v2 c4

"Hello, Mr. Miller. We haven't seen each other for a long time. How have you been?"

When Chase showed up at the office, the editor-in-chief, who had been waiting for him, approached him first and greeted him cheerfully. Chase only looked at him once without giving him an answer and turned his head again. It was an embarrassing situation for everyone present, but the editor casually changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

"We're ready to shoot. Miller's makeup and hair must be prepped. I also have some clothes ready to change. The interview will take place after the filming is finished. The interviewer will be here soon. Everybody is waiting, so let's go. Ann, please show it to Mr. Miller."

"Yes, come this way."

The secretary, who seemed somewhat nervous, hastily guided him. After Chase left, the manager and the rest of the staff followed him. Seth and Henry followed them too.

Josh followed in Mark's footsteps as scheduled, turning in the opposite direction along with Isaac. The team was very nervous at the memory of the fans coming and going like crazy the last time.

"You have to do painstaking work."

Mark had already said the same thing several times. As the other members were completely understanding, they nodded silently.

The route has already been confirmed. The building's schedule and structure were also checked every 30 minutes. Although it was a controlled situation, the tension was overflowing, because they knew what could happen when the person they had to protect was Chase Miller.

Josh stared at Chase as soon as he appeared before leaving. He didn't look back at him, as if he wasn't there. He had been ignoring him all day, as he had been locked in his room. It was strange to pretend not to know.

Josh made his own reasonable guess. Chase had always ignored him and everyone else, so it was nothing new. However, he thought he would be more sensitive about what happened the day before.

Perhaps for that reason the smell of pheromones felt more intense than usual. Josh, without paying much attention, followed Mark into the study. Not long after Chase and his group disappeared, the door suddenly opened and a man appeared.

"Oh, everyone has been waiting. Sorry I'm late, sorry!"

Everyone's gaze turned to the booming voice of the man. They all managed to hold their sighs in that moment.

The man's name was Duncan Conrad. He was a model and actor who was in the midst of rising stock prices, but had recently announced his exclusive transfer as an actor. He was a man with a beautiful stature and an attractive appearance, like a former model, but unfortunately, he had not shown good acting skills. However, they were constantly building fandom and filling in a pretty good filmography with the sponsorship of management companies. At this rate, everyone expected him to reach a decent level. Only if he watched his mouth.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting." The manager, who was following him, smiled and apologized. He lowered his voice and added quietly, "Don't provoke Chase too much, Duncan."

Although he warned him patiently, Duncan ignored him. The manager was always concerned about his habit of going too far, sometimes because of his desire to make his name known. Also, today's partner was Chase Miller. If you thought about the rumors circulating about Chase, it was hard to imagine what would happen if he made a taunt for no reason.

But for Duncan, who was eager to become famous, this was a great opportunity. The partner was none other than Chase Miller, and it was clear that his appreciation would increase ten times more than it is now. The manager could hope that he would provoke Chase by any means. Hope all is well. He ran after Conrad with a worried look.

"Did you know that Miller is also filming with me?"

Conrad barely kept his enthusiasm in check, and the manager responded sheepishly to the question.

"Well, it's a long story, but …"

Duncan also knew the meaning of the end of his words. Chase, of course, was unaware of Duncan, not before or now. It had always affected Conrad's inferiority complex. In a recent interview on the street, one in 20 people recognized his face and all they had to think about was "looks familiar."

However, when Conrad learned the news of the injuries sustained on the day of the interview due to the crowd clamoring for Chase, he was unable to sleep for several days due to jealousy that went beyond envy. From that day on, Duncan hated Chase deeply, and this time he would let him know for sure. He hoped that day was today.

Conrad gritted his teeth. They would do a perfect job of photo shoots and interviews. Chase Miller was flawless despite the gossip. Plus, he was now enjoying his best days as a leading supporting actor in one of the most notorious movies. The movie, which was supposed to be shot with Duncan, would have overlapping filming schedules, so it was even better. People would now see Duncan as a match for Chase. It wouldn't be long before the world recognized that Chase Miller is nothing compared to Duncan Conrad.

You will regret not recognizing me until now.

