Lesley felt a pang in her chest. She hid her hands under the table, placing them on her lap while she clenched."Boss refused them at first because it was too old-fashioned," Iston continued. "But Avery's father was very insistent. He offered to double the support as long as Boss accepted his daughter. Due to his relentless plea, Boss finally agreed, but she still hasn't promised to get the two married. She will only allow it if both Avery and Kieran agree. The head of the Sy found that condition fair and agreed with only an engagement for the meantime. And they have been a huge help ever since. The Kingsleys are rich, but there is a limit to that. Especially since they only have a few businesses left. Fortunately, Sir Kieran has returned to help Boss manage businesses in Europe and the entire Crimson Clan."Lesley suddenly felt a strange pain inside her chest from Iston's words. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the cup of coffee. "Thank you, Iston. I appreciate your hone
"So what?! You're going to kill me? Do you think I am afraid of that?! Cath is my friend, and Kieran is my boyfriend! What do you think will happen to you when they find out what you did to me?!""Oh? You think we didn't think of that?" Ella answered, followed by loud waves of laughter."What are we stupid?" added Janet. "We do not need to kill you... Because you'll do it yourself."Ella and Janet quickly approached her, grabbed her arms, and forced her to kneel in front of Gracy."Let me go!" She tried to struggle, but her strength was no match against the two mutants."No matter how much you shout, no one will hear or save you, so shut up!" yelled Gracy, who slapped her hard.Gracy was not satisfied and continued to punch her in the face two more times. She became dizzy and almost passed out. She couldn't do anything but groan and wail at the pain spreading over her face."Bitch! Whore!" Gracy shouted before slapping her again.Lesley didn't want to cry because she didn't want to sh
"Where are you going? I'm not done asking you!""What else do you want to know? We already told you everything!""I don't buy it! Her injuries are not consistent with someone who fell off a cliff. Tell me the truth! Who hurt her?!"Because of the noise of Iston and Gracy arguing, Lesley woke up from her deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes as she gradually regained consciousness.She blinks a few times while examining the white ceiling before realizing where she is. Even though her whole body is aching and her head is spinning, she forces herself to sit up to find out what happened after losing consciousness earlier. She scanned herself and saw bandages covering most of her body. Is she in Iston's clinic? She was sure she had heard his voice earlier."Cat got your tongue? Is it because you can't dispute my findings?" Lesley recognized it was Iston's voice. "Because you know I'm right, don't you?! I've been treating injuries for years, and her wounds did not come from falling off a
Kieran's image with Avery keeps playing in her mind over and over until she falls asleep. Sometimes, she gets nightmares about the brutal death of Amanda and Patrick at the cruel hands of Shane. But most of the time, her mind drifts toward the pitiful future that awaits her. She will be cast aside, ignored, and alone where nobody will care, just like now.She has never felt this lonely and sad in her entire life. Even when Amanda's words and treatment hurt her to her core, she didn't feel this much pain before. And when Shane threatened to make her obedient, there was Bangs who gave hope and light to her complicated world.But now?... No Patrick will defend or scold her. No Bangs to make her happy. Most of all, the old Lesley is no more, the girl who is full of color and a positive mind, constantly reminding herself that everything is going to be okay. That girl... is gone...Only Iston visited Lesley. But she doesn't open or answers every time he calls and knocks on the door. She wi
The woman's words were absurd and unbelievable. Is it really possible for Maridona to enter her mind? Lesley finds it hard to believe, but she can't push her away. Maridona's embrace is warm and comforting, as if the woman's arms are healing her soul. It is only a dream, but it feels... real.Lesley could not help but hug the woman too. At the same time, her tears flowed. Even though she hasn't told the reason for her anguish, she feels that Maridona completely understands.Her entire being felt the connection between them. It was as if she had nothing more to say or explain. She put aside her suspicions and doubt and sobbed on Maridona's shoulders, bawling like there was no tomorrow."Why am I still alive? Why did you let me live if this is what's going to happen to me?!" Lesley cried. "You shouldn't have allowed your father to put me in your womb... I shouldn't have suffered like this..."The woman stroked the back of her head tenderly. "I know, honey. I know... I'm so sorry you hav
"I'm a little jealous of you. Your father loves you very much."Maridona lightly flinched at what Jacoben said. She almost spilled a few drops of coffee from the cup she was holding. They are having breakfast in their garden while waiting for her father to call them.She put the cup of coffee on the table in front, turning to her boyfriend, seemingly confused. "I'm sorry?""I think you have a perfect family," Jacoben mused. "I would love to be a part of you. I hope they like me too when I formally introduce myself later."Maridona felt a prick in her heart. If only Jacoben knew, he would not say those words so easily. She gave him a soft smile. "Of course, they will like you. There's nothing to hate about you, Jacoben. As a matter of fact, I always tell them about you, so they weren't surprised when I revealed the other day that we were already in a relationship. So don't be nervous. "Jacoben exhaled loudly. "I'm still nervous.""Oh, dear. Don't be. It's all right. I will be by your
