Chapter 1: It All Started Here

Four years ago

Ryker’s POV

“Here is our girl.”

The man said as he pivoted towards the stairs. He is Claire’s father. We all turned toward the stairs. I was genuinely surprised to see Claire. I cannot believe she is the child with whom Russell always plays. Claire looks very pretty in her simple but elegant black dress with a backless neckline. Her body shape and smooth, white skin are visible to me.

Claire is my sister’s best friend and hails from a lineage of Japanese ancestry, whose affluence has been sustained over generations. Our kinship with them is intimate owing to their investments in our company.

Earlier, I grumbled about Russell’s outfits, scarcely taking notice of her bared flesh. Yet now, as I beheld Claire, garbed in the same attire as Russell, my objections stayed. The dress dominates her figure gracefully, and she emanates an exquisite loveliness. Her beauty was simply breathtaking.

‘Goddess,’ I thought.

At the sight of me, Claire’s gaze lit up with a radiant smile, and she hastened down the staircase with a sense of urgency. A frown creased my brow as I watched her scurry, fearing a misstep might make her tumble. Thus, I drew nearer to her and promptly grasped her hand. Little did I expect the electric sensation that coursed through my body upon the slightest touch of our skin. Inadvertently, I released my grip on her, nearly causing her to lose her balance.

Claire held onto my shoulder tightly, and my automatic response was to grasp her hips. “I’m sorry,” I uttered.

“That’s new. When were you scared to touch a woman?”

“I wasn’t scared. It’s just that I felt...”

“The spark? The electricity?” she asked.

My gaze was fixed on her. I wonder if she felt the same thing. “My hand is just wet with sweat,” I said. “There’s no electricity, no spark, and I don’t have a thing from you, okay?”

“Okay, you don’t feel anything, I understand. Why are you angry?” she said. “Smile! Don’t mess with your handsome look right now.”

“You seem to be adopting Russell’s demeanor,” I stated. “Should I think that she’s a bad influence on you?”

A giggle escaped Claire’s lips. “I think it’s the opposite. You may release me now,” she said calmly. “You are already relishing in the sway of my hips.” She winked at me.

With a shake of my head, I withdrew my hand from her hip. I reached out my arms, offering them to her for support, and she consented, taking hold of them. She maintained her grip on my arms as we approached her parents.

“Am I beautiful?” she asked.

“You’re gorgeous!” I exclaimed abruptly.

Her gaze briefly met mine. “Thank you. Did you like what I’m wearing?”

“Yeah, I liked it.” I proceeded to clear my throat.

I caught a glimpse of Claire’s crimson gaze as she beamed in my direction. Uncertainty lingered within me about whether his sudden bashfulness was due to his cosmetic application or some other reason.

“We are leaving,” Claire said.

“See you later, hija. Enjoy your night!”

“Thanks, Mom!”

With a nod from Claire’s parents, we made our way to the gate.

-

“We’re here.”

Soon after, we reached the school. I emerged from the vehicle, and Daniel trailed closely behind. We gallantly opened the car doors, allowing Russell and Claire to leave the backseat gracefully.

As I held Claire’s hand, a chill ran through me as I sensed the icy touch of her skin. Perhaps she was feeling nervous.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re beautiful. If you weren’t my sister’s best friend, I’d probably ask you on a date.” I joked.

“You can date me,” Claire said.

A smirk graced my lips. “You’re young. I don’t date young women.”

Claire turned to Russell and Daniel, watching their heated argument once more. “Let’s go?” I asked. Nodding, Claire expressed her agreement.

-

As we entered the room, the atmosphere shifted, and we were greeted with adoration typically reserved for the most esteemed public figures. All eyes were fixated on us, and Daniel and I appeared to have captured the entire room’s attention. As soon as Claire departed from my presence, I searched for her. As I made my way from the company of the female students, my gaze fell upon her standing solitary at the cocktail table. Without hesitation, I approached her. As the waiter came, I deftly retrieved two wine glasses and offered one to Claire, gracefully closing the distance between us.

“I thought I was your date? Why did you leave me?”

“Sorry, there are too many women around you. I’m about to be pushed over and over again. I’d rather not get hurt, so I’ll stay away.”

“Are you afraid of being hurt? People who fear failing and hurting themselves are weak. I didn’t know you were a weakling.” I said.

As we pivoted towards the dance floor, Daniel and Russell came into view. Despite their movements being synchronized with the music, their body language suggested that their altercation was far from over. My gaze shifted toward Claire.

“This is my first and last prom.” I met Claire’s gaze. “You want to dance with me?”

Gazing upon Claire, I delicately placed the wine glass on the table. In response, she extended her hand toward my arms. With a firm grip, she pulled me toward the center of the dance floor.

-

Claire’s POV

“You’re brave enough to ask me to dance but too scared to touch me.”

