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2024-10-29 19:42:56He was the man who was with Mr. Kim Mori a few minutes ago. I'm so surprised that we have picked the same place for lunch. However, he's unfriendly, so I look away when our eyes meet.
Zed's attention is still on the attendant who has mistakenly included a latte art in his coffee. Why he reacted that way was beyond me. So, I just observe him silently.
"Who's the boss you mean?"
"Mr. D," the attendant replies, his eyes flickering nervously. "Sir, I'll give you another cup."
Zed sighs and waves a hand, "No. It's fine."
What's wrong with him? He's angry a while ago but says he's fine with it. And what's with the latte art?
I pull the cup closer to me to know what bothers Zed. He doesn't react, so I go ahead, peering into the cup. A white microfoam pattern of a beautiful woman floats on a surface. I gasp in awe. She's so beautiful!
I pick up my phone and take a picture of the art. "This is so awesome, Zed! We also put in latte art
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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 24 Zed
Zed's POV Seeing how broken Ella is promptsme to break my rules the second time. She has no one to lean on, and so I am. I don't have a numb heart that I can't feel her loneliness; I just don't want to gethurt again. And I refuse to go through the hard process of healing and moving on again. "I'll take you home," I said after watching her empty her stomach. I can't forgive myself if she dies from dehydration just because she has no one to call upon. Hyperemesis gravidarum can have severe complications – that's what I've learned when Yen underwent that stage. "But-" Ella starts to protest, but I know what is in her mind. "But in every rule, there is always an exemption. We can be friends, can't we?" "I will be staying in your house?" "Of course, but in a separate room." "Of course," she laughs. I lead Ella back to our seat once her vomiting urges stop. Seeing that
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 Chapter 25
On the next day, I head to the kitchen after taking a quick shower. Glancing at the wall clock in the living room, I realize it's already five in the morning. Even though I am used to sleeping late at night because of my job, I set up my mind to wake up early because I already have a pregnant companion in the house. To my surprise, the aroma of hot chocolate wafts into my nostrils, and I see Ella by the kitchen island preparing something for breakfast."Good morning. Why are you up so early?""You might have early appointments." Ella glances over her shoulders and smiles.Her answer moves me. I'm used to serving Yen, and it feels strange but wonderful to be served."Kitchens are taboo for pregnant women. So, how do you do manage that?" I say, masking my reaction."It's only eggs and bread. But I have already ordered something else for your breakfast.""Let me do the cooking next time. Unless I am not at home and you are hungry," I say, peeri
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 26 Ella
Ella’s POV"I can't make her happy. No, I can't make any woman happy." Zed's words yesterday replay in my mind as I gape at him.And it hits me with a realization. Zed's failed marriage isn't the only reason why he avoids women, nor his heartache. But his insecurities.Erectile Dysfunction Syndrome. My eyes move again at his erection and I wonder what causes it."But it's-" I stop; I just can't say the words. How can it be? It looks strong and mighty beneath the towel."It doesn't last for half a minute," he answers; his eyes turning dark in desire."Why are you telling me this, Zed? How many people know about this?"He smirks. "If Yen is not broadcasting this truth around, then it's only between her and me. And the psychiatrist, of course.""But I don't know why I'm telling you this," he adds.A sense of pity for him engulfs me. Zed is tall, lean, and the word ha
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 27 Ella
"Where are we going?" I ask Zed as soon as he turns the car's engine on."To Yen's friend," he answers, but his eyes are on the road. And since he seems not in the mood to talk, I zip my mouth.His silence bothers me. Perhaps, he's angry about what I did a while ago. Seducing him has destroyed his privacy and ruined his mood.I don't know why but I don't regret it. Curiosity may have piqued in me, but deep inside, I had wanted to know the extent, so I could help.To bear the silence and awkwardness, I close my eyes. And just as I am lulled to sleep, a tap on my left shoulder jolts me awake."Ella, we're here already."I open my eyes, and the first thing I see is his face, a few inches away from me. I gasp; it's like seeing an actual angel in my dream."Sorry for waking you up."Damn him, how could he be so kind after what I've done?"Sorry for falling asleep as well."I sit up and look around. Across
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 28
Are you ready?" Dr. Mitch's voice makes us both turn in her direction. She's standing by the door frame, smiling at us. "I guess, Dr. Mitch," Zed replies, and I hurry on the bed, aiming to lie down before she comes in. "Slowly," Zed says, helping me fit into the bed. I'm tall, and the bed seems much shorter than my length. "This way," Dr. Mitch says, and she comes closer and places both my legs on the stirrups. My legs parts wide, pulling the hem of my clothes upward. And before she successfully pulls the sheet and drapes it over me, I have already imagined my flower smiling wide at them. "The bed looks short because your legs should be here," she adds. I look up and see Zed standing an arm's length away from the foot part of the bed, just behind Dr. Mitch. He stands there, registering an anxious face like he's the father of my child. And for sure, he has also seen my grinning cunt. If only Dr. Mitch knows that he's not even my boyfriend... "Now, let's get there." Dr. Mitch pick