After a few minutes, she let go of their embrace and shyly looked away. "So-Someone might see us. That's enough kisses for tonight," she said with an embarrassed face.Jacoben turned to the open door of her room and grinned. "So what if they see us? We're dating. It's normal."She gaped at him. "It is not normal when done in front of people.""Says who?"She cleared her throat. "Says me. You know how judgemental and conservative some people are."Jacoben laughed and then walked to the door and closed it. Her heart raced when she heard a click. "I don't care about what other people will say. But I do respect your opinion," he said, locking the door. "There. No one will see us."Her face turned red as a tomato when she met his intense gaze. Her heart was beating so fast and loud she could hear it. "Do-Do you want to, uhm, have sex?" she asked hesitantly.Jacoben's eyes widened while his brows rose in surprise at her question. "Pa-Pardon me?""I-I'm sorry. That came out ugly. I meant to
Maridona had never felt so happy in her life when she got married to Jacoben Alonzo, the man of her dreams and her best friend. What more could she ask for?Aside from his well-defined manly features, he is sweet, understanding, and honest. He is a man that is beautiful from inside and out. Even though he was orphaned at an early age, he managed to keep his family's business. He sometimes struggles because he lacks experience, but he is hard-working and does not give up easily. He is not perfect, but he is more than enough for her.If it wasn't for the fact that she was hiding ugly things about herself and her family, she might have been happier and less worried. Because after her marriage with Jacoben, their filthy secret is gradually coming out."What did you say?!" Shane's voice echoed in the living room."Shane, please lower your voice. Someone might hear us," Maridona begged her scowling sister.Shane took a step between them, her eyes big and round in anger. "How can you be so s
Lesley can hear her heart beating loudly inside her chest. Her palms clenched in nervousness as they stared into each other's eyes."I… I got very angry with you, and I was bitter… But I still love you..."She saw his face getting redder. She could feel herself slowly being swallowed by his gaze that seemed to penetrate deep inside her."How about the things you said before I left?" he asked in his low and deep voice. "Do you want me?"She slightly raised his eyebrows at this and pursed her lips."What do you mean?" she asked nervously.The atmosphere is getting hotter. She knew what he was talking about. But it was too embarrassing to admit now without the alcohol in her system."You remember it, right? Everything you said... and what we almost did here in your room," He brought his face closer to hers. "Lesley, tell me honestly... Do you want me inside you?"Lesley can hear the loud beating inside her chest as if she will have a heart attack at any moment. Only one person has the ab
"Why are we here on my bed? There's a table," Lesley calmly asked Kieran, who was comfortably eating on top of her bed, positioning himself in the middle while she was at the end as if she was the guest and he owned the space."Because eating is better when done in bed," he answered with a meaningful smile.Lesley understood the double meaning in his statement. She stared at his face flatly, initially wanting to refute him, but she decided just to ignore him. "Besides, this is where we used to eat. It's more comfortable. I promise I won't make a mess," Kieran added.She sighed. She agreed to talk to him tonight about their relationship, especially those things she said and acted when she was drunk.But is this the right decision, biting Kieran’s bait and letting him into her room?She stared at the tray of food resting on her lap for a few seconds and then at Kieran's food. She frowned, shifting her gaze to Kieran’s face."Anything wrong? Don't you like it?" he asked."I'm just wonder
Lesley stared intently at him for a few seconds before sighing heavily. "Fine," she finally agreed, walking to a table nearby. And then she started to put her things away. "Instead of moving on with each other, I messed with your mind again," she murmured, then looked straight at him. "This is my fault. I'm sorry.""No. It's not your fault!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "It was me. I did this. If I hadn't asked you for that one last kiss, last night wouldn't have happened."She paused, frowning at him. "What are you implying?""I made you feel something in that kiss, and you can't forget me," he answered so casually.Lesley scoffed, shaking her head. "I don't even know what to say. Can you stop assuming?"He walked to her, slightly bending down to put his mouth closer to her ears. "You miss me… And you want me…."Lesley stepped back and glared at him. If only those stares could cut him, he would be in pieces."I'm being serious," he immediately said while holding back a grin. "But
