Zacharias chuckled. âSo, you have wished, so shall it be.â
Shirley felt herself getting pulled into a warm embrace. She could smell the scent of shampoo on Zacharias. It tickled her heart, and she wanted to get closer to him. Holding her nape, Zacharias kissed her. It was a gentle kiss, enough to melt Shirley. She thought she was going to become a puddle.
In the dark, she tasted Zacharias, and her whole body was overwhelmed by his scent. He nibbled on her lip and dipped down lower. Shirley was shivering, her hands held by Zacharias. In the darkness, Zacharias took what he wanted from her like a predator.
Dawn came. When Shirley opened her eyes, Zacharias had gone to work. Contented, she slept in the place he slept in, sniffing his lingering scent. All she could think of was everything that happened the night before. That was crazy.
Zacharias left a note for her on the table, telling her to stay at home and take a break, and if she wanted to leave the house, she must have bodyguards following her around. After that harrowing kidnapping in Flor, he would not let her get into any risky situation again.
Shirley wanted to swing by her grandmotherâs place in the afternoon. She didnât ask Zachariasâ
bodyguards to follow her as she didnât want to waste his resources. If he needed bodyguards, but they were protecting her, he would be in danger. Shirley had nothing to fear back in her home country.
Shirley had lunch at her grandmotherâs place. It had been a long time since Ava saw her granddaughter. She thought the girl felt a little more grown up this time. She noticed the hickey on Shirleyâs neck, but her eyes werenât as good as they were, so she thought it was a mosquito bite. âItâs winter. Itâs not mosquito season, soâ¦â
Shirleyâs cheeks burned up. She quickly clapped her hand on the hickey. âNo, no, it was a mosquito.
There was one in my room last night.â A big and fierce one, too. Ava said, âYou have to close the windows. Donât want the bugs to come in.â
âOf course, Grandma.â Shirley smiled. Whew, that was close. Curious, Ava asked, âSo, howâs it going between you and the vice president? Whenâs the meeting with the parents?â
âWeâre getting along well. Wonât be seeing the parents soon.â Shirley was still a little embarrassed about breaking the secret to her parents.
âTell him to come over and have dinner sometimes.â
âNot a good idea, Grandma. You know who he is. He canât go around anywhere he wants,â said Shirley.
Ah, right. The vice president canât visit just anyone he wants to.
It was almost five, and Shirley wanted to go home. Just then, someone rang the doorbell. Shirley said, âIâll get it, Grandma.â She came into the courtyard, and when she saw who was standing outside, her eyes went wide. âWhat brings you here?â She was surprised, but she opened the door for Zacharias.
âCame to see Ava.â Zacharias smiled, holding presents up.
Shirley knew she was tailed again. How else would he find out I came here? âI was just about to go home, and you showed up,â said Shirley.
âWeâll have dinner with Ava, then.â Zacharias smiled. Well, Grandma wants to see him anyway. Shirley nodded. âSure. Tell Roy to patrol the perimeter.â
âDonât worry. They know what to do without you telling them.â Zacharias put an arm around Shirley and took her into the courtyard.
Ava wondered who the guest was. She then saw a young man coming in. He was handsome and dashing, just like the perfect grandson-in-law she wanted. Ava stood up, welcoming Zacharias. âHello, Mr. Vice President.â