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20 – Not That Bad
Huling Na-update:
2025-02-05 16:38:22
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Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 21 - Who Are You ?
Alethea was quite surprised to see Sebastian step out of his room already dressed neatly. He looked handsome and refreshed, wearing khaki dress pants and a white sweater. His jet-black hair, thick dark eyebrows, and sharp gaze framed by long, curled eyelashes made him appear almost flawless. His nose was well-defined, and his lips—soft pink—had a top lip slightly thinner than the bottom one.Alethea was startled by her own thoughts. Why was she suddenly paying such close attention to Sebastian’s face? Was it because of the forced kiss he had stolen from her the other day?For some reason, Alethea also felt something strange happening in her body. When she looked at his slightly stubbled jawline, she recalled its rough texture against her skin that night. And his hands… those hands…She quickly shook her head. A wave of nervousness washed over her—fear, but also something else she couldn’t quite explain. A tingling sensation, like tiny electric shocks, spread through her body and settl
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-07Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 22 – Because She’s So Beautiful
"Who is she, Papa?" Shareeza repeated the question she had already asked twice before.Sebastian led Shareeza into his temporary study at the villa because he needed to continue the work that had been interrupted earlier. Fortunately, Shareeza didn’t pout and was willing to cooperate, even though his little girl kept talking to him."She’s one of my servants, sweetheart," Sebastian repeated his previous answer."She works for you?" the little girl asked, her voice filled with suspicion that Sebastian could clearly hear. He frowned for a moment but then nodded again."Really? She’s just your servant? She’s not your girlfriend?" Shareeza’s question took Sebastian by surprise."Girlfriend? Why would you think that, sweetheart?" He wished he could see his daughter’s face—to figure out what kind of expression she was making. Was she pouting or laughing? Did she look adorable or perhaps a little annoying? Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking because his eyes were completely blind.
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-08Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 23 – Disturbance
"What kind of tree is that?" Shareeza pointed at a large tree standing on one side of the villa's yard."A mango tree?" Alethea replied with a question of her own. She tilted her head back to examine the tree's leaves. Since it hadn't borne any fruit yet, she couldn't be certain, but judging by the shape of the leaves, she guessed it was a mango tree."It hasn't grown any fruit yet?" Shareeza asked curiously."Maybe it's not the season," Alethea responded."When is the season?" Shareeza kept asking questions Alethea didn't know the answers to. Should she look it up online? The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it—Helen had confiscated her phone when they arrived at the villa."I don't know, Miss," Alethea admitted. That was the only answer she could give. Shareeza pouted but didn't say much else.As instructed, Alethea was now responsible for watching over Shareeza while her employer had returned inside the villa after lunch to continue working."What about that?" Sh
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-09Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 24 – The Swing
Alethea quickly wiped down the old car tire with wet wipes before drying it with a clean, dry cloth. Once she felt it was ready to use, she gently lifted Shareeza and positioned her comfortably."My feet can't touch the ground," Shareeza complained, staring at her shoe-clad feet."How about I push you from behind?" Alethea offered. She knew she couldn't just do it without asking for permission first—she didn't want to overstep.Shareeza nodded enthusiastically. "Push me high!" she commanded."I can't do that. It's too dangerous. I'll push just enough," Alethea replied, gripping both sides of the tire, which served as handles. She pulled it back until she felt it was enough, then let go, sending Shareeza swinging high enough to make the little girl squeal with excitement."Again! Higher!" the girl pleaded. Alethea pushed again but refused to go any higher than she deemed safe.Shareeza's loud laughter reached Sebastian's ears. He furrowed his brows, focusing on the sound. Curiosity gna
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-10Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 25 – You Did It on Purpose
Sebastian entered his office first, and only after that did Alethea follow. The room was dark, as if it hadn't been used at all, even though Alethea knew for a fact that before she went to Shareeza's room, her boss had still been working.Did Pierre turn off the lights, thinking Sebastian was done working?Alethea fumbled around, trying to find the light switch when suddenly, Sebastian spoke."You did it on purpose, didn't you?" His tone was sharp, almost accusatory.Alethea stopped searching for the switch and turned to look at her employer, confused. Even though the room was dark, the light from outside the office was enough for her to see Sebastian's tall, broad silhouette standing in front of her."Did what on purpose, sir?" she asked, puzzled."Telling Shareeza the story of Beauty and the Beast." Sebastian's voice was cold. He stepped closer, making Alethea feel nervous and afraid again, instinctively inching backward—ready to escape if he did something irrational like before."O
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-11Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 26 – Sebastian's Question
