I was a classic girl with a killer figure. When I was down with a fever, my boyfriend, Liam, who was supposed to be looking after me, suggested getting intimate. I turned him down, and he moped for three whole days. My best friend, Charlotte, told me that grown-up desires were normal, and I was just being old-fashioned. So, one evening, after I saw him pull into the driveway from my window, I took a deep breath, gathered all my courage, and slipped into some lacy lingerie. The moment the door swung open, I closed my eyes and practically launched myself at him. “Honey, you’re home!” His reaction was immediate, a palpable heat pressing against me. Just as I was about to arch my back and lean into him, a deep, raspy voice rumbled from above me. It belonged to Liam’s best friend, and Charlotte’s fiancé, Sebastian. “It’s me. You’ve got the wrong guy.” 1 Hearing his voice, I froze, utterly bewildered. I scrambled out of his arms, my cheeks burning, not knowing where to put my hands. The sudden exposure of my skin felt scorching hot with embarrassment. I quickly grabbed my jacket from the nearby chair and threw it on. “Mr. Hayes? What are you doing here?” Sebastian Hayes averted his gaze, his profile sharp and elegant, an air of cool sophistication about him. In the dim candlelight, I swore his ears were flushed crimson. “It’s Valentine’s Day. I came to drop something off for Charlotte.” Sure enough, in his hand was an exquisitely wrapped box. A Cartier watch. My mind whispered, That’s expensive! But I knew Charlotte never wore watches. Charlotte and I had been friends since college. She was the campus queen, and my closest confidante. Even after graduation, we ended up in apartments right across the hall from each other. Sebastian, she talked about him daily—her fiancé. He was also the stoic CEO of the company where I worked. The realization sent another wave of panic and embarrassment through me. But then I glanced down, and my eyes snagged on the undeniable bulge beneath his tailored trousers. The memory of that forceful pressure against my stomach just moments ago came flooding back, making my face flush even hotter. Sebastian noticed my gaze. He stiffened, then turned his back to me. “Just thought I’d let you know, I passed your desk on my way out earlier. Your computer’s power cable looked like it was unplugged.” He cleared his throat. “...Nothing else. I’ll be going now.” The door clicked shut, and I exhaled in a rush of relief. Then his words belatedly registered. My computer! If the power was out, what about my rendering? I quickly pulled out my phone to check the remote access. To my surprise, the rendering was still running. Had Sebastian been mistaken? Well, that was a relief, a false alarm. I pressed my shirt against my burning cheeks, wishing I could slap myself. How was I ever going to face him and Charlotte again? 2 Just as I started to relax, I realized the door hadn’t been fully closed. Through the crack, I saw Charlotte open her door for Sebastian. Her face lit up with surprise as she linked her arm through his, playfully chiding him. “You came? I thought you said you were too busy with work! You were just planning a surprise for me, weren’t you?” She gestured to the gift. “Is this for me? Thank you!” Sebastian let her hold his arm, then lifted the box slightly. “It was a sponsor gift from a client. Just thought I’d pass it along.” He was always like that, a total workaholic and, as Charlotte often said, completely clueless about romance. She’d told me they’d known each other since childhood, a classic childhood sweetheart story from two families of similar social standing. Charlotte had pursued him for years, but they’d only gotten engaged three months ago. Their parents had even met and dined together. Though Sebastian’s assistant usually sent gifts and flowers for holidays, he was never one for grand gestures. He always claimed to be too busy for dates, Valentine’s Day included. The fact that he’d actually shown up in person to deliver a gift felt like a small victory for Charlotte. As she’d always put it, even the coldest ice would eventually melt. So, despite Sebastian’s stiff delivery and the fact that it was something she didn’t even like, Charlotte was thrilled. She batted her bright eyes, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she invited him inside. But Sebastian merely waited until she’d taken the box, then gently disengaged his hand. “No, I can’t. I have business to discuss tonight.” Charlotte deflated, biting her lip as she leaned closer. “We’re engaged, Sebastian. On Valentine’s night, all you want to do is work?” Her voice dropped, soft and thin, her eyes glistening. “You weren’t like this before. In college, you even wanted to skip studying abroad for me, and you made me a declaration of love using code. But ever since you came back from England, you’ve been so distant.” She looked up at him, a tremor in her voice. “Now you won’t even kiss me.” Their voices, though muffled, were perfectly clear through the crack in the door. I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of indignation on Charlotte’s behalf. What kind of boyfriend was that? Sebastian remained silent, his expression unreadable. He simply said, “It’s getting late. I should go.” As he stepped into the elevator, he glanced towards my door, startling me into quickly shutting it tight. 