Chapter 22. Who Broke the Contract Rules First?

Ayaka lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying every moment she'd shared with him.

She could still feel the weight of his gaze, the smooth timber of his voice resonating in her chest. "The cold prince suddenly felt… warmer..." she whispered to herself, her fingers absently brushing her lips.

Her heart raced just at the thought of Akihiko. Back then she gets annoyed with just thinking of him yet now, every glance, every word, every fleeting touch from him sent her mind spiraling.

"Why am I so affected by him?" she muttered, pressing a hand over her chest, as if trying to steady the wild beating beneath her ribs.

Her cheeks burned as she continued her quiet confession. "Every time I think about him, my heart feels like it's going to explode. Am I in l—"

She stopped herself, the word too heavy to utter. Her breath hitched as the realization sank in, but before she could dwell further, the weight of her thoughts dragged her under.

Sleep claimed her, though her dreams offered no reprieve—they were filled with icy-blue eyes and fleeting smirks.

------

The vibration of her phone stirred her from her slumber, its persistent hum pulling her back into the waking world.

Groaning, she reached for it, squinting at the notifications.

The company's message was clear:

Dear Esteemed Writers,

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Book Signing Event, scheduled to take place next week. This year, we will be visiting various hospitals around Tokyo, bringing stories and inspiration to those who need it most. The exact destinations will be shared with you shortly.

To ensure the event's success, a one-week preparation period will begin this week. We kindly request your full participation and cooperation during this time. Below are the details of your roles and expectations:

1. Portray Your Pen Name: As per tradition, all known writers are expected to dress as the persona or character associated with their pen name during the event. This adds a unique touch and enhances the fan experience.

2. Book Signing and Chapter Readings: Each writer will partake in book signings and read selected chapters from one of their books. The chapters will be chosen by your fans, ensuring an engaging and personal experience.

3. Preparation Activities: During the preparation week, you will work with the organizing team to finalize your schedule, rehearse chapter readings, and review logistics for the event.

Your active participation is vital to making this event a memorable success for our fans and hospital audiences.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the organizing committee.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication. We look forward to working with you to make this event truly special.

She sighed, sitting up and glancing at her reflection in the nearby mirror. "Why did I ever make her so mysterious?" she muttered, tugging at her hair. "It'd be so much easier if I didn't have to hide behind that mask."

Pushing herself off the bed, she moved to her closet, pulling out her empty luggage. "Two weeks' worth of clothes, huh?" she murmured, her voice tinged with exhaustion as she began to pack.

------

Hours later, Ayaka struggled to drag her overstuffed suitcase to the door. She gritted her teeth, cursing under her breath.

"Why does this feel like it's filled with bricks?!" she growled, tugging at the handle with all her might.

"The laptop is making it too heavy," she muttered in frustration, unaware of the soft click of a door opening behind her.

"What are you doing at this hour?"

The familiar voice sent a jolt through her, and she turned to see Akihiko leaning casually against the frame of his doorway. He was dressed in a white lab coat, the stark fabric emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline and the soft silver of his hair. His piercing blue eyes glinted under the hallway lights, and Ayaka felt her heart skip a beat.

"I, uh—" she stammered, completely forgetting her frustration.

Before she could finish, Akihiko crossed the distance between them, his hand closing effortlessly around the handle of her suitcase. He lifted it as if it weighed nothing.

Ayaka blinked, her eyes drawn to him. "It's my first time seeing you this close in a lab coat." she murmured without thinking, her gaze fixed on the way the coat hugged his broad shoulders. "You really are… a doctor."

Akihiko smirked, stepping closer. His voice dropped to a low, teasing murmur. "Really? How close do you need me to be for you to believe it?"

The air between them crackled with tension as he leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. Ayaka's breath hitched, her mind racing. His scent—a mix of something clean and subtly musky—wrapped around her, and she felt lightheaded.

"I—" She froze, realizing what she'd just said out loud. Her hands flew to her mouth, her face burning with embarrassment.

Akihiko's smirk deepened. "Adorable." he muttered, his fingers gently brushing hers as he tilted her chin up. His touch was firm yet maddeningly gentle. "Haven't I told you before? It's rude to look away when someone's talking to you."

