(Arc 1 : The Raven and the dragon)

Thinking he was dreaming, Hao Ming quickly wiped the water from his face. Thanks to the mirrors in front of him, he could see the person who had just appeared.

The beautiful stranger had blue and silver glitter in her medium-long blonde wavy hair, around her eyes, and on her arms. She wore a blue top, a little transparent and black slim pants. The tight outfit, put well in value the shapes of her slim body. As she approached him, Hao Ming noticed that she looked like a European. But, wait a minute. Weren't they in the men's toilets?

Even though she was very attractive, Hao Ming quickly remembered what kind of place he was in and pulled himself together.

"Who...?!"

Hao Ming suddenly turned around, startling the stranger, who lost her balance. Hao Ming caught her and helped her to her feet. Upon closer look, he realized that "she" was actually a "he".

"Are you all right? Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Hao Ming apologized.

"It's nothing." The stranger replied gently.

"If it's all right, I'll go..." He tilted his head and started to leave.

As he left the bathroom, Hao Ming heard a crash behind him. He returned to find the stranger on his knees, holding his head.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Hao Ming, observing the stranger's condition.

"I've probably drunk too much." He replied weakly, massaging his temples.

Hao Ming helped him to stand up, but he could clearly see that the young man wouldn't get very far in this state. The young man felt his body fail him once again and clung to Hao Ming. Recalling what had just happened with the waitress, Hao Ming decided to help the handsome stranger get into a cab.

"I'll help you get home." Hao Ming insisted.

"No..." The young man half-heartedly refused while letting Hao Ming take him outside.

Once outside, Hao Ming tried in vain to find out where the young stranger lived.

"I want to keep partying. Do you want to party with me?" He offered Hao Ming, still clinging to his coat.

"No, thank you..." Hao Ming replied coldly. "Could I have your address so I can call a taxi for you? If you don't want to give me your full address, just a place near your home would be fine."

The young man shook his head and snuggled happily against Hao Ming's chest, who rolled his eyes. At a glance, he'd noticed that the stranger didn't have a bag, and he wasn't going to force him to unlock his phone either. Seeing that he wasn't going to get the answer he wanted, and not wanting to leave the young man on the sidewalk, Hao Ming started looking for a solution. Then he remembered that there was a hotel not far from the club and decided to go there, carrying the young man on his back.

After the reservation was made, they arrived quickly in the room which resembled a small luxury apartment.. Hao Ming carefully placed the young man on the king-size bed and took off his shoes as well as his own.

When Hao Ming was about to stand up, he was pulled backwards. In an instant, his face was inches away from the enchanting young man. Maybe it was the glitter, but his blue eyes sparkled like jewels. Hao Ming could barely look away.

All of a sudden, the stranger moved closer to Hao Ming and kissed him for about thirty seconds before releasing his lips and letting his head fall back onto the pillow with a smile.

"This is a reward for helping me and for the good deed you did earlier." The young man said mischievously.

Hao Ming remained frozen for a moment, staring at the person in front of him. Then, as if nothing had happened, he stood up.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to buy something to prevent a hangover."

Hao Ming then headed towards a grocery store. As he walked, he gently touched his lips, remembering the kiss.

"The taste of alcohol was not too strong..."

As someone who spent most of his time in front of computers, new sensations ran through his entire body. An obscene image of the handsome stranger suddenly appeared in his mind. His cheeks flushed, and he immediately chased away this impure thought.

"Āiyā! (*Ah!) He's completely drunk. What am I thinking?! Ah! How did I get into this situation?" He took a deep breath. "I have to stay focused."

Later, back from shopping, Hao Ming hesitated for a moment before entering the room. He took another deep breath and finally did it. The stranger was still lying on the bed, his eyes closed. Was he asleep?

Hao Ming placed the anti-hangover drinks on the bedside table and pulled the blanket over the young man.

He was about to leave the room when he felt a hand grab him. But this time it was softer.

"Stay with me... I don't want to be alone..." A gentle voice asked.

Hao Ming turned his head in the direction of the stranger. His gaze remained on the beautiful man in front of him.

"You are still under the influence of alcohol, I prefer to decline." He announced.

"Please." The young man insisted.

Not knowing what to do, Hao Ming sighed.

"I'll sleep on the sofa. If there's any problem, don't hesitate to call me."

The young man watched Hao Ming for a long time before finally letting go.

"Good night then." He wished him with a gentle smile before pulling the blanket all the way up over him.

"Good night..."

Hao Ming left the bedroom door ajar and walked into the living room. He lay down on the sofa and covered himself with his coat. His eyes remained focused on the ceiling. Of course, it was impossible for him to fall asleep.

In the bedroom, the stranger sat up on the bed and looked at the door. He looked at it for several minutes. His expression was much more sober.

"What a gentleman." He whispered with a smile.

He took his phone out of his trousers, put it on the bedside table and lay down again.

After half an hour, Hao Ming got up again to check on the young man. Seeing that he was asleep, he returned to the sofa.

_____

"Invitation

Saturday, May 6th, 2023

You are cordially invited to the mini-exhibition of performance artist Monroe Kaelan.

The event will take place at the Turquoise Hotel from 10am to 8pm.

View address

Other artists will also be in attendance.

Special musical performance by Altaha Gwenval.

Admission by invitation only.

To confirm your attendance or for more information, please contact :

010-XXXX-XXXX

or visit our website

www.turquoisehotel_orchidprestige.com"

A crashing sound echoed through the dimly lit room. Numerous torn and broken objects and documents littered the floor. The only thing that could be heard clearly was an angry breath.

A man looked at the invitation he'd just received on his computer.

