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Mai's anger faded as quickly as it sparked. Calm and collected was her default state—that was why Draconis could get away with poking at old wounds.
"Aren't you supposed to be obsessed with signing a contract? Why do you care whether I go back to show business or not?"
Her stare was sharp enough to cut glass. Irritated, she radiated a kind of pressure that made it hard to meet her eyes.
"Because I think your symptoms are tangled up with all this. If you stay like this, going back would be next to impossible. First, you've got to fix your mindset—otherwise, who knows how far this will spread."
The logic was solid, and Mai couldn't argue.
She went quiet for a moment, then muttered, "Fine, let's say you're right. Still pisses me off, though."
"…Why?"
"Because you're deliberately provoking me, and I keep falling for it."
She was hung up on the smallest things.
God, that was cute.
Draconis couldn't help but smile, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Want to smack me? Might help."
"Really?"
Mai actually perked up, ready to try.
"Go ahead. Getting roughed up by a beautiful girl is my favorite pastime." Draconis grinned, looking far too eager.
Mai froze, cheeks flushing.
"…You're such a pervert."
She huffed and let it go, but Draconis just kept smiling.
A beat passed before Mai realized she'd been played.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Her eyes narrowed, flashing with danger.
"Oh? Is that what you think?" Draconis raised an eyebrow, his smile never wavering.
That tiny shift in expression left Mai helpless—he had her outmatched.
"Do you even want to hear my explanation?" she snapped.
"Absolutely. I'll hang onto every word."
"You're disgusting. Now I don't feel like talking." Mai's mood flipped like a switch.
"Come on, devils make the best listeners," Draconis said, snapping his fingers, settling in for story time.
Mai shot him a look, but still decided to open up.
"In my third year of middle school, I had a fight with my mom over a photo shoot…"
She hesitated at 'mom,' then added, "My manager. We had a really nasty falling out."
"We'd agreed, no swimsuits—ever. But she signed the contract behind my back, saying, 'This will sell for sure.'"
Just remembering made Mai's face darken, her frustration plain.
"To her, I'm just a money-making tool."
Every word was edged.
Draconis tilted his head, piecing it together.
So that's why she split with her family… and quitting showbiz was her way of fighting back.
"But you love acting, don't you? Giving up everything over this—it doesn't seem worth it."
Mai bristled, clearly not getting the answer she wanted.
"So you don't understand at all!"
"Right. My parents died young, so I really can't. Sorry."
His voice was calm, but the words made Mai pause.
"Truth is, you've already figured it out, haven't you? You just won't admit you acted on impulse, without thinking through a better solution."
"You're so annoying."
Mai glared at him, frustrated.
Draconis shrugged. "Didn't I say you could hit me? I've been waiting."
Whoosh—
Mai didn't hesitate. She swung for his cheek.
Draconis dodged, letting her slap hit nothing but air.
"Don't dodge!!"
"I never said I wouldn't." He chuckled.
Mai's face was all authority now. She took advantage of his distraction and stomped hard on his foot.
Draconis: "…Ow."
He'd let his guard down.
"Mai?"
"What!"
She kept her face blank, pressing down with her foot, even twisting it for emphasis.
"Alright, Mai, I'm sorry."
"Why apologize? What did you do wrong?" Her tone was ice.
"I was wrong for deliberately making you angry, just because I think you're cute when you're mad."
Draconis said it softly, half-laughing.
Mai blinked, caught off guard. Then, quick as ever, she retorted, "That's even more unforgivable!"
Still, her foot eased up.
"Draconis."
She called his name out of nowhere.
"Here, Your Majesty." Draconis replied, eyes half-lidded, lazy.
"Stay with me tomorrow."
"Huh?"
Draconis instinctively checked his mental calendar for tomorrow's plans.
That brief hesitation earned him another stomp.
"Ow, ow—why the sudden anger?" Draconis protested, half laughing, half groaning.
"Seeing you hesitate when I invited you just ticked me off."
Mai spoke as if it was no big deal.
"Or maybe you're just nervous, since it's your first time asking a guy to hang out?" Draconis teased, ducking his head to catch her gaze.
Nailed it. Mai's cheeks went pink, her eyes flickering with surprise and embarrassment—just for a second, before she mastered her expression again.
Draconis had to admire her—
No wonder she was a pro. Her expression management was top-tier.
Absolutely flawless.
Mai would never admit it. She did her best to look unfazed.
"It's just an invitation. If it's you, it's easy—I just have to call and you'll come running, wagging your tail."
"Hm… That makes me sound like a puppy." Draconis mused, stroking his chin.
"Your words, not mine." Mai smiled, genuinely pleased.
"Mai, you're so wicked."
"Same to you."
Her invitation said it all—she'd made up her mind about something.
Draconis could guess. He spoke softly, "Tomorrow, let's talk to your family, okay? Your mom still remembers you, right?"
Mai didn't answer, but her face said he was spot on.
Her mother was definitely at the center of it all.
Once she worked through it, her power would stop spreading. Maybe she could reclaim her place in showbiz, break through the fog, and get her life back.
Looked like tomorrow might finally bring a solution.
Draconis pressed his lips together, thinking,
All this effort—just for a contract. I'm really going all in…
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