CHAPTER 4

PAY HEFTY 

"Is everything okay, Miss?..."

Since I'm in a hurry going to the elevator, I bump into someone.

"Hmmn?... Yeah, sorry..." I quickly apologize and turn my back but I heard him whispered. 

I smile at him before the elevator close and he wave his hand and smile before bowing a little.

"That's the usual him..."

I look the girl at the girl who is with me inside.

She laughed, "Henrico, it's his name... that fucktard earlier..."

Oh my goodness! Did she just badmouth a handsome guy?

I couldn't suppress my laughter. "Sorry... Just that..." I turned to her, "You know each other?..." I pointed the elevator exit as if I'm ok pointing Henrico.

"Sort of..."

I nodded while pursing my lips. That's it. That's why she's comfortable with street talking towards the man earlier.

"Skylar..." she extended her hand for a friendly introduce. 

I swallowed hard. What should I tell her? Feinah? Shasta.

I blink when she move her hand waiting for me to extend my hand.

"Nice to meet you..." I accepted the handshake.

"You already had your breakfast? Care to join me?"

"Sure..." I quipped.

After the breakfast I went straight to Feinah's apartment when I receive a call from her.

"Is it true? Ethan will not be here until the engagement day? What happened?..."

"Uhmn, yeah, he said he'll send Ethan for business trip..."

"Oh, I thought that Rhyiuz will try something behind my back..."

I was so hesitant to open about the paparazzi issue but I gained courage after a heavy sigh, "He said that you should stay low key... Did you two talked after the incident?"

"I'm so sorry Shasta, I am so desperate to take the therapy and my bodyguard missed out one paparazzi... It will never happen again. Not yet but I know Rhyiuz... I-is he that mad?"

"Not really..." I answered short.

"Just be patient, okay? I know sometimes Rhyiuz is unreasonable but he isn't a bad guy. I guess that Ethan is getting out of control again... If only I..."

I cut her off. "Focus in recovering... I can handle the situation... Don't worry."

I spend the next days hunting museums and going to art galleries. I was lucky enough that Rhyiuz seems busy and didn't force me back going to their Mansion.

I am on the way going to a private gathering when I saw a familiar face. He is smiling and the lady beside him is full of grace.

I step back only to bump into someone. 

"Oops!..."

I was so quick to distance myself from the man who caught my shoulders before I hit the cold floor. I bowed and apologize.

"I'm sorry..."

He laughed and it makes me raised my face. 

"You?..." I burst out pointing the man.

"And... we bump into each other again..." Henrico smiled after. 

"Sorry...  Uhmn... you can go..." I extended my hand to the way going to the party.

"Aren't you coming inside? The party is still in an hour."

"Yeah but I had an emergency..." I reasoned out just to get out of the scene.

I scan the surrounding and it seems like no one noticed us.

He rub his right hand onto his chin. "Too bad... You should probably go then... I will not delay you more..."

"Sorry..." I apologize and walked going to the car.

I just realized how I'm shaking when I rest my back on the car seat. It's been minutes but I still can't hold the steering wheel. I flinched when someone knocks on the window.

When I rolled down, I felt a suddenly relax.

"Get out..."

I close my eyes after settling down the shotgun seat but so confused how did he found me.

"Did you got your important things with you?"

I look outside only to find out that the way is already quiet and the air is fresher.

"I just got busy for the past days and you're attracting problem again..."

"What did I do again?..." I couldn't stop but to retaliate.

Rhyiuz is just silently driving not telling me the problem.

"What?" I encourage using a higher pitch.

"Sleep..." and he handled me a bottle of water.

"I'm not your concern..." I chirped.

"Really?..." he stopped the car and unbuckle his seatbelt.

"You are under my turf Shasta. The public knows you as Feinah... Why didn't you go inside the party then?... Tell me..."

I averted my gaze and bite my lower lips while bowing, "I just don't see myself fitting for that kind of party..."

"Is that so? Not because you're afraid that your father will recognize you?..."

My blood boils, out of anger. I throw him a dagger look and laugh while clapping, "Job well done, Rhyiuz... I want to sleep... My head feels like exploding."

"See... It's the reason why I don't want you here in the city... The Hererras are well known with the upper class here and if they'll found out that Feinah Hererra is around, I'm telling you, you can't fool them all..."

"Okay..." 

"Okay?... Just like that?...." he complained.

"Drive, Rhyiuz, I'm sleepy. It's pointless to argue on the road."

He put back his seatbelt and in a sudden the car is back on the road. No one speak the whole trip and even when I get out of his car, I didn't listen to what he said to their housemaid. 

I went straight to my room. I heard someone knocking on the door after an hour. It's the old lady who leads the helpers. 

"Vann says that we'll just bring your meal here."

"Thank you so much..."

"All the maids will not be here after 6 PM but don't worry, usually, it's the lady of the house or Vann and Ethan."

