Chapter 5: He hates me

"Huh?" She raised her brow.

"You think you can just leave without a trace after what happened that night?" His hands still pinned hers above her head, his piercing blue eyes boring into hers.

"W-what do you mean?" she stuttered, his scent reminding her of that night—the night that changed her life completely.

"What do I mean? Are you seriously asking me that, woman? If your brain can't recall how we burned together on that bed, how about I remind you right here?" His face was dangerously close as he growled into her ear.

Her eyes widened. He meant it. Every single word. He was the king of the entertainment world, after all.

"Let me go," she demanded stubbornly, her voice barely audible. He let out a low, dark chuckle that sent a chill down her spine.

"Let you go? Oh, I'll let you go, Tatiana. But not until you understand the consequences of crossing paths with me."

Her pupils dilated as she remained frozen, not scared but shocked with the realization that Mr. King was the man she had a night with years ago. Dylan's father.

Tatiana never thought he'd hold such a personality. Cassius had the same blue eyes, lips, and hair color. He was like the bigger version of her son.

"Why did you leave that night?" he inquired.

"I'm sorry... I was drunk and in a state of depression that night. I left because I was embarrassed. I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice barely audible.

He remained quiet for a while, his gaze piercing as he observed her closely like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

He released her hand, and she quickly held her towel.

'Dylan,' her subconscious reminded her, and she wanted to tell him, but his words shattered that thought.

"Among all the women who wanted my dick buried inside them, you're quite a different one."

Tatiana almost gasped. "I'm not that type of woman. You know nothing about me, and that night was a mistake."

"Oh yeah? I saw the way you stared at me hours ago. Like you desire me again."

Tatiana clenched her fist beside her. He smirked at her fierce look; that's exactly what he wanted to see.

As she made to speak, his phone rang, disrupting the moment. She watched him pull out his phone, and his gaze hardened.

"Well, I guess we'll be meeting some other time, Tatiana," he said, looking up at her, his jaw clenching. "Don't even think of running again; you won't like my next action."

With that, he stepped out of the room, and Tatiana could finally breathe well.

"That was scary." She made sure his footsteps faded completely before shutting the door.

---

After her encounter with Mr. King, Tatiana couldn't get her mind off him. She couldn't fathom the reason for his anger and had thought he would have forgotten her. But that wasn't the case.

He seemed to have searched for her, thinking she was a whore. She couldn't even bring herself to tell him about Dylan. Gosh, she felt like going crazy.

"Tatie, the apartment is ready," Jolene informed her over the phone, and she headed to the given address.

It was a well-secured residence in the whole of Australia. Tatiana was able to afford it, thanks to her savings. She knew that money would come in handy someday.

She needed a place where Dylan would be safe; this was a monster den of a country, after all.

After settling in, Tatiana reveled in the comfortable apartment she had prepared after so much stress. Its architecture was grand and well-furnished. The lighting was soft and warm, illuminating the lavish decorations.

The air was clean and fresh, prompting a smile on her face.

"Tatie?" Jolene called, bringing in some boxes.

"Hey, easy, I told you I'd pay some men to do this," Tatiana said, taking the loads from her, and Jolene sighed.

"It's fine. This is nothing," Jolene chuckled.

"Jojo?" Tatiana raised a brow.

"That's all, they're not that heavy. This is the last one," Jolene said. "Uhm, I've been meaning to ask."

"Hm?" Tatiana hummed, unpacking the box.

"Are you really sure about this?" she asked, and Tatiana looked at her. "I mean, everything. I just wanna know if you're fine."

Tatiana smiled. "I'm good."

"Great. I've found a company to sign you in, and you won't believe it. Take it as a surprise tomorrow," Jolene winked.

Jolene had always been a capable manager. She was like a sister from another mother, always helping Tatiana through thick and thin. Tatiana was sure Jolene was blaming herself for Isabella's death, even though she tried to hide it.

That was why she had been trying so hard to help her ever since her return.

"Jojo," Tatiana called.

"Hm?"

"Isabella's death was not your fault," Tatiana stated, and Jolene's face dropped. Those words felt like something she had been wanting to hear badly.

The doorbell sounded, disrupting the moment. Catelyn and Dylan walked in.

Jolene gasped, seeing the young cutie.

"Mummy!" Dylan's tiny voice chimed as he ran to hug Tatiana.

"Oh sweet boy, I've missed you," she kissed his cheek, and he giggled softly.

"I missed you too," he answered, and Tatiana kissed him again.

Dylan's gaze went to Jolene. "Aunt from the video call."

Jolene remained frozen, her lips parted as she stared in awe. 'Cute! Cute! Cute!' those were the words ringing in her head.

"Jojo?" Tatiana's voice brought her back to her senses.

"Dylan," Jolene crouched before him and held his tiny hands.

Dylan pouted. "Are you about to cry?" he asked innocently as he blinked those adorable eyes.

"I am just too happy to see you," Jolene chuckled.

"Me too," he replied.

"Do you wanna play? I and your mother prepared an awesome room for you. Wanna see it?"

"Yes!" he said excitedly.

Tatiana watched Jolene take Dylan to his room.

"She didn't even recognize my presence. Just how cute is your son?" Catelyn teased, and Tatiana smiled, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"I'm sorry about Isabella," Catelyn consoled.

"Thanks," Tatiana nodded. "I met Dylan's father yesterday."

Catelyn's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Really?"

"Yeah, and I think he hates me for leaving that night," she added.

"Did you tell him about Dylan?" Catelyn asked, and Tatiana bit her lip. "You didn't?"

"I couldn't. He thinks I'm a whore. He hates me, and I did a bit of research about him last night and--" Tatiana paused to take a deep breath.

"And what?"

Tatiana looked at her and announced.

"He is engaged"