Chapter 365: Business
"Looks like they’ve started closing in," Cero muttered.
His attempt at running away with Roka only succeeded for a bit.
The elites were circling like hawks as they called out for her.
Roka blinked. "Huh?"
Her dress shimmered beneath the chandelier’s light, delicate fabric fluttering slightly with each turn of her head. She turned to the right, to the left, to the right... And Cero was gone.
Roka was devoured by the swarm of politicians, celebrities, and businesswomen. Some wanted pictures, others to introduce themselves, and others to propose some business ventures that would use her as a poster girl.
’Sorry.’ Cero thought as he walked away, seeing her get swallowed by the swarm.
Roka was left to the vultures and wolves, abandoned like a sacrificial lamb.
’You son of a...!’ She had to quickly move on though. "Ah, yes. Of course, who hasn’t heard of your..."
Cero walked the halls aimlessly, circling around, waiting for Roka to be finally left alone, though it was unlikely that would happen anytime soon.
His attention was caught as flashes kept going off. Someone was being photographed aggressively.
His gaze followed the rhythm of the photographers, and he walked closer to see which celebrity was being photographed. What she looked like anyway, it was unlikely for him to recognize the person.
"Oh."
He did recognize her.
She stood by one of the statue alcoves, wearing a flawless white dress and a broad hat that framed her face beautifully. The dress was sleek and form-fitting, the hat adding an air of aristocratic aloofness that made her stand out even among Wor’s most elite families.
Click. Flash!
Click. Flash!
She didn’t pose. She didn’t smile. She simply stood there, arms at her sides, eyes distant. The photographers were practically fighting each other for angles. She paid them no mind, and simply walked towards the bar, ordered a drink, and took a seat all by her lonesome.
’Looking beautiful, like always.’ Cero thought with a smile.
He made his way toward her through the crowd.
Having been completely ignored, the crowd had quickly started thinning.
Cero walked to the bar, grabbed her drink before the waiter could bring it to her, and approached her.
"Your drink, Miss." He whispered.
She immediately recognized his voice, but didn’t react. Her expression didn’t change. No smile. No acknowledgement. Her gaze slid past him like he was a waiter carrying empty trays.
Rea simply took hold of her drink. "Thanks, busboy."
"I’m not a busboy, I’m working security."
"Then why are you the one bringing me my drink?" Her tone was cool and detached. "If you’re working security, then go stand guard or something."
He pressed his lips together.
Turns out Rea wasn’t completely fine with it after all.
"We already talked about this," Cero said quietly, stepping closer.
"So? I’m stubborn, what can I say?" she replied, turning her head slightly away so that the brim of her hat hid her face. "We said goodbye, I’ll see you in a month or whenever you’re thinking about coming back."
He opened his mouth to respond, but the moment was cut short by a loud voice echoing through the ballroom.
"CERO!"
Before he could turn, a red blur slammed into his chest. Kris jumped into his arms, legs locking around his waist.
"Kris...! What the hell...!" Cero staggered but caught him.
The surrounding guests turned their heads. A few laughed. A few whispered. Rea didn’t care one bit.
Kris grinned wide. "I’m glad I could find you so early! This whole thing would have been a bore without you."
"Is that so?" Cero scratched his head. "I’m glad someone is happy to see me."
"Hmph."
"What’s this?" Kris’ gaze moved from Rea to Cero repeatedly. "A lover’s quarrel? Should I give you guys some space?"
"The busboy was just leaving." Rea sighed. "Or is leaving soon... Regardless, it’s the same, I guess."
"Could you not be so dramatic."
"I know better than to get in the middle of this." Kris nodded to himself.
Before either of the three could say anything further, Roka made it out of the swarm, barely alive, and joined them.
"Oh, Kris. Hi," she said.
"Roka!" Kris spun dramatically, pointing at her. "This is great! Could you take Cero for a bit!"
"Huh?"
"What am I, a baby being passed around?"
"Hahaha." Kris laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "I need to talk to Rea, and I’d rather have that done earlier rather than later."
"Right." Rea nodded. "Take a seat."
Roka blinked. "What’s happening?" She whispered as Cero approached her.
"Don’t know." He shrugged. "Business, I guess."
The two walked a bit further while Kris took a seat on the chair opposite Rea.
"Alright," he muttered. "Time to get this over with. Let’s settle it quickly so we can enjoy the rest of the night."
"What’s there to enjoy anyway?" She sighed. "Still, alright, let’s get it done with. You’re the one who made me the offer, so it stands to reason that I get to set the price."
A small ripple of murmurs passed through the nearby guests. People were watching them carefully, and many pictures were taken.
"Well, sure..." Kris tilted his head. "I might have made the offer, but it was just a gesture of courtesy. We’re very respectful and polite on the other side of the Planet, you know?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Rea asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I might have made the offer, sure... But the negotiations took place in the Red Dragon’s Estate. After all, you did knock on our door."
"I went there to accompany Cero, it had nothing to do with the business."
"Business was still done." Kris shrugged and gestured to the bartender. A moment later, the same drink that Rea had ordered to was brought to him. "Everyone knows that you’ve come to see us, so..."
Rea sighed. "Did your mom train you or something?"
"Hahaha." Kris took a sip. "Yes, I guess we did talk about this."
He rotated his drink and could see on his glass the reflection of two figures standing at a distance, observing them.