1. Punish me

Author's POV

"Let's go, Emma... It's been half an hour, and I'm still waiting for you. We can't afford to be late!" his voice tightened.

"Ten minutes more, love," she replied, a hint of mischief in her tone, knowing exactly how to play with his patience.

She was inside the bathroom for almost an hour now keeping Shane, her best friend waiting for an hour now. First, Emma was having her best ‘Me-time’ inside the shower and now wasting time on selecting a suitable dress. While Shane was sulking deep, feeling irked.

"Okay... fine," he sighed, giving in.

He lounged on her bed, the soft fabric beneath him cradling his frame, he sighed and reached for a pillow, pulling it close to his chest. The room carried the subtle scent of her favourite perfume, a fragrance that lingered in the air, intertwining with the anticipation of her presence.

He scrolled through his phone, the digital glow casting a dim light on his face, trying to distract himself from the ticking clock. Every passing second seemed to echo in the room, building the suspense of her delayed appearance.

When Emma finally emerged, the atmosphere shifted. The morning sunlight danced on her figure, highlighting the meticulous details of her attire. The black skinny jeans clung to her curves with precision, creating a silhouette that was both tantalising and irresistible. The sleeveless black turtleneck showcased her slender arms, and every movement she made seemed to be choreographed, a mesmerising dance of grace and allure.

Her makeup was a work of art — the bold red lipstick added a touch of sultriness, the eyeliner framed her eyes with precision, and the mascara enhanced the depth of her gaze. A light pink blush painted her cheeks, bringing out a subtle warmth. The black goggles perched on her face added an element of mystery, accentuating her allure with an enigmatic charm.

Her half-tied high bun and cascading hair framed her face, a juxtaposition of elegance and wild beauty. Shane couldn't help but be captivated, his eyes drawn to every detail that composed the masterpiece standing before him, as his heart skips a beat. When she bombarded him with questions about her appearance, his mind struggled to form coherent thoughts, caught in the spell of her enchanting presence.

"Emy, you look absolutely stunning – as always. Can we please hit the road now? Time's ticking!" he deadpans, attempting to conceal his earlier enchantment.

"Actually, I think I might change these jeans. They feel like they're on a mission to suffocate me," she declares, disappearing back into the wardrobe.

He sighs inwardly, pondering her perpetual quest for sartorial perfection. "Why is she so fixated on looking flawless all the time?" he muses, flopping back onto the bed.

'So your heart can keep falling for her. She thrives on attention, #attentionseeker,' his subconscious chimes in, and he nods in silent agreement.

This time, she emerges swiftly in another pair of black skinny jeans, slightly more forgiving than the previous ones. Shane breathes a silent sigh of relief as she shows a touch of mercy on his beleaguered heart. Finally, they begin their descent.

At the breakfast table, they encounter Nancy, Emma's caring guardian. Chocolate pancakes with a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup await Emma, but in their rush, Nancy packs them for the road.

"You and your culinary delights are plotting against my waistline," Emma jests, planting a quick peck on Nancy's cheek.

"Who said anything about you being anything but not perfect, my love? You're absolutely gorgeous," Nancy compliments, her eyes appreciatively wandering from head to toe. Emma playfully bows in response, acknowledging the flattery.

"No more delays, Em!", Shane insists, grabbing her wrist.

Shane expresses gratitude to Nancy for saving them precious time, and then he swiftly guides Emma towards his sleek red Lamborghini parked outside.

She claimed the shotgun seat, and he settled into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life as he accelerated, navigating the streets with urgency. Today marked their last exam of the fifth semester, yet Emma, instead of burying herself in books, was savouring chocolate pancakes like a carefree child.

Even in the rush of the speeding car, she managed to feed Shane while he steered through traffic. "Can you please act a bit serious, Emy?" he hissed, a subtle mixture of irritation and something else building inside him as she licked her fingers coated with chocolate syrup.

"No, because for that, I have you already. So, leave me to my own devices, baby!" she replied casually, unfazed by his request.

"You're undoubtedly going to be the death of me one day," he mumbled to himself as Shane rolled his eyes, attempting to refocus on the road. Emma, seemingly unperturbed, finished her impromptu breakfast and then proceeded to fix herself.

Upon reaching the university, they hastily exited the car and handed the keys to the security guard for parking. Running late, they couldn't manage the task themselves and sprinted towards the classroom. With just a minute left before the clock struck 11:15 am and the exam commenced, they hurriedly claimed their seats, earning a disapproving shake of the head from the professor.

The invigilator approached Emma, handing over the question paper and answer sheet, to which she graciously responded with a simple "thank you."

"Miss. Emma Addison, I would appreciate it if you could start showing up on time and dressing more appropriately for the occasion. This is an exam hall, not a nightclub," he commented, his disapproval evident.

Shane thought, 'Now, she'll definitely fire back at him.'

"Mr. Johnson, for your kind information, I arrived on time, disproving any claim of tardiness. Moreover, this university's rulebook, which I checked last time, nowhere mentions a dress code for exams. I believe your concerns are more about personal obsession than anything else," she retorted, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm that left the professor momentarily flustered.

