Chapter 53: Intimate.

Shocked by her own impulsive action, Dua abruptly broke the kiss, her hands flying to her mouth in disbelief. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" she stammered, instantly turning to leave.

Before she could escape, Steven caught her wrist firmly, preventing her from walking away. "What are you apologizing for?" he asked, his voice steady yet probing. Dua glanced around, suddenly aware of her racing heart, desperately avoiding his intense gaze.

"Is this how you plan to give me a son? You always shy away from our intimate moments," he replied, a mix of teasing and sincerity in his tone.

"I have to be cautious about how intimate I am with you," Dua responded, her voice low and timid. "You’re not exactly my husband; our marriage is born of circumstance, it was an error you made. You’re rightfully betrothed to Diane."

"And yet, here you are, wanting to give me a son, fully aware that you’re going to leave me in the end. Why?" Steven challenged, his expression unwavering.

Dua's heart sank at his acknowledgment of her impending departure, a painful twist in her chest as she realized he accepted her decision to leave.

"And yet you claim you’re not in love with me," he said, fixing his gaze on her with piercing intensity.

"I'm not," she insisted, yet her conviction faltered under his steady stare.

"I told you I’d respect and honor your feelings, so stop denying it. I heard you confess your love to your siblings," he stated, his voice steady.

Dua's eyes widened in shock. "You heard me that day?! Why did you pretend like you didn’t?"

His gaze remained unyielding, the intensity causing her cheeks to flush red. "You’re bold and fearless, yet why do you keep shying away from me now?" he questioned softly.

"I’m still bold and fearless," she retorted, her defensive walls rising. "And I'm not in love with you," she added more resolutely, turning to leave the bedroom.

Steven chuckled softly as she walked out, a newfound curiosity sparking within him. Just as he settled back into routine, Dua returned briefly to grab her school bag.

"You’ve got classes today?" Steven asked, glancing up.

“Mmmm, and I’m running late,” she replied, slipping out the door again.

Steven retreated downstairs to finish his breakfast, the scent of toast lingering in the air.

“Where is she?” Shane asked as Steven settled into his chair at the table.

“She’s off to school,” Steven replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Sis and her attitude,” Desmond sighed, shaking his head with an affectionate grin.

Dua burst into the school, sprinting down the hallway as she made her way to class, already acutely aware that the lecture had begun. She pushed through the door, panting heavily and instantly drawing the attention of her classmates. The professor raised an eyebrow and adjusted his glasses.

“Are you for this class?” he asked, assessing her appearance.

“Yes, I am,” she gasped. “And I sincerely apologize for being late.”

Considering her evident dedication to not missing the class, the professor nodded and waved her inside. “Get yourself settled somewhere.”

“Thank you, sir,” Dua replied gratefully, hurrying to take an empty seat in the front row.

After about forty-five intense minutes of lecture, the class finally came to an end. Students began sprawling out of the classroom, some lingering to chat, while others dove into their notes.

Dua stood to find her friends, only to spot them making their way toward her.

“Wow, you were super late today, Dua! What happened?” Lena asked, folding her arms with a teasing smile.

All Dua could do was smile back sheepishly.

“Anyone interested in lemonade? I’m craving it badly,” Maya chimed in, her eyes alight with excitement.

“As long as it isn't lavender flavored,” Dua quipped, and Jay chuckled, “I thought I was the only one who hated that flavor.”

As they made their way to a nearby café, Jay clung to Dua. The closeness started to make her feel a tad uneasy.

Once they arrived, they were served chilled glasses of lemonade. Maya took her first sip and sighed in relief, her body settling into the chair. “Ah, that hits the spot,” she exclaimed, visibly relaxing.

Unable to tolerate Jay's clinginess any longer, Dua raised her hand, displaying her wedding ring. “I’m married," she announced firmly.

Jay chuckled lightly. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t fall for you. I’m gay and I have a boyfriend whom I love dearly,” he explained, flashing a carefree smile. “It’s just that I have this habit of clinging to people I’m close with.”

“Oh,” Dua managed to say, feeling slightly relieved yet still caught off-guard by the unexpected revelation.

“But you might want to be careful around Lena,” Jay said, glancing at her with a teasing smirk, “She’s a lesbian.”

“Don’t mind him,” Lena interjected, smiling warmly at Dua while shooting a playful glare at Jay. “I have a girlfriend who I would die for, so you’re safe.”

Dua blinked, momentarily speechless, finding herself in the midst of two members of the LGBTQ+ community. She didn’t oppose them; it was just a surprise to meet two at once. "Well, I guess I’m really in the city", she thought to herself, feeling a mix of curiosity and intrigue.

“So, are you a lesbian too?” she queried, turning to Maya.

“Nope, I’m straight,” Maya said, taking a sip of her drink and flashing Dua her engagement ring. “And I’m engaged to a wonderful man.”

A slight frown crossed Maya’s face as a realization dawned on her. “Wait a minute, your last name is Dua, and you said you’re married. Don’t tell me you’re married to who I think you are.”

“Who do you think I’m married to?” Dua asked, a hint of trepidation in her voice.

“The Devil,” Lena and Jay chorused simultaneously, leaving Dua feeling bewildered.

“I’m married to Steven Levi,” she clarified, her confusion deepening as she glanced from one face to another.

“Yeah, we know,” Maya replied, her tone serious. “And he’s referred to as ‘The Devil.’”

“But he’s human!” Dua objected, desperation creeping into her voice.

“You think he is?” Lena shot back with an arched eyebrow. “He’s the King of the Mexican Mafia. People fear him—even the government.”

“So? That doesn’t make him ‘The Devil,’” Dua argued, trying to reassure herself that what they were saying couldn’t possibly be true.

“No offense, he’s your husband, but the truth is he’s known as ‘The Devil.’ What kind of normal human does the things he does?” Jay interjected, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

“What things?” Dua asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“You haven’t seen him in action?” Lena asked, her eyes wide as she looked at Dua, who could only respond with a blank stare.

“Seriously? Even if you haven’t witnessed his actions, you’ve heard the stories, right? It’s hard to believe you’re in Mexico and you don’t know about ‘The Devil,’” Maya said incredulously, shaking her head at Dua’s obliviousness.

“Rumors have been flying around that you’re not who we think you are, Dua,” Jay began, shifting the attention back to himself as he eyed her closely.

“They say you’re the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in this city—Diane Sierre,” he continued, watching Dua carefully as she swallowed hard, her fingers gripping her glass of lemonade tightly.

“Yeah, I heard that too,” Lena agreed, her tone serious. “Everyone knows you’re Diane Sierre, married to Steven Levi. But now you’re going by the name Dua.”

“Who really are you?” Maya asked, her voice soft but direct, searching Dua’s face for answers.