I look at the invite:

Dress up with this, and come to XXX XXXXXXXX. Be there at 8:30 sharp.

~V

It was signed by Vanity, a mafia boss. I recognized the signature.

But why me?

It’s a beautiful outfit, half suit, half dress, the bottom was white and red, the top being black, with a red tie and white undershirt. 

I put it on and twirl. I think I look pretty.

~

I arrived at the mansion exactly at the time noted on the invite, having taken a cab. 

The cab driver asked where I was going, as I was dressed up so nicely. I think he was hitting on me. Ew.

I knocked at the door, and I was greeted by someone I don’t know. Well, I don’t know anyone here.

“Mr. Vanity, they have arrived”

I was about to correct them on my pronouns when Vanity walked up, wearing a beautiful lace mask that covered the top half of his face.

“Xir pronouns are Xe/Xem, Mr. Kwon.” Vanity took my hand, kissing it. “You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you…” I say softly, blushing. 

Mr. Kwon apologized to me. “It’s okay, Mr. Kwon. Honest mistake. Neopronouns are quite unknown.”

I smiled at the man, turning to smile at Vanity. 

“Follow me, Kioguk, let me get you some champagne.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist. “Is this okay with you?”

I nod, thankful he asked me. “It’s okay.”

He smiled a very beautiful smile as he walked to his roof, me in tow.

“The party is up here.”

“Wow…” it’s beautiful. “It’s so pretty up here. I can see the whole city!” 

“I’m glad you like it. Come over whenever.” He says, a smile creeping up on his face as he speaks. 

He walks with me to a bar, asking the bartender for two flutes of champagne as a gust of freezing winter air hits me.

“You look cold, Kio.” He says as he removes his dark blue blazer, draping it over my shoulders. “This’ll help you stay warm, angel.”

I couldn’t help but blush. I stuttered out a “thank you” as the bartender handed us the drinks. I thank them, tugging the blazer over my shoulders. It smelled nice. Like vanilla and cherries. 

“Why was I invited here?” I asked after a while, taking a final sip of the champagne. 

“It’s a party.”

“But...I don’t know anyone here...hell I barely know you…”

“I wanted to invite you for two reasons, one, you saved my life, two, you’re really beautiful.”

I blushed a dark red as he calls me beautiful. One of his hands came up to cup my cheek, his thumb barely brushing over my lip. “Is it okay if I...kiss you?”

I nodded, and he leaned in, closing his eyes. The distance between us closes quickly, and soon, his lips are on mine. They taste like champagne. I kissed back after a moment, my hands wrapping around his neck. 

We kiss until Vanity pulls away for air.

He’s smiling at me.

“What?

“You look like you just died and went to heaven.”

“I have reason to believe I did.”

“And what is that reason, Mx. Kioguk?”

“Your lips.”

He smiled at me again, pecking my lips. “Well, I’m glad you enjoyed the kiss.”

Someone walked up to Vanity, asking him who I was. 

“Well, Woojae, this is Jeon Kioguk. Xir the guy who saved my life that one time, remember?”

Woojae nods. “Nice to meet you, Woojae.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mx. Jeon.”

I flashed my smile at both the men. “I like this one.” 

Woojae says. “Can we keep xem?” he pleads to Vanity.

“It depends if xe wants to stay with us. We can’t force xem to do whatever we want. Xir a human being like us.”

“Okay. Kioguk, what do you choose?”

“If I choose to stay here...I would like to know a few things.”

“What would you like to know, Angel?” Vanity asks, the pet name making my face red.

“I would like to know Vanity’s name. And I would like to apply my skills in a way.”

“Skills?” Woojae asks.

“I saved Vanity’s life with a single gunshot. I’m relatively good with a sniper.”

“How did you learn?” 

“I hunt.”

“That’s really cool. But, Kio, I can’t tell you my name just yet.”

“Why? You are already a wanted criminal. And a mafia boss.”

“Fair. But, no one knows my name. Not even here. Well, except for Woojae, but that doesn’t matter.”

“But will you tell me?”

“Of course, Angel.”

He gave me a pretty smile and I went on my toes to kiss him softly. He kissed back and I knew that he was trying to stop himself from pushing me up against a wall.

After a while, we were just lying on a couch that had been moved up to the roof, talking to whoever came up to Vanity.

“Angel, come with me.”

I look at him, confused, and he grabs my hand and leads me inside. He walked me into a bedroom, and he took off the lace mask, revealing his face. It was beautiful, he was so pretty. There was a scar over one of his eyes. I assume it’s a mafia injury. 

“Wow…” that's all I say for a little, taking Vanity in. Wow, he is so gorgeous.

“You’re beautiful.” I tell him.

“You think? Even with the scar?” 

I ran my finger down the scar, very gently. And I kissed his eyelid. “Yes.”

He twirled me in a circle and connected our lips with a soft kiss. “By the way, my name is Han Jaeki.”

“That’s a pretty name, Jaeki.” I say, trying the name out. 

He smiles. “I like you calling me that. It’s nice to hear my name again.”

I kissed his cheek in thanks, and he tilted his head to kiss me, capturing my lips in a kiss that feels lighter than air. I smiled into the kiss, parting my lips just barely, and Jaeki used the opportunity to deepen the kiss. He tastes of expensive drinks; wine and champagne. His hand rests on my back as he walks forward so I’m against a wall. His hand gripped the fabric of the blazer. My hands stayed at his waist and I pulled him closer. I was a little shorter than him, so I was on my toes. For once I enjoy being shorter than someone. 

The kiss only broke due to a need for air. He kissed my lips softly for a mere second, a smile creeping onto his face afterwards. 

There was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“Kwon Miyoung.”

“What’s wrong, Mr. Kwon?”

“Your presence is requested by your guests.”

“I’ll be out in a moment. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Come on, we’re wanted outside, Kio-ie.”

“Okay, that is cute.”

“You’re cuter, angel.”

Jaeki puts his mask on, smiling softly as he sees how he looks. “Perfect” he mumbles, grabbing my hand and walking out of the room.

He didn’t let go of my hand, and when he looked down at the floor, he smiled at it. 

“My presence was requested.” He says, standing in the doorway.

Woojae nods. 

“Why was I requested?”

“Minsun over here wanted to go racing with the cars.”

“Okay. That’s not an issue, just wait for me. I get the Lamborghini!”

“Why do you condone this?” Woojae asks. “It's illegal.”

“You’re in the wrong profession then, Mr. Park. I’m a mafia boss, my whole job is illegal. Might as well do illegal car racing once and awhile.” Jaeki says with a laugh. “Wanna ride with me? Get a chance at the mafia life?”

“This is not mafia life, Kioguk.” Woojae says.

“Oh shut it Woojae.”

“I’d love to join you.” I say to Jaeki, beaming up at him.

“To the Lamborghini!” He says, laughing. “Come on, Angel.”

He and the others went down to the garage. It was gigantic, full of luxury cars, race cars, really any car you can imagine.

Jaeki goes to the Lamborghini, and I find a Bugatti. I’ve driven a lot of these and I know how to drive it. And how to be fast. 

We all get the cars and drive up to an empty road. Couple lanes long, five or four. Jaeki and Woojae push me to race against them, and I do, Jaeki wishing me luck.

“I might like you, but I’ll beat your ass, Vanity.” I say.

“You sure about that, Kio?”

“Very.”