Aurélia and Asher walked into the cafeteria, beaming with happiness after their reconciliation as friends. They spotted Isaiah sitting with his friends, laughing and chatting. Asher and Aurélia found a seat and settled in. Asher turned to Aurélia with a charming smile."May I sit beside you, Miss Aurélia Rory?" he asked.
Aurélia's response was warm and inviting. "Yes, you may, Mr. Asher," she said.
Asher called out to the waiter, and they placed their orders. Aurélia opted for a cocktail and a rich chocolate cake, while Asher chose a cup of coffee and a chocolate cake to match hers.
The waiter hurried off to fulfill their requests. As they waited, Aurélia turned to Asher with curiosity. "Do you also enjoy sweet treats? I thought those were just for us girls," she teased.
Asher's response was playful. "Of course not, but today I want to experience a part of your life," he said with a mysterious glint in his eye.
Aurélia's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue.
Asher's smile grew wider. "It's nothing much, you'll find out in the nearby future," he said, his tone cryptic.
Aurélia raised an eyebrow, her shoulders shrugging in a gentle gesture. "Okay, whatever," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. The waiter came and stood in front of them but the figure standing in front of them was not for the earlier waiter whom they had requested orders."Hey, Mr and Mrs here are your orders."
The voice was unmistakable- It was Isaiah, Asher's brother, standing before them with a sly grin. He placed their orders on the table and sat down beside them, his presence seeming to darken the atmosphere.
"I didn't know my brother was into girls," Isaiah said, his tone laced with sarcasm. Aurélia's hand instinctively found Asher's, a calming gesture that only seemed to fuel Isaiah's jealousy.
"Well, I thought you were unlucky to have entered our rich family, Aurélia," Isaiah sneered. "You're a girlfriend with targets and benefits, seducing my little brother for his money. I thought you were a girl with intergrity. It seems I was wrong." His words dripped with malice, but Aurélia remained stoic, her grip on Asher's hand tightening.
"I think the first thing you did was get inside his pants, and that's why he's so obsessed with you," Isaiah spat, his voice venomous. Aurélia's eyes flashed with hurt, but she refused to engage, instead pulling Asher's hand to signal their departure. "You can go ahead and run away." Isaiah added.
Asher called the waiter over and paid the bill, his eyes never leaving Isaiah's face. As they left the cafeteria, Aurélia's composure began to crack, her eyes welling up the tears.
Asher wrapped his arms around her, his voice filled with concern. "I wanted to punch him, to box him until he learned his lesson, but you didn't let me. So I listened to you, but I don't want you to have to deal with him anymore. I don't want you to cry everyday because of him."
Aurélia's response was measured. "It's okay, Asher. You know it's not always good to run away from trouble."
Aurélia planned to visit Lila at her house that day. "I'll get a cab, I'm going to visit Lila," she told Asher, declining his offer to drop her off.
"Okay then if you don't want me to go with you, I'm going to the cafeteria to have fun with Isaiah." Asher said heading to the cafeteria. Aurélia knew what will happen if Asher entered the cafeteria so suggested they go together, thinking Lila would appreciate their visit together. "But I need to call her first," she added.
When Aurélia discovered Lila wasn't home, she decided to head to the restaurant where she worked. "I'm going to be okay; it's not far from here," she assured Asher. She asked him to promise not to fight with his brother, and Asher agreed. After waving goodbye, Aurélia began walking, pondering Isaiah's impulsive behavior and comparing it to his relationship with Gabriella.
As Aurélia walked, her purse slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. Before she could retrieve it, a tall, muscular stranger picked it up and handed it back to her. "Thanks, sir," she said, smiling. The stranger's eyes lingered on her, and he smiled before walking away. Unbeknownst to Aurélia, Isaiah was watching from a distance, his eyes narrowing as he observed the interaction.
Aurélia continued walking, oblivious to the fact that someone was following her. Isaiah took a shortcut, waiting for her to reach a secluded corridor. He grabbed her hand and covered her mouth, but Aurélia bit him, and he released his grip. Enraged, Aurélia slapped him. "Are you done?" Isaiah asked, his voice calm. Aurélia slapped him again, and he raised an eyebrow. "Still want to slap me again?" he taunted. "I want to slap you as long as I want," Aurélia retorted.
Isaiah grasped Aurélia's cheeks gently, his eyes locking on hers. "Do you know why I reacted strangely? It's because I'm always consumed by jealousy. Whenever I see you with my brother, taking care of him. It hurts and I don't know why I feel like that? I'm always out of control, Aurélia. I don't know what I'm saying right now. I just don't want to see any guy next or close to you."
"It's hard for me to keep you out of my mind. I don't what came into me but I had to do this before anyone does neither I don't want to lie to my feelings. Faking how I like Gabriella, yet I don't. I understand how you hate me, you indeed hate me as much but that can't stop from I want to say." Isaiah's words were full of compassion and sincerity seen in his eyes.
Aurélia was left speechless, unsure of what to respond. The closeness and touch from Isaiah, however, made her feel a certain way.
Aurélia's heart skipped a beat as Isaiah's fingers danced across her cheeks, sending shivers down her spine. "I need to go to work," she whispered, but Isaiah's intense gaze held her captive, his eyes burning with desire. He leaned in, his voice low and husky, "From now on, I'll be chasing after you, everywhere you go. You'll never escape me, Aurélia. I crave you, and I know you haven't experienced the depth of our connection yet. But I'm willing to do anything to claim you as mine."
His words ignited a fire within her as he wrapped his hands possessively around her neck, hands and waist. Aurélia's eyes closed, and she felt the world melt away as she surrendered to the sensation of his touch.
When Isaiah opened his eyes, Aurélia's followed, and their gazes locked in a passionate intensity that left her breathless. His piercing eyes seemed to see right through her, Isaiah crossed his fingers around Aurélia's lips. Aurélia felt the anticipation building.
Aurélia's heart raced as Isaiah's words cut through her defenses. She had always hated the way he seemed to see right through her, but now, his piercing gaze made her feel vulnerable in a different way. His touch sent down shivers down her spine. She gasped for air because of what was happening between the tension they had together. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to let her guard down.
Isaiah's voice was husky and low as if he was like a dog begging for a bone to grab."I've always seen the real you, Aurélia. And I'm drawn to the person inside you."