Chapter 6
"Kit, are you alright?" Danil, who had run after them, asked anxiously.
"I'm fine. How about you?" Kit asked in return, walking steadily toward the gunman.
"I'm okay, just a bit startled,"
One of the bodyguards stepped in. "Mr. Danil, Mr. Kit, please come with me to the lounge. We'll handle things from here." They needed to take the gunman to the infirmary first - they couldn't let him bleed out, as they still needed to interrogate him.
Kit turned to Danil. "You've been through something like this before, haven't you?"
Danil let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah… I was kidnapped during a business trip to Thailand."
"You were just in Thailand?" Kit raised an eyebrow. "I was actually planning to visit soon. Thought I'd catch up with some friends."
Danil smirked. "I'd love to go back too, but… maybe not anytime soon. I might’ve stirred up a little trouble." He laughed, though there was a nervous edge to it.
"Come to think of it, you didn’t seem all that shaken. Your reflexes were incredibly fast too," Danil remarked in amazement.
Kit simply shrugged.
"Hey, I owe you one," Danil added, feeling genuinely grateful to Kit for saving him.
"Don't mention it," Kit replied just as the door swung open. Roman and Ivan stepped inside.
"Danil, are you hurt?" Ivan rushed to Danil, turning him around to check for injuries. Danil gave a slight smile.
"I'm fine. Kit got to me in time," Danil responded. Roman sat down on the sofa beside Kit, studying him carefully.
"And you?" Roman asked in a measured tone.
"I'm perfectly fine,"
"So what exactly happened?" Roman pressed. Kit recounted the incident in detail. When Roman heard that the gunman had been taken to the infirmary before being moved to a secure room on the ship, he gave a small nod.
"Make sure our men get answers. I want to know who sent him," Roman ordered, casting a sharp glance at his subordinates.
"I have to admit, I find it strange that a gunman would attempt an assassination in the middle of the ocean. Pretty risky move." Kit mused.
"Even at sea, with the right escape plan, it's possible," Roman replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Kit raised an eyebrow. "So, there was no security screening for people or weapons before they boarded?"
Roman exhaled. "We screened everyone thoroughly. As for weapons, we allow certain groups to bring them on board—but only under strict clearance. I'll have my men look into who the gunman came aboard with."
His gaze lingered on Kit, a look of quiet approval in his eyes.
"Either way, I owe you my thanks for saving Danil," Ivan said.
"It's nothing,"
Ivan grinned. "No wonder Roman finds you interesting." Kit arched an eyebrow at the cryptic remark.
"I think you should take Danil to rest," Roman changed the subject, clearly trying to dismiss his friend. Ivan responded with a subtle smirk.
"Hmm," Ivan hummed in response before leading Danil back to his room.
"Have you eaten?" Roman asked.
"Not yet, just had some snacks with drinks,"
"Then join me for a meal," Roman offered.
"Aren’t you supposed to go back to the party?" Kit asked, knowing that the event was filled with important guests.
"No, I’ve left my secretary to handle things."
Kit hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. Roman then instructed his men to order food before leading Kit out of the lounge and onto the private deck. The area was secluded, with only Roman’s bodyguards stationed at a distance.
Kit studied the dining table before him - a circular marble masterpiece with interwoven gold-plated aluminum legs that give off a radiant sheen. Two curved sofas embraced the table. Cool ocean breezes drifted by as faint music floated up from the bar below.
(If someone came here with their lover, this would be incredibly romantic.) Kit mused to himself. The atmosphere was undeniably romantic, with warm amber lanterns placed around the deck.
"Isn’t this a bit too extravagant?" Kit teased.
"This is normal," Roman replied, making Kit want to roll his eyes.
Without waiting for an invitation, Kit sat down, his gaze lingering on the table legs in curiosity.
"They’re made of solid gold," Roman informed him as if reading his mind.
Kit gave a slight nod. "You really are rich, huh?" he remarked. Roman's lips curved into a slight smile.
"A gift from Prince Casey," Roman added. Kit nodded again.
"I already ordered the food. You’re not allergic to anything, are you?"
"None. I eat everything," Kit replied with a slight smirk, pleasing Roman who appreciated Kit's unflinching demeanor around him. Roman's staff poured wine for both of them. Kit took a sip, tilting his head back to admire the night sky. He really enjoyed the ambiance.
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Roman initiated the conversation, which was unusual for him. Normally, when dining with others, they would be the ones trying to engage him, while he would respond with short, indifferent replies. But with Kit, he found himself wanting to talk.