"Don't worry about dinner, I can cook for myself..."

"I didn't know that you are so considerate and very different from what I heard by the guests before, Miss Feinah..."

I smile but didn't say anything. I nearly forget that I'm into a character.

When dinner came, I didn't wait for Rhyiuz to cook. I went to the enormous kitchen like I own the house. The utensils screams old money and marked a symbol of status.

"Let me cook for us..."

"No, I can do it..."

"Shasta..." Rhyiuz called my name that makes me flinched.

"Hmmn?..." I courageously match his gaze.

"What do you want?..."

I blink as heard how low and raw his voice is. I run my tongue on my lips while thinking about dinner, still looking at him.

"Anything... but I can cook..." I averted my gaze cause in split of seconds our gap becomes closer.

My phone suddenly rings and so I quickly check the caller. It's Ethan. Rhyiuz seems to notice who is calling too cause he cleared his throat.

"Go talk with him... I'll cook for us..." he said.

"Hey, beautiful... Are you already home? Is uncle over there?"

"He's in the kitchen..." I answered short.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to inform you that there's a sudden business trip and that I need to fly the same day..."

"Don't worry, everything is smooth here, focus on your agenda over there. Prove that you can do the work too."

"Thank you so much babe, I'll make it up with you... If you got a problem with my uncle, just call me anytime. I need to go now... Grandma is already knocking for dinner."

"Go on... Take care..."

"Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes..." I hear Rhyiuz walking towards the living room.

"I'll prepare the table..."

He didn't answer back and just walk going back to the kitchen.

I didn't know how I survive the dinner with just two of us.

I didn't went to my room after dinner, instead I went straight to the garden side.

I waited for Jana's call but it seems like my best friend is busy. It's been an hour but it feels like forever. She texted me that she's in school and that Doctors are the one who is left with Mom at the hospital.

"I wish I can personally take care of you, but I don't know... It's so embarrassing but please endure a little more..."

I wipe my tears after looking at a photo of me and my mother that's taken during my highschool graduation. She look so healthy and young, it's totally 180° different from what she is now.

"Let's go inside. It's cold here. The smog will give you headache..."

I didn't notice that Rhyiuz occupied a chair behind my back because of being emotional. Did he caught me in my fragile moment?

I stand up silently and walk going inside the house but my knees suddenly felt wobble but Rhyiuz caught me.

"Fuck!" I head him curse and in a swift, he's carrying me going to the couch.

After he settled me, he got down his knees and lifted my chin letting me to met his cold eyes. I can feel the roughness of his palm but it only added to his masculinity which is unfair. He doesn't have any imperfection. So opposite of me.

"Wanna see her?..." he whispered that only the two of us and hear.

I couldn't stop but to be distracted cause he's caressing the side of my face.

"Xaliah..." he whispered again which makes me swallowed hard as I boldly met his gaze.

His eyes gets darker and when he runs his tongue on his lips, I called him that triggers him.

"I hate you..." I whispered.

He chuckled and pulled me for a light kiss. When he distance himself I didn't give him the chance I close our gap. He pushed me down the expensive couch only to settle me and in a sudden he's on top me. His kisses go down my neck and leaving butterfly kisses all over my neck. His one hand's already inside my shirt and cupping my right boob.

"Ugh!"

I couldn't stop myself from moaning when he suddenly pulled up my shirt and his lips found its purpose.

"Rhyiuz..." I couldn't stop myself calling his name as his other hand touches my now sensitive bud.

"So ready for me..." he whispered as our eyes met and him giving me a stroke.

"Ugh! Please..."

I raise myself as he pulled his middle finger but was frustrated cause he's quick enough.

"No..." he whispered but I don't care.

He begins the game, someone must finish it.

I boldly touch his abdomen and my hand continue to go south even when he called my name repeatedly.

I will give you what you want, Rhyiuz, but I will make sure to play the game better.

I bite my lips while looking at him as I found my target and in one stroke. He attack me with a kiss on the neck.

"You'll pay hefty price for this, honey..." he whispered on my left ear and bite my earlobe. 

"I'll make sure that you'll gonna sleep soundly then..." I whispered back even though I am so nervous.

He chuckled and kiss me on the forehead.

I never imagine myself being like this with him. It felt surreal. So raw and fast but I never felt this safe with anyone. Every touch of his hand feels like reassuring me of the unknown and I like it. I this feeling. So new but stable.

I hope that this will not end, that this isn't just a dream.

"Rhyiuz...Please..." I pleaded him as I wiggle when his kisses is down my womb and in any minute I know where it will be.

"Fuck, Shasta..." he whispered and spread my thighs as we are intimately looking each other.

The moment his lips touch his target my breathing hitched. 

"Fucking, mine..." he whispered while looking at me.

I just look at him with my mouth open.