88 – Cypress Mosaic

Elian ​couldn’t ​gather ​his ​thoughts amidst the ​barrage ​of ​consecutive ​attacks. ​He felt as if ​he ​were trapped inside ​a drum rolling ​down ​a ​steep ​hill. ​He ​closed his eyes ​for ​a ​moment and took ​a deep breath, struggling ​to find ​his balance.

“You ​said marriage ​was work ​to ​Mr. ​Lockhart. That it ​was part ​of business and a ​strategic union. There is ​nothing you can gain ​from me.”

“I ​am ​suggesting we put on a play.”

“A… ​play?”

“Yes, a play. A ​contract ​marriage ​that ​lasts ​until I am ​successfully selected ​as ​the successor.”

“In that ​case, ​there must be other Omegas ​more suitable ​than ​I…”

“None would be ​as ​compatible ​with ​me ​as Elian’s ​Pheromones.”

Lorenz ​took a ​sip of wine and then faced Elian ​with a hardened ​gaze. His will ​to obtain what he ​wanted was ​conveyed quietly, yet ​intensely.

“Not ​only the marriage, ​but my illness ​is also ​a ​hindrance to ​the ​succession. My ​competitors ​will try ​to ​dig ​up my weaknesses ​and ​pull me ​down ​by ​any ​means necessary. However, if I have Elian’s Pheromones, I will remain healthy without issue.”

Lorenz, who had been laying out his argument seamlessly, summarized his position with a final conclusion, as if driving in the last nail.

“I am proposing that we become Pheromone Partners, while [Read on Read BL Novels]acting as fiancé and [unauthorized copy]spouse to the public.”

Lorenz Lockhart was a patient with Pheromone Dependency Syndrome.

That would certainly be a decisive breakthrough in uncovering the truth.

Furthermore, if he became his fiancé—even through a contract—it would open an opportunity to gain access to deeper secrets.

But…

Elian raised his confused eyes to meet Lorenz’s gaze. Never had facing this man been as painful as it was today.

It felt as if he were hearing hallucinations in his ears.

Elian, Elian.

That voice, so full of regret and longing.

Was it this man?

Did this man… really order such a test?

After swallowing hard, Elian forced his lips open to ask.

“What if… I refuse?”

“I am well aware that being known to the world as my spouse is a burdensome matter. I will guarantee sufficient compensation so that you can rebuild your life after the contract ends.”

“In the first place, if I don’t marry Mr. Lockhart, I won’t have any need to rebuild my life.”

Lorenz’s shoulders, which had been held straight, trembled as he let out a short laugh.

“I thought you would say that. But Elian, you aren’t in a position to keep taking stabilizers like this, are you?”

“……”

“You must have heard the warning from your doctor that you might lose your sense of smell permanently before long. However, my Pheromones, which have a high reaction rate, would restore your sense of smell rapidly.”

Lorenz Lockhart’s proposal was like the tongue of a cunning snake. It clearly hid a harmful venom, but at the same time, it possessed an attractive element that was hard to refuse. It was similar to being bitten on the neck by Dracula. The dilemma of being granted eternal life, but only by becoming a vampire.

“Still, what if… I refuse?”

Lorenz frowned slightly, his pale forehead creasing. As if the mere thought of such a result was painful.

“I don’t wish to think about that. This is a proposal where Elian has nothing to lose. It is only for a few months at most. Wouldn’t it be better to judge this rationally? Though… I have prepared a few countermeasures in case you don’t.”

“Countermeasures?”

Sensing something ominous, Elian’s eyes flashed sharply.

“I don’t wish to go into detail. It’s not that I have any ill will toward Elian; on the contrary, I trust you quite a bit. I hope we don’t make things complicated. Your family is precious to you, isn’t it, Elian? Unlike to me.”

At the mention of the Bellotti family, Elian’s face immediately turned pale. His long, slender fingers tightly gripped the napkin on his lap.

“Are you threatening me right now?”

“I am simply saying it could be considered as a last resort. I, too, hope it doesn’t come to that. I am sincere about this.”

Lorenz lowered his gaze and frowned. Even while threatening him, he acted as if he were the one finding it harder to endure.

Clutching the napkin tightly, Elian barely managed to mutter in a dry voice.

“Give me… a few days to think.”

“Of course. But don’t make me wait too long.”

It was a remark that sounded romantic on the surface.

As if he had proposed to someone he truly loved. As if he were pleading for the other to consider his anxious heart while waiting for an answer.