"Hmm… From what I saw on the ship’s layout, I was thinking of hitting the gym in the morning. Then maybe I’ll find something else to do. There are a lot of interesting activities on the schedule," Kit answered straightforwardly. After all, Roman was the ship’s owner and the one who had invited him aboard.
"Like what?"
“Things like indoor rock climbing, surfing simulators, that kind of stuff,” Kit replied.
"Sounds like you're quite the fitness enthusiast," Roman noted, beginning to understand Kit's active nature.
“Not really,” Kit admitted. “There are days when I just feel lazy, want to lie around, and do nothing.” He answered honestly, forgetting for a moment that he had just revealed a part of himself to Roman—something he usually kept guarded, especially with people he had just met.
At that moment, their food arrived. The two ate while continuing their conversation, the atmosphere making Kit relax a bit.
"Feel free to use the card I gave you. You can shop for more clothes in the retail zone," Roman suggested, aware Kit hadn't packed enough for a week.
“I can buy my own clothes. I won some money at the casino earlier,”
“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow,” Roman informed him. “I probably won’t see you until the evening.” He expected to spend the day investigating the gunman incident and attending an online business meeting.
“Go ahead, do whatever you need to. You don’t have to worry about me. I can explore on my own. No need to babysit me,” Kit said, though deep down, he felt a little strange about the whole situation.
“I can’t do that,” Roman countered. “I invited you here. That means I have to take care of you properly.” He looked directly into Kit’s eyes with a meaningful gaze.
Kit met his eyes briefly before quickly looking away, pretending not to notice the intensity in Roman’s stare.
"Shouldn't you be looking after your VIPs? Like Prince Casey or the tech mogul?"
"Don't worry. I take good care of important people," Roman replied suggestively. Kit tried to brush off the comment's implications.
“How’s the food? Do you like it?” Roman changed the subject.
“If you’re asking if it tastes good, then yeah, it’s good. But it’s not really my style,” Kit answered honestly. The fine dining experience, while featuring premium ingredients and artistic presentation, seemed insufficient for Kit's simpler tastes despite its quality.
"What would you prefer? I'll have the kitchen prepare it," Roman offered accommodatingly. Kit regarded him steadily before offering a slight smirk.
"Can your ship's chef make Thai food?" Kit asked. Roman had his staff check with the kitchen, which confirmed they could.
"Then tell them I want spicy basil pork with rice and two fried eggs," Kit requested. Roman looked slightly taken aback.
"Sir, the chef says they only have Brazilian basil, not Thai, and Basmati rice," Roman's staff reported. Kit nodded, accepting the Indian rice substitute.
"That's fine. Just tell them to make it really spicy,"
The staff member glanced at Roman, who nodded approval, before placing the order.
"Have you been to Thailand?" Kit asked curiously.
“I have,” Roman replied. “I can understand Thai and speak it too, though maybe not perfectly.”
Kit’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected Roman to understand Thai. His mind immediately backtracked, wondering if he had ever badmouthed Roman in Thai right to his face.
“Did you go to Thailand for business or just to travel?”
"Both, though mostly business. The clients there love second-hand goods. I have many items they're interested in buying, so I go to make offers," Roman explained, leaving the nature of these items deliberately vague.
It’s not like he’s selling second-hand tanks or used weapons… right? Kit wondered silently. He chose not to ask, figuring Roman didn’t know that he was already aware of his... less conventional business dealings—information he’d gotten from his stepfather.
Their conversation drifted back to Thailand for a while until Kit’s order finally arrived. The chef had plated the stir-fried basil dish separately from a bowl of rice, with two perfectly fried eggs sitting on top. Roman’s nearby bodyguards stiffened slightly when the intense aroma of chili hit the air.
“You’re sure you can handle that?” Roman asked, eyeing the fiery dish with mild concern.
"Of course," Kit replied confidently, preparing to taste the dish. Roman had water ready for him.
"Hmm... it's decent, but could be spicier," Kit remarked casually, leaving both Roman and his staff momentarily stunned.
“Wanna try some? It’s really not that spicy,” Kit teased, flashing a playful smile before scooping a generous portion of the stir-fry onto Roman’s plate without waiting for permission.
Roman eyed the dish for a moment, then—without a word—picked up his fork and took a bite.
Cough! Roman choked slightly on the heat, his staff rushing to pour water while Kit watched with a hint of satisfied amusement in his smile.
"Hmm, is it spicy?" Kit asked with feigned innocence. Roman, still drinking water to cool his burning tongue, studied Kit's face. There was no mistaking that mischievous glint in Kit’s eyes—he was enjoying this.
