This is it. The moment has arrived for me to face the inevitable with courage.
Today was the day I was asked to persuade Vincent to join the party. Even Lily deemed it a near-impossible task.
I found myself pacing in front of the grand study room door where Vincent was waiting.
In a surge of anxiety, I tugged at the hem of my sweater, my nails digging into my palms, while my heart raced wildly.
"Pull yourself together, Bloom! Adriel seems confident that it will all be fine, so I'll hold onto that hope."
With that thought, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Who's there?" Vincent's authoritative voice echoed.
Ugh! I really dislike this idea. Maybe I should just retreat while I still can.
"It's me, Blossom," I replied.
I still hold resentment toward him. I still cannot forgive what he did to me. I shouldn't even be here.
"Come in," he said.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Vincent's study room captured the essence of his intricate persona—a fusion of elegance and intrigue. The walls boasted a deep, luxurious gray, while the floor was draped in a sumptuous black carpet. The atmosphere was softly lit, with strategically placed lamps casting a warm glow throughout the space.
At the heart of the room stood a chic, contemporary desk, embellished with two sleek silver lamps and a state-of-the-art computer. Every item on the desk was organized with precision, reflecting Vincent's fastidious nature and keen eye for detail.
One wall was dominated by towering bookshelves, densely filled with an array of texts ranging from psychology to digital espionage. The books seemed to lean forward, as if eager to absorb Vincent's every thought.
In one corner, a spacious, leather-clad armchair faced a grand window, presenting a breathtaking view of the city skyline. This chair appeared to be Vincent's sanctuary, a place where he could ponder his next strategic move.
Every corner of the room appeared meticulously crafted to enhance Vincent's concentration and efficiency. It was a sanctuary where he could escape the outside world, immerse himself in his own convoluted thoughts, and strategize his next steps.
*If only I could access this space.*
Yet, this was one of the areas in the house that Lily and I were unable to explore.
He swiftly rose from the desk and approached me.
"You're just in time," he remarked, taking my hand and leading me to the chair in front of his desk.
"In time for what?" My curiosity had me leaning in.
He settled me into the large chair facing him.
"Uh-umm, there's something I need to ask you," I stammered.
"That can wait until you finish this," he replied, gesturing toward the email address displayed on the screen.
"Can you hack into that email account?" he inquired.
"Yes, but—" I was cut off.
"Alright then, go for it." He leaned closer, his face just inches from mine.
It belonged to someone named Nathan.
As I began to type on my laptop, I realized that the hem of my skirt had crept up, exposing my thighs, which Vincent was now staring at.
Feeling uneasy, I quickly pulled it back down and refocused on the task of hacking the email account, which was somewhat stressful.
Suddenly, I felt his hands encircle my shoulders as he planted kisses along my neck.
I attempted to remain unfazed, having already steeled myself against situations like this after what occurred last time.
Despite my efforts to concentrate on the screen, my body betrayed me with every touch.
"I really need to focus, please," I stammered, trying to loosen his strong grip on my shoulders.
"Did you honestly believe your punishment was finished, little de?" His voice was deep and husky.
I pushed his words aside and tried to get back to my work.
"There, I'm finished," I announced, a wave of relief washing over me.
He glanced at the screen and flashed a broad grin.
His hands slide down to the edge of my skirt as he lifts it. I quickly clutch the hem, trying to pull it back down, but his hands prevent me.
I feel his fingers moving further, forcing a gasp from me. I struggle to push his hands away with all my might, yet they remain unyielding while his lips continue to explore my neck.
In a moment of desperation, hoping to divert his focus, I say, "I need to talk to you about something." My voice is barely a whisper as I keep fighting against his grip.
"Go on," he murmurs close to my ear.
*Great, how can I phrase this without provoking him?*
"I found a book in the library that mentioned your father's yearly family dinner around this time. I asked Adriel about it, and he said—"
Suddenly, he lifts me from the chair and forcefully slams my back against the wall.
"He put you up to this, didn't he?!" His voice rises, filled with fury.
*F**k, my back hurts.*
"No, he didn't." My reply carries the strain of pain.
He hesitated for a moment, and his expression shifted instantly.
*An expression I couldn't quite decipher.*
✿✿✿
I was sprawled on my bed, lying on my back with an ice pack pressed against it, feeling intense pain.
"What happened to your back?" Lily asked, her curiosity piqued.
"He got mad and slammed my back into the wall with force," I mumbled, my face buried in the pillow.
"Oh my gosh, that sounds painful!" she gasped.
"Mhhhmmmm, it's all Adriel's fault. But on the bright side, at least I don't have a hole in my head or chest," I groaned as I attempted to shift onto my back, resulting in a shout of discomfort.
"Sooo, what did he say?" Lily inquired.
*Should I spill the beans or keep it to myself?*
"I won't share," I replied, averting my gaze.
"Oh come on, he probably disagreed with you, that's why! I knew it was a complete waste of time and effort. Now look at you, suffering," she lamented, gesturing dramatically.
"Ohhh, someone's gonna get roasted," I chuckled.
*Adriel and Lily would make such a cute couple. Hehehe.*
"Lily," I said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Yes?" she responded, her attention fully captured.
"I have a question for you, but you have to promise not to get mad," I declared.
"I'll do my best," she replied with a smile.
*If only she knew what I was about to ask, she'd probably have smacked me with a pillow by now.*
"Do you like Adriel?" I asked, my gaze fixed on her.
Her cheeks flushed instantly as she turned her gaze downward, clearly flustered.
"Wh-what?! No! Who told you that?" Her voice trembled as she attempted to conceal her embarrassment.
"No one told me. I just noticed how you act around him, which made me curious," I clarified.
"Well, I don't like him," she said, lifting her chin defiantly.
"Yes, you do; your entire face gives it away," I argued.
"One cannot read a person's heart through their expression," she replied in a posh English accent.
"Then why are you blushing? I thought emotions came from the heart," I countered.
Her face reddened even more.
"Oh look, there's Adriel," I say to Lily, who acknowledges me with a wave, clearly not wanting to reveal her bright red face.