Noticing someone else, he slowly shifted his gaze, which fell on another fine young man with brown, flawless skin, seated with his legs crossed and a neutral expression on his face. His curly shoulder-length hair, whose sides were neatly barbed and the center tied up in a messy bun, gave him a bad boy and a sexy look. His eyes began to examine the young man, and he couldn't help but find himself lost in his neutrality and handsomeness.
The young man, who was naturally Nirmolak, turned his head on feeling someone's intent gaze on him and his eyes fell on Shawn. His brow raised on noticing how Shawn was staring at him with a lost expression on his face, and he couldn't help but turn to gaze at Ileus. "Your highness, who is he?" He inquired, and Ileus chuckled softly, not bothering to answer.
"Stop staring at me!" He returned his stare to Shawn and snapped his finger at him. As though jolted back to reality, Shawn's eyes squinted vigorously, and he hesitantly averted his gaze from Nirmolak, who was staring at him with an irritated expression on his face.
"You came back." Ileus said in a tone that held pride, and Shawn slowly nodded with his head lowered in embarrassment. "Good! Good!." He bobbed, as though a proud father who had seen his son's report card.
"Shawn, meet Nirmolak, and Nirmolak, meet Shawn." He introduced the both of them to each other, and Shawn slowly raised his head to glance at Nirmolak. "Nice...to meet you." He said this in a low tone, but Nirmolak averted his stare from him without bothering to respond to his greeting.
Shawn's lashes fluttered, and he shifted his gaze to Ileus. "So what do I do now that I have made my decision?"
"You take a seat first." Ileus smiled and gestured for him to have a seat on the sofa beside Nirmolak.
Shawn swallowed, and an awkward smile made its way to his face. "I think I will sit on the other sofa." He chuckled awkwardly and moved to sit on another divan, opposite both Nirmolak and Ileus.
"If that suits you." Ileus laughed softly, then turned to stare at Nirmolak. "That's my right-hand man. My most trusted follower. " He nodded his head proudly as he introduced him to Shawn.
"I see..." Shawn nodded as he cleared his throat.
"Nirmolak."
"Yes, your highness." Nirmolak instantly straightened up respectfully, and Shawn's eyes blinked in surprise.
"This is Shawn. He's going to be joining in on our little bit of adventure." Ileus introduced Shawn with a mysterious smile evident on his face.
Nirmolak's brow arched in confusion, and he shifted his gaze to Shawn.
Shawn's eyes darted around under his gaze, and his face became irritated, "Your highness, I... don't understand what you mean."
Ileus smiled at Nirmolak and slightly shook his head in skepticism. "Did you hear me wrong? Or have you gone deaf? I said he would be joining in on our little nasty adventure." He tsked in a bit of annoyance, and Nirmolak hastily lowered his head. "Forgive me, your highness."
Ileus casually waved his hand at him and stood up from the couch. He adjusted his suit and squeezed his hands into his pockets, then turned to glance down at Shawn. "As I told you yesterday, that room is yours. So sleep tight." He smiled at him and turned around, then began to make his way up the stairs.
Both stared at his disappearing back, and the moment he was out of sight, Nirmolak turned to gaze at Shawn with a vicious look on his face.
Shawn's brows furrowed, and he glanced down at himself to see if he had anything unpleasant on his body. What is this guy's problem?
Nirmolak scoffed malevolently at him and stood up from the sofa, preparing to leave. However, Shawn rushed off from where he sat and grabbed him by the arm, stopping him on his track. Nirmolak's face darkened deeply, and he slowly turned around to stare at him. He glared spitefully at him, and Shawn drew his head back in utter confusion.
"Have we met before or have I offended you before? What's with the attitude?" He asked in a tone that held utter confusion and bewilderment.
Nirmolak's face altered in deep irritation, and he slapped his hand away. "Next time you try this again, you might not be able to secure your arm." His gray eyes narrowed dangerously, and without bothering to elaborate more, he turned around and walked away to his room in the mansion.
A quick breath fled Shawn's nose as he stared at his disappearing back, and his eyes couldn't help but flutter vigorously. He shrugged and turned around, proceeding up to the room he was given. He pushed the door open and stepped in, shutting it behind him and locking it.
He walked towards the glass window and stood there, then stared out at the aesthetic sky. His hand squeezed into the pocket of his jacket and touched something. He grabbed it and pulled it out, then lowered his head to glance at it. His orifices flickered as they gazed at the small black box in between his fingers.
He opened it, and a fine diamond ring came into view. A sudden scene emerged in his mind, and he shut his eyes.
"Sir, you should take this ring. It's a very special ring and it's said to keep any marriage everlasting." The sales lady clad in a black suit at the counter smiled friendly at him as she handed a ring over to him.
The young man who came to buy a ring received it and stared at it with glowing eyes. A smile made its way to his lips, and an image of a young girl emerged in his mind. "Alright, I will take it."
...
Shawn opened his eyes and took a long deep breath. He closed the box and shoved it back into the pocket of his pants, then took his jacket and shoes off, and proceeded towards the bed.
He laid down and closed his eyes, and it didn't take much time for him to drift off to sleep.. Tomorrow will be the start of something different.