hidingwriter

Elian Volkov, a world-renowned model and actor with striking emerald-green eyes, has everything-fame, fortune, and admirers across the globe. But beneath the glitz and glamour, he longs for the one person who once made his world feel real: Taro Fujimura, his childhood best friend from Japan. Years have passed without contact, but Elian never forgot their bond. Determined to reunite, he travels to Japan unannounced, showing up at Taro's doorstep with nothing but memories and a hopeful heart.

Taro, now a hardworking manager at a small branch of an international company, has built a modest but stable life with his mother and sister. The sudden reappearance of Elian-a man who now belongs to an entirely different world-shakes him to his core. As he struggles to process their reunion, lingering emotions and unspoken words from the past resurface, challenging everything he thought he had moved on from.

However, Elian's return does not go unnoticed. A powerful billionaire with haunting ruby-red eyes, obsessed with claiming Elian as his own, watches from the shadows. With wealth, influence, and a dangerous level of obsession, he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Elian by his side-even if it means tearing him away from Taro once again.

As love, desire, and obsession intertwine, Elian finds himself caught between two forces: the warmth of a long-lost friendship that could bloom into something more and the intoxicating pull of a man who refuses to let him go. In a world where love can be both a treasure and a curse, will Elian follow his heart, or will the past and present collide, leading to a fate neither of them expected?

Toxic Gems is a story of rekindled bonds, dangerous attraction, and the fine line between love and possession.

TOXIC GEMS (BL)

The gathering continued, the warm atmosphere filling the modest home with laughter and conversation. Taro's mother and sister were more than welcoming to Rylan, their excitement barely contained as they engaged him in polite conversation. Taro, standing proudly beside him, looked like he had finally found the validation he had craved for so long.

Elian remained composed as always, speaking when necessary but otherwise observing. He wasn't avoiding Rylan, but he wasn't giving him any attention either.

Rylan, on the other hand, had no interest in the chatter around him. His focus remained sharp, his mind calculating every move. He had gained Taro's trust effortlessly, and now he was setting the stage for something bigger.

As the conversation shifted, Taro brought up Rylan's success. "Sir, you have so many projects going on. I still can't believe I get to work under someone like you." His voice carried genuine admiration.

Rylan gave him a small, measured smile. "Hard work is always rewarded." Then, as if in passing, he added, "I've actually been preparing for an exhibition. A showcase of my private collection."

Taro's eyes widened in excitement. "An exhibition?"

Rylan nodded. "It's something I've been curating for a while. Art, antiques, rare pieces. I want to create something exclusive—an experience."

Elian, who had been listening quietly, glanced up briefly but said nothing.

Taro, however, turned to him with enthusiasm. "Elian loves exhibitions!" he said suddenly, his voice carrying a bit too much excitement.

Rylan's gaze flickered to Elian immediately.

Elian remained unreadable, his expression neutral as he took a sip of his drink.

"Is that so?" Rylan said smoothly, his interest deepening.

Elian met his gaze with quiet confidence. "I appreciate well-curated collections." His voice was polite, detached. There was no enthusiasm, no indication that Rylan's project intrigued him in the slightest.

And that only made Rylan more determined.

"I'll send you an invitation," Rylan said, his lips curving into a slow smile.

Elian didn't react. "That's unnecessary."

Taro, oblivious to the undercurrent between them, laughed. "Come on, Elian! It's not every day you get to see something like that. You should go."

Rylan tilted his head slightly, watching Elian carefully. "Yes, you should."

Elian held his gaze for a moment longer before finally breaking eye contact. He didn't agree, but he didn't refuse outright either.

Because now, he had found another way to pull Elian closer.

And he wasn't going to let it slip.

Chapter 26 – Silent Battles