Sebastian once again opened the study door without fumbling around—something a blind man would normally do—making Alethea suspicious that his blindness might be fake.Behind him, Alethea stood frozen, watching how confidently Sebastian walked toward his room. Five steps away from her, he stopped and turned his head slightly to the right before asking, "What are you doing? Why aren't you following me?" His question made Alethea swallow hard in panic, and she quickly adjusted her steps to follow behind him.The thought of having to help Sebastian put on his sleepwear, just like the other night, made Alethea's heart pound wildly. Cold sweat formed on her skin, forcing her to clench the sides of her pants tightly.Will he be as harsh as he was yesterday? Alethea wondered anxiously. But she immediately shook her head, trying to push the unpleasant memory away.No. Nothing bad will happen tonight. After all, Sebastian had just given her a book and asked her to read it, right? That meant thi
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-14Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 27 – Thunderstorm
As Alethea walked toward the back area of the villa where her room was located, she saw Helen and Pierre standing there, gazing at the pitch-black sky."Sir?" Alethea called out to her employer, curious about what they were doing."Has Miss Shareeza gone to bed?" Pierre asked."Yes. About an hour ago," Alethea answered honestly."An hour ago, but you're just getting back now?" Helen glanced at her wristwatch, which she often took off while cooking."Mr. Sebastian asked me to read him a book," Alethea replied truthfully."A book?" Helen and Pierre frowned in confusion. Alethea nodded."What book did he want you to read?" Alethea mentioned the title but had forgotten the author's name. She noticed a mocking smirk on Pierre's face."What is it, Sir? Is something wrong?" Alethea asked, puzzled."No. I just remember that book. It's usually read by lonely people," Pierre said. And those who crave affection, he added silently."Do you want to rest?" Pierre asked. Alethea nodded."Go ahead, b
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-14Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 28 – The Cure
Alethea nodded. "Same here, I'm also scared of thunder. That's why I don't go anywhere near it," she said playfully, making Shareeza giggle."A lot of people have died from being struck by lightning," Alethea continued seriously. "That's why if you see lightning, you have to hide.""Lightning is just as dangerous as a kidnapper. So if you see it, you need to hide right away and go inside the house. Don't run into an open field or go near a pole. Stay away from tall trees, and definitely don't go into water, like a swimming pool. You have to remember that." Alethea looked at Shareeza, waiting for her response.Shareeza nodded. "But don't hate lightning too much, because it also has its benefits.""Really? Like what?" the little girl asked curiously."Lightning can purify the air by killing germs and can also serve as a natural source of electricity," Alethea explained.Shareeza just made an "O" shape with her mouth in understanding."So, if you're inside the house, you don't need to be
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-14
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Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 42 – Packing Up
"Pack up all of Shareeza's things," Sebastian ordered right after lunch."Papa?" Shareeza looked up at her father with pleading eyes. It was clear the little girl was reluctant to part with him. Alethea suspected that her reluctance had something to do with the pinch she had received earlier."Your mother is back, and you have to return to school," her father said, making the little girl's eyes well up with tears."I don't want to go home. I don't want to go to school. I just want to be with you," she said, still looking sad."Do you want to be a smart girl?" Sebastian asked, making Alethea suppress a quiet sigh.Why was "being a smart kid" always the go-to argument for adults whenever a child didn't want to go to school? Why didn't they ever ask why the child didn't want to go? A child refusing to attend school didn't automatically mean they were lazy or unintelligent. There could be a reason—a trigger—that made them reluctant to go. Maybe it was because they found the school environ
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 41 – Proof
Alethea didn't clean herself in Sebastian's room because she felt unworthy. After wiping away her tears, she put her work clothes back on and tidied up the room as if nothing had happened. Once she was sure Sebastian's room was spotless, she took the soiled sheets out and headed straight for the laundry room.Fortunately, she didn't run into anyone inside the villa while she made her way to the storage area. Perhaps Helen had taken her place looking after Shareeza while she was away. As for Pierre, he would undoubtedly remain by Sebastian's side.After loading the laundry into the washing machine and turning it on, Alethea walked back to her room. Just like on the first night when Sebastian took her virginity, she scrubbed her body over and over again, washing herself harshly. But this time, she no longer cried.Sitting at her small vanity while drying her damp hair, Alethea studied her own reflection. Her face looked bare without any makeup. She appeared exhausted, with dark circles
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 40 - Tears
"Don't you want to do it?" Sebastian asked when he didn't feel Alethea move, while the man's hand was still gently rubbing Alethea's back, seemingly coaxing."I-I've never done it, sir." Alethea answered honestly.She looked down, staring into Sebastian's eyes that seemed to be looking back at her even though she knew he could not see. Her gaze ended at Sebastian's pink lips and Alethea swallowed nervously."Just do as you wish." Sebastian said still in a coaxing tone while his thumbs began to move to rub the outer area of Alethea's breasts.Alethea bit her lower lip, but slowly lowered her head. Either afraid of Sebastian's tantrum or curious about the sensation, Alethea pressed her lips against his.It felt warm, and soft. Then, with curiosity, Alethea starts to kiss Sebastian's thin upper lip and suck on it. Sebastian's fingers squeezed Alethea's back impatiently.Moving her head to the other side, Alethea's lips take over Sebastian's lower lip. Sebastian held back his impatient mo
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 39 - Hairdryer
