The ominous text made him turn the phone off again.
Right now, what was most important to Zane was figuring out how to handle his first meeting with his little brother.
“After the shoot, we will be heading straight for the hospital to celebrate Kyle’s birthday.” As Ella has said, today was his little brother’s birthday.
He had already planned everything while in autopilot mode, so there was no excuse he could make to get out of it.
“Got it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose to relieve the tension.
By doing so, his fingers slightly pushed up the glasses, creating a striking figure of a serious businessman.
Jane captured a few more pictures and quickly uploaded them with the caption “Do not piss me off.” The massive replies that came within seconds had the entire team giggling.
EatingMeat: And if I do, Daddy?
RolfingAround: Hmmmm…Juicy
Killerbirdbrain: One lick!
PLEASEEEEEEEEEE
HolySheen: Punish me.
I’m ready
KappyBaby: @HolySheen BRUH lol
As she thought, the slim, effeminate, boyish look had oversaturated the market.
Their game plan was to sprinkle a little sex appeal here and there, enough for others to beg for more, but never anything overtly sexual.
His muscular build had slimmed a little due to a specific diet and workout sessions.
With his body being leaner, making his muscles more prominent to the eyes.
He wore all black.
His shirt was barely buttoned, allowing full view of his chest and even a little of his abs.
It was tucked into the suit pants, with a long, thin coat worn outside.
The exposed skin was so striking against the all-black outfit that even the stylist couldn’t resist sneakily glancing at it a few more times.
By the time he came back out, the group photo was just about to begin.
Amongst the men were only a few who leaned toward the virile side, while the rest gave off a similar vibe to Oliver.
Zane’s arrival immediately drew attention, especially from Oliver, who was positioned in the center.
He had always believed that his looks were superior to everyone’s, but now, seeing that his beauty was useless in the face of his enemy, he couldn’t help but feel resentful.
That gorilla bastard!
He was the in between, the soft masculinity that attracted the female gaze, and the feminine charm that attracted men.
Oliver didn’t understand how Clyde and Michael could become so attracted to someone of a similar feel to them, and now everyone here was also under that very spell.
The asshole doesn’t even give a shit!
He prided himself on being the best, always working hard, and showing that he was hardworking.
Someone like Zane, who didn’t seem to care about this profession, made Oliver’s blood boil.
He really wanted to shove the other person’s head underwater.
[The TARGETS have arrived.]
Already?
Zane felt Oliver’s gaze burning a hole in his head, but chose to ignore it.
He’s turning 12, right?
[Is Master worried?]
I am.
The system felt a little sorry for the host.
It was the first time its host honestly admitted to how he was feeling.
[Master should ask the TARGETS to go with you.]
“A couple of handsome dudes are asking to be let in.
They said that they’re friends with Zane.” One of the staff members came running.
She blushed once she at the sight of Zane.
“Yeah, you can bring them to me.”
The arrival of two extraordinary lookers caused loud murmurs.
Their gaze singled out Zane the moment they entered the studio, a soft smile plastered on their faces as they rushed over.
“You didn’t tell me your friends were so handsome!” Jane nearly choked on the coffee in her hand.
Aside from Zane’s little brother, she knew next to nothing about his private life.
For Zane, it felt like only a couple of hours ago they were still getting down and dirty.
His face blushed uncontrollably as he avoided their quizzical gazes.
“Are you interested in joining the industry?” Jane extended her hand to greet them.
After exchanging pleasantries, she immediately fired off the question that popped into her head the moment she saw them.
“Unfortunately.” Clyde was the first to answer.
“I’m just here to cheer on my friend.” His words were ambiguous, causing those ears to redden even more.
“Walk me to the bathroom.” Michael leaned in to whisper in Zane’s ear.
His eyes unabashedly looked down at the exposed skin.
Before his fingers even touched it, Zane pulled him away.
“You came running just cause?” Michael hadn’t expected Zane to be so active as to push him inside, lock the door, and slam him against the wall.
At this angle, he could see the V-line peaking out of his pants.
“As your friend, I should inspect your outfit.
Make sure no one plays a trick on the wardrobe…” Michael mumbled, hands reaching for Zane’s waist, casually groping it with a smirk.