Duncan entered the studio excited, and when he finally mentioned the first greeting he had prepared, he was already confident of his victory. He did not even notice the faces of the people who were already nervous, since he had intentionally arrived later than the appointed time, just as he had calculated to do. As a result, his shyness increased even more as everyone focused their gaze on him.

"You're late, Duncan. Let's get ready."

The surrounding staff rushed to prepare him. Duncan looked around him.

"Is Chase Miller still here?"

He asked the staff when he felt a prick in his heart, wondering if his plan to show up at the last minute had gone wrong.

"No, he came first and now he's getting ready. We will take the photos separately and have an interview later. Hurry because time is running out."

Duncan smirked at her nervous words.

"Of course."

✤✤✤✤✤✤

Filming went smoothly. The atmosphere was stark, with only the photographer's voice and the occasional shutter sound breaking the silence, but so far, the process had been easy. More than anything, the most important factor was that Chase was cooperating. He changed outfits and posed exactly as instructed. As long as he didn't cause any incidents, everything would wrap up smoothly, and everyone could return home peacefully. Of course, that was what everyone hoped for.

"That's a wrap. Fantastic work, Mr. Miller. Simply amazing."

The photographer enthusiastically announced the conclusion of the shoot. After the final shot, he seemed utterly captivated. That was a common reaction. Chase Miller was the best in the world. Unable to contain his excitement, the photographer rushed over to praise him.

"These are the best photos I've ever taken. I can't believe I get to do this kind of work. Mr. Miller, I don't have a single bad shot. I can't believe I have to choose just four… I could send you all the photos I took. What should I do? I wish I could make them public, but I doubt people would truly appreciate them."

Chase's response was cold. The photographer might have been embarrassed by his indifference, but instead, he smiled as if he had expected it. Undeterred, he eagerly followed up with another question.

"I'd love another opportunity like this. I'm sorry for taking up your time. I hope to photograph you again in the future."

Leaving the photographer behind with a sigh, the manager led Chase to the other room, where the interview was scheduled.

"Mr. Conrad will begin his photo shoot now. Meanwhile, we'll conduct Mr. Miller's interview. By the time the interview ends, Mr. Conrad should be finished, and then you'll both answer a few questions together before wrapping up. After that, Duncan will have his solo interview."

The manager knew this might irritate Chase. The interview had been pre-arranged, and everyone was waiting, so there was no way to cancel it. Duncan had been cast in the same movie as Chase, and the film's producers, as well as the magazine, couldn't resist the intrigue of pairing them together.

Having two prominent actors in the same feature was too good an opportunity to pass up. If Chase had refused outright, they might have managed to negotiate a way around it, but ultimately, he hadn't declined. Of course, the manager had subtly manipulated the situation. Knowing Chase's disinterest in others, he deliberately withheld details about Duncan. Chase didn't even know the man's name—only that he was another actor in the film.

"So, I'm being interviewed with another actor from the same movie."

Chase's blank expression made the manager nervous. As the double interview approached, anxiety burned in his stomach. He only needed Chase to respond to Duncan's provocations just enough to make headlines. Finally, Duncan finished his shoot and entered the studio.

✤✤✤✤✤✤

I finally get to see that big face, Duncan thought sarcastically. Are his eyes really the only special thing about him? He's just a little more handsome than the others.

Duncan had seen Chase Miller's face countless times in photos, but he was confident he could hold his own. He had walked in numerous runway finales and received endless accolades. If people adored him this much, it couldn't just be an exaggeration. Duncan was convinced—Chase Miller was nothing compared to him. Brimming with confidence, he pushed the door open without knocking.

…What?

A sweet, intoxicating scent stopped him in his tracks. It was so alluring that his mind momentarily went blank. If a perfume company could replicate this fragrance, it would undoubtedly become a bestseller. But this wasn't a scent created by human hands. The moment his gaze landed on Chase Miller, Duncan realized exactly where it was coming from.

Chase was dressed in a gray suit with a darker coat draped over his shoulders. Sitting in a round, backless chair, he held an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze turned away in nonchalance. The sight alone made Duncan stop breathing.

Oh my God.

His mouth went dry. The face he had seen in photos was a lie. No one had captured the unique presence Chase exuded—the strange mix of dominance and emptiness. Each slow blink of Chase's purple eyes made his allure even more pronounced.