"Spicy for a first try. But with a little practice, I'll get used to it. Don't worry - I'll learn to handle spicy food so I can eat with you again," Roman declared. That made Kit pause. He studied Roman’s face, a flicker of suspicion crossing his mind. But now wasn’t the time to ask questions—he wanted to observe Roman a little longer. If he was more certain, he would ask him directly.
"Well, this level of spice doesn't bother my stomach at all," Once he finished his meal, he leaned back and sipped his wine leisurely, feeling Roman’s intense gaze on him almost the entire time.
"Do you like fishing?" Roman asked unexpectedly, surprising his staff who had never seen their boss try so hard to engage someone in casual conversation.
"I'm neutral about it, but I can fish if needed,"
"Just wondering - I have a speedboat at the stern that we can lower into the water. If you're interested, I could take you fishing," Roman offered, mentioning the emergency escape boat he kept in addition to the standard lifeboats.
"I'll think about it," Kit replied, considering that during his week-long stay, he might take up Roman's offer if he got bored. They continued their casual conversation for a while.
***
"I should probably rest now. Thank you for your hospitality today," Kit suggested, feeling it was time to retire.
"Of course. My men will escort you back, for safety," Roman said with a hint of humor. Kit didn't object. They exchanged brief goodbyes before heading separate ways - Kit to his room, Roman to deal with the gunman situation.
"Phew," Kit sighed, sinking into his room's sofa, unsure whether he was physically tired or mentally exhausted from dealing with the overbearing mafioso.
Hope I'm wrong about this, or it's going to be a headache, Kit thought. There was something off, something nagging at the back of his mind—but he wasn’t quite ready to put his suspicions into words yet.
Lost in thought for a while, he eventually shook it off, took a shower, and went to bed.
***
The next morning, Kit woke up early. Fortunately, he'd packed workout clothes, so he changed and headed straight to the fitness center. There were a few people using the facilities, but not many. Kit ran on the treadmill while listening to music through his headphones, enjoying the clear ocean view through the windows. As he ran, Kit noticed the reflection of a man dressed in black in the glass. The man stood not too far away. Kit turned to look and sighed when he recognized him as one of Roman’s men. He gestured for the man to come closer since he was still running.
"Yes, Mr. Kit? Do you need anything?" Roman's subordinate asked.
"I should be asking you that. What are you doing here? Your suit doesn't exactly blend in," Kit replied between breaths.
"The boss ordered me to look after you, sir."
Kit frowned slightly. “I’m not a five-year-old who needs a babysitter. You can go back,” Kit said in a neutral tone. Although he wasn’t particularly pleased, he didn’t intend to take his annoyance out on Roman’s subordinate. He understood that the man was just following orders.
"I'm afraid I can't, sir. The boss said there might be accomplices of yesterday's gunman still around. Since you interfered with their plans, they might try to harm you," the guard replied stoically.
Kit let out a dry chuckle. “Did you memorize a script before coming here?” His words made the man pause slightly.
“Listen, yesterday I was the first one to notice the sniper. I was also the one who took him down. I’m not saying I’m better than you guys, but I can take care of myself. Besides, if there really were any assassins left, then your security system and crisis management are seriously lacking. Are you telling me that on this luxury cruise owned by Roman, all the important guests are going to be in danger for a whole week? Let’s be real—I know you’ve already taken care of everything.”
Kit spoke as if he had seen right through the entire situation. His sharp words even carried a hint of sarcasm, clearly directed at Roman for assigning someone to shadow him like this. The subordinate was taken aback, not expecting Kit to read the situation so perfectly. What Kit said was true—last night, Roman had already eliminated the remaining gunmen and their associates. In other words, there was absolutely no danger left on the ship.
“Pass this message to your boss for me,” Kit continued. “Tell him I really appreciate this VIP treatment, but I don’t need it. I can take care of myself. I don't want to cause you trouble. If he's not satisfied or has questions, tell him to come ask me himself."
"Yes, sir." Roman's subordinate had no choice but to relay Kit's message to his boss before leaving the fitness center. Kit sighed softly before returning to his workout. After finishing, he went back to his room to shower and change.
Knock knock
A knock at the door made Kit, who had just finished getting dressed, glance toward the peephole. He saw that it was a crew member from the ship, but he wasn’t about to let his guard down. He latched the door chain before cracking it open slightly.
"Can I help you?" Kit asked.
"Sorry to disturb you, sir. I'm here to deliver your breakfast," the employee replied. Kit noticed the covered dishes on a service cart.
"I didn't order anything," Kit responded.
"Mr. Roman arranged for it, sir."
Kit's brow furrowed slightly.
"Just a moment," Kit said, pulling out his phone to call Roman, whose number he already had.
("Hello,") Roman's deep voice answered.
