“Oh my goodness! Why did he not tell me I was going to move in with his boss? Is he mentally stable?” Ren asked Liam who was sitting with him, hugging him because Kant had just called them saying he was bringing in the contract and Ren was to pack up some stuff.

“I told you, Kant is so funny; he wouldn't even tell you everything. Let's hope he didn't cheat you.” Liam pinched his cheeks.

“He won't; remember, he won't dare.”

Kant arrived with some men dressed in black suits; he walked out of the car with pride, carrying a folder with him. It was the contract. He knocked at Liam's door, waiting for it to be unlocked.

“Nice of you not to tell Ren that he was going to be packing from this house,” Liam scolded immediately after he opened the door for Kant.

“I forgot, I brought him the contract, let him check it and tell me if it's ok for him, and if it isn't helpful, we can make changes, but...except for the packing clause.”

“I’m good with the packing if I get to sleep in a different room,” Ren screamed from a distance; he had been hearing their loud bickering.

Kant walked up to Ren. “Don’t worry, that is already planned; your privacy won’t be restricted; you get to do anything you want without thinking, but... you should read the contract yourself and see.” He handed him the file.

Ren snatched it, scrolling through it and nodding a bit. “This is fine by me.” Ren said, signing the contract.

“Ok, fine, then you can sign it; you need to pack in now. I'll leave you guys to have a chat; just call out when you are done. Don't waste time.” He took the contract from Ren before using the door.

Liam turned to Ren after Kant had gone out. “Ren, you need to be ok for me. I tried talking it out of you, but you didn't even let me decide.” He smiled. “Anyway, I'm happy you are making decisions for yourself; it's good.”

“Right? I know, I will visit sometimes; you need to take care of yourself. Don't forget to always call me.” Ren smiled, hugging Liam.

“I won't; you can go, but don't let him take advantage of you.”

“I won't; I'll come back for you. Don't miss me.” He joked, breaking off from the hug, “I’ll go now.”

“Yeah, don’t forget to always text me if I don’t call you.” Liam's voice was shaken, but as usual, Ren couldn't tell; he just passed him and took his little bag, dragging it out of the house.

***

The car had already taken off; the streets were silent; most especially the houses passed in the area looked like those for politicians and stars; it looked expensive, but Kant was still moving.

Ren sat down, his mind running a marathon race; he looked so quiet at the front, but his mind was already in turmoil.

Kant was humming something off-key in the front, perfectly relaxed. Ren hated how calm Kant was.

They arrived at the mansion; it looked so majestic. The gates of the mansion opened wide as if it was expecting the car. The building was huge, more stone than home; even the walls looked better than me, Ren thought, taking in the sight.

“This is it,” Kant said, stepping out and opening the door for Ren with an exaggerated smile. “Your new employer’s house.”

Ren didn’t move; he just nodded at Kant, still inside the car, looking up at the building, a bit scared.

“Are you scared already?” Kant smirked.

Ren swallowed and stepped out. He looked around to see if anyone was there.

A man stood in the doorway; he was watching Ren. He was tall, so tall, with a casual shirt; he was taking coffee.

He still looked good; there was not even a bit of his brushed hair out of place. His eyes looked like he was looking for prey to devour.

He is Ciro Don.

He didn’t speak; he didn’t even blink as Ren and Kant approached him.

Ren found himself staring at the man; he was good-looking but with an aura screaming deadly.

Kant bowed a bit. “Boss. This is Ren.”

Ciro’s eyes didn’t move. But he just stared at Ren going up and down without moving a bit—from his face to his hoodie, and from the hoodie to his toe. Ren straightened without meaning to.

Ciro turned without a word and walked inside.

Ren turned to Kant, asking for answers silently.

Kant just nodded at him to get in with Ciro.

The mansion wasn't only great outside; it turned out to be even better inside.

Ciro led him to a large, minimal office, everything arranged and neat.

“Sit.” It was the first word Ren heard from him; his voice was hoarse but charming.

Ren obeyed.

Ciro placed his cup on the table and sat across from him, with his legs nearly.

“You understand what this arrangement is,” Ciro said; he wasn't asking.

Ren shook his head slightly. “Fake dating...right? For… appearances?”

“No. It is not dating; it is performance. You will be my possession in public. My bedmate in private. Did he tell you that?”

Ren’s jaw clenched. “What! No, he didn’t.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Why would I do that? It’s called prostitution.”

“You are what I pay for.” Ciro’s eyes didn’t waver. “Or would you rather do the job outside for different clients than me?”

Ren stood, his eyes blazing fire. “Then find someone else; I'm not interested.”

Ciro stood too.

He didn’t raise his voice. He just picked up his cup, sipping a bit from it.

“You’re here because you wanted money, and besides, Kant included protection,” Ciro said. “I offer you money, protection, and power; it's up to you what you use it for.”

Ren hesitated.

Ciro tilted his head. “Don’t you want the money?”

Ren’s breath caught. He thought for a bit; he remembered Liam had lost his job for him.

“Don’t you want power?” Ciro continued. “Your life is controlled by you, not others?”

Ren sat again, slower this time.

“What are the rules?” he asked quietly.

Ciro folded his hands. “You will be available at all times. You will do whatever I say without complaining.”

Ren bit the inside of his cheek. “What if I don't want to do what you say?”

Ciro leaned forward.

“Then you can leave here, but your friend will replace you.”

Ren’s pulse stuttered; he knew he replaced Liam, so what did Ciro mean when he said Liam will replace him?

Ciro’s voice dropped, silk and steel. “But if you say yes… I own you until the contract is over.”

Ren was silent for a minute thinking; he raised his chin. “Fine.”

Ciro nodded once. “Then rule number one.”

He took a step closer. Ren didn’t move; he was just scared.

“You do not cry.” He stared at Ren, meaning it.

“And most especially, you do not fall in love with me.”

Ren swallowed. “And you?”

Ciro’s mouth barely moved. “I don’t fall in love.” He raised his brows at Ren.

“And I won't.”