Chapter 37 Groomed to Be the Perfect Man
Back in the vehicle, I stayed silent the entire time, leaning back against the seat and turning up the air conditioner while jazz music played softly in the background. I tried my best not to think about what had happened between Rudy and me. I was literally about to have sex with him. Not just sex but losing my virginity to him. And I had simply sat there, all my defenses gone, like a vegetable.
“Boss~” Anna suddenly called out, prompting me to open my eyes and glance at her.
“Boss, you’ve been sighing ever since we got back in the vehicle. Is something wrong? I might be able to help. Even though I’m younger, I’ve experienced quite a lot, you see,” Anna said in a low voice. Her tone was so soothing that it immediately calmed my nerves.
As expected of a former CIA agent. She knew exactly how to escalate and de-escalate tension.
“There’s nothing wrong with me, Anna. I just have a lot on my mind,” I replied.
“Boss, I don’t think you should not hide things like this from me, especially since you’re entrusting your life and safety to me. I know exactly what’s bothering you, but I want you to say it yourself,” Anna said, causing me to sigh once more.
I pressed a button inside the car, and a barricade slid down, separating us from the chauffeur and giving us more privacy.
“It’s just Rudy. He’s been acting strange lately and keeps asking me out. I don’t know how to make him stop without ruining our relationship. Even though we’re not related by blood, he’s lived with us since he was young, he’s a brother to me,” I finally revealed while Anna listened patiently.
Anna nodded and let out a soft sigh. “If you truly wanted him to stop, you would’ve done so already, boss,” she said.
“W-What do you mean?” I asked with a slight stutter.
“I saw how you were acting with him before I left the room. You never looked at him like a brother, boss. When he held your hand, the desire in your eyes was obvious. Honestly, even when he asked me to excuse you two, you could’ve rejected it if you wanted but you didn’t say anything. I honestly thought you two were going to fuck or something. Either way, I’ll ask you this, do you love Rudy?” Anna asked.
Her words stunned me. Even though I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. It was nothing but the truth.
“I don’t know… I don’t know how I feel, Anna. It might sound crazy, but I’ve never been intimate with any man the way I’ve been with Rudy. Growing up, my father never allowed men to get close to me because I was his heir. He was extremely protective and didn’t want me marrying just any man. Sometimes I feel like I love Rudy, and other times I feel like I just want to experience what sex feels like… so I really can’t tell,” I admitted, my face burning with embarrassment as I said the last part.
Anna didn’t laugh or react in any way, which made it easier for me to let everything out. Her expression remained neutral.
“Since you and Rudy aren’t biological siblings, do you know why your father adopted him and groomed him into the man he is today?” Anna suddenly asked.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“Boss, I was one of the best agents in my former job. My ability to analyze and deduce things instantly set me apart from my peers. I hate to break it to you, but your father adopted and groomed Rudy to be the perfect man for you. If he were still alive, he would’ve arranged your marriage. Ask yourself, why did he allow Rudy to stay so close to you despite being a boy? It’s because he wanted chemistry between the two of you. Don’t ask me how I know all this, boss. I’d really appreciate not having to explain that,” Anna said, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly at the end.
I was stunned. Then memories flooded back. My father was extremely overprotective, yet he never once tried to separate me and Rudy, not even during our teenage years when our hormones were raging. On top of that, he taught Rudy many things he wouldn’t teach anyone else. As the realization hit me, I covered my face with my palm, my thoughts in turmoil.
“To make matters worse, your father had already decreed that you and Rudy would marry if anything ever happened to him. When he died, the elders of the Blade Clan made you leader only because you were his heir, and your father had set precautions in place in case they tried anything funny after his death. However, the elders managed to hide the truth about your father’s decree for you and Rudy to marry so that Rudy wouldn’t automatically inherit the position as your husband. They believed you marrying Rudy would put them at a disadvantage, since he was groomed by your father and is even more ruthless than him,” Anna said, letting out a sigh.
My mouth fell open in shock. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. When I tried to ask Anna more questions, she simply shook her head.
“You promised not to ask how I got my information, boss. I’d really appreciate that. But I’ll give you a hint, I learned all this from a certain person living in your estate,” Anna revealed.