CHAPTER 008

Again, Ciel is nursing a headache, he can feel it pounding in his head like a drum, his skull hurts, the flashing lights of the cameras make his eyes hurt and the murmurs flying around, about him, add a layer to his drumming headache.

It's the first photo shoot. He sits on one of the sofas, in his costume, waiting for his turn as the cast takes their shots. Ciel has met his costars, he can remember the grimace of disgust on their faces as he's introduced. Ciel rolls his eyes as if he cared about their disapproval. If he cared much about what people thought of him, he wouldn't be an actor with scandals as a resume.

Ciel lounges on the chair, his legs crossed and showing his impatient as he swings his leg covered in a pair of black leather boots while ignoring the annoyed looks from the crew and casts. His sunglasses shields his eyes as he swirls a cup of espresso lazily in one hand.

“Mr. Reid! We’re ready for you on set!”

Ciel almost sighs in relief as he dumps his drink on a table and gets up. He needs to get this shit done and over with. Nothing he has never done before.

He stands in front of the cameras, striking a pose that is both effortless and confident and then the cameras flash blindingly.

It takes 30 minutes before he's done as he leaves the stage. He goes over to the refreshments and grabs a bottle of water but that's when he hears it again, the murmurs and whispers that aren't exactly whispers.

“I can’t believe they let him in. Must be nice to have a billionaire pulling strings for you.”

“I just said it’s funny how some people don’t even have to earn their roles anymore.”

Ciel rolls his eyes and drinks from the bottle and then he approaches them. He smirks. “How bold of you to think you can talk in front of my face.”

“Guess it pays to know the right people.” one of them sneers.

The fucking bitch. Ciel bites his inner cheek to keep himself from throwing a punch. As much as he's reckless and doesn't give a shit, he can't hit a woman. “Instead of foaming here with jealousy, why don’t you find someone rich and powerful to sponsor your mediocrity.”

Ciel knows if he stays there any longer, he might smack someone across the face. He decides to take a break and steps out. He finds himself on a balcony. He pulls out a cigarette and lights it up.

“Mind sharing?”

Ciel snaps his head to the side as a familiar face comes to stand beside him, staring at him with a flirtatious smirk and glint in his eyes that Ciel might indulge after scanning the man from head to toe, finding him hot. He's met a lot of co-stars today, he doesn't remember most of their names. “I don't share.” He answers bluntly.

He chuckles. “Not only are you infamous for recklessness, you are also greedy?”  he says playful, looking at Ciel like he's undressing him with his eyes. “It suits you.”

“I will take that as a compliment,” he smirks when he sees the way the man's eyes flicker to his lips, maybe he can have a little fun on set, it's been a few he's gotten laid, and his horny ass doesn't know how's survived. “Are you here to flirt with me or comfort me and share my cigarette?”

“What do you think?”

“If you are here to comfort me, I don't need it. I don't share cigarettes but if it's to fuck, I'm game as long as you are.”

The man's eyes slightly widen at the unrestrained words. “Wow, that's rather straightforward.”

Ciel laughs but there's no rumor in his voice. “I don't like beating around the bushes. If I want something, I say it directly and then I get it. It's as simple as that. So what do you say?” He tilts his head and releases a cloud of smoke on the man's face.

Finally, the man musters the courage and gets closer, circling his arm on Ciel's waist and pulling him closer. “Don't touch till I tell you to.” the words are intense just like the look in his eyes.

As if his skin burns, the man immediately withdraws his hand from his waist. Ciel smirks at the obedience. Releasing another puff of smoke, he gets closer and kisses the man on the lips, giving him a taste of minty that Ciel doesn't enjoy as he pulls back.

“You know what? I've changed my mind. I will see you inside.”

Without another word, Ciel walks back in, leaving the man standing there like a fish out of water.

~

By the time Ciel returns to his penthouse, it's dark and he's exhausted. He flicks on the lights, ready to pour himself a drink, but freezes when he sees the familiar figure of Xerxes occupying the sofa in the living room, legs manly spread. He isn't dressed in his regular suit, but rather a white sleeves that folded to his elbows and a black jacket over it. He looks at Ciel, grey blending with the dark as he unhurriedly takes off the black gloves in his hands.

Ciel hesitantly approaches. “Uh, hi? Did we…schedule a meeting I forgot about?”

The man seriously needed to stop showing up in his home unannounced just because he owns the fucking building!

Xerxes stands, his movements slow and deliberate. His dark eyes locked onto Ciel’s, and the intensity of his gaze made Ciel’s bravado falter. Without a word, he motions towards the coffee table, where he finds pictures. Ciel's heart drops as he recognizes himself in the pictures that were taken a few hours ago, lips locked with his fellow actors. What the fuck?!

Ciel forces a laugh, nervousness creeping through him as Xerxes gets closer. “Wow. Paparazzi are everywhere these days, huh?”

There's nothing to read on Xerxes face as he finally stops a few feet away from him, giving Ciel a dose of his cologne that suddenly mixed with a metallic smell of…wait? Is he smelling blood? Ciel frowns.

“Is this what you do when you’re bored? Throw yourself at anyone who gives you a second glance?” Xerxes calm voice fazes Ciel, he feels his palms sweat and his stomach twist.

“Oh, relax. It was just a little fun. Not like I signed a contract promising not to have fun.” Ciel refuses to let himself be daunted.

Xerxes looks down as he finally takes off his gloves and answers. “You’re right. You didn’t. But you did sign a contract making you mine.”

Ciel's breath hitch and his heart skips a beat but he doesn't waver.  “Possessive much? You know, that’s not a great look for you. It was just a kiss. You act like I committed murder.”

Xerxes tilts his head, his hand comes up to cup Ciel’s jaw, not gently.  “You think this is a game?”

Ciel's heart races but he doesn't let it show. He realizes the smell of the blood on Xerxes has gotten stronger this close. It's like he sprayed himself a blood perfume if that makes sense. “Depends. Are there prizes?”

Xerxes’s grip tightens just enough to make Ciel shut up. Suddenly he trails a finger in Ciel's jawline, a sinister smirk emerging on his face. “How easy it is to ruin something as delicate as a face like yours.”

Ciel's eyes widen at the meaning behind his words. “Is that a threat?”

“Depends on how you see it. I don’t care who you kiss, Ciel. But next time, think about what else could happen. Everything you do reflects on me. And I won’t tolerate disrespect.” he presses hard on Ciel's jaw as he leans closer, right above Ciel's ear, and whispers. “You’re mine. Act like it.”

Ciel's heart pounds like crazy in his chest, torn between anger, fear, and something far more dangerous—thrill as he thinks of things that Xerxes can do to his body.

Carefully, Xerxes lets go and pulls back, staring at Ciel dangerously.  “I only came to educate you, Mr. Reid. Clean yourself up. I won’t have my fiancée looking like a reckless child.”

Then he leaves and finally, Ciel feels he can breathe again. What the hell just happened?

Slowly, his gaze goes over to the pictures and his jaw clenched in anger. “Fucking Paparazzi.”