Chapter 25
Octavius's POV
My hand cradled the back of Seraphine's head, deepening the kiss. My lips tingled, every sense overwhelmed by her scent. She tried to struggle, but I immediately clamped my other arm around her waist, holding her still.
I didn't let up until I had thoroughly tasted every inch of her lips. When we finally broke apart, Seraphine was breathless, her eyes clouded with a desire she couldn't hide.
"Now," I said, my voice a low rasp, "you'll remember the lesson." I watched her closely, waiting for her reaction. Fear? Disgust? Resistance?
It was none of them.
Seraphine simply wiped her mouth, her gaze fixed on me with an almost pleading intensity. "Are you willing to listen to me now?"
I was taken aback. She hadn't protested the kiss at all. Before I could process it, she spoke again, her words rushing out. "The invitation was sent to Mitchell through the company's internal system half a month ago. It couldn't be retracted. His showing up was an accident. It doesn't mean I've forgiven him."
She lowered her head, her voice dropping. "Actually, before I came to find you, I went to the Stafford family's house."
I remained silent. I remembered all too clearly how she had once refused to even look at me for Mitchell's sake, how she had brutally humiliated me for that man.
I couldn't stop myself from asking, my voice tight. "Tell me, what were you doing at the Stafford's?"
Seraphine looked up, her expression one of pure grievance. "They invited me to dinner to try and persuade me to marry Mitchell. I refused them. The second I refused, I rushed over to find you, but you deliberately ignored me, left me hanging."
I was stunned, then a fresh wave of anger washed over me. "They tried to force you two together?"
She nodded vigorously, eager to tattle. "Yes! And Mitchell lied to me, said he had something important of yours at his house."
I scoffed. "I have no dealings with the Staffords. How could they possibly have anything of mine? You actually believed that?"
She blinked, her voice small and weak. "If it's about you, even if I'm suspicious, I have to go see for myself."
A part of me softened.
Suddenly, her eyes reddened, and her voice broke. "You ignored me, left me there to be made a fool of. I know you were retaliating, that you think because I rejected you so harshly before, you'll never forgive me." She sniffled, looking at me with solemn gravity. "I swear, I'll never bother you again. If you hate me, I'll disappear."
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. The little wildcat had retracted her claws, rolled over, and exposed her soft belly.
A storm of emotions churned inside me. I let out a silent sigh and reached up to wipe away her tears. "I haven't even ignored you for a full day, and you're this upset? When you treated me that way, I certainly didn't cry and play the victim like you are."
My words didn't anger her; instead, the tears fell faster. "I know. I was awful to you before. So can you... can you give me a chance to make it up to you?"
Watching the tears cascade down her cheeks, my resolve crumbled further. She was a siren. The moment she cried, I was powerless.
I cupped her jaw, forcing her to look up. Her eyes were brimming with tears, two of which escaped and fell into my palm, hot against my skin. Seraphine was crying. Because of me.
I used my thumb to wipe away another tear. "Then tell me, how are you going to make it up to me?"
"Anything. As long as you're not angry, as long as you don't ignore me." she murmured, her face nestled obediently in my hand.
I withdrew my hand and turned away. "Come with me."
Back in my office, I handed her a business card from my desk. "Go to this place tonight and find me."
Seraphine took the card. "A bar? What for?"
I was about to answer when a knock sounded at the door. Flynn's voice followed. "Mr. Capulet, Ms. Powell is here. She's waiting in the guest room."
My first instinct was to watch Seraphine's reaction. Her body tensed almost imperceptibly, but she feigned indifference.
"Have her come in here." I said coolly.
Seraphine looked up, pouting slightly, clearly displeased. "Then I'll be going."
"You're staying." I pointed to a bookcase behind me. "There's a door there. It leads to my private lounge. Go in there for now."
She hesitated for a moment before nodding and disappearing behind the hidden door. The moment it clicked shut, Flynn pushed open the main office door. Behind him stood Quinlan, dressed in a baseball uniform—white t-shirt, pink skirt. She beamed as she walked in. "Octavius, I booked the baseball field for this afternoon. Let's go play, shall we? Mr. Nolan Capulet said you like baseball."
I had only met Quinlan twice and had no feelings for her whatsoever. She was merely a shield I used to placate Nolan. After Seraphine's public humiliation of me, Nolan had been so furious he'd nearly had a heart attack, vowing that she would never set foot in the Capulet family. It was my family, concerned for Nolan's health, who had pushed me to give Quinlan a chance.
Thinking of this, I nodded and looked at Flynn. "Push all my work to after three o'clock." Then I gestured to Quinlan. "Please, have a seat. I'm going to the lounge to change."
Quinlan's smile widened. "Okay! Go ahead, I'll wait for you." she said sweetly. Then, as if just remembering something, she added casually, "Oh, by the way, Octavius, I think I saw Seraphine on my way up. She didn't look very happy, her eyes were all red. Did something happen at her company again? It's really not easy for her. She's a rich young lady, but she insists on making it on her own, and she always seems to make a mess of things. Not like me, I'm happy just having my family dote on me."
She finished with a playful stick of her tongue, the picture of innocent charm.
I didn't respond, heading straight for the lounge. Seraphine was standing right inside the door, her expression an unreadable mix of anger and something else.
"Are you going to play baseball with her?"
I nodded. "Wait a little while before i leave."
Seraphine pressed her lips together, silent. As I moved to get my clothes, she suddenly grabbed my arm. "Octavius, are you planning to keep seeing her?"
I stopped and turned to look at her, a flicker of amusement rising within me. I asked, "Are you upset, Seraphine?"
She bit her lip and nodded.
"Why?" I pressed, my heart picking up an untimely rhythm. "Because you like me?"
I stared at her, waiting for a verdict.
But Seraphine fell silent. Her eyes, which had just been red for me, now darted around evasively. It took a long moment before she finally squeezed out, "I'm just not used to you being with other women."
Not used to it.
So it was just that. A matter of habit.
The faint ember of hope that had been glowing in my chest was extinguished by her words. I had actually been expecting something more. How ridiculous.
A mocking smile twisted my lips, and I shook her hand off.
"You'll get used to it."