She could feel that she was blushing profusely. There was something about the way Aiden said it like he was demanding something that was too intimate.She didn't say anything, as she only let it slide while the horses were now calmly galloping into the series of trees as the sunlight was peeking through the thick leaves."There's already some ripe mangoes!" Draven pointed at the mangoes.They are both looking at the ripe mangoes, while Erina couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarities between the two, even their side profiles. She looked like she was watching the older version of Draven, and it really gave her a different feeling.Thick brows that they would both furrow when they're confused. Those colors of the eyes, and nose that looked so pointed, thin red lips, chin, the angular jaw... Oh, my son would be so handsome once he grows up—like his father.I really can imagine the adult version of Draven—like Arden. Aiden might not be Arden, but it showed how Draven would grow up
Despite thinking that Aiden wasn't talking about her, that he wasn't talking about how she tried to fool him in the past—which she knew she wasn't pushing through, but then she knew that in the other's perspective, she did in the first place—made her almost forget how to breathe."If she disappeared, maybe she was guilty?""I hope so. But she hurt me so deeply that I don't think I could ever forgive her."Erina gulped again, as she could feel how heavily Aiden had said it like he was saying it on behalf of Arden because they have the same sentiments about the woman who hurt them."Then...why do you still want to find her despite what she has done to you? Isn't it more peaceful if you just move on and forget her?"Aiden stopped walking, and Erina stopped as well. The topic was so important that the trees weren't already enough to distract them from walking and admiring the trees.When Aiden faced her fully, like she was that woman whom he was talking about, she felt like she had seen t
"Mommy, let's go back right away. I will help you make a shake," Draven suggested eagerly.Erina looked at Aiden again, who was arching his brows, as he seemed to be letting Erina know that he wouldn't go home without tasting the shake she would make for him."Alright," Erina said, which made Draven's face brighten.Erina was a bit happy to see her son enjoying the day despite Aiden coming over. Though he's the boss, Erina didn't feel that Aiden was up for business purposes, as he even let Draven play with him without showing that he's strict."Oh, you are back right away," Lorenzo and Sancha chimed as soon as they went in."Yes, because Mommy is going to make a mango shake for Aiden," Draven said, pointing at Aiden, who just went in as well.Lorenzo and Sancha looked at each other as if something was going on inside their minds, and they could see through what was happening, like the new bloom love story of Erina they had been praying for."Alright. We would be upstairs if you needed
After what happened yesterday, Erina slowly got comfortable with Aiden's presence without being anxious that it might be Arden, unlike in the past few days, when she was so bothered that someone had a resemblance to the man who impregnated her, the man who was mad at her, and the man who might be looking for her and wants her dead.She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because of Draven, as she didn't want to show that she hated him just because of her petty reason.Other than that, something about that interaction suddenly drew them closer, as she could slowly lower her boundary just to know Aiden himself.And she was so shameless that throughout the day in her office, she was already expecting lunchtime so that Aiden would call her again in his office.She was looking forward to it, but she couldn't concentrate on her own work because she was occupied with that matter.What's the fuss now, Erina? As far as I remember yesterday, you were thankful that it was your break time
Erina didn't expect to see Aiden, his hands in his pocket while looking at her desk nonchalantly until he glanced at the door when Erina opened it.Shocked that he went into her own office, her brows knitted as she slowly entered and closed it."Sir," she called unbelievably, still shocked that she saw him in her office.When the door closed, Erina's eyes drifted to the table where her lunch was, and he saw that she hadn't touched it yet."I'll have my lunch here," he said, like he already had decided it and his food was already on the way, and Erina couldn't already say no.Though she wasn't planning to push him out of her room, there was a part of her that was not really fine knowing she had just seen the model in the lobby and her physique marked in her mind as she remembered Arienda, the sophisticated woman whom Arden's mother wants for Arden in the past.She felt like the past was just repeating and making her chest ache.So you're now admitting to yourself that you're attracted
