Desire Me If You Can-Chapter 76

"Right, right!"

"Wait, don't go in yet!"

"Are you sure there's someone inside? Is it confirmed?"

As flames raged fiercely, firefighters continuously shouted, pouring water onto the fire. Amidst the noisy cries, the person stepping forward, helmet on, was indeed Dein Striker.

"Damn, this is so annoying."

Grumbling with irritation, Dein was watched by Grayson with a furrowed brow. Despite his complaints, he was always the first to enter the most dangerous spots.

It was well-known that people often said one thing and did another. Especially in the case of Dein Striker, which Grayson had come to understand recently.

As expected, Dein entered the flames before even fully donning his mask. Watching him disappear first, Grayson thought to himself:

Of course, I knew he would do that.

He frowned, watching the direction Dein had gone. There had # Nоvеlight # been several calls since that day. Each time, Grayson experienced the same thing. Dein always went into the most dangerous places first and came out last. This pattern repeated over and over. Dein always naturally took on the most perilous roles. However, what infuriated Grayson was something else—the other firefighters seemed to take it for granted. They eloquently spoke of camaraderie and risking their lives together, yet it was always Dein Striker who ended up in the most danger. Is this what they called a 'colleague'?

A sense of useless rage bubbled up within him. Useless people...!

Yet, like them, Grayson stood still, unable to throw himself into the ferocious flames. He could only anxiously wait for Dein to emerge safely, unharmed.

"Dein!"

"Welcome back, good job!"

"Are you okay? Was there anything special inside?"

"Was it just a misunderstanding?"

When Dein finally emerged from the flames, everyone started asking him questions and welcomed him back. From behind them, Grayson let out a sigh of relief. After briefly explaining the situation to the captain, Dein took off his helmet and ruffled his sweaty hair. It was then that his eyes met Grayson's. Still standing in the same spot, Grayson caught Dein's gaze.

"What, you f*cking asshole."

Dein swore as if it were the most natural thing, but instead of glaring like before, he smirked and chuckled. Then, he turned around and dashed off to wherever he was needed next. Grayson continued to watch his back.

"Ah, Miller."

Just then, Ezra, who was passing by, called out his name. Grayson reluctantly turned his gaze as Ezra said with a smile:

"We're done here, so can you clean up over there? It's just putting out some residual fires."

The tasks given to Grayson were still just minor chores. He had no intention of doing more, so it didn't matter. His concerns were elsewhere.

"Ezra."

Ezra turned his head as Grayson spoke.

"I have something to ask."

"What is it?"

Ezra blinked in confusion. Grayson gave him a smile, as most people do in such situations.

Sitting across from Ezra in their usual bar, Grayson's gift made Ezra's eyes widen in shock.

"This, this isn't real, right?"

Stuttering from surprise, Grayson responded with something else.

"Sorry I couldn't make it to the birthday party. I felt I should give you a present."

"No, it's okay if you had things to handle... But this, is it really real? A real diamond?"

Ezra held the bracelet up to the light, inspecting it as if he had never seen such a thing before.

After making some time, they had come to the bar after work. There, Grayson handed over the teddy bear and bracelet he had prepared last time.

When Ezra first saw the teddy bear, he burst out laughing joyfully, but after opening the small box the bear was holding, he gasped for breath as if he was about to have a respiratory attack. After chugging a beer, he finally seemed relaxed enough to talk to the man in front of him.

"How can you afford such, such expensive stuff?"

"It's okay, it was 49 dollars."

"What?"

Ezra, who had been fumbling his words as if he would collapse, paused when he heard Grayson's calm voice. Grayson smiled broadly and pointed at the box. Ezra finally checked the receipt inside, which indeed stated it was 49 dollars, and then, relieved, he brushed his chest and laughed as usual.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

"That's a relief, I was really shocked. Ahahaha."

Ezra repeated the same phrase, laughing. A mix of relief and a tinge of disappointment crossed his face. When he felt both grateful and a bit regretful, Grayson said:

"Happy birthday to your daughter."

"Thanks."

They clinked their newly ordered beers and took a sip. As they shared some trivial chatter and the atmosphere warmed up, Grayson broached the main topic.

"What's Dein's family situation?"

"Dein?"

Ezra repeated Grayson's words and tilted his head.

"I don't really know. He doesn't talk about himself much."

Damn, Grayson internally regretted it. He had thought Ezra might have some information, but maybe he was wrong.

But he wasn't ready to give up. There was still plenty of other information Ezra might know.

"Do you know why he became a firefighter?"

"Salary."

Ezra answered immediately after the question dropped. "Really?" Grayson asked again.

"And?"

"Insurance."

Ezra readily responded again.

"I heard it before, he said it's stable and pays well."

Ezra soon laughed heartily.

"Dein always says he hates anything free."

Grayson was expected to laugh, but he didn't. Instead, he stared at Ezra with a mask-like impassive face. Ezra stopped laughing and blinked.

"Miller? What's wrong?"

As Ezra called out his name in confusion, Grayson suddenly grinned as if nothing had happened.

"So, Dein likes money?"

"Well, yeah..."

Ezra stroked his chin, pondering for a moment, then muttered to himself as if talking to himself.

"And maybe Darling."

Grayson, who managed to catch that remark despite the noisy bar, furrowed his brow.

"Darling? That ugly cat?"

Ezra looked surprised at Grayson's question.

"You've seen Darling? How? Dein doesn't bring anyone home unless they're really close..."

Ezra then looked skeptical. Grayson immediately shook his head and denied it.

"Just saw it by chance. It's definitely not that."

Ezra squinted suspiciously at Grayson, who then sternly repeated.

"No, definitely not."

The fact that Grayson had slept with Dein was known only to them. He had no intention of revealing it to anyone else, nor was there any need to. And it was true that Grayson hadn't been to Dein's house.

After several denials, Ezra finally averted his gaze.

"Well, you're not Dein's type anyway."

Ezra took a sip of his beer and laughed. Grayson also smiled back, but his eyes remained cold.