Once they were at a safe distance, Phoenix finally spoke.

“Thank you. I owe you another favor. I was really uncomfortable, and I couldn’t find a way out of that.”

“You’re welcome. And… I hope I didn’t cross a line with the kiss. If you want, you can let go of my hand. I don’t think she can see us anymore.”

Phoenix glanced down at their hands, hesitating.

“The kiss was more than I expected,” he admitted quietly, “but I understood why you did it. So… it’s okay. As for the hand—”

He looked away, embarrassed.
“Could we keep holding hands until we’re out of the crowd? I don’t want anyone else trying to flirt with me tonight.”

Kyle laughed. “Says the man whose job is literally to seduce people.”

Phoenix stiffened and immediately tried to pull away, but Kyle tightened his grip.

“Why don’t you take off the mask?” Kyle asked gently. “No one would recognize you.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not true,” Phoenix replied. “My hair alone stands out. And the way I dress doesn’t help. The mask actually makes things easier.”

“Well,” Kyle said, “since people have bothered you enough tonight, where do you want me to drop you so you can leave in peace?”

Phoenix blinked at him, genuinely surprised.

“Leave? I thought you wanted me to pay you back for the first favor.”

“I do,” Kyle said quickly. “But I don’t want to make you more uncomfortable. We can always meet another time.” Phoenix hesitated, then spoke softly. “I am uncomfortable here, yes… but if you wouldn’t mind something quieter. Just the two of us—”

He stopped himself.

“Go on,” Kyle encouraged. “I want to hear it.”

“Kyle… my contract has a lot of clauses. I can’t share personal information with anyone from this event. I can’t remove the mask while I’m working.” He paused. “The mask is my choice now.”

“I don’t think I understand,” Kyle admitted.

“You won’t know my name. You won’t know anything personal about me. That doesn’t feel fair.”

Kyle stopped walking, turned, and leaned close to Phoenix’s ear.

“Let me worry about that. Spend time with me. Forget the rest. If we ever cross paths again and you don’t want to speak to me, I won’t even be able to stop you. I won’t know who you are.”

“But that’s even more unfair,” Phoenix murmured.

“Shhh,” Kyle whispered. “I know the consequences. And I accept them. Now you just have to decide.”

Phoenix sighed, then pulled a card from his pocket, holding it out.

“My contract includes a room for the night.”

Kyle frowned. “A room?”

Phoenix swallowed. “A presidential suite.”

Kyle’s eyes widened. “A presidential suite? That’s… impressive.”

Phoenix shifted, uncomfortable.

“Sorry,” Kyle said quickly. “I didn’t mean it like that. My parents are diplomats—I’ve stayed in a few. I was just surprised.”

“Diplomats?” Phoenix stiffened. “Kyle, maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

“Shhh,” Kyle said again, smiling softly. “I know exactly what I’m agreeing to. And you’re not risking anything. You know who I am. I don’t know who you are.”

Phoenix hesitated — but allowed himself to be gently guided toward the elevator.

When the elevator doors closed, there was no turning back — and neither of them tried.