CHAPTER 56: PRS 56

Isabella realized that, even though she possessed the Phoenix System, which granted her superhuman abilities—abilities that others could never even imagine—she was, in reality, just an ordinary human being with a heart and emotions like any other human being.

She wasn’t a robot without feelings. She could still be hurt, still be happy, and still fall in love, even though she had resolved never to open her heart again after a bitter experience in the past.

If someone did her good with sincerity and selflessness, she would repay that kindness a thousandfold with all her might. Likewise, if someone harmed her, hurt her, or tried to destroy her, she would destroy them until nothing remained, until that person regretted ever being born into this world.

Past experiences filled with bitterness and betrayal had made Isabella more mature in her thinking and acting with greater wisdom. Her heart, which she had previously kept tightly locked behind a steel padlock, was now slowly beginning to open, feeling the warmth she had been avoiding.

***

Isabella was thinking about Alesio Xander’s words, when he declared his sincere love for her a few days ago. Those words kept echoing in her mind, unable to simply ignore them.

Although the man didn’t force her to immediately accept his feelings and gave her time and space to think, his understanding attitude only made the 22-year-old feel even more uneasy and confused about her own feelings.

Especially when she remembered Alesio Xander’s clear, sincere gaze, and his protective attitude, which always protected her, made Isabella incredibly confused. What was this feeling? Why did my chest pound every time I thought of that handsome face?

"Huh, why am I so confused?" she said with a rough sigh as she lay down on the sofa in her study. "Didn’t I firmly resolve not to fall in love again after my marriage failed and fell apart?"

"But seeing the sincerity in his eyes so clear, I can’t bear to walk away from him," Isabella muttered again, covering her face with her hands. "Alesio Xander... he’s different from any other man I’ve ever met. He’s never pressured me. He’s always respected my decisions."

[If you love him, just admit it, Host. There’s no need to be confused and upset like a 17-year-old. This is embarrassing for a CEO of your stature.]

Hearing the Phoenix System teasingly mock her, Isabella glared at him, her face flushing red.

"You, Phoenix System... how dare you mock me like this?" Isabella feigned anger, puffing out her cheeks. "You know nothing about my complicated feelings!"

The Phoenix System simply chuckled mischievously, causing Isabella to immediately bury her head in the sofa cushions, utterly embarrassed and unwilling to admit that the system was right.

[If Host is still unsure about her own feelings, why not try to confirm them in person? While the man is still in XX City and hasn’t returned to the capital yet. This is a good opportunity, Host.]

What the Phoenix System said so wisely made Isabella start to seriously consider giving it a try. She wanted to truly convince her wavering heart whether this was truly love or simply a feeling of comfort from Alesio Xander’s presence. She had to clearly and firmly distinguish between the two so she wouldn’t make the same mistake she had in the past when making decisions.

Having made the firm decision to give it a try, Isabella immediately picked up her phone and called Alesio Xander with slightly trembling fingers. She invited him to lunch at her cafe later.

"Hello? Isabella?" Alesio Xander’s voice sounded slightly surprised on the other end of the line.

"Hi... um... are you busy this afternoon?" Isabella asked, trying to sound casual.

Alesio Xander, who had specifically planned to return to the capital that afternoon after finishing some business, naturally accepted the invitation with open arms and a happy heart.

"No, I’m not busy at all! I’ll come!" he replied with unconcealed enthusiasm.

The opportunity to meet and spend time with his beloved before returning to the capital and his busy schedule awaited him. He even jumped around his room like a child who had received a gift.

He was so excited that he decided not to wait for lunch, but instead went straight to Isabella’s coffee shop where she was now. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with her.

***

Isabella, who learned from the receptionist that Alesio Xander was suddenly in the cafe lobby, was very surprised. Her eyes widened at the clock on the wall.

"Didn’t I promise to have lunch at 12? Why is he here at 10 in the morning?" she wondered, frowning. "Is he impatient to see me? Or is there something urgent?"

Alesio Xander, entering Isabella’s private office on the second floor for the first time, was, like most people who had been there, a little surprised by the interior design, which contrasted sharply with Isabella’s soft, feminine personality and everyday appearance.

The room was dominated by black and silver with a bold, modern, minimalist touch—a stark contrast to her expectations of a pink or pastel room.

Seeing Isabella busy with a pile of documents on her neat desk, her face serious and focused, Alesio Xander felt uneasy about interrupting him.

"Am I disturbing you?" she asked in a low, cautious voice. "If you’re still busy, I can wait outside. I don’t mind at all."

"Hmm, not really. It’s not a disturbance," Isabella said, signing an important document she had just been carefully examining when Alesio Xander entered. "There are just a few contract documents I need to review and sign. I’ll be done in a moment."

Seeing Alesio Xander’s slightly red and pale face, with the wide, dark circles under his eyes that indicated lack of sleep, Isabella rose from her seat with concern and walked over at a brisk pace.

"What’s wrong? Are you sick?" Isabella asked in a soft, rare tone, reaching out to gently caress his warm, flushed cheek. "Your face is so pale. Did you not sleep last night?"

Alesio Xander, receiving such gentle and caring treatment, was completely unprepared, and he stuttered like a nervous teenager.

"I-I, I’m fine, I’m fine," he replied nervously, his voice barely audible. "Just... just a little sleep deprived."

The gentle touch Isabella applied with her soft fingers made Alesio Xander’s body feel like it had been zapped with a small electric current, but enough to numb his entire body.

In his stomach, it felt like thousands of tiny butterflies had appeared out of nowhere, fluttering around, creating a delightful and intoxicating sensation.

