Desire Me If You Can-Chapter 98

Ah, Dein.

Suddenly, someone spoke, and Grayson turned his head. Dein was standing at the entrance to the dressing room, watching him. As Grayson turned his body, Dein’s gaze followed, trailing along his back before it seemed to wander aimlessly. Realizing that his gaze had lost focus, Grayson smiled and greeted him.

“Hey, Dein...”

“Let’s talk for a second.”

Before Grayson could finish his sentence, Dein abruptly spoke and then turned on his heel, walking briskly ahead. Grayson tilted his head, then threw his shirt back on, humming a tune as he followed him, steps light and casual.

“What happened? That?”

Once they were behind the building, alone, Dein immediately brought up the subject. Grayson scratched the back of his head and responded.

“I ran into a thief...”

“And where did you meet this thief?”

Dein cut Grayson off again. Grayson, still scratching his head, looked down at him. It was hard to read Dein’s reaction. What did that expression mean?

‘When in doubt, change the subject.’

“How’s Darling doing?”

Grayson tried to steer the conversation, following his childhood lessons, bringing up the easiest topic to get Dein’s attention. But instead of letting it slide, Dein frowned and gave him an irritated look.

“Answer the question. Where did you meet this thief?”

After the repeated questions, Grayson fell silent. This time, Dein didn’t wait for him to speak, quickly concluding the situation.

“It happened in the motel parking lot, didn’t it?”

Grayson didn’t answer. He just blinked and stared at Dein. His effort to understand the meaning behind the question was evident, but Dein sighed deeply, lowering his head.

“See, I told you there’s no need for you to keep escorting me. I’m not some woman who needs an escort.”

The latter part sounded laced with irritation, something Grayson wasn’t used to. In the past, when he dropped someone off, he never actually had an incident like this, though he’d pretended for effect—to gain the other’s attention. They all fussed over him, trying to take care of him, not reacting like this, showing their discomfort.

Why is he angry?

Confused, Grayson quickly reached a plausible conclusion. Maybe Dein felt responsible for what happened. Perhaps, out of guilt, he was irritated.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m not fine.”

Dein retorted immediately to Grayson’s words, then paused as if thinking, his face twisted with frustration, before muttering to himself.

“You don’t need to come to my motel anymore, anyway...”

“I? There’s no reason for me? Why?”

Suddenly, Grayson seized on his words, asking with an inquisitive tone. Dein, who had been rubbing his forehead, stopped and looked up at him. This time, Dein looked confused, as if he didn’t understand.

“I told you that while we’re dating, I won’t go to clubs or meet anyone else. So now, there’s no reason for you to come to my motel.”

“I’ll still come.”

Grayson’s nonchalant answer made Dein hesitate for a moment. Grayson brightly added,

“I can’t just send you to such a dangerous place alone. I’ll go with you every day when you finish work.”

“Didn’t I say I don’t need an escort?”

The growing irritation in Dein’s voice was becoming apparent. He wasn’t used to a clingy relationship like this. Others would call it being in a relationship, but for Dein, it was just annoying. That was why he had never formed a deep connection with anyone before.

“Still, I want to take you.”

Grayson’s stubborn words finally pushed Dein over the edge.

“You’re going to spy on who I meet or don’t meet, is that it?”

Dein shouted, anger lacing his voice. Grayson immediately shook his head.

“I know you’re not the type to break promises.”

“So?” novelbuddy.cσ๓

Dein clenched his fist, ready to show Grayson that if he thought he was someone to protect, he was sorely mistaken. He waited, his muscles tense, but to his surprise, Grayson showed an unexpected response. Looking away, seeming somewhat embarrassed, he hesitated before speaking.

“I just... want to be with you a little longer, that’s all.”

Dein stopped, stunned by the unexpected words. Was this guy lying to me again? His suspicion couldn’t be hidden as he stared at Grayson, who only blinked back at him blankly.

A heavy silence fell. It was an unfamiliar situation for Dein, and he didn’t immediately respond.

“...Why?”

Dein, with a frown, could only mutter that word. Grayson tilted his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“Because I’m happy when I’m with you.”

As if unsure even himself, his voice rose slightly at the end. Dein furrowed his brows and stared at him, as if asking, "What does that mean?" Grayson hummed for a moment, then explained.

“Like... my heart races, my feet feel light, my fingertips tingle, and I want to be kind to everyone in the world.”

Grayson listed the sensations he felt, smiling brightly.

“That’s what happiness is, right?”

...Huh.

Dein blinked in surprise. For the first time, Grayson’s smiling face didn’t feel forced. He had always seen him smile inappropriately or fake it, but now, it seemed...

Like someone who truly understood happiness.

He didn’t want to believe it, but Dein couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe Grayson did know what it meant to feel that way.

“...I guess it’s similar.”

He added quietly, unsure, because after all, how could he be sure about happiness himself?

I guess I’ll never be a good teacher.

Dein bitterly thought, a sudden headache creeping in. In any case, Grayson getting hurt was his fault. He had repeatedly told him not to follow him around, so strictly speaking, he wasn’t responsible. But he couldn’t ignore what was weighing on his mind.

Even if I tell him not to follow me, this bastard will cling on shamelessly.

The only way to get rid of him now was to wait for three months to pass. It was still about two and a half months away.

Then, maybe...

Sigh, he took a deep breath before making his decision. Suddenly, he realized how often he had been sighing since running into Grayson Miller. But no matter how much he noticed it, he couldn’t stop. He inhaled deeply once more and exhaled, finally opening his mouth.

“Alright, let’s live together.”

At that moment, Grayson took a sharp breath, as if he was about to scream, but before he could, Dein calmly added, as if cutting off his excitement.

“I’ll move into your house. But only for the remaining time. After three months, it’s completely over.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t follow me around either.”

“Of course, I won’t.”

Grayson replied without hesitation. As he stuck to him like gum, could I really trust those words? Dein still had some lingering doubts, but for now, he had no choice but to believe him.

Just as he was about to turn and enter, he stopped suddenly, a thought crossing his mind, and turned to look at him.

“Tell me the truth. How do you always find me?”

Grayson, following behind him, immediately grinned and replied brightly.

“I put a tracking device in your car.”

“Ha.”

Dein let out a weary sigh, but that was all. Shaking his head in disbelief, he began walking again, Grayson following eagerly behind him.

Could it be that this bastard purposely hurt himself?

The thought suddenly crossed Dein’s mind, but he quickly pushed it away. There’s no way he would go that far. For now, he had no choice but to believe that.

Later that night, Dein, with Darling, entered Grayson’s mansion.