Chapter 5 🍒
Milim's usually cautious heart leapt with reckless excitement once again. Yet, in this world, there were seldom true free lunches. Sometimes, opportunities appeared only to deliver hidden costs. If she rejected the offer now, it would be akin to slapping the client's face—disrespectful and petty. But if she went along with it, there would be no real loss. After all, she could easily block their number later if necessary.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Milim bravely pulled out her phone and exchanged numbers with Dylan.
"Give it to me," she said, reaching for his phone.
Her fair, slender fingers glided over the screen, swiftly entering her number before dialing herself to confirm. Once done, she handed the phone back.
"All set," Milim announced lightly. "Let's place the order."
The other girls in the room could hardly hide their envy. They too wished to be lucky enough to handle such high commissions—two bottles of Louis XIII would earn Milim a solid $209.99.
"Asher, will two bottles of Louis XIII be enough for tonight?" the woman beside Lucas cooed, fluttering her lashes coquettishly.
Lucas smirked, reaching out to pinch her cheek between his thumb and forefinger.
"We're celebrating tonight. Drink as much as you like. But how much you can handle is up to you," he teased.
The woman, Noa, beamed with delight—only to have her hopes dashed moments later.
As Milim was finalizing the order, Noa suddenly blurted out, "I don't want Louis XIII! Milim, help me order a bottle of XO instead!"
In such settings, tact was everything. One couldn't just voice whatever whim crossed their mind. Lucas shut her down with a flick of annoyance.
"XO? We've decided on Louis XIII already. That's what everyone's drinking."
The pretty little rabbit beside Lucas, desperate for his attention all night, took the opportunity to act sweetly.
"Thank you, Young Master Lucas. I love you the most," she said, earning a pleased chuckle from him.
Seeing this, Asher's date grew restless. She pouted and murmured, "Young Master, I want a bottle too..."
Asher, whose family dominated the export business, waved it off easily.
"Drink whatever you like," he said casually.
The girl's eyes sparkled with envy but ultimately declined to push her luck. Meanwhile, the girl Dylan had rejected earlier sulked beside Hayes. Despite his gentle nature, Hayes surprised her by offering a bottle of wine himself.
"Thank you, Young Master Hayes," she said, visibly relieved she wouldn't be ridiculed later.
Brother Zee, meanwhile, looked on, feeling both amused and envious—his bet on Milim had paid off handsomely as she effortlessly secured two bottle sales.
Milim glanced down at her order list and marveled at the guests' extravagant wealth.
"Is there anything else you'd like to order?" she asked politely.
The young masters exchanged looks and silently agreed with slight nods. Then Dylan spoke up,
"Bring a large can of milk."
The room fell into stunned silence before laughter trickled in.
"What? Dylan! We're all drinking tonight, and you want milk?!" one friend protested.
Dylan's half-lidded gaze was cold as he retorted,
"Didn't you say she's only nineteen? Would you have her drink alcohol?"
Asher grinned, raising his hand.
"Fine. She can drink milk—but if she loses in the games later, you drink in her place!"
Hayes clapped in approval.
"Agreed. Dylan, do you dare?"
Dylan looked around the semi-circular couch and then nodded nonchalantly.
"Alright," he said.
Milim pursed her lips, sensing there was no way for her to intervene. Still, if someone would drink for her, why complain?
But why would he agree so easily? she wondered, suspicious.
Milim didn't believe their brief encounter could have fostered anything deep. She figured Dylan simply found her amusing—or convenient.
The other girls grew increasingly bitter. Sensing the growing tension, the cunning little rabbit seized the moment.
"Since the wine isn't here yet, why don't we sing?" she suggested sweetly, her eyes sweeping over the group until settling deliberately on Milim.
"Sister Milim, can you sing?" she asked innocently.
Amused eyes turned toward Milim.
Dylan leaned closer and asked softly,
"Do you like singing?"