Is this really Chase Miller? Duncan thought, dazed. The fiery competitiveness and desire he had carried up until now seemed to vanish, dissipating into nothing. His mind went blank, the sweet scent still swirling around him. His senses dulled as if paralyzed, yet his heart pounded wildly. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. Helpless, Duncan could only stare.

Somewhere, the sound of a camera shutter echoed. Whether the photographer had instinctively captured the moment or followed a prearranged script was unclear. But when Chase ran a hand through his soft blond hair, still holding the cigarette, everyone in the room forgot to breathe.

Duncan's thoughts spiraled.

Even if a war broke out over this man, people would understand once they saw him.

At the same time, a realization struck him—a deep, unsettling sense of defeat. He gritted his teeth, swallowing his rage.

✤✤✤✤✤✤

Do you think they are finished by now?

Josh entered the study without hesitation. Since he was in charge, he only looked around to check for dangerous objects or people in the building, including the office. For him, it was a good opportunity to avoid Chase's pheromones. When he opened the door early, the interviewer was already firing his final question.

"… Thank you for being here today. Do you have any last words for your fans?"

Josh walked along the wall, making as little noise as possible. At another time, he would have been fully prepared to move immediately.

"Well," Chase Miller's voice said suddenly. "I hope a lot of people come to see my movie."

"Of course. A Chase Miller movie is a must-see, and I'm looking forward to it too."

Unlike Chase's words, which sounded disinterested, the interviewer's response was enthusiastic.

I thought it was over, but there's one more thing left.

"They have a joint interview," whispered the manager, who was waiting to the side.

Josh nodded.

Ah, should I look around one more time? Josh tried to sneak out, but it was too late—the door had already closed. Stuck against the wall, he had to wait for the interview to end.

"… So, what do you think about each other's roles?"

The interviewer continued with the question in a friendly manner.

Mark stood near Chase, ready to take him away as soon as the interview ended. Isaac and Henry were guarding the car, and Seth was stationed in the hallway, waiting just in case. For now, Mark and Josh were enough manpower—as long as Chase didn't cause a scene.

It will be over soon. Just hang on. Josh thoughtfully took out a piece of candy and put it in his mouth. As he slowly rolled it around, waiting for Chase's scent to fade, Duncan spoke.

"… In fact, isn't it all too common to have a character who deteriorates because his life is dull and ultimately ends in tragedy? It's a strong yet compelling role. It's been a while, so I don't know if you'll remember, but Miller played a similar role before, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. It was in his first movie."

Duncan scoffed when the interviewer responded.

"It was incredible. Thanks to you, I learned a lot back then."

"Seriously? Thank you. What did you specifically learn?"

The interviewer followed up since Chase remained silent. But Duncan kept his eyes locked on Chase as he continued speaking.

"Oh, you shouldn't act like that. That's what I thought."

The air in the room turned cold at that moment. Chase remained still, as expressionless as a doll. Duncan went on:

"You have to act to make a movie. But Mr. Miller wasn't acting—he was just showing himself as he was. I thought, is this just a Chase Miller joke?"

As expected, Duncan was relentlessly provoking Chase.

This was the reason for the joint interview with Duncan, so the interviewer was secretly pleased. The same went for the magazine, which wanted to use Chase Miller's star power to stir up drama and attract attention. The interviewer observed Chase carefully. While they had anticipated tension, they still worried about how far it might go. He waited for a reaction, but Chase remained unreadable, simply watching Duncan in silence.

Is the provocation too weak?

Duncan and the interviewer had the same thought. Duncan seemed almost intoxicated by his own words, and the interviewer's apprehension slightly eased. Duncan pressed on:

"Actually, I thought you might be better suited for my role. You wouldn't even have to act. You'd just have to show up and breathe, right? That would be easy for you. Who would complain? Just go and be yourself like you are every day. Oh, but we are in a movie, right? You should at least act. That's what I learned. Also, I heard you refused to take off your clothes for the film."

"Yes, I heard those scenes were cut from the script entirely," the interviewer added.

Duncan nodded with a smirk.

"What a shame. Other rookie actors wouldn't even dream of demanding script changes, but it's great that he could. Is that the privilege of being an Alpha? Or is it because he's a dominant Alpha?" He deftly insulted Chase.