3 Back inside, I curled up on the sofa, waiting for Liam to come home. But it was Charlotte who arrived first. Seeing her, a fresh wave of guilt and unease washed over me. My parents had divorced early, and I’d been raised by my aunt and uncle. They were good to me, but the feeling of being an outsider and the emotional void never quite left. In my freshman year of college, my aunt sent me some homemade sausages. My roommates wrinkled their noses, calling them ugly and making fun of me for being a country bumpkin. It was Charlotte who stood up for me. “What, you think the food you eat isn’t grown by farmers? Don’t be so pretentious.” She sniffed the sausages, smiling warmly at me. “They smell amazing! If they don’t want them, give them all to me. I want to take them home this weekend!” Charlotte always defended me, opening her heart to me. Even though I dressed plainly, I somehow always had guys pursuing me. She was always on guard, making sure I didn’t get hurt by players, jerks, or shady characters. Thanks to her, I avoided a lot of bad news. If a girl suddenly acted friendly, she’d warn me, saying she’d heard them badmouthing me. For all four years of college, we were inseparable. A true friendship, I thought, was worth more than countless fake ones, and I never felt alone. The more I thought about it, the deeper my guilt became. I felt terrible, I’d betrayed her. I swore I’d take what happened tonight to my grave and forget it completely. Charlotte bounced in, grinning as she flaunted the watch on her wrist. “Sebastian gave it to me himself. It’s a designer watch, over ten thousand dollars! Isn’t it pretty?” I nodded vigorously. “It’s beautiful.” She smirked. “Sebastian and I are childhood sweethearts. No one knows him better than I do. He adores me. He might seem distant on the surface, but he’s incredibly passionate in private.” “The only reason he doesn’t want to live together is because he respects me.” That was Charlotte’s usual line. She always told me how good Sebastian was to her, how much he loved her. I’d always believed her. Maybe Sebastian just wasn’t good at showing affection. I hugged her arm, playfully whining, “Yes, yes, you two are perfect for each other. When you get married, you’ll be Mrs. CEO. You’ll give me a promotion then, right?” Charlotte tapped my forehead. “Don’t worry, you’re my ride-or-die. I’ll take care of you.” As she spoke, her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of my lingerie beneath my coat, and then the elaborate dinner spread on the living room table. She gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh my goodness, I just casually suggested it! You’re really going all out to win Liam back, aren’t you?” My face flushed crimson, and I wrung my hands awkwardly. 4 Liam was someone Charlotte had introduced me to. She’d assured me he was different from the others, a truly wonderful guy. He pursued me passionately, and eventually, I relented. Three months ago, we started dating. He was a gentleman, attentive—the epitome of a perfect boyfriend. Normally, adult intimacy was perfectly normal. But on our first night, I was burning up with a fever after working late. I asked him to get me some medicine and a thermometer. Instead, he came back with a box of condoms, leaning close to my ear, his voice dripping with suggestive laughter. “They say a high temperature adds a certain spice to things. Shall we try it?” I pushed him away, gagging, and ever since, I’d been uncomfortable with his touch. Liam apologized profusely the next day, full of remorse. I accepted his apology. But lately, he’d been saying that accommodating my feelings was exhausting, and he wanted to break up. I was terrified. Besides work, my life revolved around him and Charlotte. I couldn’t bear to lose either of them. So, when Charlotte casually suggested using a honey trap, I actually took her seriously. “You look stunning. Liam’s a lucky guy, having a girlfriend who can cook so well and still be so adventurous.” Charlotte’s words pulled me from my thoughts. “If you’d done this sooner, he’d be wrapped around your finger, never dream of neglecting you.” I shyly pressed my lips together. “But my figure isn’t that great. I’m a bit… curvy.” A knowing glint flickered in Charlotte’s eyes. She led me to the mirror. It reflected both me and her, petite and exquisite. “So what? Even if your figure is average, and your looks are ordinary, in the eyes of someone who loves you, you’re the best.” Charlotte always offered such understanding comfort. “Alright, I won’t interrupt your sweet reunion.” “Liam’s a top-notch boyfriend. I’ve known him for years, inside and out. Don’t worry, he’s crazy about you.” I mumbled an embarrassed “Mm-hmm.” 5 The house fell silent, and then something clicked. Liam’s car had been in the parking lot for ages. Why wasn’t he up here yet? I called him. His voice on the other end sounded slightly annoyed. “The car’s AC filter is clogged. I’m just changing it. Sorry for the wait, you go ahead and eat.” “It’s fine, I’ll wait for you.” I hung up and double-checked the dining table for anything I might have missed. It looked like I’d forgotten contraception. I quickly dressed and headed to the convenience store. On my way back, to save time, I braved the dark parking lot shortcut. Passing a charging station, two figures locked in an embrace snagged my attention. Just as I was steeling myself to walk past, the driver’s side door of a car swung open. Someone grabbed my wrist, pulling me inside. My startled cry was stifled, caught in my throat by a hand. It was Sebastian Hayes! He hadn’t left yet! His pull was so sudden that I tumbled sideways, landing squarely in his lap. In the dim light, his features seemed even more intense. My heart hammered. I was about to struggle when his right hand suddenly gripped the back of my neck, pulling me closer. Caught off guard, I instinctively braced my hands against his chest, looking up in confusion. He gently lowered his head, resting his chin on my left shoulder, his voice a low, seductive whisper. “Don’t move. Look over there.” 