I try to erase the traces of Sebastian's lips from my lips, but like a burn on the skin, it is very hard to remove.I stood under the shower, enjoying the water that splashed my body. There was nothing else I could do to get calm and refresh my mind. Only a shower did that, but unfortunately, it couldn't remove the hot traces of Sebastian's lips on my lips.That madman is indeed very unpredictable and can always get others into endless confusion. Wasn't Reina called him? aka Reina, his fiancée? So, why did he have to kiss me earlier? What exactly is he trying to do to me? Why is he giving me mixed signals? Is this some kind of game for him?I rubbed my face roughly. There was no point in thinking about all that. Whatever happened, whatever he's trying to do to me... I can't bring him into my feelings. I don't want to go back to where I was five years ago. I don't want to return to being a stupid woman with stupid expectations. Only Ace is my world and my hope now. Not Sebastian. He's

I brooded in my office for as long as possible, with everything surrounding my head like flies surrounding rotten meat. I contemplated everything. About a lot of things. About the future, how I'd be when this damn deal stopped, about what would happen if I followed Killian, Ace's future, and how I'd end up in old age. That uneasiness and insecurity always haunted me, and I always dragged on in that fear—the same dark lake that could drown me and bring me to its faint end. Later, I tried to occupy myself with organizing and planning what I would do. There are new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu recipes, new coffee variant recipes, and some new snacks. My family is Italian, and we have a fondness for cooking our own specialities or legends, so I wrote down some simple menus on my laptop and then searched the internet for foodstuffs to keep myself busy. It almost worked before the arrival of Owen and Belle, which ignited my emotions. I looked at Belle, who was looking at me like she

I woke up to the sound of curtains being drawn and sunlight hitting my closed eyes. I blink and stare at Sebastian's silhouette with his back to the sun, a black t-shirt hugging his sexy, athletic upper body, and his legs hugged by gym pants. I winced, moaning softly and moving my naked body under the covers, but the pain instantly shot through every bone in my body. The bed moved as he sat on the side of the bed, right next to me. His hand in my hair tempted me to sleep again. "Continue your sleep," "You just finished working out?" I asked hoarsely, my throat a little dry and sore. He mumbled, agreeing. I immediately glared. "Ace..." "It's already nine o'clock, Sweetheart." He said. "He left two hours ago." "Oh my god." I groaned, looking at him in annoyance. "Why didn't you wake me up?" "You were tired from our activities last night," I glared at him. He chuckled and continued. "And you were so sound, I didn't have the heart to wake you up. You don't have to worry. I prepared

"Is something wrong?" the question made me turn to Sebastian who was sitting behind the wheel. I looked at him with a frown. "Nothing. Why?" He looked at me with narrowed eyes and shook his head slowly. "You just look a little different from last night. You look like you're deep in your own thoughts." I opened my mouth, and was slightly dumbfounded by him watching me since yesterday. Did I look so obvious in his eyes? "I'm fine," I retorted. The deepening frown on his forehead and his eyes narrowing at me made me realize that he didn't accept that excuse. "Do you want something else for your birthday? Or do you want a big party? Or do you want another present from me?" he asked persistently. I gave him an annoyed glance. "I don't want any of that, Sebastian," I press him. "So what's wrong with you?" "I said I'm fine," I bit out. "That's what all women say when they're clearly not fine. It's a ticking time bomb." I snorted as I rolled my eyes. "Well, maybe you don't need to kn

My heart felt like it was about to jump out. Trembling took over my entire body with a terrible tremor. My legs were still frozen, preventing me from moving as I felt his closer presence. The darkness placed its claws on my back, pawing at my skin with a horrible imaginary rough touch. His presence was darkness itself, and I could do nothing but surrender to it. I swallowed heavily, breathing heavily when his exhale was felt on my head. "What exactly are you looking for, Isabella?" he asked in a cold, heavy, terrifying voice. I opened my mouth, trying to get my voice out despite the cold jolt coursing through my blood. "I'm not looking for anything," I replied softly. "I didn't mean to. I really just wanted to see your library." The lie flowed smoothly from my mouth. "I accidentally found this when I wanted to touch this strange painting." He sneered at me, and then chuckled coldly. "You think I believe you?" he asked sarcastically. "You called me, pretended to look out for me