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 29 Yen
YEN'S POV As we are one of the VIPs invited to “The Quartet’s Founding Anniversary,” Kim and I make sure we arrive before the guests flood the arena. Kim hates overcrowded places, and he wants us to be at our designated table before that happens. But that won’t happen; every important guest has to take the red-carpet walk. I don’t know where this IT Solution company gets its name from. The Quartet sounds more like a group of four people creating a singing group than an IT company. Kim and I have met the owners during an important event before, and they are the two Soriano brothers and their first cousin, Aliyah Torres. They started as a small IT Solution company, but they have managed to climb their way to the top in five years. While Kim’s company creates gadgets or parts, The Quartet provides technological services to any individual or company who needs digital solutions to their systems. Also affiliated with the country’s large telecommunication company, their proposal to partner
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 30
I have to pretend again. The event planners must have planned to torture me. Of all the corners of this arena, why have they decided to designate Zed and Ella to the table next to us? They are so damned sweet, killing me in discomfort inside. Zed's tender eyes barely leave her, if not his loving arms. He looks at her like she's the most alluring treasure in the world, an honor I have lost the day he gave me to Kim. As Kim had said a while ago, Zed gains his wealth, not by inheritance, but through his diligence and brilliance. And I know that sweeter is the victory that way, and more admirable is he. But why do I see him this way now? Why do I count on his good side now? I'm never miserable in the arms of Kim, but damn, Zed always still has ways to crawl into my heart. "Five years ago, The Quartet was only working with aspiring individuals and small-scale companies. But who would ever think we could grow this big in just a few years? And we are not stopping until we reach the global m
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 31
“Congratulations!” I tell Zed as I walk over to him, a smile plastered on my face.My heart jumps when a set of tender eyes meet mine. That’s how he used to look at me before.“Thank you, dear,” he says, my heart warming to that endearment again. I swear I’m already on the verge of throwing my arms around his neck.“The company is five years already, you said it. Why haven’t I heard about that before?”I try raising another question to dispel the awkwardness, not realizing I’m bringing up a more intimate topic. It’s still three years since we separated, so it means we were together when Zed’s partnership with The Quartet started.“I only gave motivations. But then, I just woke up one day and found myself becoming one of them.”I love how his eyes shine when he explains. And I feel so silly for noticing it only now. Zed deserves more than what he has gained to
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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 87 The Epilogue
Zed's POV I stare at the charcoal portraits of two little kids. One painting shows them holding hands, another shows them eating together, and another shows them chasing happily. Those portraits depict my longing to be with the brother I had never met. I don't realize that my tears are already brimming as I recall those days. Those days when I sent those paintings to the orphanage together with my father's monthly allocation for him. I wonder if dad had noticed that I also painted a portrait every month and made sure I finished them before it was time to send them to him. "You keep them," I say, lifting my teary eyes to Dennis. Dennis rolls his eyes. "You made me so poor back then. All the money that daddy sent went to the expensive frames I bought for those portraits." Ella laughs but tears pool at the corners of her beautiful eyes. She looks so divine in her bridal gown; her angelic face matches the glitters of those thousands of diamonds that Den adorned on her wedding dress.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 86 Special Episode 9 ( Ara's POV)
My brows furrow as I look at the woman whose voice rings loud and clear inside the room. She looks like she is in her mid-fifties, but a strong and domineering aura emanates from her. Her presence speaks of authority, and the lift of her chin and fiery gaze is enough to tell she holds a high position that even James bows down in respect. “My queen! Why are you here?” exclaims James, his previous arrogant look melts down against the power and authority of this woman. “Put down your weapons!” she orders, moving her eyes around. The three burly men instantly bend down and put their guns on the floor. I look at James and also find him conceding. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, then bows down, placing his gun on the floor. “Surrender all the weapons, not only those in your hands!” My eyes grow wide at her command, and my gaze darts toward the men pulling the pistols and knives hidden inside their jackets. I also watch James disengage an oliv
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 85 Special Episode 8 : (Ara's POV)
"Very well," James raises his hands and claps slowly but loudly. He stands at the doorway, slowly pacing towards us. Following behind him are three burly-looking men who quickly spread apart, covering the room's corners. However, his claps are not to applaud but to mock. James is devilishly a handsome man in his mid-thirties but doesn't have the aura of domineering and stunning CEOs. He has gold piercings on his ears, messy bangs that he keeps pushing to the side, and tattoos painting his entire arms. He stands tall in a pair of signature rubber shoes and bleached denim jeans, coupled with a button-up shirt that lays open down to the center of his chest. His figure better fits the definition of a mobster. James looks at Zed and says, "I always know you would come to play the role of a knight in shining armor, saving a damsel in distress." I glance at Zed, now sitting beside Ella and holding her hand. He looks back at James, his eyes keen and watchful.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 84 Special Episode 7 : (Ara's POV)
