ALINA’S POV.

But when I opened the door, it wasn’t Maya, nor was it any kitchen staff.

It was Lucian.

I left the door open as an invitation for him toe in and walked back to my bed to continue with my work.

“You haven’t had anything to eat yet.” Lucian stated calmly.

“No,” I responded, not sparing him a nce.

“Why?” He asked.

“Because I am not hungry.” I responded softly. !--

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But then my stomach decided to be a traitor and growled loudly.

I closed my eyes tight in embarrassment, hoping the ground would open and swallow me whole.

Lucian nced at my stomach, then pulled out his phone from his pocket.

“Have someone bring lunch for Alina right now.” He ordered before hanging up.

I didn’t protest because I knew I was starving.

“Can we talk?” His tone was still soft.

“Yeah, sure.” I said, closing myptop and giving him my full attention.

“You are upset with me.” He stated.

Wow, Captain Obvious. Great observation.

“I am.” I responded instead of voicing the sarcastic thought in my head.

“Why didn’t youmunicate that with me yesterday instead of storming out like you did, then going missing till this morning?” He looked genuinely curious.

“Because I thought it was obvious that making ns to take another woman on a date instead of your fiancée, in front of said fiancée, would naturally get me upset.”

I was so proud of myself for remaining calm.

“It’s not a date.” He rified.

Potato, potahto.

“How would you feel if the reverse was the case, huh?” My tone was challenging.

His face contorted into jealousy at the thought, and there was my answer.

“Exactly. You would probably find whoever I was taking as my date and beat him to a pulp, then probably lock me up in a

room. I deadpanned.

He opened his mouth to talk but closed it back.

He knew I was right.

“You see.”I remarked.

“But you never liked to be seen at public events with me.” he tried to defend himself.

“That has never stopped you from forcing me to go with you, has it?” I asked with a raised brow. “Besides, I thought we were working things out now? You could have at least given me the benefit of the doubt and asked me first.” Hurt coated my words.

“I was wrong,” He said, sitting beside me on the bed. “Please forgive me, Doll face.” He grabbed my jaw gently and tilted my face in his direction.

“Please look at me.” He begged when I wouldn’t meet his gaze.

I finally met his gaze, my eyes almost widened in shock when I saw the raw emotions in his eyes.

It was a first.

“It was not my intention to hurt you or make you feel unwanted. You know I would rather hurt myself than ever hurt you. Please forgive me.” His tone was filled with guilt, and his eyes were pleading with me.

There was no reason not to forgive him. He had apologized, and that’s all that matters. But first, I needed to know something.

“Are you still going with Jessica?” I asked.

“Of course not!” He said sharply. “Ace hadn’t informed her yet in the first ce, or else I would have called and personally canceled.”

“You promise?” I sounded more vulnerable than intended.

“I promise, baby doll.” He assured me.

“Okay, I forgive you.” I smiled at him.

“Can you promise me something though?” He asked.

“Yeah, anything.” I was eager to please him.

I have done a lot of fucked-up things in the past that I was willing to do anything to make it up.

“You talked aboutmunication yesterday, right?” He started.

I nodded.

“Well, how about you always tell me when you are hurting and upset with me? As much as I like the new you, I love it better when you are vocal about your anger and dislike for me.” He finished.

He was right. In the past, I didn’t care about his feelings, so I would voice out any grievances I had against him without caring if he was hurt or not. But now it was different.

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The only reason I was doing that in the past was out of spite, but now that my feelings for him are different, I was being cautious with how I present my words.

I have hurt him enough, and wouldn’t want to hurt him anymore.

I straddled him, holding back a moan when my center brushed against him through my flimsy shorts.

“I promise to try and be more vocal… in the nicest way possible from now on.” I vowed against his lips before connecting our lips together.

His hand went to the back of my neck, holding me in ce as he deepened the kiss.

I know he wasn’t going to take things further unless he was sure that my heart truly belonged to him, and I didn’t even know how to prove that yet. All I know is that I wanted him to touch me, im me, dominate me.

My hands moved quickly, finding their way under his shirt, and I moaned into his mouth at the feel of his hot, muscr skin against my palm.

“I want you.” I moaned into his mouth.