Is this really a game?

The sun threw its last golden light over the sky, pink and orange streaks merging into a work of art in colours. It was beautiful, but Noah hardly gave it a second look. He was already running fifteen minutes behind. Not that he minded—he was going to his arch-nemesis's place, for crying out loud. The only reason he was bothering was the crazy amount of money at stake.

Entering the elevator, he tapped his fingers impatiently against his phone. The doors were about to close when they slid open again, and Kai appeared—sweaty, wearing a black shirt that stuck to his skin, looking infuriatingly good.

Noah did not flinch. He merely took out his phone and began playing a game, paying no attention to Kai at all.

Kai entered and remained there like a statue.

Then, suddenly—the lights were extinguished.

Noah's catch of breath. Darkness swallowed them whole, and terror clamped at his ribcage. His trembling fingers blurred in sight as tears ached in their corners, uncrying. He despised darkness.

A sound pierced the vacuum.

"Noah… are you okay?"

His body trembled as fear closed in on him, suffocating. And then—warm hands encircled his wrist. A hard tug, and suddenly he was wrapped in a solid, unyielding hug. The heat penetrated his skin, anchoring him. For an instant, he let himself relax into it, finding solace in the touch.

Then, reality caught up.

His brain shouted at him to get up, to push Kai aside, but before he could, a mocking whisper caressed his ear.

"You enjoy being in my arms, angel, don't you?"

Noah's entire face burned. His heart pounded violently in his chest, his fingers unknowingly clutching at Kai's shirt. The scent of him—intoxicating, fresh, and slightly musky—made his thoughts spiral. He could feel the heat of Kai's bare chest against him, sending a shiver down his spine.

The lights flickered back on, breaking the moment. Their eyes locked.

Noah's breath caught.

With a sudden jerk, he pushed Kai away. The warmth was gone in an instant, replaced by a biting cold.

But his body betrayed him.

Before he could stop himself, his reflexes acted—his hand shot out, gripping Kai's collar, pulling him close again.

Kai's smirk deepened.

Noah froze. What the hell was he doing? Why did his body move on its own?

Ding.

The elevator doors slid open.

Snapping back to his senses, Noah shoved Kai away and stormed out, his heart hammering wildly.

As soon as he stepped into the house, the lights went out again.

"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath.

Then—footsteps.

Approaching.

His breath grew uneven as he instinctively backed away until his spine pressed against a wall. Trapped. His chest tightened.

Tears welled in his eyes, and this time, he let them fall. He hated this.

The lights flickered back on.

And there he was—Kai.

Without thinking, without hesitating, Noah grabbed his collar, pulled him down, and pressed his lips against his.

Kai's eyes widened. He hadn't seen this coming.

But damn, the kiss melted him.

His heart raced unevenly, his breathing catching on a rush of heat in his chest. And then, in the same fleeting moment, Noah withdrew—desperation dashing across his face. He knocked Kai aside and sprinted into Cherry's bedroom.

There, he closed the door behind him, bracing against it, panting for air. His mind was berating him—It was nothing.

But his heart?

His heart told a different story.

Shaking his head, he went over to Cherry and shook her awake gently.

She stirred, blinking sleepily before she broke into a tiny smile. Stretching, she pinched his cheek. "Oh, Noah bro, sorry! I got too sleepy. Lemme get my stuff."

He nodded as he saw her stand up. He tried his best to concentrate, but his thoughts continuously kept wandering to what had just occurred. Reenacting it again in his head, he found his heart beating faster again. His face turned red hot, his ears flushing red, and his body all heated up.

Cherry came back with the art material but stopped as she saw the dazed look on his face.

"You're burning up, phi—Noah. Do you have fever?"

Noah shook out of his reverie, shaking his head wildly. "Nope! I'm fine. So, what do you want to draw today, sweetie?"

"A house! A big house, like ours!"

"Okay," he replied, trying to concentrate. "Let's draw it then."

Outside, however, Kai was underwater with his thoughts.

The kiss.

The way Noah had held on to him in the elevator.

The way he had pulled him back in again, despite shoving him off.

Kai growled, ruffling his hair. You dislike him, he told himself. You dislike him. It's just a game—a game to get to him. That's all.

But his head kept nagging him… Why did he kiss you, then?

Shaking his head again, he cleared his mind.

His phone beeped on the table. He reached for it automatically.

"Yes, Celine? What's up?"

"Oh, now you don't even say hello? How rude," Celine complained theatrically.

Kai groaned, already irritated. "Just hurry up and get to the point, Celine."

"Ugh, okay. Your concert schedule in Bangkok—you received it, yes? Check your inbox. You're required to attend daily practice. You know the policy."

Kai responded with a hum and hung up the phone. He was not in the mood for her drama.

After cooking dinner, he flopped onto the living room couch, fatigue bearing down on him.

Time slipped away.

When Noah glanced at the clock, it was already late at nine, and Kai was nowhere in sight. He looked at Cherry.

"What do you think?" Noah asked.

Cherry shrugged, pouting. "No clue."

Noah paused before getting up. "Should I go check on him?"

Cherry gave him a thumbs-up.

Stepping out of the room, Noah wandered through the house until he found Kai—fast asleep on the couch.

He took a cautious step closer. Then another.

His gaze softened.

Kai looked… different when he was asleep. Less smug. Less infuriating. More—irritatingly handsome.

Noah's fingers twitched.

Before he realized what he was doing, he reached out, sliding his fingertip over Kai's forehead, down the bridge of his nose, and then across his lips.

His voice escaped in a whisper.

"How can you be so damn sexy and gorgeous? It's not fair, you know?"

Abruptly, Kai's eyes flew open.

Noah's breath halted.

Before he could move, Kai grabbed his hand, planting a kiss on his fingertip before flipping him onto the couch—leaning over him, their faces inches from each other.

A sly smile curved Kai's lips.

"Really, angel?"

Noah's mind shouted at him to get out of there.

But his heart?

His heart bade him to remain.