Dahlia's POV"Get in," he said again. I was still too stunned to move. How on earth could he afford such an expensive car?"Or do you want me to carry you in?"As he said that, the image of him carrying me to the school cafeteria flooded my mind. I quickly pushed it aside. "No, thank you. I can walk just fine."As we both got in the car, I didn't know what to do, so I just sat in my seat, seething. In a few seconds, he moved closer—a little too close. It was suspiciously intimate.My heart dropped to my stomach, and I began to fidget. "What are you doing?"He smirked, his lips curling. "You remember something, don't you?" he whispered into my ear, his breath warm on my face.He was right. The only image in my head was of him climbing up to my window and kissing me."You wish," I said, trying to sound confident. I didn't want him getting any ideas. Besides, I was furious that he had shown up at my front door without notice. And why was Julia entertaining these strangers? We didn't even
Dahlia's POVThankfully, the pool was quiet that day. I didn't have to worry about running into Malik or seeing him making out with some bimbo. Ugh, every time I came here, all I could think about was how I caught him the other day. But at least the pool area had been cleared of any unsavory views.I asked to be dropped off at the nearest boot to school because I didn’t want other students getting the wrong idea, but Ares didn't listen. As we approached the big golden gate, he opened the roof of his car and sped in. The open roof just put us in the spotlight, making us more visible. I bet he felt like a god with that little stunt.I used to think I could avoid scandal, but now I was the scandal. So, I just let things play out for now until I could regain control.I planned to spend the rest of the school day at the pool. I didn’t want to attend any more classes or talk to anyone, especially not Ares or his brothers. His brothers used to be a pain, but now they were quiet and reserved.
Ares's POVThe room was filled with a sterile scent, mingling with the quiet hum of machines. I stood by the corner, watching the doctors and nurses as they worked around Dahlia’s bed. She had been unconscious for two days now, the room bathed in a soft, almost dreamlike light.I could have punished her for not meeting me at the cafeteria, but I decided against it. Letting fate play out was sometimes more rewarding than any punishment. And fate had certainly played the game right into my hands this time.I had laid out my plans from the very beginning but it seemed like fate had other plans—Plans, that were almost similar to mine.Hermes and Apollo sure had a lot of explaining to do. They were supposed to be watching her every fucking time. Where the fuck were they?When Dahlia almost drowned in the pool, I was the one who saved her. The image of her struggling, desperate for help, was etched into my mind. I could almost feel the cold water, see the panic in her eyes. But now, as she
Dahlia's POVThe room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains blocking out most of the daylight. It was stifling, filled with an oppressive silence that pressed down on me. I sat upright in bed, my back propped up by pillows, feeling trapped and restless.The room seemed to close in on me, the air thick with unspoken tension. Ares sat in the corner of my room, his presence a constant irritant. He had volunteered to stay with me for two weeks after saving me from drowning, but I couldn’t stand him.I hated him. I wanted him out of my room, and life, and I was so sure that the only way to do that was to frustrate him.He sat with his eyes closed, but I knew he wasn’t asleep. His posture was too rigid, too controlled. He looked annoyingly composed, his chiseled features relaxed in a way that made him seem almost serene.Despite my irritation, I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he looked, which only fueled my annoyance. I hated the way his presence affected me, the way his calm demeanor
I watched as Dahlia swiped my black card to make yet another purchase. I could hardly believe how much she was enjoying this shopping spree. Her usual routine—home to school and back—had been broken, and she seemed to be relishing every moment of this newfound freedom.We wandered through the bustling market, Dahlia flitting from one stall to another with a lightness I hadn't seen in her before. She was actually smiling, her face alight with excitement."Look at these," Dahlia said, holding up a pair of earrings. "Aren't they pretty?"I nodded. "They're nice."She laughed and added them to the growing pile of purchases. "I've never had so much fun shopping before.""I can tell," I replied, watching her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.We continued through the market, Dahlia eagerly tasting various street foods and occasionally offering me a bite."Here, try this," she said, holding out a skewer of grilled meat.I shook my head. "I'm fine, thanks.""You don't know what you're mis
Dahlia lay in bed, her face turned towards the window, the light playing over her features. I watched her from my seat in the corner, scrolling through my phone more out of habit than interest. The past three days had been long, each one stretching out interminably as she rested from her near-drowning incident. The doctor had ordered two weeks of bed rest, and I had volunteered to stay with her, despite her obvious resentment.She shifted, glancing at me with a mix of curiosity and irritation. I could feel her gaze even though I didn’t look up from my phone. She was always trying to figure me out, trying to find a way to push me away. I knew she didn’t trust me, and I couldn’t blame her. But I had my reasons for staying, reasons she couldn’t understand.“I want to bake,” she announced suddenly, her voice challenging.I raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I set my phone aside and stood up. Without a word, I walked out of the room, leaving her to wonder what I was
