Ballroom dancing. Kei Yun had slightly forgotten that it was a thing amongst the rich. He hooked one of his arms around her waist, and out stretched his other arm.

"Forgive me if I embarrassed you tonight Ms. Dae Eun. My dancing is a bit rusty."

"Oh, no worries." She reassured. "You wouldn't be the first."

Kei only smiled and in response his grip around her waist tightened as he pulled her in closer, until they stood chest to chest. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I do hope I can satisfy you tonight Ms. Dae Eun. I wouldn't want to damage your reputation."

Hearing Kei Yun's deep voice her smile grew bigger and seductive. "We'll see." she responded softly.

In agreement with one another, both their bodies began to move along to the music.

One could only laugh. Rusty where? It was as if Kei Yun had been dancing all his life. Honing years and years of practice. And Dae Eun wasn't far behind either. Together they were outstanding. Their movements were elegant and graceful, each step light and centered. They were like a pair of swans, standing out proudly amongst the crowd.

"He's yours isn't he?"

Liam didn't need to look at whoever was speaking to know who it was. He knew exactly who was talking him. "Whatever do you mean." he responded. "He's only a close friend."

"Don't play coy." Choi Lui Zhang looked at Liam expectedly. "You don't have any friends. Especially one's that look like that." He gestured toward the dance floor and a certain white haired youth.

"Tell me something." Liam turned around to face the other. "When did you grow the need to put your nose in my business?"

"Since the competition around here has gotten worse."

Hearing this, Liam glanced to the left side of Choi Lui Zhang and saw his little 'pet' obediently standing there. Everytime he looked at Bai Ling's delicate features and pure white clothing he had the urge to vomit. He found Choi's taste in lovers quite distasteful.

Bai Ling fully fit the white lotus trope. The angel that one could only look at and not touch. The one who was the light to their darkness. The unsullied type. 

It was all a lie. A facade.

In this industry. Such a pure person didn't exist. People love to pretend and delude themselves. 

Liam met Choi Lui Zhang's gaze head on. "There isn't any competition. If it was, you'd lose."

"And why is that?"

"Must I recall your past events." He nodded towards Boa Lui Zhang who was drinking wine with the Director. "I know your brother doesn't have any problem remembering." 

Choi Lui Zhang gazed at Liam's smile and sneered. "If you don't want me messing with your little toy then just say that."

There was no need to beat around the bush and indirectly threatened him.

Liam smirked haughtily. "Where's the fun in that." Giving him a light pat on the back he went over to the dance floor. Coincidentally when their conversation met it's end so did the music.

Kei Yun released his hold and from the corner of his eye he could see Liam approaching. "It appears our time together will be cut short."

"So it seems. But I'll make sure to come see you before you leave tonight."

Did she really see him as an art piece?

Ending the dance with a bow she left him and began mingling with the rest of the socialites and aristocrats. Soon Liam appeared and pulled him towards the table. "Let's get some drinks shall we?"

~•~•~•~

Kei Yun watched as Liam fluttered around the room like the social butterfly he was. Laughing, teasing, and flirting with the other guess. Everyone far as the eye could see, appeared to love him. Both men and women alike were like months drawn to a flame, they flocked towards him gleefully and willingly.

Kei really needed a break from the crowd. Slipping away from the others he decided to get some fresh air. He left the banquet and headed towards the south of the mansion. On his way in he had glanced a garden and wanted to take a look at it. There was no time like the present to do so.

Entering the south wing he walked aimlessly along the grass. The garden was quite big and spacious, colorful flowers and set ups were everywhere. He began following the stone trail up until it met it's end. A huge fountain made of marvelous marble stood at the center, connecting both the stone path and a wooden one.

The sound of water running was music to his ears. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air he closed his eyes and listened. The light from the moon illuminated his pale skin and danced across his features like fairy dust, magnifying his beauty ten-fold. Blessing anyone who looked upon him.

Exhaling slowly, he opened his eyes and looked toward the fountain. As he glanced forward he couldn't help narrowing his gaze and wrinkling his nose.

He didn't notice it before but the smell of nicotine and tobacco blew through the air heavily. And it seem to come from the opposite side of the fountain, where Kei Yun could clearly see a river of smoke flutter upward towards the sky.

It was very clear to him.

He wasn't alone....

Then he should leave then. Find another place for his peace. Yet why wasn't he leaving but instead approaching the other.

Circling around the fountain he got a good view of the other person and Kei Yun couldn't believe it. He could recognize those cold, piercing ocean-like eyes from anywhere.

Shamefully he stepped closer and assessed the man in front of him. Boldly sizing him up from head to toe. He didn't believe it...

".... Nathaniel Zhao?"

The man glanced at Kei Yun and heartily advised, "Taking a picture would last longer." Calmly, he took the last puff of his cigarette then, unhurriedly brushed the tip along the marble to extinguished the fire. "And that's President Zhao to you. We aren't friends nor equals." He expressed, his voice naturally distant and cold.

'Right.' 

Kei reminded himself of his current position. Nathaniel Zhao was now his boss after all.

"I apologize for being rude. I was just a bit startled."

Nathaniel only nodded.

"If you don't mind me asking. How come you're here at the gathering?"

In social status, wasn't Nathaniel above everyone else here. Why would he attend a small banquet such as this one?