I feel my fear sucking the air out of me. If I have to see myself in the mirror, I must already be as pale as death’s shade. Zed glances at me worriedly, but his expression is worse than mine. I know very well that he’s not scared for himself but us. Every minute that ticks by feels like taking away some years from my life.“Where are we now?” Mitch asks, her eyes moving around fast. She’s as scared as me!“We’re going uphill,” says Zed. He looks now at Ella, who is now fast asleep due to the sedative that Mitch administered to her. Because of my fear, I didn’t even notice before that an intravenous solution was dripping above her.“Will the baby be alright?” He’s sleeping soundly on the stroller beside the stretcher. I can’t help noticing how Ella has prepared for this.“She must be. I have been able to prepare her needs ahead.”The ambulance then skids to a turn. Mitch and I hurriedly peer through the slits of the curtains and see that we’re entering a wide gate. Zed also peeks out,
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 83 Special Episode 6 : (Ara's POV)
"What are we going to do now?" I whisper, but my eyes dart wide in fear. Mitch and Ella also look back at me with freezing gazes, massive glints of fear and shock ruling their expressions. "Where are we heading?" Ella asks, her gaze shifting among the three of us. "I'll call a backup." Zed pulls out his phone from his back pocket without wasting a second. "Sir, we screwed up. When we reached the clinic, Ella was already in an ambulance. But an enemy has taken the driver's place." "Whose ambulance?" "From the hospital where her OB-Gyne is affiliated." "Where's Monster?" "At the clinic. But the key is with me." I realize that the monster they are talking about is the car we used in coming to the clinic. But, perhaps, it got that name because it is heavily tinted and bullet-proofed, aside from the ammunition loaded inside. "No worries. I have spare keys." "You're following?" Zed asks. "Yes."
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 82 Special Episode 5 (Ara's POV)
Zed moves straight ahead instead of turning to the left as initially planned. So I start presuming that Zed has changed his mind about picking up Ella himself. But then he turns right, and soon, we enter a black gate. “What are we doing here?” I ask Zed. Seeing him unfastening his seatbelt, I also do mine. “Hurry, Ar. We need to change the vehicle, a bullet-proof one.” “Who is living here?” “One of my teams.” Zed jumps down from the car and runs towards my side to open the door for me. But before he reaches me, I have already stepped one foot out. “Ara, just stay here. You will be safe here. This area is heavily guarded, and the security is high. I will pick you up once everything is over. But in case I can’t, my team knows what to do with you,” Zed speaks in utmost tenderness. His face even paints his gratefulness and worry for me. But I don’t like him saying goodbye. I may not be of any help to him, but I want to accompany him until
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 81 Special Episode 4: (Ara's POV)
"Ara, close your eyes and tighten your seatbelt!" I scream even before I see Zed's next move. He then looks over his right shoulder, places his right hand on the top of the steering wheel, then eases off his foot abruptly from the brake pedal. I scream again as the car reverses andaccelerates backward, missing the car that speeds next to us narrowly. "Slow down, Zed! I'm not ready to die yet!" I shout from the top of my lungs as our car is about to collide with another vehicle. And the torture doesn't end. Cars after cars come closer by a thread's width, but luckily, Zed swerves away just in time! Damn, Kim! I wouldn't be in death's mouth if it were not because of him! Is he siding now with James? "Scream as loud as you can, Ar! It eases your fear. Haven't I told you? Kim's kindness is just a show-off?" Zed yell in my left ear, jolting me off from my seat. "My goodness, Zedrick! I don't expect this side of you. How can you fly a
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 80 Special Episode 3 : (Ara's POV)
"You're seeking more trouble, Zed. Do you think James will give you peace?" I am already shaking in anger. Zed is just too stubborn. Just where does this man get his courage from? If he relies on his previous investigation team, I don't believe they're more powerful than the assassin's group. They have been delving into James' case for several years already. They would have solved the case long ago if they were that good. "Let him do what he wants." Zed doesn't look like he is kidding. His eyes are on the road, but his sharp gaze reflects his determination. Silence envelopes inside the car, giving me more time to look left and right, scared that a convoy of vehicles will suddenly overtake and block our way. I am fond of watching suspense movies, and finally, I have become the leading character in my life's drama. My phone suddenly vibrates, and I immediately presume it comes from a bomb planted under my seat. I scream, and Zed s
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 79 Special Episode 2: (Ara's POV)
“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.” Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.” I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off? “I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction. I
