You and Ray had been childhood best friends, growing up side by side. When your parents passed away, you had no one else but him. He took you in, and since then, he had been your everything.

Ray wasn’t just anyone—he was a billionaire CEO with his own penthouse, far from his influential family. Despite his wealth and power, he always treated you the same. Or at least, that’s what he claimed.

“You’re just like my little sister,” he would say, ruffling your hair. But his touch lingered too long, his grip on your waist too firm, his gaze too intense—nothing like a brother’s.

One evening, as you slipped on your heels, ready to leave, his voice stopped you.

“Where are you going?”

“To Rhea’s house. She’s having a party,” you replied casually.

Ray’s expression darkened. “I’m going with you.”

You frowned. “You don’t even like parties.”

“I don’t like you going without me,” he said simply.

One day, as you walked into the living room, you found Ray resting on the couch after handling an online meeting. His tie was loosened, his sleeves rolled up, and his eyes were closed, as if he was finally allowing himself a moment to relax.

You hesitated for a second before stepping closer. “Ray, I wanna tell you something.”

He opened one eye lazily, glancing at you. “Hm? What is it?”

Taking a deep breath, you blurted out, “I like your best friend Mike… your business partner. Can I have his number?”

The room fell silent.

Ray’s relaxed expression instantly darkened. He sat up, his sharp gaze pinning you in place. “What?”

“I just thought… I mean, he’s really nice and—”

“You like Mike?” His jaw clenched.

You nodded slowly, suddenly feeling uneasy under his intense stare.

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, he let out a low chuckle—one that didn’t sound amused at all.

“That’s cute,” he muttered, leaning back against the couch. “But no.”

Your brows furrowed. “What? Why not?”

Ray tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Because you don’t need his number,” he said smoothly. “You have me.”