As soon as she stepped onto the stairs, the door at the end of the left hallway swung open. Aiden, dressed in a black silk robe, strolled out with a lazy gait.
Nova was heading back to her room in that direction. As she rounded the corner, she saw Aiden approaching and nearly jumped out of her skin.
They met unexpectedly in the hallway. Nova stood there awkwardly, watching Aiden come closer.
The silk robe accentuated his tall, straight figure, with sharp, smooth lines from head to toe. The slightly open collar revealed a hint of his sharp collarbones and perfect shoulder and neck lines. At that moment, he looked like a lazy yet dangerously alluring beast, leisurely strolling through his territory.
Nova never expected to run into him so late. She bit her lip nervously and forced herself to walk towards him. The hallway was spacious, but as they passed each other, it felt incredibly narrow, the air almost solidifying.
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the wall with an irresistible force. Nova instinctively raised her left hand in a gesture of surrender.
Aiden held her wrist with one hand and braced himself against her shoulder with the other, bringing them so close that they could feel each other's breath.
Aiden's gaze was intense and burning, like smoldering coals, fixed on her face. His eyes were filled with a long-suppressed desire, now laid bare and unhidden.
Nova's heart trembled under his gaze. She tilted her head slightly, looking into his deep, ocean-like eyes, which seemed to hold both restraint and a barely contained explosion, making her heart race with fear and anticipation of what might come next.
Just minutes earlier, Aiden had been lying in bed, unable to sleep as thoughts of Nova kept flashing through his mind, driving him restless. He decided to get up and go out, never expecting to run into the very person causing his insomnia. It was like a lamb walking into a lion's den.
He thought to himself that this large, secluded house was filled with his suppressed feelings for her. Wandering around here at night was dangerous for her.
Nova's wrist hurt from Aiden's grip, and she whimpered softly, "It hurts..." Her trembling voice broke the silence. Aiden snapped out of it and quickly let go, as if he'd been burned.
Nova had just sighed in relief when her chin was grabbed, and the next second, her lips were seized in a fierce kiss.
Once his emotional barrier was breached, his feelings surged like an unstoppable tide.
Nova instinctively resisted, pushing against him with all her might, but he was as immovable as a mountain.
She could smell the scent of alcohol on his breath, and it startled her. He had been drinking, which made the situation even more dangerous.
She called out his name, "Aiden," trying to warn him, her voice rising in panic and determination, "Aiden, let me go!"
Aiden released her, breathing heavily, his tall figure looming over her, his deep eyes locked onto the girl in his arms, his chest heaving, heart pounding like a drum.
He had longed for this kiss all night, and now that he had it, it still wasn't enough. He wanted more.
Nova bit her lip, avoiding his intense gaze, her cheeks flushed like the evening sky.
Aiden seemed pleased with her calling his name. He leaned in close, his voice both commanding and indulgent, telling her to go back to her room and not wander around: "Be good, go to bed, and don't run around."
Nova looked up into his deep, dark eyes, filled with such intense emotion that it scared her.
She steeled herself, thinking she couldn't stay any longer, and stubbornly declared that she would move out tomorrow, her tone firm and unyielding: "I'm moving out tomorrow."
Aiden wouldn't allow it, his voice booming through the hallway, leaving no room for doubt: "No, you can't leave!"
Nova's temper flared, her eyes reddening as she questioned him. If he needed a woman, there were plenty willing to serve him, like Blair: "If you need a woman, Ms. Ember is waiting eagerly. Go find her!"
She felt wronged and didn't know where she found the courage to say such things.
Aiden crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing sharply, coldly questioning her, as if asking how she could think he was that kind of man: "You really think I'm that kind of guy?"
Nova was full of confusion. She had left the country at sixteen and hadn't returned for eight years. She didn't know when he had started liking her.
Aiden sighed inwardly, his voice slightly hoarse, reassuring her to stay and not worry, that he wouldn't force her to do anything: "Stay here, I won't make you do anything you don't want to."
With that, he turned away, his back lonely like a solitary traveler.
Nova watched his retreating figure and added, suggesting he consider Blair, who was infatuated with him: "Ms. Ember is devoted to you. You might want to consider her."
Aiden paused, turning his head, his gaze intense.
Nova panicked and blurted out that she didn't like older men, regretting it immediately. She didn't mean to insult him, just wanted to use it as an excuse to keep him at a distance: "I... don't like older men."
After all, she had grown up abroad but was traditional at heart, knowing that crossing boundaries would bring her parents' wrath.
Aiden turned around, his eyes darkening under the light, his expression stormy, as if a tempest was brewing.
Seeing this, Nova swallowed nervously and timidly apologized, her voice soft as a whisper: "I... didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry."
She expected a reprimand but was surprised when he simply said, "I know, go to bed," his tone calm but tinged with hurt.
Nova felt like the bad guy, taking a deep breath and walking towards him to explain further.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she stumbled, bumping into his back, quickly stepping back.
Aiden turned, his gaze locking onto her.
Seeing her confusion, he directly stated that he didn't like her way of apologizing, his voice low and rumbling: "Don't just say it. I don't like apologies like that."
Nova blinked, bewildered, not knowing what other way to apologize besides words.
Aiden's eyes fell on her red lips, his gaze deepening, danger lurking, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Before Nova could react, Aiden reached out, pulling her into his arms and bending down to kiss her.
The soft, sweet taste of her lips was intoxicating, making him unable to stop.
Nova's eyes widened, her breath filled with his domineering scent, her rationality slipping away.
In the dim light of the quiet hallway, his gentle yet forceful kiss made her dizzy, as if drunk, her steps unsteady.
Until she was nearly suffocating, her breathing erratic, her face flushed, almost fainting, she struggled desperately.
Aiden felt her body go limp and finally let go.
Nova gasped for air, trying to steady her breathing.
Aiden chuckled softly, a smile spreading across his face, dimples appearing, dispelling the gloom.
Nova felt embarrassed, raising her fist to hit his chest, forgetting his status, age difference, showing her coquettish side: "What are you doing!"
Aiden, seeing this, patted her back gently, comforting her softly: "Alright, alright, don't be mad."
Nova snapped back to reality, angrily saying she was going to bed, turning away with a haughty back, like an angry kitten: "I'm going to bed!"
Aiden, however, urgently needed a cold shower, feeling a fire inside him that needed to be extinguished.
Nova returned to her room, also unable to sleep, her mind in chaos, her heart full, her face flushed, feeling like she was tangled in a mess.
When she opened her eyes again, it was bright outside. Seeing the time, it was only seven. She didn't want to be late today, so she quickly got ready and went downstairs. Owen was already waiting at the door to take her to work and grab breakfast on the way.
Nova thanked Owen politely and got into the car.
Meanwhile, Pax from the translation department arrived at the office early, not giving a second thought to the prank she pulled on Nova last night, feeling smug about her "little trick," thinking Nova wouldn't easily get out of it.
However, the calm was soon broken. Blair's secretary, with a stern face, summoned Pax to the office.
Pax panicked and hurried over, entering to find Blair standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze cold as a knife, making Pax shiver.