Hostage Situation

. . .

When the clock ticked 12, a sour smell greeted his nostrils. It was ammonia, he knew. There were hundreds of bodies around him, forming a circle while he sat on a comfortable seat.

His body almost moved out of reflex when someone approached him, but he stopped himself. Knowing she was someone he could never hurt, nor not recognize with his eyes closed. His silk blindfold fell on the floor as it got untangled.

"Happy Birthday!"

He opened his eyes to see everyone surrounding him. His employees, her employees, and their assistants. Everyone clapped their hands. Assistant Colton even popped a party popper on his head.

The party hall was a grand sight to behold. In fact, they were inside one of ZA International's hotel. For tonight's special occasion, they decided to close the hotel, and had its staff join in on the celebration as well. Everyone watched them two with warm regards, although, some sour stares lurking among the crowd managed to sneak in.

The celebration started then and there. Like a midnight snack, everyone grabbed their plates to feast on the food.

"Now it's time for a dance!" Assistant Colton initiated. He stood in front, hosting today's party, bowing towards Jin's direction, as he mouthed, "Forgive me, Mr. Yang."

The crowd lifted the mood with his suggestion with a rejoicing, "Wooooooh!"

Every pair of eyes present inside that grandiose hall were stuck on both CEOs. These gazes screamed the same intention, and they obliged on giving the spectators what they were asking for.

Zeirenne stepped forward, offering her hand to him, "Can I take you for a dance?"

He smirked, "Well, if you insist," he said in a playful tone, and she rolled her eyes before blessing his ears with her giggles.

Both found themselves in the center of the dance floor. The very dance floor with golden patterns of flowers forming a circle, seemed to have become the center of the universe with both of them situated in the middle.

In a slow music, both of them glided hand in hand. His hand rested on her hips, and another one held her warm hand. The soft music, somewhat made her eyes sparkle. At least in his imagination it did such. She was smiling, he was not. All throughout the dance, he was lovestruck, dumfounded, and his eyes couldn't hide this overwhelming feeling of being lost in her stares.

"Happy Birthday, Jinny," she whispered in his ear as she leaned closer. His chest rose. This endearment never fails to make his heart race.

"Thank you, Zei." he whispered, trying to control his voice from shaking.

"Don't call me that!"

He smirked.

"It's a miracle you're not stepping on my foot tonight? Aahahhahahaha," he teased and she pinched his hip.

They slow danced, as if there weren't hundreds of eyes surveying their every step, only their eyes gazed into the other. After some time, their employees started joining on the dance floor as well.

Once the spotlight was no longer theirs, Jin took advantage of this as he dragged Zeirenne out of the crowd.

She thought he was dragging her towards their table just to find herself passing the exit of her very own hotel.

"Where are we going?" she asked him, and he only smiled. A smile so sweet, it managed to form on her lips as well.

He pulled her in front, covering her eyes with his hands as they walked toward the unknown.

When his hands freed her vision, her eyes twinkled upon witnessing such a spectacle sight. The sea gleamed as the moon blessed the waters with its marbled glow.

His suit served as her sit upon, and his arms, as her jacket against the cold.

"Thank you so much for today," he said, looking into her eyes.

"Hmmm. Really? You don't mind getting knocked out by my tranquillizer needle? Ahahahaha."

"I don't mind. But you didn't have to go that far for a surprise. You really had me worried," he flicked her forehead and she snapped with an, "Awww!"

He laughed. Her forehead was red from his flick, and her face red from anger.

With her eyebrows furrowed in anger, he leaned in to kiss her forehead, "Alright, sorry. Let me fix this for you."

Zeirenne found herself even more flustered as she pushed his head away, "Tsk!"

She cleared her throat before trying to maintain previous topic, too wary to have this atmosphere continuing.

"Well that's how you surprise, bring them down, then take them up."

"How is that bringing down? I almost flew up this island just to find you. You really had me worried."

"Okay, okay. It's a mission success them."

After this moment, they decided to stroll around the beach. They were far from the main beach, so the night life didn't bother them much. Everything was just serene and calming for them both.

"Since it's your birthday, I don't mind giving you another wish." she told him.

He paused for a minute before braving her offer, "Can I ask for anything?"

"Yeah sure. What is it?"

He faced her, and they both stopped on their tracks, "If I ask you to stay... stay with me and never leave my sight again... can that count?"

Zeirenne gazed into his gray eyes, like the ashes of his burned out emotions.

"That's not something I can promise."

He smiled, a bitter one, "Then... can you try?"

Her throat felt dry, but she managed to bob a nod.

It was another change of topic for her that moment on.

"Did you forget about your birthday?"

"I haven't celebrated it in so many years..." he stopped. Unwilling to turn the atmosphere into something sad.

They both gazed into the sea and spent their sweet time like the old days. Together.