Erina's curiosity about yesterday's keeping Aiden too busy in order not to invite her over for lunch in his own office has been answered. Though she really expected that Aiden was the kind of man who would not be available all the time because of the work he has, to hear that it was because of a woman and not because he was loaded reading some documents, she felt like she was somehow being played at.And what is he doing in my office after that model left? That he finally remembered—he has a woman here in the company too?Stop it, Erina. He is your boss. He is not flirting with you. He never did something flirtatious. He went into your place for the land and just unexpectedly got closer to your son, and maybe he is a man of his word who just wanted to come over often because he promised to Draven. Maybe he likes kids? And he remembers someone with my son?Right. And maybe he was just being sociable at the company because he wanted to have a healthy relationship, Erina! I told you!But
It wasn’t just Erina who heard Aiden, because even the newly arrived employees of the company heard it very clearly. Other than that, the shock on their faces was too obvious, knowing Aiden just addressed Erina casually, on a first-name basis, which seems like they have a close relationship other than being bosses and employees.Erina suddenly remembered the murmurings of the employees to whom she listened while she was in the cubicle, which made her remember why she cried at night and helped her realize how reality works for her.So instead of nodding, she politely smiled. “I might not be able to come later, sir. I have a lot of things to do. Have a good day, Mr. Arscott,” she said, bowed a bit, and walked straight to the elevator.Those who have heard her were kind of shocked that she rejected Aiden’s order, like Aiden was asking for something less important, or whatever it could be. It seems like Erina doesn’t view it as part of her work that she was only at the company for one pur
Erina's brow really arched as soon as she heard it. It was like a straight accusation of him on something she wasn't really mad about—or she tried to control."Why would I get mad at something trivial, sir?" she immediately asked, her brows knitting as she was looking at Aiden with pure confusion.Instead of answering her, he only shrugged as he was already focused on his laptop.Erina's brows knit even more. She was clarifying to herself that she wasn't mad, as she even tried to think it through thoroughly.Why would I get mad at something so trivial? I just don't like people gossiping about it. He's the CEO of this company, and I am one of his employees. I might only taint his image. And men like him are much more good for women like Mariella. So if they're dating or something deep is going on between them, then he should not be associated with me because it might only hurt Mariella if she heard these rumors too.So why would I get mad when I wanted to exclude myself from this rumor
Erina’s cheeks burned in heat when she suddenly remembered how shameless Arden Gunner was. She completely opened the door and glared at him for a warning that Arden found so cute because he could sense she wasn’t holding back from him anymore. She’s completely stripping herself.When they both entered the kitchen, the first thing that welcomed them was their eyes looking at them, waiting for Arden’s presence.And to see Draven again, this time confirming that it was his son, he was lost for words. His stomach was churning, and he was melting from it.When he first met him, he felt like he was only watching his little version because of how similar the resemblance was. They were like carbon copies of each other, and Arden could guarantee it might be his son.But it hurts him at the same time every time he remembers how he saw Erina falling off the cliff because of the fear and regret in her eyes that night while he was running to her aggressively in his werewolf form.Thinking about it
Erina was already in her room while looking out the window to check if Arden’s car was still there. And it was. She was urged by him to sleep, and now that she could see he was really serious about guarding the house, she felt a bit ashamed that she doubted him and accused him.But she couldn’t blame herself for feeling it because she knew that she had done the Gunners wrong, and she was getting blamed for the consequences of her actions.She sighed and went to bed as her wind was wondering. They fucked. It was like she was straightly telling him she likes him and she’s longing for him too.She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against the pillow while feeling so flustered that she could still feel him between hers because of the throbbing. She was getting butterflies, and she was now in ecstasy.Erina, you are really crazy for that man, aren’t you? You know what would happen if you fell for him again. Look at what’s happening. You were attacked by men who were ordered by someone.