Her heart pounded so loudly she was certain he could hear it. Before she could react, his lips brushed against the back of her hand, sending a jolt of heat racing through her body. His eyes locked onto hers, intense and unreadable, as if daring her to look away.

Just as suddenly as he'd leaned in, Akihiko pulled back, his demeanor cool once more. "I'll take you wherever you need to go." he said simply, lifting her suitcase.

Ayaka stood frozen, her hand still hovering near her lips. "W-was he… trying to—" She shook her head, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and warmth.

"Are you coming or not?" Akihiko's voice snapped her out of her daze, and she hurried after him.

------

The elevator ride down was excruciatingly silent. Ayaka fidgeted, her gaze darting to Akihiko, who stood beside her, calm and composed. Finally, she blurted out, "W-what was that earlier?"

"What was what?" he replied, his voice maddeningly indifferent.

"You know what I mean!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed.

Akihiko turned to her, a smirk playing at his lips. "Oh, that? Consider it a warning."

"A warning?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

His smirk widened, but he said nothing more, leaving Ayaka to stew in her confusion.

Even though Ayaka told Akihiko she could take the bus to the company, he refused and still drove her. The whole ride was silent but Ayaka couldn't help but glance at him from time to time.

------

When they arrived at her company's building, the sight of her colleagues with their luggage caught Akihiko's attention.

"This looks more like a slumber party than work..." he remarked, his tone laced with mild amusement.

"AYAKA!"

Both turned to see Kazumi bounding toward them, his energy palpable even at this late hour.

"Looks like we're stuck together for two weeks!" Kazumi declared, throwing a mischievous grin at Akihiko.

Akihiko's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "Excuse me?"

"Calm down, both of you." Ayaka stepped in between them. She shot Kazumi a warning look. "I'll meet you inside, okay?"

Kazumi winked at her. "Can't wait, Ayaka. Just the two of us—no annoying doctors to spoil the fun!"

Akihiko's fists clenched at his sides, his icy-blue eyes narrowing.

As Kazumi disappeared into the building, Ayaka sighed. "Don't mind him. He's just trying to get under your skin."

"Tch. It's working." Akihiko muttered.

Before she could respond, his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. Without a word, he led her to the back of his car, away from prying eyes.

"A-Akihiko?" she stammered, her heart racing.

He didn't answer. Instead, his hands moved to her collar, tugging it down slightly to reveal her neck and shoulder.

Her breath hitched. "W-what are you—"

Before she could finish, his lips brushed against her bare skin. The first kiss was soft, almost tentative, but it quickly deepened.

His lips trailed along the curve of her neck, slow and deliberate, leaving a searing heat in their wake.

When he lingered, gently sucking on the sensitive skin, Ayaka's knees buckled. She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle the sound that threatened to escape.

"A-Akihiko…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

He pulled back, his eyes dark and smoldering as they met hers. The faintest smirk tugged at his lips. "Now you'll remember who you belong to."

Ayaka's fingers flew to her neck, her face aflame. "W-what's wrong with you?! If I don't hide this, everyone will see!"

"Good." he said simply, his tone unapologetic. "Let them."

Her heart raced, her mind spinning. "You're so hard to read!" she muttered, tying her hair to cover the mark.

Akihiko leaned against the car, his arms crossed. "The thought of you spending two weeks with him infuriates me."

Ayaka's heart skipped a beat. "Akihiko… are you jealous?"

His gaze softened briefly, but his expression remained unreadable. "I don't get jealous." he said coolly, though the edge in his voice betrayed him.

With a smirk of her own, Ayaka leaned in close, her breath brushing his ear. "For the record, the men's and women's quarters are in different buildings. Kazumi was just teasing you. Besides we don't usually communicate with the marketing team unless needed since they are the busiest."

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, his expression unreadable.

"Don't forget to update me on your chapters." He said as he straightened. "If you don't, I won't hesitate to come find you."

And with that, he slipped into his car and drove off, leaving Ayaka standing there, her heart pounding and her mind reeling.

She touched her neck, the faint sting of his kiss still lingering. "What am I going to do with him?" she whispered, a small, secretive smile tugging at her lips.