The remark was subtle, but Chase's posture didn't shift. He continued sitting as though he hadn't fully registered the insult. Duncan, however, wasn't done.

"Oh, of course, I didn't mean it like that. How could Miller have gotten here with just dumb luck—just breathing, without talent or effort? That would be ridiculous, right?" He laughed.

Josh's face gradually paled as he watched. Chase's scent was growing stronger and stronger. There was no change in his expression, but Josh could tell Chase was upset. He quickly grabbed more candy, stuffing two pieces into his mouth at once and chewing loudly.

I wish this would stop now, Josh thought. But Duncan wasn't finished.

"What is it, Mr. Miller? Are you confused now that I've told you the truth? Ah, there's nothing to be frustrated about. Everyone already knows it. What if Mr. Miller was just born lucky? Besides, dominant Alphas are always surrounded by money and women, right? If you're not sleeping around, it makes sense that your pheromones build up and cause problems. That reminds me—there was even a rumor that Miller had been with a dog. Who knows? Maybe he did it because he had no other partner. Well, to each their own. In Denmark, there are even dogs that prostitute themselves, right? Maybe that's your kind of heaven. Of course, everyone should laugh at that."

And he laughed once more. He seemed to be enjoying his own joke, but at that moment, no one else was laughing.

Mr. Conrad, this is too much, the interviewer thought anxiously. He turned toward Chase, who had been silently watching Duncan all this time. Then, suddenly, Chase sighed.

At that moment, everyone's attention snapped to him. The room went still. Duncan stopped laughing, but he didn't look afraid. If anything, he seemed eager, his cheeks cooling slightly in anticipation of Chase's response.

Chase stood up slowly. The scent of his pheromones, now thick in the air, betrayed his anger. The interviewer thought he would leave, but he was wrong. Chase walked straight toward Duncan.

The distance was short—less than ten steps—but the sound of Chase's shoes echoed ominously with each step.

When he finally stopped in front of Duncan, a flicker of tension crossed Duncan's face. No one could predict what Chase was about to do. Josh looked at Mark.

Do you think he's going to hit him? Josh's eyes asked silently.

Mark shook his head as if he had an idea. But regardless, they had to be prepared for anything.

Josh moved closer, his eyes locked onto Chase. Slowly, Chase leaned in. Someone covered their mouth, swallowing a small gasp. The tension had overflowed, saturating the air.

Then, Chase kissed Duncan.

…!

No one could speak. Everyone was shocked and just stared at them. The same went for Duncan. The unexpected event had stiffened his entire body, leaving him unresponsive. It was difficult to even process if what was happening was real. But this was neither a dream nor a fantasy. The sensation of the tongue, which had left his lips in a daze, was too vivid. The sweet scent clouded his mind. Duncan regretted being a Beta. If he were an Omega, he could sleep with this beautiful man.

A dull sound echoed in his ears. Duncan blinked in bewilderment. Chase rose slowly. Duncan stared at him, stunned, his mind racing. Chase's striking face was drenched in red—blood red. From his mouth to his chin, to be exact.

"Ahhhh!"

Duncan instinctively spat out what had been in his mouth. In an instant, the transparent floor was stained crimson. Only then did Duncan realize—his tongue had been cut in half. Chase whispered above him, his lips barely moving, his hands full of wonder.

"You talk too much, you son of a bitch."

For the first time, Duncan's face filled with fear. Chase laughed while his manager frantically called an ambulance, chaos erupting around them. Soon, Chase's high-pitched laughter filled the studio. People watched him in terror, but he laughed and laughed—as if Duncan's expression was the funniest thing he had ever seen. Behind him, cold sweat glistened on his pale face, yet he continued smiling madly, his eyes slanted with amusement.

✤✤✤✤✤✤

A heavy silence filled the room. Everyone had gathered in the reception area except for Seth, who was stationed in the monitoring room after they had returned home. Yet, even after a long while, no one spoke. Josh suspected they all had the same thoughts. Sure enough, after some time, Isaac spoke in a voice duller than usual.

"I'm afraid I can't work anymore. I'm too scared."

"Yeah."

Henry, who rarely agreed with Isaac, nodded. He also refrained from cursing—though not for long.