“I am not afraid,” I declared. “I feel awkward because you are so serious. Are you happy to be my date? Smile!”

He exhaled a breath. “Lift your hand and put it on my shoulder.”

Uncertainty plagues me, yet my body seems to be rigid and unyielding. It is not fear that grips me in the presence of Ryker, but rather a sense of thrill. For far too long, I have restrained myself. His striking appearance and alluring scent were impossible to ignore. I can’t blame the girls who approached him earlier. And this night will be the most memorable night of my teen life.

My heart skipped a beat as Ryker’s hand landed on my hip, drawing me closer to him. His other hand encircled my waist, sending shivers down my spine. As our bodies made contact, a firm object collided with my abdomen. My hand reached out instinctively to grasp his shoulder, a reaction to his actions. He gazed upon me with an unusual lack of joy, his lips free of the usual upturn. Despite this, I offered a smile in his direction.

“You are incredibly handsome.”

“I know.”

A smile graced my lips as I nodded in agreement. In due time, Ryker’s face broke into a smile. “You are smiling,” I asked, my heart racing as I looked into his eyes. “Are you merely smiling at me?”

“I just recalled that your waistline used to be 35 inches, right?”

My pupils dilated as I beheld the sight before me. “Hey, my waist size was only 29 back then. You were so mean to me. You can measure my waist now.” Without hesitation, I placed Ryker’s hands on either side of my waist. To my slight astonishment, his hands seemed almost sufficient to cover my waist entirely. In an instant, I was overcome with bewilderment and turned my gaze towards Ryker.

‘Jeez, I did this.’ I thought.

I couldn’t help but notice Ryker’s chuckle at my reaction. It’s the first time I’ve made him laugh.

“Claire...”

I shifted my gaze to the man who was approaching us. Melvin was the name of one of the gentlemen who had extended an invitation for a rendezvous.

“That’s why you turned me down.” Melvin smirked, taunting me with his words, “You desire someone older than yourself.”

“You have a mean mouth,” Ryker said. “Are you upset because she turned you down?”

“No. Claire is just plain. I extended an invitation to her solely out of pity.”

A sharp sensation akin to the prick of a needle stirred within my chest. The man’s words were undeniably harsh. My lips formed a pout.

Ryker drew nearer to Melvin, his gaze fixed on him. “The sound of bones breaking is a sensation that I find particularly delightful. I’ll make your bones break into a ringtone if you stay. Babu!”

Melvin left upset, and I suddenly started to giggle. “Jeez, you know “babu”?”

“Indeed,” he replied. “It means farewell. Despite my sister’s bratty behavior, I have gleaned valuable lessons from her.”

A smile graced my lips. “You don’t need to do that. I can punch Melvin and make his face bleed.”

Ryker raised an eyebrow and uttered a single word, “Oh?”

“Of course, I am reticent in your presence for fear that you may lose interest in me.”

“Why should I? I admire you for doing that. Protecting yourself is never something to be embarrassed about.”

“Really? Would you like it if I ran into that guy?” I asked. “I wish I had kicked him before he left.”

“Let’s have a seat.”

Ryker immediately let me go and helped me walk. Our eyes scanned the room for an empty table, and as we did so, I stumbled, my pointed heels proving to be a challenge for my gait. Much to his astonishment, I seized Ryker’s arm, swiftly prompting him to trap me from behind.

“Careful,” he said. However, before I could formulate a response, he spoke once more. “Can you walk?”

Before I could test my two feet, Ryker swooped in and lifted me—a sudden and unexpected gesture. Without hesitation, I grasped his shoulder. A surge of blood flooded my skull, and a warm flush spread across my cheeks. With utmost care, Ryker guided me to a vacant seat. Before me, he sat and proceeded to remove my shoes.

“What’re you doing?” I asked him when he started massaging my foot.

“It will swell up if I don’t massage it. Stay still, and I’ll take care of it.” I caught Ryker’s gaze, and he responded with a smile.

I watched as Ryker massaged my foot very slowly, firmly, but carefully, as if he didn’t want to hurt me. My foot does not hurt, but my heart does. Damn, my heart feels as though it will stop beating. Is there any chance that Ryker will like me as a girl and not just as his sister’s friend? I don’t mind our 12-year age gap. Older men are hot!

“Ryker...”

“Hmmm, does it hurt?” Ryker asked, his gaze averted from me.

“N-no.” I cleared my throat before speaking once more. “I just want to say something.”

“Okay. What could it be?” The sensation persisted as his skilled hands continued to work their magic on my foot.

Despite my nervousness, I steeled myself for what was to come. Trembling, I tentatively extended my hands toward Ryker’s face and touched his cheeks. I gently raised his face, allowing him to meet my gaze. Ryker remained there, his expression one of shock and confusion as he gazed upon me. Little did he expect what I had just done.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.