It was Christmas Day, and Hawaii was bustling. Christmas carols drifted in from outside. Star opened his eyes in a haze and habitually reached for his phone by the pillow. Something slid out from beneath it, and his face turned bright red. He tried to get up quietly but was pulled back down. Both men let out a muffled groan.
The aftereffects of the night before still lingered. It had been gentle this time, and Star had remained as well behaved as a doll, though he had clutched the sheets so hard he had nearly torn them. Vincent had wanted to continue, but the apple scented oil was empty, so he had let Star go.
An hour later, Star lay paralyzed on the bed, listening to the sound of running water in the bathroom and sighing powerlessly. He waited a while, then shakily propped himself up. His feet had barely touched the carpet before he nearly collapsed; he had to grab the headboard to steady himself. Something slid down his leg.
Frowning, Star braced himself, threw on a bathrobe, and headed to the main bedroom. The bed was a disaster. Star braced himself against it, gathered the sheets and duvet into a bundle, and tossed them to the side. He took three hundred dollars from the pocket of his pants on the floor, leaving it on the bed as a tip for the housekeeping staff. He stumbled, leaning against the bed, picked up the empty bottles from the floor, and neatly folded Vincent’s clothes. He left his own clothes in a pile and retreated to the main bathroom.
Sometimes, top tier billionaires look for men not out of affection, but because men are less complicated. There was no need to coddle them afterward, no complex psychological games; once their physical needs were met, it was over.
Of course, Star did not expect Vincent to wait on him, nor was Vincent under any obligation to do so. Star lacked the strength to stand while waiting for the tub to fill, so he knelt on the floor, leaning against the wall, listlessly lifting his arms to inspect his body. His waist and thighs were bruised with fingerprints. There were red welts on his wrists from where he had been tied, some even slightly abraded; they stung even more when they touched the hot water.
Vincent had been too ruthless. He did not seem like the same elegant, refined man he was during the day. Star knew even in his drunken haze that he had to be obedient because Vincent had been terrifyingly, violently fierce.
Star pulled a cigarette from a secret compartment in the vanity mirror and lit it. The water was ready, and he crawled into the tub, his legs trembling. The hot water rushed over his aching muscles, making the pain feel even sharper. He puffed on his cigarette, his head tilted back, clutching his abdomen, his hollow eyes staring through the smoke at nothingness.
He had reached this point after all. You spend enough time walking by the river, and eventually, your shoes will get wet. Eight years was already a good run.
When Vincent came out, he held a bath towel, intending to fish the person in the bed out for a bath, but the bed was empty. The sheets were bundled neatly on the floor, and his own clothes were folded to the side. Hearing the sound of water in the bathroom, Vincent’s eyes darkened.
The boy was simply too sensible.
The bathroom door was unlocked. Vincent pushed it open and saw the haggard young man in the tub, his eyes as hollow as a corpse’s. Star’s eyes flickered, and upon seeing Vincent, he quickly removed his cigarette and dropped it into the toilet. “Sir, I will be out soon.”
Vincent said nothing and stepped directly into the tub, causing the hot water to spill over. He was wearing only a bath towel, which clung to his muscular frame the moment it hit the water. Even after an intense night, he was still an imposing sight. Star, assuming he wanted more, reached for the conditioner on the side to offer it to him.
Vincent pulled him into his arms and put the conditioner back. “I am not doing it again. Do not be afraid.”
“I…” Star tilted his head, feeling Vincent’s powerful heartbeat. “I was not afraid.” He was simply indifferent.
Under the jets of the massage tub, it was difficult to see his body clearly. Vincent turned off the jets and carefully inspected him. The purple and blue marks were striking. Vincent’s palm covered a bruise on Star’s waist, and he whispered, “Does it hurt?”
Star shook his head. “No.”
Vincent rubbed the spot gently. “Why did you not beg for mercy last night?”
Star lowered his eyes, his tone calm. “I know my place.”
Star had said this before, but Vincent had assumed it was just talk. He never imagined Star would be so sensible. Vincent washed him clean from head to toe and carried him out. The room had already been tidied. Star was placed on the bed, his body stiffening in pain, and Vincent pressed his phone into his hand. It showed a transfer of fifty thousand dollars.
Star smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
Vincent patted his head. “Get some rest. I have things to attend to.”
“Okay.”
Star rolled onto his stomach, listening to the door lock. He picked up his phone and stared at the amount. A drop of water fell onto the screen; he wiped it away, but another fell, then another. Eventually, he could not keep up. He flipped the phone over, tossed it aside, and covered his face.
Fabian sent a flurry of messages. It is almost evening. Are you coming out? Qin Yue and Vincent seem to have business; they went out together. You are not going to ditch me, are you?
Star closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He opened them and stumbled off the bed, bracing himself against the wall to get an energy drink from the bar, only then feeling less lightheaded.
Cipher: Wait for me.
Fabian: God, you finally replied.
