The sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the empty hallway. Ling Xie, dreading the fact that he'd forgotten his cellphone in the computer lab, ran as if his life depended on it.
Shitshitshitshitshitfuck.
He muttered a silent prayer, hoping his cellphone wouldn't betray him just yet. Even though he'd set up multiple firewalls and booby traps, he knew the computer freaks could probably tear them down without batting an eyelid.
He'd bolted up from the first floor in sheer panic. Reaching the fourth floor at last, he leapt—literally, skipping two steps in one bound—feeling a surge of relief and joy.
Panting heavily, he strode forward with hurried steps.
"Mm—!"
Ling Xie froze in place, his heart skipping a beat. The ambiguous sound that pierced the air was all too familiar.
Tiptoeing as silently as he could while trying to steady his ragged breaths, Ling Xie peeked around the corner of the wall, toward the source of the sound.
"Ha—Young!" A moan slipped through the air, tickling Ling Xie's ears.
'Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!' Ling Xie screamed internally as his eyes glued themselves to the live kabedon unfolding just outside the computer lab.
The taller guy had the other pinned against the wall, locking him in a deep, passionate kiss.
'This has got to be the best birthday gift ever!' Ling Xie thought, hurriedly wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth. He committed the scene to memory with utmost devotion, lamenting only slightly that his cellphone was sitting inside the computer lab. He couldn't bring himself to blame the miniature root-of-all-evil, though—it was, after all, the reason he'd stumbled upon this masterpiece.
"I'm hungry," murmured the taller guy.
His husky, sexy voice turned both his kabedon victim and Ling Xie beet red in an instant.
The taller guy had lightly tanned skin and hazel-colored hair swept back, revealing a mature and elegant face. He wore a navy cardigan over a white collared shirt paired with gray pants.
'President Kim Young-Su?!'
Finally getting a clear view of their faces as they pulled slightly apart—noses still touching—Ling Xie felt his jaw drop. He couldn't believe his eyes. The computer department's president, Kim Young-Su, notorious for his perpetual poker face, was currently pinning Ling Xie's best friend, Jae Eun-tak, against the wall.
Young-Su's long, indecently close legs trapped Eun-tak firmly, while the latter's wide, moist black eyes stared up at his assailant, helplessly pleading.
"No—"
Eun-tak's protest was cut off as Young-Su sank his teeth into the left side of his neck, biting softly before sucking and licking the same spot repeatedly. Only when a deep red mark bloomed, sure to last several days, did he pull back, clearly satisfied. 'I'll mark it again when it fades.'
"Ya! Not there," Eun-tak whined, glaring and pouting.
Young-Su only chuckled, a low, husky sound, and replied with a teasing smirk. "You won't let me eat you. At the very least, let me mark you?" He raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes, his expression morphing into that of a wronged puppy whose favorite toy had been cruelly taken away.
Eun-tak froze, swallowing back a retort, as his mind latched onto two words: 'GAP MOE!'
Ling Xie wasn't spared from the overwhelming shock either. 'Thi—this—this—this is the president?!' His thoughts spiraled as he hastily pulled his gray sleeves over his nose, pressing hard in a desperate attempt to stop the impending nosebleed.
Before Ling Xie or Eun-tak could recover from their daze, Young-Su launched another assault on Eun-tak's swollen lips. Denied the full course, he seemed intent on savoring as many "bites" as he could, unapologetically devouring the kiss with renewed passion.
The fiery exchange sent Ling Xie's heart racing and his legs buckling beneath him. Sliding down to the cold floor, he pressed both sleeves against his nose and continued to stare, completely entranced.
Eun-tak, a few centimeters shorter than Young-Su, had black hair that matched his deep, expressive eyes and pale skin, a telltale sign of his introverted lifestyle. Though Eun-tak remained oblivious to his own lovable features, Ling Xie had recognized them immediately. From the moment they met, Ling Xie had known: Eun-tak was the epitome of a high-grade uke.
'I have to be his friend!' Ling Xie had resolved from the start.
Now, it seemed half of his vision was coming true. Watching the scene unfold, Ling Xie couldn't help but analyze. While it looked like the president was taking the lead, Ling Xie had encountered "wolves in sheep's clothing" among his clients before. The roles weren't always what they seemed.
'I need a solid confirmation on who's who—or I won't be able to sleep tonight!' he thought, determined.
And he needed details! There hadn't been any news—no whispers, no rumors—about Kim Young-Su and Eun-tak being together. They were so incredibly secretive that Ling Xie couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed.
Eun-tak was his best friend. Young-Su was his closest senior. Yet neither of them had dropped even the slightest hint! Ling Xie's determination burned brighter. He was going to demand a proper explanation.
But before he could charge at the kissing couple and exact revenge by cockblocking them, he felt a sturdy arm wrap around his waist, pulling him into a firm, warm embrace.
Startled, Ling Xie turned his head sharply and found himself face-to-face with a well-toned guy radiating overwhelming male pheromones. The sheer intensity of it made Ling Xie feel as though his entire body—not just his face—was on fire.
Still holding his nose with both hands, Ling Xie looked up at the stranger, only to instantly regret it.
He wasn't a narcissist, but he did know the effect his appearance had on people. Even with the thick black-rimmed glasses dampening his allure, being close enough to him was often enough to captivate anyone. And now, trapped in this man's arms, Ling Xie could already see the gleam of interest sparking in his captor's eyes.
This person was no exception. He had a pair of captivating blue eyes and sleek, dark blue hair, standing a full head taller than Ling Xie. As he looked down at him, those piercing blue eyes narrowed, carrying a glint of obsession that sent a shiver down Ling Xie's spine.
Ling Xie's instincts screamed danger, but the man's arms held him firmly in place, leaving no room for escape.
"Name?" The low, magnetic voice murmured directly into Ling Xie's ear, the warmth of the words rendering his struggles utterly useless.
"W-w-wa?" Ling Xie stammered, barely comprehending.
The man's lips curled into a slight smile, clearly amused by his reaction. "Name," he repeated, softer this time, his tone carrying an unexpected gentleness that only heightened Ling Xie's bewilderment.
Ling Xie turned his head away, desperate to avoid the man's intense gaze. But two cold fingers caught his chin, tilting his face back up. The chill sent a shiver through him as he found himself staring once more into those dangerously seductive eyes. He couldn't resist.
"L-Ling... Ling Xie," he finally stammered, giving in.