Chapter Thirteen

“I just did what needed to be done, so tell me what’s going on and why your stepsister put a tail on you.”

“Can you just let it slide? She had no idea you were in the mafia, she didn’t do it to harm you or anything,” I said before being startled to see him approaching me. I swallowed hard when he leaned his hand on the sunbathing chair I was leaning on and covered the sunlight

I looked down at one of his knees, which was already kneeling close to my waist, and since I was half lying down, it was as if he was on top of me.

“Why don’t you answer my question?” he asked, staring at me intently as if he was trying to read my mind. I tried to return his stares because if I didn’t, he’d confirm that something was wrong with me and that I was avoiding the topic.

“I just answered you; what response do you want to hear?”

“Is she perhaps… Harassing you? What did she do with the photos?” I know he’s sharp, but it still giving me goosebumps. It’s frightening how easily he can surmise things. Well, I suppose, that’s what makes him a successful businessman. I no longer wonder why so many people are afraid of him. You are good as dead when you get on his bad side.

“She showed it to me and asked if we were dating,” I lied, “She just wants to catch me if I’m dating someone because I’m not telling her about my dating life.”

I don’t know if he’s going to buy that but that’s the only lie I can think of. Kathy and I used to be close since mom and Divina were friends back then. She’s the only girl friend I had, but she betrayed me. What Dos and Uno know is that I am close to my stepmother, all this time they thought I was happy with my new family but they don’t know much about my personal life as I don’t know about theirs.

“Is that really the reason?”

“Of course, what else could it be? If you don’t believe me, suit yourself.” I touched his hard chest and pushed it slightly as I got up, but I was surprised when he touched my wrist, causing me to close one eye because he touched my bruise.

“Why do you seem to be in pain?”

“My stomach hurts,” I lied quickly. “Can you let go? I’ll go home if you don’t have anything else to say.”

“No, I have something else to say; I need a favor, so help me,” he said, releasing my wrist and standing up straight. He moved slightly away from the sunbathing chair I was sitting on before pocketing both of his hands.

“What is it?” I asked, somewhat intrigued. I mean, he’d never asked for my favor before, so I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d say. It’s unusual for him to ask for my help.

“I need a date for the party I’m going to, so be my date.” I don’t know if he’s asking for a favor or ordering me to do something. It’s pissing me off.

“And if I don’t want to?” I asked, raising my brows. I’m not sure why I’m irking him but I guess I just like seeing his irritated expression.

“Do you really want to move on or not?”

“What does my desire to move on have to do with being your date?” I stood up and looked over the railing to see the hotel’s towering structure in front of me. The strong wind blew again, and I don’t think my hair could handle it this time, so my scrunchy began to loosen.

“Shit!” I cursed when I saw my scrunchy fall outside the rooftop. I just combed my hair before returning my gaze to Uno. “Do you happen to have a rubber—”

I couldn’t finish what I was about to say when I turned around, his chest was already right in front of me. I slowly raised my head and followed his hand as he placed it on the hem of my long hair.

“W-What are you doing?” I stammered as he smelled it. My cheeks began to flush as a result of the way he looked at me. I’m afraid I’m going to melt.

“What do you think?” he asked, still holding my hair close to his mouth and not taking his gaze away from me.

“Sexual harassment?” I answered uncertainly and his thick brows furrowed.

“How is this sexual harassment?” he wondered before releasing my hair and bringing his mouth close to my ear. His two hands had already grasped the railing I was leaning against.

“I’m seducing you. Kharris.”

I just stared at Uno when he moves his mouth away from my ear and looked at me as if he had accomplished something. Because of the strong wind, my eyes ached a little as I stared at him. I blinked and then burst out laughing for no apparent reason.

“Seduce?” I scoffed before looking down at his necktie and gently touching it. “That’s not how you do it, Uno.”

“What do you know? You’re nothing more than a brat,” he said with a smirk, and the edge of my lip lifted at the same time I pulled on his necktie, bringing his face closer to mine. I looked at his lips before slowly raising my gaze to his soul-piercing eyes.

“You’re underestimating my seducing abilities, Uno,” I said, biting my lower lip, “And if you think I’m nothing more than a brat, think again.”

When I saw how his Adam’s apple moved up and down, my grin widened. And I can’t help but looked at his lips again, which I was attempting to taste. I guess I was possessed by a horny spirit after all.

“What?” he asked, putting his hand on my waist slowly. “If I’m that attempting, kiss me.”

“Pfft!” I spat on him because I couldn’t stop laughing despite my best efforts to remain serious. I wasn’t expecting him to imitate what I said in the cubicle.

“What the hell! You really have an uncanny ability to ruin the mood,” he grumbled as he wiped his nose using his sleeve, because of that, I let go of his necktie and held my stomach because I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Happy?” he asked sarcastically, but I shook my head, and the smile on my lips slowly fades.

“I’m far from happy,” I said solemnly, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear before turning away from him. I touched the rooftop railings and gazed out at the breathtaking view. I pursed my lips when I felt my eyes begin to heat up. I didn’t want to cry in front of Uno, but my tears were treacherous and still managed to escape my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Uno asked, so I quickly wiped away my tears and turned to face him.

“It’s nothing,” I replied with a bitter smile. “When is the party you mentioned?”

I really don’t want to accept his invitation to be his date because I’m sure the party’s guests are all business tycoons and adults. But, deep down, I want to go to that kind of party again, because the last time I went to a formal party was five years ago when my mother was still alive.

“On Sunday,” he said, and I nodded. Fortunately, Ashton’s birthday is the following Sunday, so there won’t be a conflict in my schedule.

“Fine,” I said, “I’ll be your date.”

“Good, but why did you cry?” he asked, making me swallow hard. Was it too obvious that he knew I cried? I’m sure my eyes haven’t swollen because my tears only last a second.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t cr—” I couldn’t finish what I was about to say when he gently wiped the side of my eye.

“Dust just entered my eyes, don’t make a big deal out of it.” I tried to laugh it off, but it faded away when Uno placed his palm on my cheek. I slowly raised my gaze to his eyes and raised my brows, completely baffled by his sudden action.

“W-What’s wrong? You’re acting weird since yesterday.” I said when I touched his hand that was holding my cheek. I was about to take his hand away from me but something was preventing me from doing so. I hate to admit it, but when he touches me like this, I get a warm feeling. I swallowed hard, and his proposition flashed across my mind.

“Does your offer from yesterday still stand?”

“Yeah, have you decided yet?” he asked, and I nodded slowly, still staring at each other.

“And what is your answer?”

“Let’s do it. Let’s be friends with benefits,” I answered without hesitation. I’ll just think and decide what I’m going to do about the possible consequences of me entering into this type of relationship later. For the time being, all I want is to feel the warmth and pleasure that Uno gives me when he caresses and kisses me—I’d like to feel wanted.

“Are you sure?” he asked, taking his hand from my cheek and placing it on the side of my neck.

“Yeah, just until we forgot about our unrequited love,” I said, and was taken aback when he gently pulled my neck and kissed me on the lips. I was surprised at first, but I also reciprocated his kiss until we were out of breath. We both gasped as we let go of the kiss and our gazes met.

Uno smirked as he pressed his thumb against my lips.

“And that sealed our deal.”