Looking at him, Elian thought of Joshua. No matter how much they hated each other, Lorenz and Joshua certainly had similarities. Both were unapologetic about mixing truth and lies to get what they wanted. The only difference was that Lorenz wore the mask of a gentleman.

The meal resumed. However, Elian had completely lost his appetite.

Lorenz Lockhart was a patient with Pheromone Dependency Syndrome.

The trembling of his hands and heart would not subside. The same went for the whispers echoing in his head. Elian, Elian. Whether it was excitement from taking a huge step closer to the identity of the mastermind, or fear of the truth he was about to face, Elian couldn’t be sure. The trembling continued. Lorenz’s voice, calling his name, kept lingering in his ears.

■

The trees, with early winter just around the corner, had shed most of their leaves that had been dyed gold and reddish-brown. The few leaves that had precariously clung to the branches until the end fluttered helplessly in the light breeze.

Crunch.

Joshua, who had claimed a bench near the lake in Central Park, bit into an apple. The tart and sweet juice pooled in his mouth, stimulating his salivary glands.

The sunlight hitting his skin through the transparent air was warm, but that warmth didn’t last long before cooling quickly.

“It’s gotten quite cold, hasn’t it?”

As he ate the apple, swinging his calf over his crossed legs, his gaze remained fixed to the east.

“I loathe New York winters.”

Joshua didn’t particularly like Central Park. The total number of times he had visited until now was likely less than five. He had no particular interest in this place, nor in parks in general.

Today’s visit was purely for the purpose of a meeting with Elian, disguised as a coincidence.

Of course, Elian would not believe this meeting was a coincidence. However, whether he believed it or not was not a very important issue for Joshua.

According to the report from his private security team, Elian, after leaving the mansion, would enter the park through the entrance connecting to East 86th Street. His routine was to ride his bicycle once around the loop road surrounding the park, pass in front of The Lake, and then exit the park.

In this area, where it began to get quite crowded, Elian would have no choice but to slow down. The plan was to approach and strike up a conversation around then.

Crunch. Just as he took another bite of the apple, the phone rang. It was Max.

“Why are you calling? I’m busy.”

There was no hint of pleasure in Joshua’s voice as he answered his friend’s call.

[Busy? The secretary’s office said you aren’t at the company. Where are you?]

“Central Park.”

Crunch. Joshua, answering indifferently, finished another bite of the apple.

A hearty laugh could be heard from the other end of the line.

[Central Park? You don’t go to places like that. Are you trying to go jogging?]

“I’m doing something even more surprising.”

[Doing what?]

“Waiting for someone.”

[……]

Joshua Lockhart was waiting for someone. And in Central Park, no less.

As if shocked, Max fell silent for a moment.

[In Central Park? Who? That platinum blonde?]

Joshua continued chewing his apple without answering, and Max took that as an affirmation.

[Didn’t you have people investigate him?]

“I did.”

[Then why are you waiting in a place like that? Have you still not found where he is?]

“I know exactly where he is.”

[Then?]

“I can’t go in there.”

[What do you mean? Speak so I can understand.]

Ignoring his frustrated friend’s urging with indifference, Joshua continued to finish his apple. Even then, his gaze remained fixed to the east, where Elian Bellotti would appear.

“Lorenz Lockhart banned me from entering.”

Joshua’s face distorted with anger as he recalled the humiliation from a few days ago.

He had visited the Upper East Side mansion again to see Elian while Lorenz was away. However, he had been kicked out before he could even enter the garage.

Originally, the overhead door would open without separate notification whenever Joshua’s car approached the parking lot. But on that day, the door didn’t budge. He honked the horn several times, but it was the same. Joshua thought it was a simple mechanical failure or that the person in charge was away. He called Margaret to announce his arrival, but the answer he received was unexpected.

‘I am sorry, Mr. Joshua. We are no longer able to open it for you.’

It was a dry tone that felt no apology whatsoever.

Without even asking, it was obvious it was Lorenz’s doing.

After slamming the steering wheel several times and honking the horn loud enough to shake the street while pouring out curses and insults, Joshua had to leave the front of the mansion, leaving behind the screeching sound of tires.

That was exactly why he was waiting for Elian here.

[Where is he that Lorenz banned you from ent—]

“Hang up. He’s here.”

The look in Joshua’s eyes changed instantly as he unilaterally ended the call.

Elian, having completed his lap around the park, finally appeared.