Snowe's POV:
Zai kept making eye contact whenever we shared our drink. Sometimes I wish I could make him half as nervous as he makes me. There was a musical performance by the staff in their kitty maid costumes, and to my surprise, they were singing heavy metal. A light show lit up the room, and rainbow fog covered the floor. When it ended, everyone in the room cheered, and some people went up to the stage to tip the band.
"Do you want to donate?" Zai asked, leaning toward me.
I nodded, and he handed me a roll of cash from his pocket.
"Then go ahead."
I got up, feeling his eyes on me as I walked toward the stage. When I dropped the money into the cup, the band members thanked me—but I think they would've been more enthusiastic if they knew how much Zai had just given them. After that, he made an order for the pudding I liked to be ready tomorrow, and then we headed home.
As expected, he was all over me as soon as we got there. I hadn't even managed to unlock the door when he hiked up my skirt on the porch. I dropped the keys, pinned against the very door I was trying to open.
"Did you have a good time?" Zai whispered while pulling down my underwear.
"Zai?!" I squealed as he bit my ear, my eyes shutting tight as I heard his pants come undone.
"That's not the right answer this time... I need a yes or no."
"Yes!" I screamed.
This wasn't something we'd ever get to do back at the old place with the others. I was so grateful for the isolation of our new home. Zai held one of my legs up as I tried to stay quiet—even if we were alone, we were still outside. He couldn't wait thirty more seconds?! I thought I'd mentally prepared myself, but I was wrong. I was already shaking after five minutes, and it wasn't until thirty minutes later, when he finally pulled away and said:
"We should go inside. Pick up the key."
I was still flustered, my legs trembling as I squatted to retrieve the keys. Our door required both a passcode and a key. Zai pressed against my back to enter the code while I turned the lock. Once the door was open, he gently pulled me inside and closed it.
I thought we'd head upstairs, but instead, he undressed completely and pinned me against the door again—this time facing him.
"Sh-should I undress too?" I asked, looking down—which was a mistake. After seeing that, I was even more flustered than I was just looking at his face.
"No… you look really cute in that dress."
His mouth was on mine before I could reply. I didn't know how much time had passed when we finally separated, but I was sensitive all over and could only lay against him as he carried me to bed.
"Can you keep going?" he asked once we got there.
"N-no," I admitted weakly.
He laughed and stroked my head. "Fine… then I'll wait for you."
I guessed this was the right time to say no. After catching my breath, I fell asleep. He helped me change into a nightgown, and even in my half-sleeping state, I cuddled close to him.
The Next Morning
When I woke up, Zai was already downstairs cooking. I could smell it. My muscles were still sore, so I stayed in bed. Thankfully, he returned with a tray: a lovely plate of food and one of my favorite flowers.
"Good morning," he said, sitting beside me and kissing my forehead.
"Good morning," I replied nervously. "Have you already eaten?"
"I'll eat when I'm hungry. I've been eating with you a lot lately, so I have an overabundance of energy stored up. I'm taking a day off."
Oh right... he doesn't need food the same way I do.
I picked up my fork and took a bite of my omelet. The moment it entered my mouth, Zai's lips were on my neck. I jolted, but he kept going—rubbing his tongue along my skin and sucking gently. Then the doorbell rang.
He clicked his tongue and reluctantly went downstairs to answer it.
I scarfed down the rest of my food as fast as I could.
When I finally managed to get dressed and come downstairs, I saw that our guests were Valin and RJ.
"Wow... on the door?" RJ noted. Then he looked at me and changed the subject: "We need you to interview a few new people—as soon as possible."
What does he know?!
"Hey, Snowe! I can tell you had a long night," Valin called out.
I blushed. Zai flicked him.
"What?! I can!" Valin defended, then pouted and mumbled to himself while pulling out his phone.
"Can you guys come back in an hour... no, closer to three hours?" Zai asked, glancing at me.
They both looked at me.
I finished coming down the stairs and stood at Zai's side, where he promptly took my hand and kissed my fingers.
"Five hours."
Why does he keep asking for more time?!
"We already scheduled the interviews for 3," RJ replied, eyes locked on me.
I felt like I was under a ton of pressure.
Zai groaned, then kissed me passionately, as if we were alone. His hands gripped my butt before pulling away and resting his forehead on mine.
