"You're the predator right up until you're the prey"
— James Sa Corey

After? After what? Byun Baekhyun asked once more as he took the not-so-secret nth glance at Ara, who was continuously being doted on by both Yixing and Jongdae. It had been two hours since their brief conversation. Two hours since she spoke to him directly. Two hours since she last met his eyes. Instead, for two whole hours, he had been listening to the trio's casual chat, and watching his wife shower his two best friends with rather flirtatious grins and giggles.

Judging by how things were playing out, he was starting to reluctantly believe his initial assumption was correct: that going home "right after" meant after she and Yixing finish wrestling on his king bed, their sweaty bodies shrouded in red Mulberry silk sheets.

Baekhyun sneered at the thought and turned his head the opposite direction, letting his eyes settle on the group of women at the adjacent table. Normally, he would've ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon and brought it over, but regardless of how attractive they were, none of them peaked his interest the way Ara did.

He released a frustrated breath and set his gaze elsewhere before mentally lecturing himself. What the hell is wrong with you Byun Baekhyun? He asked as he let his falling eyelids cloak his sight in darkness. Just what the hell is wrong—

"Should we go now oppa?" he felt Chaeyoung seductively whisper in his ear, followed by a soft and a gentle bite.

With the arousing sensation lingering on his earlobe, Baekhyun opened his eyes and turned to face her, letting his smirking mistress slowly materialize before him. Maybe you can set me right. He thought as he scanned her from head to toe. He then summoned a smug grin and responded with a nod.

Chaeyoung's smirk widened at the sight of him wanting her. As superficial as it was, it gave her a sense of reassurance that maybe…maybe he wasn't as interested in her best friend as she presumed.

The young mistress excitedly collected her few belongings and rose to her feet, signaling to the other three the end to her birthday party.

"It's only a quarter past midnight, yet you're making your great escape already?" Yixing teased as he faced front and leaned back on the soft cushion. "Huh. I wonder why," he added with a wink.

"Well that's not fair. It's her big day, but why are you getting the present?" Jongdae continued in a similar manner while watching Baekhyun get up from his seat.

The famed Lothario smiled devilishly. "What do you mean? I am her present," he countered with arrogance, making his two friends released a loud puff of air.

"Wha~ this mother—" Jongdae replied, stopping midway to turn to Chaeyoung. "If you're unsatisfied with this 'gift', here's a receipt," he started as he waved a soiled cocktail napkin in the air, "we'll accept returns."

"Even for clearance items and defective merchandise?" Yixing added playfully.

"Defective—ya Zhang Yixing!" Baekhyun yelled through clenched teeth. There was no way he could accept being labeled as discounted or broken.

But before he could add to his retort, Ara butted in.

"I guess I'll get going too," she announced casually.

Within a split second, the two bachelors'—as well as her husband's—eyes diverted to her. "What? No! We were just getting started!" Jongdae protested, followed by Yixing's own two cents, "The night's still young. What's the rush?"

"Hearing you talk about presents makes me want to give a special someone a gift too," Ara answered with a teasing smile then flashed her wedding ring—the plain gold band she secretly slid into her finger earlier. Without waiting for reactions, she turned her attention to the lovers and softened her grin. "Have fun you two," she instructed before directing her cautioning eyes on Baekhyun, "Don't forget to use protect