CHAPTER 210: KNEW YOU’D CUM... AROUND

Before I could ask what she meant, a figure emerged from the grand staircase... ’Is that Dominic’s dad?’ I whispered to June, my eyes fixed on the tall man.

He tapped his champagne glass lightly clink, clink, clink.

"Good evening, everyone," he began, smiling the kind of practiced smile that felt both warm and distant. "Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate my son’s twenty-first birthday."

The crowd murmured in response, the music dimmed slightly.

"And I couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s becoming." He continued. "It’s an important milestone....not just for him, but for what lies ahead. So let’s raise a toast..."

And then he gestured toward the staircase.

The crowd shifted. Heads turned.

And there he was.

Dominic. My boyfriend.

He appeared at the top, descending slowly beside Ian and his other friends. But I barely noticed anyone else.

He looked... unreal.

That tux fit him perfectly, black on black, the collar open just enough to show the chain I’d seen him wear a thousand times.

The light caught his skin, his smile.... that lazy, boyish grin that always gave me butterflies in my stomach.

He scanned the room, smiling and waving as he descended... but then his eyes found mine.

And the world just... paused.

That same beautiful smile....the one that always made me forget my own name, spread slowly across his face. He was breathtaking.

He kept his gaze locked on me as he reached the last step.

And I swear, my heart forgot its rhythm.

Dominic’s dad cleared his throat. Everyone turned back to him. I didn’t.

I kept smiling at Dominic.

He looked every bit the part....confident, collected...but I could see the cracks if I looked close enough.

Dominic’s dad raised his glass again, that polite corporate smile never left his face.

"So," he said, eyes flicking toward Dominic. "I have an announcement to make later, but for now, let everyone enjoy the party."

Applause followed. Laughter. Clinking glasses.

He said it like it was a business deal, and suddenly I had a bad feeling about what he’d announce later.

And just like that, the music swelled again and everyone went back to their perfect, glittering conversations.

I didn’t move.

I couldn’t stop watching Dominic.

He stood near the center of the room, surrounded by men in suits. His dad was glued to his side, introducing him to suits, shaking hands like it was some kind of stockholders’ meeting instead of a twenty-first birthday.

Every few seconds, someone else came up, smiling too hard, talking too loud, like they wanted a piece of him.

He looked so composed.

So polished.

Like the version of himself he’d been taught to be.

But I could see it....that little twitch in his jaw when his dad interrupted.

The way he adjusted his cufflinks twice, even though they were already perfect. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

He hated the attention.

He was performing.

And somehow, that made him even more beautiful.

I wanted to go up to him.

To pull him away.

To hug him, maybe kiss him... sing him the happybirthday song I’d been humming all day.

But I couldn’t. Not with his dad there, watching everything. Controlling every smile.

"Is he gonna do that all night?" June’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I glanced back at her. She was standing right behind me, sipping champagne and watching him too.

"Yikes," I muttered, forcing a small laugh. "I’d get neck and hand cramps if I was him."

"Rich people are weird," she said. "He literally turned his son’s birthday party into a business meeting."

I let out a quiet laugh that died halfway.

"The last time I was here for a party," I said, eyes drifting to the grand staircase, "it didn’t end well."

"Okay, trauma boy, chill," June said, linking her arm through mine. "Guess what."

"What?"

"I gave Sun’s Diner the gig for tonight," she grinned. "Told Ian I’d handle it myself."

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

She tugged me along toward the bar, and sure enough.... there they were.

They all turned at once, surprised, then smiling as they waved.

Mr. Sun behind the counter, Jae handing out cocktails with that mischievous grin, and even Henry lugging trays of tiny canapés, others were really busy.

"Mr. Sun! Jae! Henry!" I called, waving.

Henry chuckled. "Man, we thought you abandoned us for good. Look at you!"

Mr. Sun shook his head, and laughed. "I was so sad when you stopped coming in. Guess you’re with the big shots now."

"He really ditched us for the luxury life," Jae teased, bumping my shoulder as she passed me a drink.