"Did you order breakfast sent to my room?" Kit asked directly, knowing Roman would recognize his caller.
("Yes. Hope you'll like it,") Roman replied.
"Listen, I can eat in the dining room myself. Why are you having it sent to me?" Kit's tone carried a hint of irritation.
("I wanted to do this for you. Just... Ah, I'm in a business meeting. We'll talk later. Enjoy your breakfast,") Roman cut the conversation short and hung up. Kit paused momentarily.
"Completely cornered," Kit muttered. He opened the door to let the employee wheel in the cart, deciding to accept the gesture since it had already arrived. The staff member arranged everything on the table and left.
After shutting the door, Kit lifted the covers, letting the delicious aroma fill the air. His eyebrows raised slightly before a satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Alright, I’ll let this slide," Kit muttered, his mood noticeably improving.
The breakfast Roman had ordered for him consisted of Thai dishes—beef panang curry, clear chicken soup with onions, a fried egg, and steamed rice. It was impressive, considering the ship only stocked ingredients for certain cuisines.
Kit had no idea whether Roman personally knew these dishes or if he had simply left it up to the chef. Either way, he felt a quiet sense of appreciation for the gesture.
***
"If I remember correctly, that's your personal number," Ivan remarked after his friend finished a call.
"Mhm," Roman hummed in confirmation.
"Who was it? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t your dad or mom." Ivan smirked, intrigued.
"It wasn’t."
"Then who?" Ivan pressed, amused. "Who could possibly make you pick up in the middle of a meeting?" Ivan teased.
"Kit," Roman answered simply. That made Ivan pause. He narrowed his eyes at his friend.
"Seriously? Are you actually that invested in this?"
Roman didn’t respond to the jab. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject.
"I want to get a place in Thailand. Could you have Kamon look into it? He'd know what kind of property would suit me," Roman said.
"You want a penthouse or a house?" Ivan inquired.
"A house," Roman responded without hesitation. Ivan raised a brow but didn’t question it further.
"Alright, I’ll have Kamon look into it."
With that settled, the two men shifted back to business.
***
Kit finished his breakfast and decided to take a stroll around the ship before heading to the rock-climbing area. As he wandered, he noticed several men and women glancing his way, some offering inviting smiles. He responded with a polite smile but had no intention of engaging with anyone at the moment.
After walking around to let his meal settle, he went straight to sign up for the climbing session. Dressed in athletic attire, Kit required almost no instructions from the staff—he was well-versed in safety protocols and climbing techniques. He chatted casually with the staff, warming up his muscles before effortlessly scaling the rock wall.
People around watched in fascination. Kit made it look deceptively easy, his movements smooth and precise. Each pull-up revealed well-defined yet proportionate muscles—strong but not overly bulky. When he reached the top, he smoothly rappelled down.
"You're really good!" one of the staff members praised, and others nearby echoed their admiration. Kit merely nodded with a small smile.
But then he heard voices from a group nearby making racist comments. He was certain they were directed at him, using derogatory terms about his Asian features - "yellow skin" and "slanted eyes" - since he was the only Asian person present. Kit turned to face them immediately.
"Who you guys talking about?" Kit asked in a measured tone.
"You, obviously. I have no idea how you even got on this ship. This place is for high society only," one young man sneered. He had assumed Kit was insignificant—after all, Kit was alone, without friends or bodyguards hovering around him. The man and his companions had grown irritated watching others admire Kit just for reaching the top of the rock-climbing wall.
"I don't think you're that high," Kit replied, deliberately looking at the man from head to toe with disdain. The man was noticeably shorter than Kit, and while Kit wasn’t one to look down on others, he wasn’t about to let an insult slide.
"Are you calling me short?!" the man exploded, humiliated at being mocked in front of the women he'd brought along. Behind him, two bodyguards stood at attention. Kit quickly assessed the group—three men, two women, and two bodyguards.
“Did I say you were short?” Kit replied coolly. “I don’t recall using that word. Did you hear me say it?” He turned to one of the nearby staff members.
"No, sir, I didn't," the employee responded promptly. The staff knew exactly who Kit was - they'd been instructed to take special care of him if he came climbing. Initially, they'd wondered about this VIP they were supposed to look after, but meeting Kit had impressed them. He was friendly and unpretentious, acting like any normal person. He’s a rare find among the celebrities, royalty, and elite they usually dealt with, who typically demanded constant attention and special treatment.
I have to be honest, this chapter ended quite abruptly and I asked if this is really how the chapter ended s yeah! But at least we have a glimpse of RomanKit's first unofficial date waaaah! I hope you liked this chapter! As always, let's not forget to support our author, ยอนิม . Thank you!
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