Milim laughed dryly,
"I know a few songs... but they're not exactly fit for this kind of gathering."
"Why?" Hayes asked curiously.
Maintaining a deadpan expression, Milim replied,
"I can only sing 'Two Tigers' and 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'."
Lucas immediately sprayed his wine, laughing uproariously.
"Goddamn! Twinkle, Twinkle?! You have to sing now!"
Hayes and Asher chimed in teasingly, egging her on.
Milim hesitated, gripping the microphone awkwardly as the prelude played. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment.
"Can I... opt out? It's a little too humiliating to sing this as an adult," she pleaded.
The others would've mocked anyone else for backing out—but Milim, young, innocent, and stunning, made it charming instead.
"It's okay if you don't sing," Lucas said, grinning devilishly. "Instead, kiss Dylan. Right here, in front of everyone."
Gasps and whistles erupted.
Raising the stakes, Asher and Hayes raised their brows expectantly.
Milim, gripping the microphone, asked seriously,
"Should I just skim the surface like a dragonfly, or go deep?"
Her innocent yet bold question rippled through the room, sending the older men into stunned silence.
Even Dylan froze, his normally composed mind thrown into chaos.
Lucas winked exaggeratedly.
"Naturally, go deep! Otherwise, what's the point?"
Milim weighed her options—singing a children's song or kissing a handsome man. Neither felt safe, but one was clearly less humiliating.
As she set the microphone aside and pushed herself up from the sofa, she turned to Dylan—and was met immediately by his lips.
The kiss was gentle yet firm, stealing her breath and stunning the entire room into awed silence.
A few whistled, a few cheered—but Dylan didn't rush. He simply claimed her in a ten-second kiss that left Milim's heart racing wildly.
When they pulled apart, the waiter entered, obliviously, carrying trays of wine, snacks, and, of course, a can of milk.
"Open the milk first and pour her a glass," Dylan instructed, his voice low and commanding.
The waiter complied, pouring a glass perfectly without spilling a drop.
"Thank you," Milim said, blushing fiercely as she accepted the milk, feeling the teasing eyes of the room on her. Rationally, she knew it was good she wasn't drinking alcohol—but emotionally, the teasing stung.
"There are cherries here too," Dylan offered, his tone polite but his expression as cool as ever.
"I can help myself, thank you," Milim murmured, picking up a gleaming dark cherry and popping it into her mouth.
As she bit into the juicy fruit, the rich, sweet flavor exploded across her tongue. Unknowingly, her enjoyment carried a sensual allure that captured Dylan's full attention.
He watched her lips intensely before forcibly dragging his gaze away, tugging slightly at his tie to cool himself. He popped a cherry into his mouth to mask his reaction, though the tense bob of his Adam's apple gave him away.
Meanwhile, the girls began setting up dice cups, inviting everyone to play.
Milim's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Setting her milk aside, she leaned in and asked,
"How do you play?"
For a moment, Dylan was stunned. Someone from the night scene... who didn't know dice games?
"I'll teach you," he said, pulling the dice closer.
While Dylan patiently explained the rules, the others sipped wine and watched in amusement.
But Milim's brows furrowed more with each explanation.
"This is too complicated," she said with a defeated shake of her head.
Lucas burst out laughing again. Everyone knew Dylan hated stupid people—but oddly, he didn't seem annoyed this time.
Hayes chuckled and reassured her,
"You'll learn as you play. Dylan's by your side—you have no chance of being bullied."
Dylan gave her a soft, wary look and nodded.
"Anyway," Milim teased, raising her glass of milk, "even if I lose, I'll just drink my milk."
Asher howled with laughter.
"Dylan, you've found yourself a real piece of sweet baggage!"
Lucas gave Dylan a thumbs-up.
"You're crazy enough to accept this challenge."
The playful atmosphere warmed the luxurious private box, making even Dylan—normally so cold and aloof—seem a little more human.
For the first time in a long while, it felt like the old days again.