: Chapter 31

“What are you talking about? I’m not escaping you,” I said, not meeting his eyes.

“Really? Then what was that at the lobby?” Gaze hard.

Surprise lit inside me. He saw me?

Damn! I knew I’d gained weight. My fat ass couldn’t even run faster!

“W-what was what? What did I do now?” I feigned innocence.

His lips pressed together in annoyance. “You ran away seeing me.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was already late for the office. A lot of work was piled up. I was busy. You’re mistaken.”

“Busy talking to my employee?” he asked, nostrils flaring.

My eyes widened. How did he know I was talking to Matt? Was he keeping an eye on me now? Could this man be any weirder?

“You don’t have time for me, but you have time to talk to another man?” I staggered back as he took slow steps towards me, like a predator approaching his prey. “How many times do I have to tell you I don’t like seeing you with other men? You seem to be fond of him too much.” A muscle of his jaw ticked, hands curled into fists.

In another time I’d have told him off, that he didn’t have any right to decide who I would talk to and who I wouldn’t. But at that moment, I decided to cool him down first.

“I was just talking to him about work. And yes, I do like him. But just as a friend. Nothing else.”

My heart skipped when my back hit the wall and I realized I had no other way to escape with him standing just a hand away from me. I was stuck between him and the wall. Closing the rest of the distance, he put his hands on both sides of my head on the wall, trapping me completely.

Leaning closer, he said, “And it’s better if it remains that way. It’d be good for him.”

I frowned at his warning. “What’s wrong with you? You’re behaving like a caveman!”

My breath hitched as he pulled me against him, resting his forehead against mine. The heady scent of his had me light-headed. “You’re mine, Rosebud. And I can be worse when it comes to you.”

Staring in his stormy grays, I went speechless at the intensity of his words.

“I have been going mad since last night, thinking about what your answer would be. You weren’t picking up my calls or answering my messages.” He sighed, brushing his thumb on my cheek. “I was even outside of your house last night, but seeing the lights of your room off, I left.”

I gasped. “You were outside my house? Why?”

“For your answer.”

Oh!

I averted my eyes from his piercing ones, biting my lip. “I-I can’t go on a date with you just like that.”

“Why?” His tone was somber.

“Because…” I trailed off, not knowing how to give him an answer.

His shoulders tensed as his nostrils flared. “Is it for that boyfriend of yours? That boy is still in your life?”

I remained silent.

With his lips curling into a sneer, his arms tightened around me. “When will you stop denying us? When will you let that sham of your relationship go and accept the truth? The truth that you belong to me?”

When I still didn’t say anything, closing his eyes, he let out a breath. When those gray pools opened again, it wasn’t anger that I witnessed. It was pain and exhaustion.

My heart clenched at being the reason for his pain.

Cupping my cheeks, he grazed his lips at the curve of mine. I let out a shaky breath at the tingling sensation his touch left behind. My heart pounded beneath my chest.

Was going to kiss me again?

“Tell me you don’t feel what I’m feeling right now. Tell me you don’t feel anything for me, for us. Tell me your heart still doesn’t beat for me,” he said, grazing his lips against mine. Just a slight brush and I was leaning for more.

“Ace…” a breathy whisper left me.

With his intent eyes on my lips, he rasped, “I’m going to kiss you now. If you kiss me back, I’ll take it as a yes that your heart still belongs to me. And if you don’t… then I’ll take that as a no.”

My eyes closed on their own as his soft, firm lips pressed against mine and molded around me into a slow, passionate kiss. My whole body trembled at the sensations that ran through me, at our mere lips touching. Fireworks exploded in my nerves. I didn’t know what would happen when he’d do more…

I tried my best not to respond to his kiss. But when he sought my lips like they were his salvation, the words he said turned vogue in my head. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pulled him closer and returned his affection with equal urgency and passion.

Groaning, he pinned me against the wall and put my hands above my head with one of his hands, keeping them in place. And with the other one, he felt my curves. My body arched into his touch, wanting more.

But as if fate had some issues with my wishes, he pulled away, leaving me whimpering.

The words ‘come back’ were at the tip of my tongue, but I was certain my eyes were enough to display my desperation.

With a tiny smirk tugged at his lips, he cupped my chin, his breathing still ragged. “So, it’s a yes, then. Now I assume you shouldn’t have any problem going out on a date with me.”

“I-I…” I was still recovering from the sensations he made me feel. My mouth couldn’t form words. My heart still thumped wildly in my chest.

I kissed him back…. But it wasn’t fair! How could I stay sane when he had his mouth and hands on me? His mere proximity was enough to make my thoughts jumbled.

Gripping my neck, he smashed his lips against mine into another hard but fast kiss. Pulling away, he peered into my gaze.

“Now that it’s clear who owns your heart, I want my answer before evening. You have only a few hours to give me a yes. Because I won’t wait for long.” With finality engraved in his voice, he glanced at my mouth one last time before walking out of my office.

