Chapter 22

Dan smiled, greeting every guest in the party. He can't forget every word that Eric said to him.

Eric stayed close to Dan throughout the event, his presence like a constant shadow. He continued to possessively hold on to Dan's waist, his fingers clutching tightly to his side.

Dan noticed the way Eric's grip would occasionally tighten around him, as if the older man was asserting his claim over him in front of the guests. It made him feel restless and constrained, but he kept his smile plastered on, trying to maintain a facade of composure.

Dan can feel a couple of eyes staring at him intensely. He saw Warren still staring at him furiously and jealousy.

Warren's intense gaze followed Dan and Eric as they moved through the event hall. His eyes darkened with jealousy and anger as he observed the way Ferdinand possessively held onto Dan's waist.

Meanwhile, Eric was acutely aware of Warren's watching, and he intentionally tightened his grip on Dan's waist even more, as if daring Warren to challenge his possession over Dan.

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As the party came to an end, the guests began to say their goodbyes and leave. Dan tried to take the opportunity to discreetly pull away from Eric's grip, but the older man's fingers remained stubbornly clutched to his side.

Eric kept a possessive hold on Dan, his grip firm and unyielding as the two men were left alone in the now emptying event hall.

Dan could feel the tension filling the air as the last guests left the event hall, leaving him alone with Eric. The older man's grip on his waist didn't loosen, and his presence was like a suffocating force.

Dan tried to take a step back, wanting to create some space between them, but Eric's hand around his waist didn't budge. Instead, the older man pulled him even closer, their bodies almost touching.

Eric leaned in, bringing his face close to Dan's, his eyes filled with a mix of possessiveness and intensity. "Alone at last," he murmured, his voice low and dripping with possessiveness.

Dan's heart raced as he felt the heat of Eric's breath against his cheek, and he tried to pull away, but the older man's grip only tightened.

"I've been looking forward to this moment," Eric continued, his voice taking on a more dominant tone. "Having you all to myself, without Warren or anyone else around."

Dan felt a chill run down his spine, the possessiveness in Eric's voice making him uneasy. But he couldn't help but remember Warren.

"You couldn't stop thinking about him tonight, could you?" Eric asked, his tone sharp, as he seemed to read Dan's mind. "Warren. I saw the way you looked at each other, the tension between you... or should I say, the chemistry."

caught off guard by Eric's question. The older man's sharp tone and perceptive nature left him feeling exposed, as if Ferdinand had read his thoughts. Dan tried to maintain his composure, but he couldn't deny the truth in Eric's words.

"It wasn't like that," Dan responded, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Eric chuckled, his grip on Dan's waist tightening as if he could sense the lie in Dan's words. "Don't play coy with me, Dan. I know what I saw between you and Warren. The way you looked at each other, the electricity in the air. You can deny it all you want, but I'm not blind."

"Sir." The voice from behind speaks. Eric turned around and saw John, his secretary. "What is it?" Eric asked with a hint of annoyance.

"One of the guests wants to talk to you before they can go." John replied.

"Is that important?" Eric asked, flatly.

"Yes, sir." John answered.

Eric let go of Dan's waist, let out a deep sigh. "Fine." He walked towards the Main door of the party.

Dan takes a deep breath as Eric's grip on his waist finally relents. He watches as the older man walks towards the main door of the party, his steps measured and his demeanor one of irritation at the interruption.

As Eric leaves the area, Dan is left feeling relieved yet also keenly aware of the lingering tension in the air. He glances at John still standing.

The hall is silent, feeling like a thick blanket that settles over the space around him.

John, standing alone in the now empty event hall, glances over at Dan, who is watching the Main Door where Eric has gone. John notices the slight tension in Dan's stance and the hint of relief on his face, despite the lingering uneasiness.

He approaches Dan with a neutral expression, his eyes studying the young man's face. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice soft yet tinged with genuine concern.

Dan fixed his suit and replied nonchalantly. "yes…"

John watched Dan nervously fidgeting with his suit, fixing his already tidy attire. Taking note of the slight change in his demeanor, he could sense the facade of nonchalance that Dan was trying to maintain.

He didn't buy the nonchalance, but he didn't press further, respecting Dan's space. However, he couldn't help but notice the tenseness in Dan's eyes.

"You sure?" He asked again, his tone gentler this time, a hint of skepticism in his words.

Dan stared at John blankly. "Yes, now get back to work." He commands in a flat tone.

For a moment, John was taken aback by Dan's command. He blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the young man's authoritative demeanor. It was a stark contrast to his usual friendly and easy-going self.

Regaining his composure, John let out a small sigh and rolled his eyes slightly. "Yes, sir," he replied in a mildly sarcastic tone. With a nod, he turned away and walked back to his duties, leaving Dan alone in the silence of the empty event hall.

Dan watched John disappear in the dark. He sighs heavily.

As John's figure vanished into the shadows of the room, Dan was left alone, the silence of the event hall settling around him once again. The only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioning.

Dan let out a deep sigh, the weight of the night seemingly pressing upon him. He ran a hand through his hair, tousling it slightly, before he leaned back against the cold wall, eyes fixed on the ground beneath his feet.