"It's him again! What's so interesting about him? So far, you've ignored all my attacks as if I were insignificant, and you continue to live comfortably...!? I'm going to make you pay for underestimating me. This will be your last performance, Altaha."

The man's phone rang. After a brief discussion, he grabbed his coat from the rack by the door and left the room, his face as hateful as ever.

_____

Incessant vibrations slowly awaken the young man Hao Ming brought back to the hotel the night before. Without looking, he grabbed his smartphone and put it to his ear after answering the call.

"Mmm... Hello Gwen..." His voice was still sleepy.

"Sorry to wake you Kae..."

"It's okay..." He shook his head slightly as he sat up on the bed. "What's the matter?"

"When do you think you'll arrive at the Turquoise Hotel?"

Kaelan looked down at his phone and saw the time: seven o'clock.

"In an hour." Kaelan assured him. "I'll call you if anything comes up. [...] Mmm. [...] Okay. See you later..."

Kaelan hung up the phone, stretched like a cat and stood up. His eyes fell on the anti-hangover drinks. He smiled and drank one in one go. Then he went to the bathroom to wash his face.

After ten minutes, he discreetly opened the bedroom door to see if Hao Ming was still there. Hao Ming seemed to be sleeping peacefully on the sofa. Furtively, Kaelan walked over to him and leaned lightly on the edge of the sofa. With his disheveled hair, Hao Ming looked much less threatening.

"He looked like a child..." Kaelan smiled.

Hao Ming had placed his phone on the coffee table. The screen lit up. He had received a message. But that wasn't what captivated Kaelan. It was the phone background. It was a large black and white fresco depicting a white bird illuminating the darkness.

"Oh! Who would have thought?" Kaelan was pleased and impressed.

He looked at the time on the phone. It was seven fifteen. Still as quietly as possible, he took a pen and a sheet of paper from the notepad on the table and wrote a message, which he left next to Hao Ming's phone. Then he put on his shoes and left the room.

Immediately after he left, Hao Ming, who had actually been awake for about twenty minutes, stood up and looked at the bedroom exit door. Shortly afterward, he turned his head to the message that had been left for him. It said "Thank you", followed by a heart.

Hao Ming smiled and got up. He noticed that there was glitter on his coat. He went into the bedroom. Again, there was nothing but glitter on the sheets and pillows.

____

Eight o'clock. A black truck bearing the logo of an art gallery was parked at the side entrance of the luxurious Hotel Turquoise. A group of people were busy taking out the carefully wrapped artworks one by one. Secretary Shin Ha Ri was supervising the group, directing them where to place the works. Meanwhile, Ashlay and Gwenval had just pulled into the hotel parking lot.

In the center of the hotel lobby, a white grand piano had been placed on a large cloth of the same color. All hotel guests had been invited to the event. Many onlookers were eager for Saturday to arrive.

Seeing the piano, Gwenval couldn't help but be drawn to it. He sat down in front of it and began to play a few notes. He also wanted to make sure that the instrument was in tune.

For his part, Ashlay had gone to speak with his secretary and a few employees to make sure everything was going smoothly.

The music had attracted several people who had stopped to listen. Some had recognized Gwenval.

Shortly after, a familiar pair of hands was placed on the piano keyboard to accompany the musician, who was not disturbed at all. A gentle melody began, which lasted about ten minutes. When it was over, the people in the room began to applaud. Some of them approached the duo to ask for autographs or just to chat.

"Mr. Altaha, you're very talented," "Monroe Kaelan? I've seen all your choreography, you're so graceful", "Did you compose this piece, Monsieur Altaha?", "My wife and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us on Saturday".

Ashlay, who had just returned to the hall, was surprised by the sudden gathering. He was a little jealous to see all these people around Gwenval. He also noticed Kaelan.

The latter had enough time to go home, take a shower and change his clothes. Compared to the day before, his outfit was much more casual.

"It's...!"

So the person who had picked up Gwenval on the night of the concert and his artist friend were the same person? Was the studio where Ashlay had dropped Gwenval also his?

Ashlay felt a pang in his chest. Was he just a friend? Despite his determination, Ashlay felt uncomfortable seeing Kaelan and Gwenval together.

Eventually, the young man snapped out of his thoughts and joined the musician. He adopted a more professional attitude.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen."

Everyone turned to greet the businessman and made room for him.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Altaha and Mr. Monroe. Would you excuse us for a moment?"

The crowd didn't mind and quickly dispersed.

With the three of them finally alone together, Gwenval began the introductions:

"Kae, this is Nienrao Ashlay, the hotel manager and heir to the Orchid Prestige. Nienrao, this is Monroe Kaelan. He's a painter and dancer originally from England, now living in South Korea. He's also my best friend."

"His best friend?" Ashlay thought.

"Nice to meet you. Gwen told me about you, thanks for helping him." Kaelan thanked with a bright smile as he held out his hand to Ashlay.

"Pleased to meet you."

After shaking hands, the trio headed for a small meeting room where they could talk more comfortably.

"Does he think I'm a rival? Do I have to fit into that role?" Kaelan whispered to Gwenval.

"Don't bother him, Kae."

"It's no fun. I want to test him a little. Like I did with his friend."

"His friend? What do you mean?" Gwenval looked at his friend questioningly.

Kaelan just smiled and remained silent. Secretary Shin arrived shortly after and greeted everyone.

"We're only one person short, and then we can start." He announced before taking his seat.

Without having time to ask who was missing, someone knocked on the door and entered.

"I hope I'm not too late, Ash."

As soon as he had closed the door behind him, Hao Ming froze.

"You?! Here?!"