After Ares kissed me, I ran to my room, the door slamming shut behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as I locked the door, needing the barrier between us, needing a moment to think. My hands were shaking, the adrenaline from our encounter still coursing through my veins. I leaned against the door, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The taste of his kiss lingered on my lips, and I could still feel the heat of his touch. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic dance, and I found it hard to focus on any one thing. How had it come to this? How had I let my walls down so quickly? Ares had barged into my life, breaking through the barriers I had so carefully constructed. At first, I had hated him for it. I hated the way he sauntered in with that arrogant smile, acting as if he belonged in my world. I remembered the first time I saw him, his presence dominating the room, his confidence infuriating yet magnetic. His very being seemed to challenge everything I stood for.But there was someth
Dahlia's POVDay Five of Bed Rest.I woke up before dawn, my mind tangled in the confusion of Ares’s kiss. The memory kept replaying, making me feel both warm and uncertain.I went through my morning routine in a fog, moving deliberately but feeling detached. I stayed in the bath longer than usual, the hot water a brief escape from the storm inside me. I dressed in an elegant outfit, trying to present my best self, but it felt like a mask hiding my real feelings.The perfume I put on was meant to protect me from my emotions, but it only made them more intense.Why was I doing this? Why did I care if Ares might show up today? I had convinced myself that I didn’t care about him, that I hated him and didn’t want him in my life. But now, the walls I had built were crumbling. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. My plan was simple: keep my distance, control my emotions. Yet here I was, waiting for someone who had no reason to come, dressed up like I was going to a big event.I found myself
Ares’ POVI had been caught up in the moment, kissing Dahlia with a passion that surprised even me. We were in the pool, and I was reveling in the way she responded to my touch. Her initial reluctance had faded, replaced by a tentative willingness to engage. I caressed her back through the thin material of her swimsuit and gently pressed my lips against hers, feeling her start to open up to me. Her body relaxed against mine, and for a moment, it seemed like she was beginning to truly let go.But then, as she started to match my intensity, something shifted inside me. I suddenly became aware of what I was doing and froze. My mind raced with confusion and realization. What am I doing? I thought. This wasn’t part of the plan.Dahlia’s eyes fluttered open, her face reflecting a mix of confusion and surprise. I pulled away abruptly, the suddenness of my action leaving her stunned. "I'm sorry," I said quickly, trying to cover up my disorientation. "That wasn’t supposed to happen."I saw th
Dahlia’s POV I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that had just happened when Ares gently turned me toward the pool, his hands resting on my shoulders. My back pressed against his chest, and I could feel the warmth of his body against mine. The closeness, the intimacy, was almost overwhelming. My heart raced, a mix of nerves and anticipation causing my breath to come in quick, shallow bursts.As his fingers lightly traced along my arm, a shiver ran through me. His touch was gentle, almost soothing, yet it set my nerves on edge. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck as his hands moved down to my waist, the sensation both thrilling and terrifying. His touch was slow and deliberate, as if he was savoring the moment, and I became increasingly aware of every inch of my body.When he reached the knot on my shorts, I tensed, emotions swirling inside me. Before I could react, he loosened the tie, and my shorts fell to the ground, leaving me in just my swimsuit. I fel
Dahlia’s POV"Why would I be jealous," I said quickly, trying to put some distance between us. My voice came out sharper than I intended, and I immediately regretted it. I took a step back, hoping to escape the tension building between us, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his grip on my arm tightened just enough to make me pause, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized how close he was. My back was against his chest, and his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me in place.I was caught off guard by the sudden intimacy, feeling a mix of shyness and irritation that made it hard to think straight. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered in a voice that sent another shiver through me, "Did I do something wrong?"His tone was almost seductive, laced with a teasing edge that made my heart race. I tried to keep my composure, but it was hard to ignore how close he was, how his voice seemed to wrap around me like a soft, tempting whisper. I could feel my resolv
