There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)

"No," Bassena flatly declined.

The producer’s lively face sagged sadly then. "But...I haven’t..."

"We don’t accept a sudden change in an established contract," Bassena said with a smile, but Zein could see it didn’t reach the amber eyes.

"Oh, but can we just make a separate contract?" the producer insisted with a rather desperate voice.

"Our guide does not like media appearances," Bassena insisted back, and Zein finally understood what they were talking about.

The producer made a sulking face, putting on a sad expression and trembling lips that Zein could tell was fake. And then, he shifted toward the guide with those sparking eyes that seemed to be glazed with pleading tears.

Unfortunately for him, if Bassena was unfazed, then Zein was downright cold. "No," he said, with no smile beneath the mysterious mask and eyes like a pair of icebergs.

"Ugh--" the producer staggered back, as if he was about to collapse; half because he was getting rejected twice, and half because hearing Zein’s voice made him desire the guide’s participation even more.

And then, knowing he wouldn’t be able to change their mind, he stopped acting and stomped his feet with pursed lips. "Why would you bring along a hot topic if I’m not allowed to use it?"

Bassena laughed then, and patted the man’s shoulder light-heartedly. "To rile you up, James."

"Hey!"