Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire-Chapter 22: I want to die

YIREN

I wince as the words slip out, a flush creeping up my neck. "I’m stuck in this dress."

Jun’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and for a moment, he just stares at me, as if grew two heads. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but I can’t bring myself to stop now. "The zipper won’t budge. I spent two hours dancing around my room last night trying to get it off, and then I passed out wearing the dress."

There’s a beat of silence. Then—he laughs.

Yeah, Jun bursts into laughter. Not a polite chuckle or a smirk or that annoying teasing grin—no, he’s laughing like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard in his life. And he doesn’t stop. His laughter fills the room, bouncing off the walls, and for a moment, it catches me off guard. It touches my body the way it shouldn’t.

I should be pissed. Scratch that—I am pissed. But also... I’m not.

I cross my arms, my face heating even more. "It’s not that funny," I mutter, but my voice gets lost in the sound of his laughter.

Because I can’t remember the last time I saw Jun laughing like this, holding his stomach. His entire face lights up, the edges of his eyes crinkling, and for once, that brooding, serious mask he always wears is gone. He looks... happy. And seeing him like this—carefree and relaxed—does something to me, something I can’t quite explain. My lips twitch, and before I know it, I’m smiling too.

Bear nudges my leg, his eyes wide, clearly asking for protection from this new, terrifying creature laughing like a Golem.

I bend down to pet him. "It’s okay, baby," I whisper, scratching behind his ears. "He hasn’t gone mad... at least not yet."

Bear keeps his eyes on Jun, his head tilting slightly as if saying, Are you sure about that?

"You’re too proud to ask for help, huh?" Jun teases, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.

I scowl, my arms crossing over my chest tighter. "Yeah, yeah. I didn’t exactly want to ask you, alright?"

And there it is again—another burst of that deep, golem-like laughter. "Unbelievable," he says, shaking his head as if I’m some puzzle he can’t figure out.

Bear lets out a soft whimper, moving closer to me for protection. It’s almost enough to break me out of my own embarrassment. Almost.

I raise my hand to shove him, irritated that he finds this so hilarious, but before I can make contact, he grabs my wrist. His fingers wrap around my skin, and suddenly, the laughter dies on his lips, replaced by a smile that’s far more genuine, almost soft. His grip is firm but not rough, and it sends an unexpected shiver down my spine.

"Now help me," I say, turning my back to him and revealing the stubborn zipper. "You think you’re so clever? Let’s see if you can actually get it undone."

He didn’t move, "Wait, you’re serious?"

"Yeah, genius. Help me out."

He sweeps my hair over my shoulder and grips the zipper, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps as a thought comes to my mind I’m not wearing any bra. Well, taking the bra out of this outfit was easy but I can’t exactly wear it with the dress on.

His touch is careful, almost too careful, as if he’s afraid of something. I don’t know why, but I’m holding my breath. The sensation of his knuckles grazing my skin makes my heart pound in a way I didn’t expect, and for some reason, I think he feels it too.

God, what is happening?

And just like that, I realize—he took a gulp too.

*****

JUNJIE

Oh, for the love of... why won’t this thing budge?

This damn thing is as stubborn as Yiren herself. And right now the universe is testing me.

The way she’s standing, bent over the counter, her body pressed so close to mine. Every time I try to pull the zipper down, it’s like her hips shift just a little more, pressing into me in ways that make it impossible to focus.

"Hold still," I mutter through gritted teeth, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.

"I am holding still," she snaps, her tone full of irritation, but I can hear something else beneath it. A tension that matches mine.

My hand brushes against the bare skin of her back again, and it feels like fire under my fingertips. Warm, soft. Smooth. Too close. The scent of her skin—strawberry and vanilla, and something that’s uniquely her—is messing with my head. And the worst part? I can’t stop thinking about it. About her.

Her hips shift again, pressing back into my front, and dammit—I let out a sound that I instantly regret. We both pause for a second. I bet she can also feel it in my pants. The sleepy soldier is waking up, expecting some action.

"J-Jun—"

"Please... don’t say anything." My voice cracks a little, betraying me.

I tug on the zipper again, harder this time, and the fabric makes another strained noise. The sound alone could be misinterpreted. Combined with the way she’s positioned... It’s not exactly an innocent scene we’re creating.

"I think you should cut it off."

"Agree. It’s as stubborn as you."

"My favorite dress."

"Pity." I grab the scissor, "Don’t move. I won’t be responsible if anything happens."

I tuck the scissors in the dress, ready to nip it. Her breath hitches at the cold blade or my finger inside the seam I’m not sure. But I can feel her pulse in the air between us. And it’s matching mine, beat for beat. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Just then, the door flies open, and an excited chorus of voices fills the apartment.

"Surprise!"

Every muscle in my body freezes, my hands still on the zipper, as I turn to see—Suyin, MeiMei, and Zian—standing in the doorway. Their eyes are wide, and I don’t blame them. Yiren is still bent over the kitchen counter, and I’m standing right behind her with my hands suspiciously placed. And the noises we’d been making definitely didn’t help.

Oh. Shit.

Suyin stares at us, mouth slightly open, and then, in typical Suyin fashion, she blurts out, "Sorry. Please continue."

And with that, she spins around, practically dragging MeiMei with her, the door slamming shut behind them. Zian, the bastard, just smirks and follows them out, clearly enjoying the awkward situation we’re now trapped in.

My face goes red. "Great," I mutter, letting go of the zipper which was free and stepping back from Yiren. "That’s exactly what I needed."

Yiren, her face as red as mine, stands up straight, pulling her dress tightly over her chest, lest it slips. "Oh my god... they think we were—"

"I know," I groan, running a hand through my hair. "Trust me, I know."

"I want to die."

"Take me with you."

****