6 The couple outside was leaning right against this car door. The woman’s gasps of pleasure punctuated the air. “...Mr. Davies, aren’t you going up yet? Your girlfriend made a whole dinner and is waiting for you to shower her with affection in her... flimsy lingerie.” Charlotte’s voice, laced with malice, exploded in my mind like a thunderclap. Liam scoffed. “Her? She’s so plain and rustic. She couldn’t hold a candle to even a single strand of your hair, no matter what she wears.” “You know I only have eyes for you.” “If you hadn’t wanted to spice things up with a little illicit thrill, why would I ever have bothered with her?” Charlotte drew circles on his chest. “Really? But I thought her skin was quite fair, and her figure rather plump. She looked quite tempting in that outfit, didn’t she?” Liam’s hand roamed, his voice teasing. “Sweetheart, you’re the only one who gets me going.” They kissed for a while longer, then straightened their clothes. “I’ll go up now, I promise I won’t touch her. Once she’s asleep, I’ll come find you.” “Tsk, as if I care.” “What if she finds out?” “A poor little orphan nobody, just throw her a bone and she’ll be begging for more. Who cares if she finds out? She’ll cry for a few days and then come crawling back, begging to make up, haha.” 7 The footsteps faded. My blood felt like ice, my breath caught in my throat, each gasp tearing at my lungs. Fury and sorrow crashed over me. Why? Why would they do this to me? Was I just a plaything for their twisted games, all for a cheap thrill? And those vile words… they came from them. The people who were supposed to be the most important in my life! Sebastian had lifted his head at some point. His fingers brushed my lips, his eyes, gleaming faintly, fixed on me. His tone held a hint of almost imperceptible pity. “Poor thing. Don’t bite your lip so hard, you’ll break the skin.” “I understand that feeling. Back then, I was with her for only a few days when I caught her being intimate with a junior student.” “That’s why I chose to break up and study abroad.” I was trembling, tears streaming down my face. “...Mr. Hayes, do you hate her?” He was silent for a moment, then gently squeezed the back of my neck, his gaze flickering. “Will you be with me? Even if it’s just for revenge, for now.” My hand, shaking slightly, retrieved the small packet from my coat pocket. I fought back the tears welling in my eyes. “Is an illicit affair really that exciting? I want to try it too.” His face darkened. I felt it again—the unmistakable pressure below me. This time, I didn’t flinch. Instead, I forced a smile. “Looks like I’m quite appealing to Charlotte’s fiancé too.” 8 Sebastian took me back to his place. It was the upscale villa Charlotte had always dreamed of living in. Even with all her pretense, I could tell she’d only been allowed here once. A storm of grief and the intoxicating rush of revenge surged through me. I worked tirelessly to ignite a fire in Sebastian, saying things I would never normally utter. “Mr. Hayes, don’t you want it? Why are you holding back?” “You had a reaction the first moment you saw me tonight, didn’t you?” Sebastian, clearly struggling, only kissed me again and again. He grasped my waist, pulling me off him. His eyes were flushed at the corners, but he buttoned his shirt with controlled restraint, still appearing the unapproachable, stoic CEO. “I’m going to shower. The first door on the left on the second floor is where you’ll be staying tonight.” Oh, Charlotte had mentioned it. Mr. Hayes was a clean freak. He must have been in agony being close to me just now. We were both working so hard for revenge against Charlotte. I self-mockingly wiped a damp hand across my face and walked over to the wall of expensive wines. Charlotte had once fantasized that when she married Sebastian and moved in, she’d drink the finest Lafite out of crystal glasses on the terrace, overlooking the breathtaking views of the city. “As for you,” she’d added, “you’ll be my maid, of course. You just look so suited for it, haha.” At the time, I thought she was joking. It turned out the truth was always hidden in her casual remarks. I opened the wine cabinet, not daring to touch the unaffordable bottles, and picked out the brandy from the furthest corner. She was so obsessed with this lifestyle, I simply had to try it for her. 9 By the time Sebastian emerged from the bathroom, I was utterly plastered. His dark eyelashes were still damp, even his pupils seemed misted over. “You’ve had too much to drink.” He pushed aside my hand as I tried to pour more, then inverted the glass. He frowned, assessing. “Even if you’re composed and sharp at work, you lose all reason when you’re drunk.” I propped my chin on my hand, completely unfazed, and hooked my arms around his neck. “Can we go to bed now?” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You’re drunk.” I wasn’t listening. My left hand worked at his clothes, my right at mine. He truly couldn’t resist. He took a pair of silver handcuffs from a drawer and clasped them around my wrists. I mumbled, “An illicit affair and a little bondage play? Interesting.” But Sebastian, poker-faced, led me straight into the bathroom, giving me a bath without a single sidelong glance. Then, his face flushed, he carried me to bed. No matter how much I tried to tempt him, he remained as hard as rock, but unmoving. As he turned off the light and closed the door, he left me with a final instruction: “Get some rest. I’ll wake you up in the morning.” “...”
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