"What if that crazy bastard tries to kill us? Shit, he's in an ambulance. Holy fuck! I covered his mouth with a towel, but it was soaked in blood. No, seriously, does this even make sense? Cutting a person's tongue in half? Fuck! That lunatic has a kid, for God's sake. Oh, come on, fuck it!"

He spat "fuck" five times in a row. But no one told him to hold back. No one said he was overreacting. They simply sat in silent agreement. Henry buried his head in his hands.

"If only I hadn't lost that bet… Ah, I'm a fucking idiot."

With one last curse of regret, he shut his mouth. Silence sank in once more. Mark closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. The gruesome scene from earlier was still vivid in his mind, but he couldn't show his unease. Regardless, he had to reassure his team and manage the fallout. Clearing his throat, Mark finally spoke.

"We can't help it. This is the job. Chase Miller is the perpetrator, but instead of protecting him…"

Isaac exhaled sharply but soon sighed, shaking his head. He knew that Mark had few options in this situation. Everyone knew. That was the problem.

"I just hope the bodyguard gets back soon."

They all knew the truth but didn't want to admit it. The truth was, they were stuck. They could never leave until the contract ended. Mark kept his mouth shut.

"We've all signed. What can we do now? Chase Miller seems even worse than a few years ago, but what choice do we have?"

His murmuring grew more frustrated. His anger simmered beneath the surface. Mark groaned and added,

"Each of us has a job to do. We'll get through this somehow. We can't quit." He ended his speech like he was convincing himself. "There's no other option."

In the tense atmosphere, Josh stood up.

"Where are you going?" Isaac asked.

Josh answered casually, "For a walk. It's my turn."

Everyone took shifts patrolling the mansion and garden at assigned times. Sitting around in fear wouldn't change anything. With that, Josh left the mansion.

Hoo.

As he inhaled the crisp night air, a weight lifted slightly from his chest. Suddenly, he wanted to see Peter. He pulled out his phone while walking. Though he already knew the time, he checked it anyway.

It was too late to call. The best he could do was watch a video of his child after his patrol. How is Peter? The thought made his heart ache, and Josh came to a halt. An unexpected figure lay a few steps away. Immediately, he tensed, scanning the person.

A licensed pistol was holstered at his waist. If the figure made any suspicious movement, he would shoot without hesitation. But as soon as Josh recognized the person, his shoulders relaxed. It was Chase Miller himself.

After all the chaos during the day, Chase was now lying quietly on the grass, enjoying the night breeze. Josh exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself. He wanted to say so many things. What if something happened while he was just lying around like this? But then, he reminded himself—this was Chase's mansion, constantly monitored by security and CCTV. It was his personal space. No matter how easy it was to resent him, he had that right.

Of course, Duncan had started it. Everyone agreed. But Chase's reaction had been excessive. Thanks to him, Duncan would never mock him again. No one in the world would dare.

Josh watched Chase silently. He looked strangely peaceful, lying there with his arms spread out, eyes closed, savoring the wind. At first glance, he might have seemed asleep. His chest barely moved, his breathing calm and slow.

Josh stared for a long moment. It was odd. Now, Chase looked pure—fragile, even—like an angel. And yet, just hours ago, he had been cruel and unhinged. Hadn't this same man laughed maniacally, his face soaked in blood? So where had that version of Chase Miller gone?

Josh's curiosity piqued. Chase's sweet pheromones drifted with the wind, faintly reaching his nose. He should take out a piece of candy and block the scent—but he didn't. His hesitant gaze lingered on Chase's face. His pale cheeks and long lashes looked almost colorless, as if he would disappear if it snowed. A strange feeling stirred in Josh's chest.

Just then, Chase opened his eyes.

Josh froze.

Chase had never been asleep. He had been lying there, holding his breath. His gaze moved slowly, locking onto Josh's. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, saying nothing. Suddenly, Josh almost leaned in.

Fortunately, he caught himself at the last second, but the hesitation had already doomed him. Chase was still watching him, as if trying to determine whether Josh was real or a dream. Maybe he was still half-asleep.

Josh coughed quickly.

"Ahem. If you're staying out here, do you want a blanket?"

Chase didn't reply.

