Chapter Eleven
"Oww!"
Alex held her forehead in pain as she glared at Ren. "Why did you flick my forehead?!"
Ren sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Why did you think I'm gay?"
Alex blinked in disbelief. "Did I say it out loud?"
A small smile covered Ren's face as he shook his head. "No. Your thoughts are written all over your face."
Alex rubbed her forehead, her emerald eyes narrowing at him with a mixture of irritation and fascination. "You're weird, you know that? Most men would be falling over themselves to have a pretty girl like me flirt with them."
"I'm not most men." Ren shrugged. "And, for the record, I'm not gay. I need a male trainer to concentrate on building my body. Women are distracting."
Alex gasped as she stared at Ren with tears in her eyes. 'Leader is definitely going to give me a promotion after this.'
"Miss Alex?"
"Nothing. I'll arrange a male trainer for you. Could you let me know the time?"
"Anytime after 6 pm, I guess."
"Alright. Just tell the receptionist you're a friend of mine and your name. She'll escort you to your trainer." Alex smiled as she held her hand out for a handshake.
Ren responded promptly, straightening his back instantly. "It was nice to meet you, Miss Alex."
"The pleasure is all mine~"
Ren released Alex's hand as she instantly turned around to leave, leaving Ren alone in the corner.
Ren stared at his hand, clenching it into a fist as he turned around to walk towards the elevator. 'Time to focus on the special mission.'
"Mr. Esper!"
Doctor Harrison's heaving voice made Ren stop in his tracks as he stared at the heaving old man. "What's the matter, Doctor? Is Neil okay?"
"No, no! The boy is perfectly fine!" Doctor Harrison waved his hands frantically, nearly dropping the small velvet box clutched in his sweaty palm. "I just... I wanted to apologize again for the earlier misunderstanding. And to offer you this."
He thrust the box toward Ren like a man offering a sacrifice to an angry god.
Ren raised an eyebrow but didn't take it. "What is it?"
"Open it, please." Harrison's hands trembled as Ren finally accepted the box, flipping open the lid.
Inside, nestled on black velvet, lay a delicate necklace. A small pendant shaped like a teardrop, with what appeared to be a genuine ruby at its center, caught the lobby light and threw crimson reflections across Ren's face.
"It's... a small token of apology," Harrison rushed out, his eyes darting around like a cornered rat. "You can give it to Miss Young to win her heart."
Ren studied the old man's face. His forehead was sweating and his lips were curved in a desperate, ingratiating smile while his fingers twitched at his sides.
'Hah… Boot licking is universal, huh.' Ren sighed as he clicked the box shut, stuffing it in his pocket.
"I see," Ren said flatly. "And what do you want in return, Doctor?"
Harrison's smile flickered. "Return? I—nothing, Mr. Esper! Simply a gesture of goodwill from Sydia City Central Hospital to its most valued patron!"
"Anything else?"
"No! Nothing at all!" Harrison bowed immediately as his nose almost touched his knees. "Have a good day, Mr Esper!"
Ren shook his head as ignored Doctor Harrison completely, reaching the elevator door. However, before Ren could have pressed the button the elevator dinged as the door slowly began to open.
"Monica?" Ren found himself face to face with Monica's tear-streaked cheeks and red-rimmed eyes.
"Oh! Ren!" Monica wiped furiously at her face, as if she could erase the evidence of her crying. "I was just—I forgot my phone in the car, so I came back down, and then I pressed the wrong button, and—"
"Monica." Ren's voice was gentle as he stepped into the elevator beside her, letting the doors slide shut. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong!" Monica's voice cracked on the last word, betraying her completely. "Everything is perfect! Neil is getting the best treatment possible because of you, and I don't know how I'll ever repay you, and—"
Her voice broke entirely as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
Ren's heart clenched at the sight.
In his past life, he'd seen grown men cry during training. He'd watched soldiers break down after losing brothers in arms. But there was something about a woman's tears that hit differently.
Without thinking, his hand reached out, thumb brushing away a tear from her cheek as he pulled her in his arms, hugging her tight as her soft breasts pressed against him, making him hard again.
'Fuck. Do I have to live in this pain my entire life?!'
"Ren..."
"You don't have to repay me," Ren said softly, his hand lingering near her face. "I didn't do it for repayment. I did it because your brother needed help, and I could help. That's all."
Monica's lips trembled. "But four million dollars—"
"Is just money." Ren shrugged, though internally he winced. 'Easy to say when it's not really yours, I guess.'
"Your brother's life is worth more than any amount of money, Monica."
The elevator remained frozen on the ground floor, neither of them having pressed a button.
Monica stared up at him, those ruby eyes glistening with unshed tears, her chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. "Why are you so kind to me?"
'Because the system is forcing me to spend money on women and you're the only one I know?' Ren thought. But looking at her vulnerable expression, the words died in his throat.
"Because I like you." Ren answered smoothly. It wasn't a complete lie. He did like Monica. She was sweet, submissive and innocent. What more could a man ask for?
Monica's fingers reached for Ren's collar without a single thought as she pulled him to her level.
But, before she could have pressed her lips against his, Ren placed his hands on her lips. 'No. No. The first kiss must be initiated by me. I can't ruin this.'
Ding!
BAM!