"It’s not like that," I said quickly. "I’ve just... been busy. My mom’s still recovering, but once she’s better, I’ll be back."

Mr. Sun smiled kindly, patting my arm. "Your spot’s always open, kid."

I smiled, my chest tightened a little. "Thank you, sir."

He nodded, and drifted back into the crowd.

Jae leaned close, smirking. "So, your boyfriend’s party, huh? Must feel wild watching all these girls giggle at him." She tilted her chin toward a corner where Nari and her entourage were whispering, all eyes on Dominic.

I blinked. "Wait, how do you even know he’s my boyfriend?"

"Don’t look at me," June said, raising both hands. "I didn’t spill."

Jae grinned. "Ash, please. You think I’m blind? You should’ve seen yourself at the last party, you looked like you were seconds away from devouring him."

"What... Jae!" I felt my face heat up as she laughed.

Before I could argue more, another girl appeared beside her, breathless. "Jae, come on, you need to come now!"

They both walked away.

"That’s yuri," June whispered.

"Yeah," I said. "I saw her the other day."

"She’s... creepy," June gave me the side eyes, though she laughed like she didn’t mean it.

Before I could respond, a voice behind us cut in.

"Babe."

Ian.

He walked toward us, looking way too good in his tux.... loosened tie, hair falling perfectly messy. June’s whole face shifted, as she bit her lower lip.

"You’re looking smokyhot in that dress," he smirked, rolling his eyes all over her body.

June rolled her eyes, but her lips curved anyway. "You say that to every girl in a satin dress?"

"Only to the ones I actually want to undress," he said under his breath, smirking.

Omg, he did not just say that!

I groaned. "Ugh. PDA alert."

Ian laughed. "You look nice too, Ash."

"Thanks for noticing," I said, trying to hide my grin.

"Speaking of that," he went on, lowering his voice, "your boyfriend told me to create a distraction so he can do his thing with you.

I raised an eyebrow. "Do his thing?"

He raised his hands. " I don’t know what that means, and I really don’t wanna think about it. I’m just the messenger."

June raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oouuuu, sounds romantic."

"Actually, we need you," Ian said suddenly, turning to her.

"Me?" she blinked.

"Yes, you’re the perfect distraction. Apart from the fact that you’re literally distracting me in that dress, we need your voice."

Her eyes widened. "No. No, Ian. I’m not singing in front of these people. There are actual millionaires in here."

"Please," he begged. "Do it for Ash. And the birthday boy. And for me.... the guy who’s dying to hear you sing while looking that damn hot."

She groaned. "Ian, you’ve said ’hot’ like five times."

"I could say it six."

"Ian!" She said, narrowing her eyes. "Ash, I love you. Dom, no hard feelings. But I’m not singing in front of these people. These aren’t people... they’re elites. My future could depend on this. If I mess up, I’m moving away from Estrella."

He reached for her hand, lowering his voice. "You won’t mess up. You’ll blow them away. Just like you’re blowing me away right now with that dre....."

She smacked her hand over his mouth before he could finish.

"Oh my god, stop talking," she hissed, while blushing.

I was laughing so hard I almost dropped my drink. "Did he just say you’re blowing him away?"

"I swear, Ash, if you repeat that..."

"Please, June," I said, grinning. "We need your voice. Save the day with your superpower."

Ian looked at her with those pleading puppy eyes. "Pretty, please."

She closed her eyes for a second, then sighed. "Fine. Yes. Both of you should stop staring at me like that."

"Yes ma’am," Ian smirked, leaning close. "Knew I could make you cum..."

Her glare stopped him cold.

"Come around," he corrected quickly. "Come around to the idea. That’s what I meant."

"Uh-huh," she shook her head, muttering something under her breath about killing him later.

I just stood there smiling at them. They’re really made for each other.

My eyes drifted back.... right where they always did.

To Dominic.

He turned his head like he somehow felt me watching him, and our eyes met again.

And everything else blurred away.