before…" He couldn't place it, but the memory was there, just out of reach, like a word on the tip of his tongue.
Before he could think any further, his official business phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his thoughts. He took it out and glanced at the screen, seeing a message from Max, his secretary.
*The J-BIRD idol, Day Salvatore, is in town and ready to meet you.*
Sean's smirk returned. "Bingo!" He exclaimed like one who had seen a diamond chest.
He quickly typed out a reply.
*Prepare a good spot for breakfast, with hot tea and pancakes. Invite him over.*
Message sent, Sean slipped the phone back into his pocket, his mind already shifting gears. But he couldn't help glancing back at the photo of August one more time on the other phone, zooming in further on those eyes.
"These eyes," Sean murmured to himself, his tone almost thoughtful. "They remind me of my fantasy... West."
The name lingered on his lips, a hint of realization flickering in his cold eyes before he turned away, slipping the first phone into his other pocket.
Life totally seemed like it was getting more interesting for Sean, and he was just getting started living this life.