"Now that you're done checking me out and lecturing, may I please write my paper?" she added, prompting a nod from the embarrassed professor.

Shane and other students couldn't help but chuckle internally at Emma's adept handling of the situation, before refocusing on their own exam paper.

The 2.5-hour exam seemed to fly by for Emma, finishing well before the two-hour mark. The professor, aware of her sharp wit and straightforward nature, remained silent, acknowledging her higher rank in the class. Emma's unapologetic attitude ensured that others kept their opinions to themselves, their lips sealed in her presence.

Shane emerged from the exam hall, satisfied with his performance behind her, after few minutes. They had tackled every question, their confidence unwavering, a testament to their usual ranking prowess. As they strolled towards their car, Emma halted, a triumphant grin on her face.

"See... we did it again. And you, my boy, were panicking for nothing. Now, hold this and give me the keys," she declared, tossing her bag for him to catch.

He handed her the keys, and she took control, expertly navigating the car with a casual conversation with the air as they literally flew down the streets.

Lunchtime had arrived, and Emma drove them straight to one of her favourite Italian restaurants, owned by none other than her dad. Having heard he would be there for an afternoon meeting, she seized the opportunity for a lunchtime reunion.

Upon reaching the restaurant, she passed the keys to the security guard for parking and dashed inside. The receptionist stood up upon her arrival, extending warm greetings that Emma reciprocated with a smile. Moving further, the manager greeted her, guiding them to the VIP corner where her father was enjoying lunch.

"Why are we here?" Shane questioned as they approached the VIP corner.

"To refill my stomach and also meet my dad. I miss him!" she exclaimed with a playful pout, and he couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm, clueless of her hidden motto.

Entering the VIP corner, Emma and Shane walked directly to her father's table. She hugged him from the side, planting a kiss on his cheek, expressing how much she missed him.

"I missed you too, my love. But how did you get to know I'm here?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

"I have my ways, Dad. Now, can we join you?" she requested, her eyes wide with a puppy-like innocence. He happily agreed.

George Adison introduced Emma and Shane to his clients, and they exchanged greetings. Emma took a seat opposite her father, with Shane seated beside him. Waiters promptly appeared, setting extra plates and napkins for the unexpected guests.

"Emma... Why did you need to barge in like this and eat here only?" a rough, low voice whispered in her ear, and she smirked internally.

"Because I wanted to," she replied curtly, focusing on her meal.

The man in the black suit seemed annoyed with her short response, shooting her an angry stare. He leaned in closer, his hand subconsciously resting on her thigh.

"You know, lately you've been acting like a rude, arrogant bitch to me, and I don't like that at all," he whispered, frustration evident in his voice.

"Punish me then," she retorted, turning to face him, and his breath caught in his throat.

Their faces were inches apart, the air charged with a sense of intimacy as the naughtiness in her eyes sent chills down his spine. Suddenly, he felt a surge of pain as his arousal heightened, her plain reply managing to seduce him effortlessly.

"Emma, you..." he began but stopped short as her hand rested on his thigh this time.

Inhaling sharply, he turned his head, feeling an adrenaline rush through his body. 'For God's sake, Shawn, get your head out of your pants! She just casually placed a hand; nothing more. Stop overreacting!' he scolded himself mentally.

"What, Shawn?" she asked, tilting her face slightly, her allure impossible to resist while eyes held a glint of mischief in them.

"Behave!" he managed to say sternly, pushing her hand away with all the willpower he could muster.

"I am behaving nicely and silently eating my food. But you are disturbing me," she countered, blaming him with an innocent voice that only added to her allure.

Shawn was about to reply but stopped himself, realising it was futile to engage in a verbal spat with her. Besides, the bombshell she looked like was hard to resist. So, he decided to seal his lips and avoid further banter.

Emma smirks playfully as she silently indulges in her meal. Once finished, she casually turns to her dad, requesting some pocket money. "Bye, dad, bye everyone... And sorry for interrupting you!" she adds, bidding her farewells with a lively energy. As she heads out, she intertwines her fingers with Shane's, a subtle display of closeness.

Shane, amused by Emma's antics, bids goodbye to the gathering, acknowledging her unique way of navigating social situations. Amidst the departure, Emma pauses, glancing back at Shawn. "Oops! Bye Shawn...!" she says, wearing an apologetic expression, to which Shawn simply waves a hint of amusement in his response.

The attention then shifts to Mr. Adison, and a comment is made about Emma having her father wrapped around her finger. He smiles warmly, confessing that everything he does is for his daughter's happiness, embracing the endearing dynamic between them.

Curiosity lingers as someone inquires about Emma and Shane's relationship. Mr. Adison clarifies that they are best friends, highlighting the deep trust he has in Shane. Despite the onlookers noting their cute interactions, he emphasises that they are not dating yet, expressing his unconditional support even if they choose to do so, he has no problem in it.

The conversation subtly shifts to Shawn, and a question arises about his feelings. As he looks at Shane, his tight smile conceals a hint of discomfort. His clenched fist and a flash of dislike in his grey eyes betray a surge of jealousy, a complex emotion stirring within him.

“Yeah, you are right!”, he replies plainly and they all continue to talk about work again, which was left incomplete due to her invading.