Chapter 77 His Victory
VINCE’S POV
I had made incredible efforts to ensure upon Arden’s arrival, Alyssa’s love for him wouldn’t revive.
Though I knew and deeply trusted Alyssa yet to discard her long lost love, to pretend nothing happened was also hard. It might take her time to adjust.
‘But, what if she actually chooses–’ No, no, I didn’t want to imagine that.
I hired Ken, I killed her hope in love just to revive it again, to become her savior and the only sun of her sky.
I couldn’t fail. Not after I made incredible efforts just to have her name connected with mine.
I won’t let Arden come between us. I swear, I won’t.
“Where are you lost, Vince?” Alyssa asked with a smile, glancing at me through the reflection in the mirror.
It was night, I was lying on the bed, staring into nothingness, undesirable thoughts attempting to gobble me but I didn’t let them.
“Huh? Nothing.” I blinked, shaking my head and smiled back.
“Vince, if you don’t mind me asking.” With hesitation coming to her face, she gradually rose from her seat and walked to me.
“May I know what happened between you and… Arden? You guys used to be best friends, right?”
“Hmm. But, he left. We lost contact and bonding over the years.” I replied nonchalantly, not wanting to dive deep into this matter with her.
“I see…” She hummed.
Climbing under the covers and placing her head over my chest, increasing my heartbeats, inducing a delight that despite anything, she was here, with me, as ‘Mine’.
“Why are you asking anyway?” I asked, tracing gentle lines from her shoulder to her wrist, kissing the pulse, submerging in the triumph.
“Just curious. You guys were together all the time and then it suddenly vanished.” She mumbled, looking at me with those glimmering, wide eyes filled with curiosity.
“Even before he left too. Did something happen?”
“Nothing.” I lied.
She hummed, closing her eyes as we remained like that, finding all our solace in each other before drowsiness took over.
Later, at a party, Arden was leaning in, his posture polished, a blend of elegance of a man who thinks he’s still the protagonist of Alyssa’s story.
Tsk, as if.
He was talking about a partnership, his hands moving in a way that suggested he was offering her the world.
“You know you broke my heart when you declined my offer, Alyssa.” He chuckled.
“It’s a generous offer, Arden,” Alyssa handled it gracefully, her smile beautiful as her hand rested firmly on my forearm.
“But my firm is doing quite well under the current structure. And yours?” She let out a professional sigh, returning a polite smile.
“Let’s say it has been handled by ‘nobody’ for years. I apologize but I don't see the need for a merger.”
“Hmm true. That means I have to work harder to reach your level and be worthy.” He smirked, the persistence pissing me off.
“But, do tell me, Is that your professional opinion, or is it Vince’s?” Arden countered, his eyes flickering toward me for a second.
“What do you mean by this, Arden?”
“Just speaking what I see.” He looked away, taking a sip of his drink.
And it wasn’t the taunt that pissed me off. But his thinking that Alyssa was incompetent of making a decision on her own.
How dare he?
If I wanted to hold those strings, I would have done it long ago but I wanted her to stand on her feet, to regain her lost confidence.
I simply placed my hand on Alyssa’s back, feeling the slight, involuntary tremor of delight that always ran through her, satisfying me too much.
“She speaks for herself, Arden,” I enunciated firmly. Alyssa smiled, her eyes twinkling when she looked up at me as I continued.
“That’s the difference between her life with me and her life before. She has a voice. I’d suggest you listen to it.”
Arden’s jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. He saw the mockery but had no retort for it.
“Just looking out for an old friend, Vince. No harm intended.” He faked a chuckle.
“Intent is irrelevant,” I replied, pulling Alyssa an inch closer to my side.
“Results are what matter. And the result here is a 'no.' Enjoy the evening.” I gave a firm reply.
Glancing at Alyssa who gestures to leave, she didn’t want to continue the conversation, and I followed.
We walked away gracefully. To the room, we were the power couple of the year. But inside my chest, a cold, black jealousy was coiling.
I didn't like the way she had looked at him. Not with love, but with recognition. I didn't want her to recognize anything from her past.
Anything or anyone but… Me.
Even if she didn’t love him, I didn’t want him to be a part of our world. To realize he lost her the moment he decided to leave.
Later, at home, I freshened up in the other bathroom but saw Alyssa was still in her exquisite form. Her anxious glance lowered, fidgeting her fingers when I closed behind me.
“Why haven’t you changed? Do you need help?” I asked softly, walking to her.
Her beautiful glimmering gaze lifted, letting out a gentle voice, “I am tired, Vince.”
“Tired of what, Alyssa?” I stood behind her, holding her shoulder in a firm grip.
“He doesn't understand that I'm happy, Vince. He thinks I'm trapped.”
“Are you?” I turned her around so she was forced to look at me. I wanted her to see the intensity in my eyes, the hunger that collided with an obsession.
“Are you trapped, Alyssa? Or are you mine?” I asked, leaning down to brush my lips against hers, stiffening her whole being.
“I'm yours, my savior.” she whispered, her voice hitching, clutching my shirt without any intention of releasing.
“That man’s stupid to think if I am not happy. You were there when no one was. You helped me when no one did. And now, I offer my life to you.” She whispered.
Rising from her seat, pressing all her weight against mine, considering me her day and night, immovable devotion shining.
“I love the idea, Alyssa but do tell me…” I held her waist, refusing to leave her, pressing my lips hard against hers.
“Do you want to be mine forever, or is it out of gratitude because I saved you?”
“Both, Vince. Both.” She smiled, capturing me in a brief but in-depth kiss of endearment while wrapping her arms around my neck temptingly.
“Why wouldn’t I want to live with a man who stands before me like a shield and why shouldn’t I, hmm?”
“Oh, you and your talks sometimes force me to do something…” I inhaled sharply before leaning down to bite her earlobe seductively.
“Indecent.”
She giggled, “What is stopping you not to be?”
Smirking victoriously, I lifted her and led her to our bed to unleash my desires that kept calling out to her.
The intercourse working as a final verdict of my victory.