"Go upstairs. I'll be done soon."
My body felt hot. I would've been embarrassed, but RJ was no longer looking at me, and Valin was still on his phone, so I nodded and left the room quickly.
The Interviews (Third Person POV)
Zai opened his laptop and launched the virtual interview program. He was the best at social interactions and reading people, so this task usually fell to him.
The first interview lasted fifteen minutes.
"I don't like him," Zai said.
RJ nodded. "Yeah, and his work is mediocre at best."
Valin added, "When's the next one?"
"In ten minutes," RJ replied.
Zai groaned. "This is so annoying."
"It's only an hour of work," Valin noted.
Zai hit him. "Who asked you?!"
RJ added, "We let you go on vacation. We handled a lot while you were gone. Plus, you spent a lot of time with Snowe. You must want a break by now."
"Not at all," Zai said.
Valin gasped. "You have to want space sometimes. Doesn't she annoy you?"
"Well..." Zai began, "Sometimes she mentions other guys—and that can be pretty annoying."
"See!" Valin said triumphantly.
"I use my dick to stop her from thinking of anyone but me. So the annoyance doesn't last long."
Valin stared. RJ looked away. No one said anything until the new applicant popped up on the screen.
After that interview ended,
RJ said, "She sounds easier to get along with."
Zai leaned back in his chair. "I'm not sure about hiring a woman."
"Why not?" RJ asked.
"Because... you'll probably sleep with her, and Valin will offend her. Sounds like a headache."
RJ stayed quiet. Valin jumped in.
"I can get along with people so much better now!" He shook Zai's shoulders. "I'll never succeed if you have so little faith in me!"
"Well... even if you're not tired of being around her, you should come hang out with me someday. It's boring with just Valin," RJ added.
Valin gasped again. "Ouch!"
Zai stared at RJ for a moment.
"I'll decide after the last interview."
Even after the final applicant, it was unanimous: the second interviewee was the best fit.
Later
"I'm glad that's over," Valin said. "She has a team of five, so we'll probably finish the demo in two more months."
"I'm glad too," Zai said. "I need to talk to Rai alone. I'll see you later, Valin."
Valin packed up and left.
Zai turned to RJ. "So... best friend. What did you say to Snowe after the movie?"
RJ looked away, choosing his words carefully.
"I implied that if she wanted me... I'd make a move."
The room fell silent.
"Do you really think that was okay?" Zai asked.
"I wasn't thinking. I was having fun... I shouldn't have said it. It won't happen again."
"You're right—it won't."
"Wait, don't be mad! I wasn't trying to act on it—I just can't lie. Even if there's only a 1% chance I might give in, I have to say yes. I wouldn't risk your life like that."
RJ coughed, breathing hard as he added, "98% chance I'll hold back!"
Zai's voice was calm, "That's why I married her.. Because I knew you'd back off if my life was in danger. And because you know what it took to perform that ritual, you'd understand how committed she is to me."
RJ blinked. "... I thought it was because you were in love with her. That pact is so risky!"
Zai shushed him, glancing toward the stairs.
"Of course, I love her. But I also needed insurance to keep the rest of you away. I know how you are. The second her thoughts turn to you... You'll act. That's the one situation I can't trust you."
RJ smiled faintly. "Guess that's my dark side slipping out. I try to keep it locked up."
"I'm not okay with you two being alone together anymore—if that's fine with you. I'll make more time for you outside work. We should all hang out more."
RJ thought for a moment. "...Fine. It's not like she thinks of anyone but you anyway. There was one week I couldn't read her at all. I thought she learned to mask her thoughts, but I've had no trouble lately."
"...Oh... that's strange," Zai replied, acting confused, but he knew exactly why her thoughts were hidden.
"I get it. If she chose me instead, I'd act too. But if you disrespect me again... I won't be so easygoing." RJ growled.
"If you want to fight, we can settle it now," Zai replied fearlessly, while maintaining eye contact with his brother.
At that moment, Snowe came downstairs, interrupting their conversation. She smiled brightly.
"I'm not trying to interrupt… I was just thirsty." She mumbled in her soft voice, with her head hung low, looking slightly ashamed—either for interrupting, or for needing something so trivial while they were clearly in the middle of something.
Zai immediately left RJ's side, embraced her, and gently held her hand as he walked with her into the kitchen.