“Really?
As a friend, you say…” Zane moved in closer until their foreheads touched.
“Feel free to look.
No touching allowed.” It was difficult changing in and out of these clothes, so Zane wasn’t really in the mood to do anything.
“Just looking?” Even though he complained, Michael still gave in and pulled his hand away.
“Will you…”
For a moment, he hesitated, unsure if he should continue to be persistent.
They hadn’t spent much time with each other since their time at the village.
Every time he asked if Zane wanted to spend the night or hang out with them, the answer would always be no.
“Spit it out.” Zane raised a brow at the cautious attitude.
“Come over tonight.
Please…” His voice was soft and pleading, as if afraid of something.
What’s up with him?
[Answering: Master has rejected all intimacy for the past 3 months, causing restlessness and uncertainty about the relationship.]
Holy—
“No.” Zane’s immediate rejection was as Michael had expected.
His eyes fell, and the accumulated rejection caused his heart to ache.
“There’s somewhere I need to be.”
“Ah…sure.” Michael sighed and accepted the reality of things.
What is their current goodwill?
[TARGET Michael’s current goodwill towards Master is 50%.]
[TARGET Clyde’s current goodwill towards Master is 50%.]
Really?
“You’re coming, too.” Michael’s ears perked up at Zane’s words.
“I need emotional support when I see my baby brother tonight.”
[TARGET Michael’s current goodwill towards Master is 80%.]
“You’re taking us to see him?” He had heard about the brother, but even if he asked, Zane refused to talk about this mysterious child.
Michael wrapped his arm around Zane, lips crashing into his with all the frustration that had been building up.
“You’re going to ruin my makeup!” Immediately, Zane pushed him back against the wall.
“What’s the hurry…we can always do it after.” His mumbling further put Michael in a good mood.
“You’re driving me crazy, Zane.” Zane didn’t take his ramblings to heart.
“Hurry up and use the bathroom.
Meet me outside.” Zane left to give Michael his privacy.
Whether he really needed to use it was none of his business.
Clyde was still chatting with Jane and Ella.
Aside from Oliver forcing his way into the conversation, everything looked harmonious.
Immediately upon seeing Zane return, Oliver latched onto Clyde’s arm, eyes glaring at Zane threateningly to tell him off.
Fuck.
[TARGET Clyde’s current goodwill towards Master is 60%.]
At first, Clyde instinctively wanted to remove his arm from Oliver’s grasp.
His movements paused when he noticed the visible annoyance on Zane’s face.
“I didn’t introduce them properly.” His eyes shifted from Michael to Clyde.
“These two…They’re my boyfriends.”
“They’re what?” Jane’s eyes widened from the sudden confession.
“F-riends?”
“Boy…friends,” Zane spoke more slowly, making sure that his words were correctly understood.
[TARGET Michael’s current goodwill towards Master is 90%.]
[TARGET Clyde’s current goodwill towards Master is 80%.]
How’s that?
Oliver’s vision grew dark from the smirk sent his way.
He gritted his teeth, thinking only that Zane must be crazy to declare something false as the truth openly.
“What kind of nonsense!?” His temper rose even more after being laughed at by Zane.
“They never agreed to it, you disgusting liar!”
“So what if I lied?
They’ll be mine anyway.” Zane shrugged, mouth curving into a devious grin that almost looked devilish.
It was a new expression that none of them had seen.
The sound of shutters went off in the background.
Ever since Zane stepped out of the styling room with his new outfit, Milo had already been aiming his camera at the man.
For him to capture such a daring look on Zane’s face made his legs weak.
“My muse!
My magnum opus!” No one paid attention to Milo’s nonsensical cries.
All eyes were on the love rectangle.
“Be yours, huh?” Clyde’s calm voice cut the tension.
If it weren’t for the smile on his lips, everyone would have thought that he was displeased.
[The protagonist hates you.]
Even without the system’s notification, Oliver’s flared nostrils and heavy breathing were enough to show how furious he was.
Good.
Be annoyed to death.
If he dies from anger, will I be in trouble?
[Answering: Unknown.
Master can try to see if you’ll be punished.]