Lesley groaned painfully from the sudden throbbing in her head as soon as she woke up, the effect of the few glasses of alcohol she drank last night. She doesn't feel like getting up with how heavy her body feels until something suddenly occurs to her. She sprang up, sharply inhaling while covering her mouth with both hands. Her eyes widened in disbelief, recalling the events of last night."No... No, no, no!"She grabbed her hair and shook her head, wishing it was a dream.'What have I done?!'She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lips. She bent until her forehead touched her knees, burying her face in shame. If only the ground would swallow her right now. How will she deal with Kieran now? She doesn't even know if she still has a face to show him after her actions last night. "Lesley, are you awake?"Her breathing hitched when she heard the voice of the last man she wanted to see today. Her face lost its complexion as she looked towards the door.She remembered that Kieran pro
"What… What do you mean?" Kieran asked, staring intently at her face. "You're asking me why it has to be the last kiss? Do you... Do you want more?"Lesley's heart was beating so fast that she could hear its deafening pounding.She could not take her gaze off Kieran's eyes, which were also fixed on her, even though she felt like she was melting to the ground.Her expression remained brave and confident even though her thoughts were getting tangled in her brain.'What are you doing, Lesley?!' she scolded herself in her mind.She can already see that she will regret this in the morning. But she can't do anything but continue what she started. And she couldn't stop herself either, as if she had lost control."What's wrong with that?" she continued.There flared a strange sparkle in Kieran's eyes. He was speechless for a couple of seconds before he could respond to her."D-Do you... Do you mean it? Seriously—"He suddenly paused when he realized something. He blew violently and shook his
"Can I kiss you one last time?"Lesley caught her breath at Kieran’s sudden request. Her heart rate doubled and she froze in place."Please?" he pleaded.She gulped as she couldn't take her gaze off his pitiful expression, especially his eyes that had turned gray.She slightly pressed her lips for a split second while trying her best to control the crazy beating of her heart.How can she say no to him with that kind of expression on his face? He looks pitiful, but at the same time, irresistibly adorable."Okay..." she answered absent-mindedly.Kieran wasted no time. He let go of her hand and stepped closer so that their bodies were almost touching. Then he cupped both of her cheeks gently while staring intently at her face as if he had been looking forward to this opportunity for a very long time.She held tightly to the hem of his black t-shirt and then closed her eyes as he slowly brought their faces closer.A second later, she felt his soft lips gently touching hers, and her heart
Lesley took her deepest breath and then looked ahead. She decided to go to the training grounds to warm up. Rio might be there now to start their new training."Lesley!"She scrambled to her feet when she heard Kieran's voice calling out to her."Lesley, please wait!"She ignored him until he finally caught up to her."I swear I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said.She took a deep breath and slowly faced him."Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter," she coldly responded.Kieran just smiled, then he held out a clean towel familiar to her. "I wanted to give this back to you."She frowned. "Is it mine?""Yes. It fell on the training grounds the last time we talked there. I washed it, so it's clean."She stared at his eyes for a few seconds, and then she averted her gaze immediately as if burned by something she saw in them."Thank you," she said, almost choking on the word."You're welcome," he answered sweetly.Lesley stared at Kieran again, which seemed strange. He appeared oddly dif
The sun had not risen yet, but Lesley was already busy helping Avery inspect the food rations that arrived at the hideout every two days. She volunteered to help because she wanted to know something that would help in her plan."Are you only assigned to food?" she asked as Avery busied herself with several pages of paper containing lists of the rations they had received."Yep," her friend answered without looking at her."What about other things? Like guns and medicines?""We have other people for that. I was only assigned to food rations because eighty percent of it comes from our family.""I see..." she trailed. "How about the gadgets? Where do you get the gadgets?"Avery frowned and looked up at her."Gadgets? What do you mean?""You have a burner phone, don't you? I see some mutants using that.""Do you want one?"She nodded, stepping closer. "Yes! How can I get one?""Is there someone outside you want to call?" Avery asked suspiciously."No one," she answered quickly with a broad
The air-conditioning in the room was cold enough, but a drop of sweat still managed to escape Kieran's forehead. Since he woke up from a wet dream a few hours ago, his body still felt hot. He knew he had to release this heat. But he doesn't seem to have the energy for anything right now. He is too lazy to even get up.Kieran has been awake for a while now. But he hasn't gotten up yet. He rested his head in his hands as he stared blankly at the ceiling, recalling his happy memories with Lesley and intimate moments.He kept thinking about the sexy dream he had last night. He misses her in his arms, her lips on his, her perky breasts, and her hot wetness. He recalled how sweet those tasted, especially the heaven between her legs. But most of all, he yearns for her beautiful eyes that always look at him passionately, and her soft voice muttering words of love for him. Oh, how he longed for that.If he only knew that they would be like this, he would have shown more of how much he loves he