harem chapter 2

Deon gripped the body of the teapot as if it weren’t hot at all.

Goodness, I was getting a little worried. Not for him, but for the teapot, which looked like it was about to be crushed to bits in his grasp.

Just then, Deon spoke, his gaze fixed not on me, but straight ahead.

“Lily. I said hello. Why aren’t you answering?”

“Ah, yes. Hello…” I returned the greeting obediently, but raised an eyebrow.

Can’t he read the room? If he had any social awareness, he’d be moonwalking right back out the door. It wasn’t as if he was here to sabotage my romantic prospects.

I kicked Deon’s shoe under the table and shot him a look. Despite my clear signal for him to get lost, he paid me no mind.

“You don’t drink jasmine tea.”

Instead, he commented on my cup, changing the subject. It was clear he’d just stand there until I answered, so I let out a sigh of a reply.

“I ordered it because Felix seemed very nervous.”

“Ahh, is that so?”

A short laugh escaped through Deon’s teeth. Annoyance was plain in the rough way he swept his hair back.

He definitely seems pissed off…

What’s with him? Is it because I haven’t been paying attention to him lately? Listen here, buddy. This lady needs to have a serious romance and get married eventually. I can’t play with my little kitten forever.

“Drink up.”

Deon tilted the teapot over Felix’s new cup.

I watched, aghast, as the water gushed out. It filled the cup, then overflowed, quickly soaking the table.

“She ordered it for you.”

“I…”

“What, is it not enough?”

Felix’s hands trembled like an addict’s as he lifted the cup. The way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped it down… was something else. And here I was, hopelessly distracted by his throat at a time like this.

Then, a grim voice fell from above me.

“Drink every last drop.”

I don’t know how much time passed before Felix finally set down the empty cup.

Deon inspected it meticulously to ensure his command to leave not a single drop had been obeyed. I’d truly seen my share of psychos.

I had no idea why he’d shown up out of nowhere just to cause a scene.

I’d been quiet, not wanting to provoke his nasty temper, but now I spoke in a tone that meant, You’ve seen what you wanted, now get lost.

“Young Master, aren’t you busy?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“…Theeen. You should get going.”

Ignoring my gentle suggestion, Deon finally found an empty chair and sat down. He never listens to a word anyone says. He wasn’t this bad when we were younger, though.

“Busy watching you.”

His long legs came to rest on the table. I stared at him, wondering just how shameless a person could be.

“So. On a blind date?”

“Yes. You’re interrupting, so please leave.”

The ruined atmosphere was now beyond saving.

I dropped the facade of kindness and let my face go cold. At that, Deon’s expression softened. What on earth about that did he like?

No. The man’s a lunatic. I shouldn’t even try to understand.

“Go on, finish what you were doing.”

“What?”

“The date. Continue.”

As if anyone could continue a date in this atmosphere.

Sure enough, Felix awkwardly rose to his feet.

No, it can’t be, please.

“I-I just remembered something urgent I have to do!”

Without a backward glance, Felix fled. What a heartless man… Even if you’re going to leave, you should at least set up the next date. I guess I was the only one who was serious again.

“He’s gone?”

As if he’d been waiting for it, Deon walked over to where Felix had been sitting. Then he threw the cup Felix had used to the floor. Crash. As the cup shattered—just like the mood—he slowly ground the pieces under his shoe and smiled.

“A shame. I guess I’ll be your partner instead.”

His ash-gray eyes were filled with delight.

“Lily, nuna.”