Dahlia’s POVAfter grabbing the first swimsuit that caught my eye, I didn’t even bother to look at it. My mind was too clouded with anger and jealousy to care. I just needed to get out of his room. I clutched the swimsuit in my hand and stormed off to my room, my thoughts racing. I didn’t even notice Aris giggling softly behind me, likely amused that I had picked something so revealing without even realizing it.As I reached my room and slammed the door shut, I could feel the tension in my chest. What was I doing, feeling this way? It wasn’t like Ares and I were anything more than neighbors. Maybe we flirted a little, but that didn’t give me the right to be angry about what I saw in his wardrobe. But the thought of another girl being in his room, trying on those clothes, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I hated how much it bothered me.I threw the swimsuit onto my bed and finally took a good look at it. My heart sank as I realized just how sexy it was. The fabric was a deep, rich shad
Dahlia’s POVAfter breakfast, the uneasy feeling from my conversation with Aris still lingered. I tried to brush it off, but when Aris asked, “Do you want to go swimming with me?” it completely threw me off. Out of all the things he could have suggested, why swimming?“I don’t know how to swim,” I admitted, hoping that would be the end of it.“Okay,” he replied, “but you can still change into a swimsuit and join me. You don’t have to swim.”His persistence caught me off guard. “I’m not comfortable with that,” I said, trying to convey how much the idea unsettled me.“I’ll walk you to your room,” he said, completely ignoring my discomfort.I followed him reluctantly, my mind racing for a way out. When we reached my door, he stopped and waited outside while I went in to change. As soon as I stepped into my room, I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I could use this time to figure out how to get out of this situation without making things awkward.But then I realized I didn’t have a swimsui
Dahlia's POV I sat by Ares' door, leaning against the cold wood as the night dragged on. The house was quiet, with only the occasional creak or the soft sound of the wind outside. I lost track of time, my mind spinning with feelings I couldn’t quite understand. The longer I sat there, the more tired I became, my thoughts drifting into a haze.Finally, as dawn began to break and light crept through the windows, I forced myself to stand up, my legs stiff from sitting too long. I let out a deep sigh and made my way to my room. Being close to Ares, even just outside his door, had felt necessary, like something I couldn’t ignore.Once I was in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, not even bothering to pull the covers over me. Exhaustion hit me hard, pulling me into sleep before I could resist. My eyes closed, and I was quickly lost to the dark world of dreams.But sleep didn’t bring any comfort. Instead, I found myself in a strange place, surrounded by thick fog. I called out, but my voice
Dahlia's POVI had never encountered a place as grand as Ares' mansion. From the moment we crossed the threshold, it felt as though we had stepped into another realm—one filled with elegance, mystery, and untold stories. The entrance hall alone was awe-inspiring, with its towering ceilings and grand chandeliers casting a gentle light over the polished marble floors. Excitement bubbled within me as Ares began the tour."Follow me," he said, his deep voice echoing slightly in the vast space. I trailed behind him down a long corridor, wide-eyed as I absorbed every detail. The walls were adorned with intricate moldings, and the floors gleamed with an almost mirror-like finish. Everything was meticulously designed, exuding a sense of perfection.Ares guided me through several rooms, each more impressive than the last. There was a grand sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a sprawling garden, and a library brimming with more books than I had ever seen. But amidst the g
Ares' POVI could barely contain my excitement as I prepared for the day. Today was a crucial juncture in the elaborate plan I had been meticulously crafting for months. The thought of finally taking Dahlia to my mansion was exhilarating, almost overwhelming. Every detail of my outfit was chosen with precision; I wanted to be flawless. This wasn’t just about spending time with Dahlia; it was about seizing control and setting the stage for the final act of my scheme.Driving towards Dahlia’s house, I replayed the journey I had taken to break through her defenses. She had been a fortress of defiance and pain, completely closed off from the world. Yet, I had managed to see through her tough exterior and uncover the softer, more vulnerable side she had been so careful to hide. I had always viewed her as a caged bird, and now that I had unlocked that cage, I was beginning to see the real Dahlia—a tender, beautiful girl who had learned to protect herself behind a façade of strength.As I in
Dahlia's POVDay eleven of bed restI paused, my hand trembling slightly on the door handle as I opened it. The soft creak of the hinges was the only sound in the quiet space between us. As the door swung open fully, I saw Ares standing there just a few steps away. His tall figure nearly blocked out the sunlight, casting a gentle shadow over me. He was holding a large, fluffy teddy bear and several gift bags. My heart leapt at the sight, excitement bubbling inside me.I gasped in surprise and delight. The gifts were unexpected, and seeing him there waiting for me made my heart swell. Without thinking, I grabbed the teddy bear and hugged it tightly against my chest. Looking up at Ares, I couldn’t hide the gratitude in my eyes.“Thank you!” I said, my voice brimming with genuine happiness. My smile spread wide across my face.Ares stood there, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. He seemed taken aback by my reaction, his eyes studying me as if he couldn’t quite believe what he