A Crazy Night Novel

Out of the blue, the teasing voice of his good friend, Durkas, rang out from behind him.

In the next heartbeat, the incredibly handsome countenance of the mixed–descent man manifested right in front of him, magnified several times.

With his face devoid of expression, Nathaniel tossed Anya away. Then, he lifted his hand and pushed the man’s face out of his line of sight. “Are you sick of living, Durkas?”

Durkas clutched at his chest, looking devastated to the core. He did not even bother to glance at the woman who had fallen at his feet, promptly reaching out and draping an arm over Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Don’t be so indifferent with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve last seen each other. How about a drink with Christina when the conference ends?”

Slapping the annoying arm off his shoulder, Nathaniel declined gruffly, “No, thanks. She can’t drink, and I have no time to waste with you.”

Durkas retracted his hand that stung from the smack. He was just about to continue catching up with the man when he glimpsed Anya glaring at them hotly out of the corner of his eye. Putting his blithe attitude away, he asked solemnly, “Why are you involved with someone from the Ludwig family?”

Nathaniel remained as apathetic as ever. “She isn’t of the Ludwig family.

He would never voluntarily tell Durkas that he almost reverted to being single because he fell into a trap in a moment of carelessness.

Hearing that, Durkas tsked and carefully scrutinized Anya’s countenance. As his brows furrowed slightly, he shot a hand out toward her face without warning.

Anya backed up a few steps in fear. “W–W–What are you trying to do?”

Smiling, Durkas replied, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. There’s something at the base of your ear, and I merely wanted to take it off for you. If you don’t wish to have someone else touching you, you can remove it yourself.”

After saying that, he gentlemanly retreated a few paces, leaving her sufficient space to feel safe.

clapped a hand over the base of her ear before spinning on her heel and sprinting

unceremoniously mocked, “When did you become so

friends. Have you forgotten this? Previously, I sought

the lion’s share, but you lacked

eyes, no longer in the mood to entertain

mentioned that or sought this cold and aloof man out to catch

he proceeded to get down to business. “Earlier, you said that woman isn’t

car it so happened that Durkas‘ family was a toy powerhouse. Not only had they created a variety of masks, but

Anya’s face appeared exquisite and lifelike, but it could only dupe

about

far surpasses the sum of beauties I’ve seen. Furthermore, that hyper–realistic mask was of absolutely shoddy workmanship. I could

were not totally certain about something, he

childhood friend. But still, he needed

this to yourself. I’ve got

do you mind telling me your relationship

talk too much, Durkas.

his spine. He

bothered by the many women who flock to

Nathaniel might have satisfied his curiosity. Regretfully, the man did not know the meaning of tactfulness in the face of

Durkas, I can

a sheepish smile, Durkas countered, “No, not at all. I’m going to go on a business trip all over the world after attending the international

no time for that,” Nathaniel rebuffed impassively. His gaze traveled through the crowd before stilling on