The moan that Ray let out encouraged Yi Ren further, the lust and hunger that surge through Yi Ren's move was uncontainable as he search through Ray's lips and deep into his mouth for a respond. Yi Ren could feel the same fear in Ray back then. Ray stood there stunned and afraid, but this time he snapped out of his loving desire that he had kept hidden.... knowing between the next couple of weeks they don't have room for error and mistake given the production of the launch ... he pushed Yi Ren away "not now" he said.
Yi Ren pulled him back .. not satisfied with the answer, he pushed him back to the wall and claim those lips again making Ray's legs weak under the over powering strength from Yi Ren "when?" Yi Ren asked as he moved to kiss down Ray's neck. Ray was again lost in Yi Ren's action. He was half fighting and yet subconsciously wanting to explore. Ray's body now pinned to the wall, he struggled to shake it off ..."we need to focus" Ray said, with that Ray garner all his strength to push Yi Ren away again and walk off from the studio.
He wanted to avoid the same mistake he did back then - how the both of them had wrongly went over board - exploring this curiosity when Yi Ren moved in to take Ray's lips drawing them apart when they were hanging out at Ray's place till late. Not sure what had transpired in Yi Ren for him to react that way. They were just playing the guitar and making jokes and ended up pinching and hitting each other laughing and when they stop, Yi Ren was looking at Ray intensively and when Ray turned silent just feeling curious on this built up he is feeling internally.
Yi Ren lean over lightly and push Ray down on the bed taking his lips in quite suddenly. Ray was caught off guarded but the touch of Yi Ren's lip on his although he was drowned in fear, yet it was highly sensual...Yi Ren explored Ray's mouth and his neck taking his time. Ray's body responded by arching to Yi Ren's move desperately as Yi Ren plant the kisses slowly across the surface of his skin, leaving his gentle marks all the way down to his abdomen. The two were lost in this as Yi Ren continue with his move unbuttoning Ray's shirt slowing moving his kisses further downwards.
Ray did not stop Yi Ren though he was overwhelmed with fear not knowing how to response or just say No. He let Yi Ren explore what he wanted.
Yi Ren was satisfied hearing Ray's moan, to him a sign of approval. Yi Ren placed subtle marks along Ray's neck, caressing downwards across his abdomen but just as Yi Ren's hand move onto Ray's pant caressing the bulging front to unzip, Ray's moan stopped and he snap out of it. He was conscious this was out of the norm yet he was curious, but he wasn't ready to explore deeper.
"I want you.." Yi Ren said as he looked up to the frightful eyes. He stepped up and continue his pace until he half unbuckled Ray's pants.
Overwhelmed with a mix feeling of fear and confusion, Ray pushed Yi Ren's face up starring deep into his eyes stopping him from progressing further. Yi Ren sensing the fear in Ray's eyes, he pulled Ray in to a comforting embrace, the slight insecurity sense and fear looming in Ray's eyes. Placing his hands on Ray's back and patting him on the back comforting him ...silencing Ray's heavy breathing now as he gently whisper "sorry... let's take it slow from now on"
Yi Ren kissed Ray's forehead and picked up Ray's shirt buttoning it back for him.
And that episode was left unspoken after that day. Infact, it kept them apart. From that point onwards it was all work related interactions that followed suit with Ray avoiding any chances of such close proximity and opportunity again to feed on to what transpired that day further until Yi Ren suggested that they work together again to deliver the dance piece.
Ray knew this would throw his composure off - he did not want to feel the weaken uncontrolled state again where fear, uncertainty and confusion distract him from his goal of delivering this launch successfully. He managed to convinced his Ta Ge to lobby to confine Yi Ren's role to just instructing the team, remove the solo dance part and instruct as a third party not being directly involve in it and it was a tough conversation his brother had to pull with Yi Ren.
Nevertheless with all that accomplished now, Ray is finally enjoying his break. As the revenue rake up with the marketing merchandises and the launch MV, none of the stakeholders had further comments to complaint on him as the results were shown through the numbers.
His first stop was to Edinburgh, Scotland to visit the medieval architecture... amazing architecture and art museums... learning on the diverse culture just walking along the magnificent mile is breathtaking.
Walking under the cold and chilly weather even in late summer just feels free ... his camera in his hands and his unfinished book. As he sat by the hotel balcony just enjoying the scenery, his thoughts went back to Yi Ren ... he was happy out here but there seem to be a sense of missing his companionship. He could not shake of the thought of Yi Ren's intimate touches. He was somehow yearning to him have him here, just being beside him. The feeling is just unexplainable.
After the launch, Ray hasn't heard from him. He was somewhat worried at first but he didn't let that distract him from completing his tour and finishing the whole promotional event. Ray had been super focussed gritting his teeth through it making sure he touches the finishing line pushing every roadblock and distraction aside. It reminds him how he went about setting up his company - without any funding and not wanting to sought help from home - he had to find ways to raise capital and maintain steady cash flow and a good client base.
With this success - he has managed to negotiate with grandpa to allow him to continue with his side business while helping out Er Ge. But seeing this success - more pressure started to compound in with more expectations. They wanted him to drive a few more avenues.
But as usual to deliver those numbers he thinks ahead 4 things that he asked for 1. A good PR team under his control 2. Strong data analytics and cyber team to trawl and strategise utilising platforms to drive publicity and stickiness on all revenue levers and cost drivers 3. A good person to open up connections through government relations, corporate figures and industry network through Er Ge and finally 4. His own space to grow business ideas with an approve funding to implement.
Aside on that, his own aspiration of channeling his successes back to help the less fortunate or those in need, a point that he constantly remembers as how he was taught and brought up in that manner. Always be gracious and thankful.
The night wind seems extremely cold, he turn on the heater back into the room closing the balcony door and he fell asleep shortly after.