And I just stood there like a statue. Still reeling from everything he just did and said. He wouldn’t wait for long? What did he mean? What would he do if I didn’t say yes? Drag me out on a date with him?

I shook my head. Who knew? Achilles Valencian was capable of anything.

It was my fault! I shouldn’t have kissed him back.

Now what do I do?

My hand touched my swollen lips. Heat crept up my cheeks along the fluttering in my tummy as the recollection of him wrapped around me flowed into my mind.

I sighed. Even if it was wrong, it felt so right to be in his arms. His embrace felt home. A home I never wanted to leave.

Gathering the pile of files against my chest, I strutted out of my office towards the conference room. Another important meeting would be held in a few minutes, and even after being an ordinary employee, the boss needed me beside him.

I just hoped the evening wouldn’t come soon. Even though I didn’t have to answer him anything just because he demanded me to, if I wanted the answers to my own questions, I’d have to give him a yes.

But it wasn’t that simple. I couldn’t just go out with him when I didn’t have a proper conversation with Warner.

As I neared the meeting room, I saw Tobias, busy in discussion with Matt.

“Hey! I didn’t know you were gonna drop by,” I said, when he turned to me.

Smiling, he shrugged. “Wanted to surprise you. And maybe you’ll keep getting these surprises more often now.”

I raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

Seeing me, Matt’s eyes widened slightly as he excused himself and scurried away.

What’s with him?

“Do you know what the meeting is about?” Tobias asked.

I shook my head.

“Well, apart from our family business, I thought about opening something of my own. As you know, I always had an interest in doing something in the clothing line. So, I’m planning to do so now. And Achilles decided to invest in my new company, helping me with the launch.” His face brightened with a grin.

My mouth formed into an ‘O’. I had no idea about his plans, though I always knew about his dream. It was great he was finally doing something to achieve it.

And Ace was helping him? He didn’t mention anything about it to me.

Ignoring the warmth that surged through my chest at his gesture, I gave my brother a bone-crushing hug. “That’s great! I’m so happy for you! I’m sure you’ll kick assess even in this field.”

He laughed, reciprocating the affection.

Patting his back, I pulled away. “Does Dad know?”

He nodded. “Yes, he said he’d be always there if I needed any help or support.”

As usual. Dad never stopped any of our siblings to chase our dreams. He always supports us. Just like Mom.

“Uh, Ms. Hutton?” Carter slipped through the conference room’s door. Face weary, shoulders slumped. “Could you please do me a favor and inform the boss that the meeting is about to start? I’d do it myself, but I need to take care of some urgent issues before the meeting starts.”

I’d told him a thousand times to call me by my name, but he seemed to be adamant on calling me formally. So I stopped objecting.

I nodded. “Sure. I’ll go get him.” My mind screamed to say no. I really didn’t want to be alone with him again. But I couldn’t deny Carter. It’d be rude.

Flashing a relieved smile, he thanked me and rushed away down the hallway.

“It’s him again, isn’t it?”

At Tobias’s question, I raised my brow.

“Him being around you still troubles you.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not like that.”

“Then why are you procrastinating?” he queried. When I didn’t answer, he sighed. “I know how you might be feeling, Em. I can see your resistance. But don’t. We both know how he still affects you so much. At least give him a chance. Maybe you don’t know, but trust me, that man’s world revolves around you.”

My eyes snapped to him, breath catching in my throat. That meant whatever Ace said was true? He did have feelings for me. Even Tobias knew it. Then why didn’t any of them tell me?

This time, I didn’t deny his claiming what Ace meant to me. Instead, I asked, “You knew? Yet didn’t care to tell me?”

Sadness washed over his blue eyes. “Everyone knew except you, Em. Everyone knew what you meant to him. But no one can fight the fate.”

I frowned, my throat tightening. What did he mean by that?

“Life has given you another chance, so don’t let it go. Achilles has suffered a lot in his life, Em. He needs you,” he said, his tone was soft. A distant look came over his eyes, as if recollecting the past.

My heart clenched at the thought of him suffering. I knew his father’s death put him into a lot of agony, but hearing Tobias’s words, I could feel there was more.

“What suffering?” My gaze searched for answers.

He shook his head. “Ask him yourself. But know this one thing, Em. His past is a sore subject for him. Especially… his mother. So be careful with your questions.”

His mother? I had this idea that his mother had something to do with his pain. I saw the hatred in his eyes when he looked at his mother’s former room. What happened to him and his mom? Where was she?

Taking in his warning, I nodded and walked away to find Ace. I could ask Tobias about his mom, but I knew he wouldn’t tell me. Because it was another of the few secrets Achilles Valencian had locked inside him.

The only way to find out was, ask Achilles Valencian himself. And for that, I knew what to do.