Since Vincent was gone, Star felt safe enough to remove his makeup. Thank goodness he had used tattoo grade products; otherwise, Vincent’s violence from the previous night would have ruined any standard makeup. He redid his look, put in his lenses, touched up his hair color, and tried to walk normally without leaning on the wall as he headed out.
Fabian waved happily. “How come you look so refreshed?”
Star gave a wry smile. “Can a person be described as refreshed?”
Fabian shook his head. “Forget it. Where are we going?”
“Let us just stay at the hotel.” Star lacked the strength to go far.
“Do not do that. It is so boring here, I…”
“I can put it on their account.”
“Actually, the hotel is great. Let us stay.”
Fabian no longer had any objections, especially since Qin Yue had not given him a card; going out meant spending his own money. The two ordered a restaurant meal using their room key. Star chose the most expensive set menu, which included lobster and caviar, making Fabian a bit nervous.
“This set is over three thousand dollars. Are we really okay to do this?”
Star shook his head. “It is fine. Let us book a spa session too.”
They chose the most expensive essential oil package. Seeing Star so calm, Fabian’s anxiety melted away. Star ordered everything the hotel offered, even a hula performance. It felt like a form of retail therapy. The service at the five star hotel was impeccable; the waiter divided the lobster at the table, the caviar was beautifully presented, and everything was unlimited. Star and Fabian enjoyed their feast and the hula show.
Fabian took many photos but still felt uneasy. “Are we really okay spending this much?”
Star tipped the server and finished his champagne. “It is fine. I put it on Vincent’s room card.”
Vincent and Qin Yue were on their way back from their business. Qin Yue sighed. “Why are you rushing? Is there a ghost chasing you?”
Vincent thought of that hollow gaze and the figure curled up into a ball under the covers. “Cipher is waiting for me.”
Qin Yue’s mouth dropped open. “What? Say that again?”
Vincent repeated, “Cipher is waiting for me.”
Qin Yue could not believe his ears. “No, wait…” Qin Yue tried to stand up, but the car was too cramped. He clawed at his hair in frustration, slapped his thigh, and pointed at Vincent, looking utterly disappointed in him.
“Brother, do not tell me you are taking this seriously! You are a virgin finally getting some action; you have to tell the difference between feeling and just being worked up!”
Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know.”
“You know nothing! If you make this public and invite him into your life, the elders in the Wen family will peel my skin off! I am telling you, stop it! With our status, we can play around, but whoever you bring home as a wife must be a woman of equal standing!” Qin Yue emphasized the word woman.
Vincent looked at him strangely. “Did I say I was going to do anything?”
Qin Yue deflated. “I am just afraid that since you have finally blossomed, you will get carried away and disregard everything. You are usually flawless, but how many people have been defeated by the word love? Especially someone like you who seems heartless; once you fall for someone, you create havoc. Just like your brother.”
Vincent showed no reaction until Qin Yue mentioned his brother. His eyes darkened, and he unconsciously stroked something in his hand: a white handkerchief with green leaves.
“I know what I am doing.”
Vincent had expected to see a poor little kitten hiding under the covers, but the room was empty. Qin Yue’s room was also empty. They met in the hallway.
“Yours is not there either?” Qin Yue scratched his head. “Where did they go? They are not replying to messages.”
Vincent sent two messages, but received no reply. He headed toward the elevator. “Check the security footage.”
When the hotel manager heard they were looking for someone, he smiled and told them where Star was, as he clearly remembered the guests who had spent so much in a single day. The two benefactors listened to the great achievements of their partners all the way there.
Three thousand dollars for a Christmas meal, four thousand for a spa, five thousand for the bar band. Star and Fabian were having a blast in the infinity pool, wearing skimpy shorts, while a row of waiters and two lifeguards stood by, keeping a close eye on the two VIPs.
“It is getting cold. Bring a few B 52s.” Star set his glass on the ledge. The waiter cleared it away and quickly returned with a tray of B 52s, their blue flames dancing.
Fabian was a veteran of the nightclub scene; he was not afraid of such drinks. He grabbed one and downed it.
“What happened to your waist? Did someone beat you?”
Star downed two more. “A dog bit me.”
“Which dog bit you?”
“It is…” Star’s body froze. He turned mechanically to see two tall men in suits standing by the pool.
Star withered; completely and utterly. He wanted to bury himself in the pool. Vincent stepped forward and hauled him out of the pool by his arm. A waiter immediately offered a towel. Vincent wrapped him up from head to toe, ensuring not a single inch of skin was showing, and scooped him up.
The cold water soaked through the towel and onto his expensive suit fabric. Star, wrapped up like a silkworm, looked nothing like the spirited person who had been drinking moments ago.
Fabian awkwardly climbed out of the pool. Qin Yue draped a towel over him. “You two sure know how to enjoy yourselves.”
“Go change,” Vincent said as he carried Star to the changing room. “I will deal with you later.”