Sebastian's words lingered in Alethea's mind, making it impossible for her to enjoy dinner. Anxiety and dread gnawed at her, filling her thoughts with uncertainty about what the night had in store for her.Dinner passed in a blur. Alethea couldn't even recall what she had talked about with Shareeza. Her heart pounded harder every time she noticed the food on Sebastian and Shareeza's plates slowly disappearing."I'll take care of it," Helen said when Alethea reached for the dishes. Alethea looked at the older woman as if asking for permission to handle the cleanup, but Helen simply shook her head."There's no point in stalling. You already know where you'll end up," she said with a faint smile.Taking a deep breath and trying to hold back tears, Alethea made her way to Shareeza's bedroom. Sebastian was already there, sitting at the edge of the bed while Shareeza was wrapped snugly in her cartoon-themed blanket."Good night," the little girl said, surprisingly not asking Alethea to read
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 38 - Tonight
Alethea accompanied Shareeza as she played in the afternoon. Since Sebastian had forbidden them from playing on the grassy yard for fear that there might be another snake, they spent the afternoon in the living room, playing traditional games that Pierre had taken out from storage."What is this?" Shareeza asked when she saw a dark blue plastic congklak board in Pierre's hands."This is called congklak, Miss," Alethea informed her."Ohh..." she responded, nodding as if she understood. "And this?" she asked, pointing at a clear plastic bag filled with dried seeds."These are dried soursop seeds. Do you know soursop, Miss? The fruit with green skin and white flesh?" Alethea tried to explain. The little girl frowned and shook her head."Does it taste good?" she asked curiously."It's delicious. It's sweet but sometimes a little sour. It's usually great for making juice, syrup, or mixed into shaved ice desserts." Thinking about soursop suddenly made Alethea crave sweet and tangy soursop j
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 37 – The Spokesperson
Alethea stepped out of the bathroom after hearing an impatient knock from outside—it was Helen."Was your stomach so bad that you had to occupy the bathroom all by yourself?" Helen asked curtly, eyeing Alethea, who still looked pale."Sorry," Alethea murmured weakly as she stepped out and held the door open."No need to apologize. I just need to use the toilet." Helen pushed past Alethea to enter. "Oh, and I've reheated your lunch. Eat it before it gets cold again. You know I hate wasting food," she added before closing the door and locking herself inside.Alethea took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, a faint smile forming on her lips.Even though Helen often spoke in a cold or even sharp tone, her actions clearly showed care. Alethea felt grateful, even if she never had the courage to say it out loud.She walked over to the bar table, where a steaming plate of rice and a large piece of spicy chicken sat alongside a glass of warm water.Sitting down, she pulled the plate closer, prep
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 36 - Smell
Alethea opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. She frowned and sat up, only to realize that she was in her employer's bedroom."What happened?" she asked herself in confusion, rubbing her forehead. Her memory flashed back to when she was in the garden."A snake?" Alethea furrowed her brows. "Yes, a snake." Earlier, Shareeza had screamed the word snake, and in her panic, Alethea had jumped to grab Shareeza. However, the dizziness she felt made the world spin, and everything went black."Did I faint?" she wondered as she stood up. "For how long?"Alethea looked around for a clock in Sebastian's room but couldn't find one. She had forgotten that Sebastian disliked the ticking sound of a regular wall clock. He had also said he didn't need a digital clock because he couldn't see it. Instead, he usually checked the time using his smartwatch.Not wanting to waste time overthinking, Alethea decided to tidy up Sebastian's bed. As she lifted a pillow, she caught the scent of his
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 35 – Stress and Fatigue
"Call a doctor here immediately," Sebastian ordered as he made his way to his room, noticing that Pierre had neither taken any action nor given any instructions."The nearest hospital is forty-five minutes away, Sir. And they're not your personal doctors whom you can summon whenever you want. If you want her to be examined, we'll have to take her there ourselves," Pierre replied in his usual flat tone."Then let's go now," Sebastian said, about to turn toward the door, but Pierre blocked his path."We'd still have to wait in line, and that would take a long time.""Then what do you suggest? Didn't you say she needed to be examined to find out why she fainted?" Sebastian snapped."Actually, I don't need a doctor to figure out why she fainted. But if you insist on having her checked, I already instructed Andrea to call a paramedic before telling him to take Alethea to her room," Pierre answered, still with his composed demeanor. The man was clearly much calmer than Sebastian, who couldn
Bound By Duty, Captivated By Love 34 – Snake
The throbbing in Alethea's head turned into dizziness, causing her vision to blur. The increasing heat of the sun and the pattern in front of her made her feel nauseous.She placed her drawing pencil down and stopped coloring. Choosing to close her book, she noticed Shareeza looking at her with a puzzled expression."What's wrong? Are you bored?" Shareeza asked, surprised.Alethea smiled and shook her head but immediately regretted it as it made her head feel like it was spinning. Shareeza observed Alethea closely, then pulled out some tissue and handed it to her."You're sweating. Are you hot?" the little girl asked, looking at the thin cardigan Alethea was wearing.Alethea wiped her forehead with the tissue Shareeza gave her, but Shareeza had misjudged. Alethea wasn't hot; she was actually feeling a chill, and the sweat on her forehead was cold sweat, not the kind from heat."I'm going to get some water. Do you want me to bring you something from the kitchen?""Can I have some juice