The silence reminded Josh of the stillness before Chase bit Duncan's tongue. Maybe he shouldn't have spoken to him. A shiver ran down his spine, and Chase furrowed his brows, as if he had just realized something. This silence was different from before. Josh wanted to escape the unusual atmosphere, and as he took a step back, Chase finally spoke.

"No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I don't need it."

That was all.

Josh was surprised by how calm his reaction was. There was no need to say anything else. He was just about to step away when Chase suddenly spoke again.

"If you want to look at me, go ahead."

"Huh?"

Josh hesitated at the unexpected words.

Chase smirked at his confusion. His voice remained weak, almost fading, but the mockery was clear.

"It's fascinating, isn't it? Staring all you want? Are you amazed to see a dominant Alpha like this?"

Josh blinked, caught off guard.

"I don't turn people into a spectacle. Besides, commenting on a client's appearance or personal life is against professional ethics."

His tone was harsher than he intended. The implication that the job he took pride in was reduced to mere entertainment disgusted him. Chase, however, only gazed at him with half-lidded, unreadable purple eyes. Josh felt exhausted. Was this what it felt like to hear a siren's song?

That man could probably make anyone do whatever he wanted with a mere gesture.

Then, Chase lifted his hand. It was only a slight movement, but that was enough. There was likely no one in the world who could reject that hand.

Josh wasn't sure if it was the pheromones or just Chase himself that made him feel so unsteady. The only certainty was that he would regret not following through with his impulse.

"…!"

As he instinctively moved closer, Chase suddenly sat up and grabbed Josh's hand. Without a sound, Josh was pulled down onto him.

"What…!"

Flustered, Josh looked up and froze.

Chase's narrowed eyes stared into his. The usually well-groomed hair was disheveled, his pale cheeks slightly flushed. His deep purple eyes, glistening under the moonlight, held an almost hypnotic quality. Josh forgot to breathe. Chase, looking at him with that intoxicating expression, finally spoke.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

Josh's heart clenched. Chase's elegant face loomed closer. His cool fingers trailed over Josh's neck, tightening ever so slightly, guiding him downward. Their lips nearly touched when, in a flash, Josh remembered Duncan spilling blood. He too could lose his tongue. A mix of fear and anticipation coursed through him.

Chase had kissed Duncan before. A mess of emotions—absurd jealousy, embarrassment—swirled inside him. But despite it all, he couldn't resist Chase. Rather, he followed his lead. Chase's long, downcast lashes came into view. Josh closed his eyes. A warm breath brushed against his lips. Ah—

Chase exhaled, his voice as soft as a sigh.

"Motherfucker. It's always a good option when you're dreaming, right?"

Josh's eyes flew open.

Chase was staring at him, his face filled with scorn and amusement. Josh realized, belatedly, that he had been played.

"…Ah."

He scrambled to his feet with a frustrated sigh. Chase simply watched him.

Josh wiped his lips, his face growing hot. Little by little, his eyes burned with a mix of emotions. The wind was cold, but his body still felt warm. He wanted to say something, but no words came. Was this contempt he felt, or regret?

When he finally regained control, only disappointment remained. Chase, back to his usual doll-like expression, was watching him. Josh, still standing before him, let out a bitter laugh. Chase hesitated, then frowned slightly.

"…You almost cut out my tongue."

Chase remained silent, his usual calm mask unshaken. His gaze held an unreadable intensity. Josh spoke nonchalantly:

"Are you okay? You should go back to your room."

Chase scoffed in response, as if he found the suggestion laughable. Josh, taking the hint, casually said his goodbyes and turned away. Chase still didn't say anything.

I need to get away from here.

With every step, his pace quickened. He could still feel Chase's gaze on his back.

Before he knew it, he was running.

I have to escape. If I ever stop moving, that man will catch me. And then what?

Josh barely made it inside, slamming the door shut behind him. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling heavily. Silence enveloped him. The vast hall echoed only with his own ragged breathing. Of course, Chase hadn't followed him.

Relief settled in—along with an unshakable emptiness.

"Get a grip, idiot."

Josh muttered to himself.

Shoving the remaining candy into his mouth all at once, he repeated the thought over and over.

Never let that man fool you.

Not Chase Miller. Not ever.