Isabella, watching Alesio Xander’s face grow redder like a boiled crab and his heart beating irregularly—she could feel his pulse racing—frowns deeply with a worried expression.

"Are you really okay?" Isabella asked in disbelief. "But why is your face so red and your heartbeat so unstable? This isn’t normal."

This time, Isabella touched Alesio Xander’s chest to feel his heartbeat directly, causing the usually cool, even, and unaffected man to instantly sag like a marshmallow under a hot flame.

"I-Isabella..." Alesio Xander whispered hoarsely.

[Host, don’t keep teasing him like that if you don’t want to be attacked by a truly hungry beast. His heart rate has reached 140 beats per minute. This is dangerous.]

"Hahaha... I know the effect," Isabella muttered to herself with a mischievous smile. "It’s just that he’s so adorable like this. I didn’t know a cold CEO like Alesio Xander could be this adorable when he’s nervous."

Isabella, still wanting to tease Alesio Xander, who looked so cute and adorable when he was embarrassed and flustered like this—a stark contrast from his cold demeanor in public—touched his cheek again, gently and affectionately.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Isabella asked, staring deeply into Alesio Xander’s eyes. "Should I call my personal doctor? Or perhaps you need to rest for a while?"

"T-that..." Alesio Xander couldn’t speak anymore, his voice caught in his throat, which suddenly felt as dry as the Sahara desert.

How could he not be embarrassed and lose the ability to speak when Alesio Xander and Isabella’s faces were so close—only a few centimeters. Even the beautiful girl’s warm breath could be clearly felt on his face, making his mind go blank.

The soft, sweet scent of vanilla milk wafting from Isabella’s body was also a powerful attraction, compelling Alesio Xander to lose his mind. The scent was so intoxicating.

Alesio Xander, struggling to contain his rising male desire, was fidgeting, writhing, eager to ejaculate, and nearly lost control until Isabella’s next words completely breached his fragile defenses.

"You’re so handsome up close," Isabella said honestly and sincerely, taking in every detail of Alesio Xander’s face. "Your thick eyebrows, your sharp nose, your strong jawline... they’re all perfect. They make me... want to possess you."

Isabella’s innocent words made Alesio Xander blush even more, reaching down to his ears and neck. A second later, Isabella, who was smiling inwardly with satisfaction at having successfully seduced Alesio Xander, froze as his plump, supple lips suddenly pressed against her soft, cherry lips.

"Mmhh..." Isabella was a little surprised but didn’t resist.

Seeing that Isabella didn’t resist his kiss and even closed her eyes, Alesio Xander dared to crush her tiny lips more intensely, savoring the intoxicating sweetness as he closed his eyes and savored every second.

Isabella, who hadn’t interacted so intensely with the opposite sex in a long time—it had been years since her divorce—unconsciously began to wrap her arms around the back of Alesio Xander’s neck and returned his soft kiss with passion.

Feeling Isabella’s positive response, Alesio Xander grew even more enthusiastic and daring. His tongue now entered Isabella’s warm mouth and explored her entire oral cavity passionately, entangling her soft tongue with the occasional sensual bite and a slightly stronger suck on her lips, making Isabella moan softly and uncontrollably.

"Ahhh..." Isabella moaned softly.

This only made Alesio Xander even more aroused and he lost control. His free hand began to explore Isabella’s body wildly yet lovingly, making the beautiful girl moan in pleasure once again, making Alesio Xander even more unable to think clearly.

As a woman who had been married, albeit briefly, even though she was now a virgin again thanks to the Phoenix System that restored her body, it had been a long time since she’d felt this kind of affection. Having met someone who truly touched her heart and soul, Isabella lost herself a little and got carried away.

The two only broke their kiss after they were completely out of breath and their lungs were demanding oxygen. With their foreheads still pressed together and their breathing ragged, Alesio Xander tried to clarify everything to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Are... are we officially dating now?" she asked, confirming with a hopeful voice.

"What do you think?" Isabella asked back with a mischievous, teasing smile, not answering the question directly.

"Honey..." Alesio Xander whined in a spoiled tone as he caught Isabella’s body and held her tightly in his warm embrace. "Don’t tease me like this. My heart can’t take it."

"Say it clearly and firmly," Alesio Xander pleaded seriously, looking into Isabella’s eyes. "Are we really officially dating? I want to hear it straight from your mouth."

Seeing the beautiful girl in his arms still unresponsive and only smiling mysteriously, Alesio Xander immediately kissed her lips once gently.

Isabella received no response, so he kissed her again and again patiently—twice, three times, five times.

Seeing Isabella still silent and stubbornly persisting, Alesio Xander never ran out of ideas to make her give in. He immediately kissed her all over her beautiful face lovingly—right cheek, left cheek, tiny nose, forehead, chin—until she chuckled softly and gave in.

"Yes, yes... we’re officially dating now," Isabella finally replied with a wide, sincere smile, making Alesio Xander feel so happy he wanted to shout it to the whole world.

"Thank you for accepting me, Isabella," Alesio Xander said, his eyes glistening with happiness. "I promise with all my heart that I will always make you happy every day and never..."

Before Alesio Xander finished his long speech, Isabella’s soft index finger closed. his mouth quickly.

"Don’t make too many lofty promises," Isabella said with a serious and firm expression. "Just prove it with real actions and daily attention. That’s more than enough for me."

Isabella didn’t want Alesio Xander to promise too much because she was afraid of suffering the same disappointment she experienced in her previous marriage, which was full of sweet promises that were never fulfilled.

All she wanted now was concrete proof that this man truly loved her, not just sweet words and verbal promises that were easy to say but hard to keep.

"I understand," Alesio Xander whispered, kissing Isabella’s forehead gently. "I’ll prove it."