Her moans resonated all throughout the car, and she could really tell that it was moving from the outside’s view because of how beastly Arden’s movements were. He was aggressively fucking her, ramming it all in like he was so pent-up, and he finally found a release.Erina hugged his nape as she was whimpering under him, and she could feel every thrust he made.They were both longing for each other, and it showed in the way their bodies collided that they couldn’t even take their hands off themselves as Erina was caressing his back, scratching her nails against it, and wrapping her legs around his hips just to coax him more into burying it deep.It was so rough and aggressive that the windows of the car were starting to smoke as if there were snow in them because of the heat they were both radiating.Arden shifted the movement, and he was now sitting as Erina whimpered more when it only reached the brim. Arden crushed his lips against her and tripled the pace of his movement so that Er
Erina’s stomach was churning continuously. His words deeply moved her, and at that moment, she was on the verge of letting go of her decision and risking trying it again with Arden.But then, there was always that barrier that was holding her back—that boundary she put between them because she felt like the cycle would just repeat over and over and she would always lose him in every lifetime. She would not have him the way he wants it.She slowly shook her head, but then Arden placed his hand on her cheek, his eyes twinkling with pleading as if he were providing all the assurance she needed at that moment to convince her. Just to make her see that he would never hurt or kill her.“I would never lay a finger on you. No. I wouldn’t do that. I would never...” he whispered in his croak voice, losing its strength.Erina’s tears pooled even more. The fact that it was right in front of her, and all she needed to do was grab it, caused her immense pain.“I’d protect you and our son,” he whisp
The shock etched his face as soon as he heard it. He felt so weak, and even his head immediately turned bloodshot. His jaw clenched tremendously while he froze where he was standing, staring at Erina unbelievably.“D-Draven, he is your son,” she confessed as her shoulder rocked slowly when she sobbed.Arden’s shoulder loosened even more. The tears in his eyes escaped, marking the first time Erina had witnessed him cry in front of her. He looked so hurt and betrayed, but at the same time, regretful.“I couldn’t tell you because I know that I’m at fault that night, and I’m afraid you’d punish me and include him.”Arden’s jaw clenched as his hand turned into a fist. Erina doesn’t care anymore if he turns into a werewolf and scratches her face; as long as after that, she will be even and he will leave them alone. But with Arden’s reaction, it seemed like he wouldn’t be satisfied by just a scratch, as the menace in his expression was intensifying.“You were thinking I’d do that to my own c
The lump in her throat was making it worse. She knew that Draven obviously looked like him from all angles. She cannot lie about that part. And to hear it coming from Arden himself, asking about it and pointing it out, made her shiver even more.She is busted. She can’t lie about it. She might deny it, but how does she explain Draven’s features?Before she could answer, she felt bad because Arden had been so good to her in Rockmount. Though she felt his coldness from the start, the other days were so enchanting that she felt he loved her at that moment. He told her he loved her. And the way he handled her with care, it seemed like she was so fragile that he was too careful.As she opened the door and hurriedly walked back to the house, she shook her head, unable to express her feelings of despair.However, before she could reach the terrace, Arden was too quick to chase after her as he gripped her pulse.“Tell me the truth, Erina,” he desperately demanded.Erina’s tears were now casca
Erina was hesitating, but at the same time, she was thinking about asking Arden about what was happening when she left and why he was in the mortal world. Though she knows that he is looking for someone, now that she has confirmed that he is Arden Gunner, she doesn’t want to buy that excuse from him that he didn’t mean any harm. Arden approached her that night in his werewolf form, and she had no choice but to fall off the cliff rather than allow him to devour her. This was because the face of betrayal lingered in her mind.She slipped into the front seat and glanced at Arden, who was now looking at the food she had brought. He was opening it, and his expression lightened when he confirmed it was the chicken Alfredo whom Draven was talking about.“You cooked this?” He asked gently.She nodded and looked at the food as well. “If you’re not used to it, since I know you prefer the cook of a chef, like how you used to in Rockmount, then just don’t expect too much. I’m not a good cook.”Ar
Aiden was already boldly expressing that he was Arden Gunner and that he knew she was Erina, the one who made him fall in love with her just to make a fool out of him.Erina suddenly remembered what he said about the woman she was trying to find, expecting she wasn’t dead yet. She doesn’t want to believe that Arden isn’t mad at her, because who wouldn’t be when she has already memorized and seen how Arden Gunner would never forgive anyone who did him wrong?“Leave and don’t ever come back again,” she said warningly, and she went back to the house.She saw Mrs. Sanders, who was peeking in the kitchen and immediately went back. Erina controlled her aching heart as she wanted to slap herself for feeling it for Arden.Now that she really confirmed Arden was Aiden Arscott, she could really tell that he was pursuing her to just imitate what she did to him in Rockmount.Her tears escaped as she wiped them off, as she didn’t want to feel any sympathy for him. If she went out and let him in, t
The two Sanders were highly convinced by Erina’s alibis about her getting distant from Aiden Arscott for the better. The two oldies were so worried for her, and it worsened more when they saw the other scratches on the living room—something really had disarranged it. If Erina didn’t clean up the mess, the two oldies might really prefer to just leave the house right then.But it wasn’t that easy to leave. The land was there, and even the ongoing harvesting was to be delivered to the company handled by Erina.Though Erina already covered the whole place, she wouldn’t let any of the wolves enter the houses again, but how about their safety? They can’t stay inside forever. There are everyday things they would do.Erina was having a hard time making some adjustments, but she needed to do it. She made sure that the two wouldn’t leave the house as she took Draven to school and talked to the head of the school about allowing him to homeschool instead, for some reason.She can’t just leave her