Kaelynnee's dreams had been a vast expanse of emptiness, echoing the bleakness she often felt inside. As she slowly opened her eyes, a familiar heaviness lingered, and she felt the warmth of tears threatening to spill over once again. Blinking slowly, she turned her head, her heart skipping a beat at the sight beside her. An arm lay protectively across her, draping over her like a comforting blanket. She turned to her side, gazing at the serene features of Kyosuke Nakamaru as he slept peacefully, the soft morning light casting gentle shadows across his face.
"Kyosuke Nakamaru, I don't deserve your kindness," she whispered softly, her voice barely breaking the hushed atmosphere. A flutter of emotion stirred within her chest, warming her cheeks, as it dawned upon her that he had remained by her side throughout the night, a steadfast presence while she had cried herself to sleep. In the chaotic chapters of her past, Kaelynnee remembered how her brilliance often went unnoticed during her college program, how the very same boys who had overlooked her achievements now seemed like distant memories. She had sacrificed her own dreams, dropping out to support her brother's medical needs, the weight of crushing hospital expenses looming over her like a dark cloud.
Hesitant, she reached out to brush her fingers against Kyosuke's cheek, her heart racing with uncertainty. Just then, his grip tightened around her wrist, even with his eyes still closed. "Miss Kaelynnee, are you trying to seduce me this early in the morning?" His voice was light, laced with playful teasing. With a playful spark in her eyes, she retaliated by tossing a pillow at him, feeling a momentary surge of joy. "You wish!"
Yet, in that fleeting moment of happiness, a shadow of worry crept back in. The thought of her brother's well-being gnawed at her insides, clouding her mind.
Breaking the silence, Kyosuke spoke softly, "I would like to invite you to be my plus one for the event today. However, I completely understand if you are not feeling up to it. Please feel free to stay home if that is your preference." Kaelynnee felt her heart racing at the mention of the event. She knew well the financial benefits that accompanied such gatherings; each one could replenish her dwindling bank account, painfully drained from endless medical bills. The weight of her brother's life support hung in the balance, and she felt a surge of desperation rise within her.
"I will go to the event with you as your plus one,"she replied, her voice steady despite her tumultuous emotions.
With that, Kyosuke pulled her into a warm embrace, wrapping her in his comforting presence. As she settled into the hug, however, she felt an unexpected pressure against her. "Stay still just for a while, okay?" he murmured, his voice soothing yet playful, grounding her in a moment that felt both tranquil and tense at once.
How long should I stay like this for?
A warm flush spread through her body, igniting an undeniable fire within her at the gentle brush of his fingers against her skin. The soft, intimate contact sent shivers racing down her spine, and she felt her heart thunder in her chest like a wild drum, urging her to give in to the crave pulsing through her veins. Embarrassment washed over her as she quickly averted her gaze, her thoughts swirling with longing. Just as the moment hung in the air, heavy and charged, he gradually withdrew his hands, and she felt the warmth of their connection slipping away like the fading light of dusk.
He rose from the edge of the bed, straightening his posture with a sense of purpose that contrasted sharply with the intimacy they had just shared. With a hint of gravity, he announced, "Let's get ready; the event starts in a few hours." The words lingered between them, punctuating the shift from their private world of desire to the external pressures of the approaching occasion.
This event? I wonder how important it is.
Her white dress was absolutely stunning and showed her shoulders. In this strapless mini dess finished with a bow at the bodice and dashing diamonds earrings. Her ruff dirty blonde hair was silky soft with beautiful curls. He walked through the doors in one of his finest suits and his eyes were on her." Mhm." He put his hand on his chin and intensely observe the outfit as she shyly looked around then nodded in approval of her attire.
He gently touched her hand and slipped a beautiful heart-shaped diamond ring on her finger, which had to be worth millions of dollars.
" Follow my lead and take a deep breath. It might feel a tab bit overwhelming but it will be fine." He said.
The two made their grand entrance with their arms locked together elegantly. There were a thousand people there to celebrate their engagement. Only the highest people in society were invited. His family did not show up as expected.
The photographer snapped pictures as they walked through the door.
" Click."
The flash stated to blind her eyes, and she started to loose her posture as the heel was getting difficult to walk in. She covered her face with the palm of her hand. This was not something she was used to but she needed to be at the event to earn more money.
" Stop and get a grip." He whispered in her ear and put his hand on her waist as he pulled her closer to him. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, and glared at him in hopes that he'll stop. However, he moved closer towards her with her hand against his chest and just their face inches apart. Her lips brished against his delicately. Just long enough for the photographers to take pictures.
" Click."
She took a deep breath, her fingertips brushing against her lips as the warmth of the moment lingered. "I want to be furious that he stole my first kiss without my consent, but somehow, I can't." Her heart fluttered, and a knot of mixed emotions twisted in her stomach; was it desire for him, or was it the intoxicating allure of his lavish lifestyle? She was uncertain if these feelings were merely transient or if they were part of an intricate performance, but something undeniably felt different. The contrast between her past struggles and this tantalizing taste of opulence, combined with the charm of her attentive, contract-bound husband, was undeniably captivating. She realized their image would soon grace the internet, inevitably becoming the hottest topic of conversation for the century to come.
"You left me with no choice," he whispered, his voice low and intimate, as his breath warmed the delicate shell of her ear. "It was clear we weren't meant to be lovers, so I felt I had to take a step further. I just hope I didn't overstep any boundaries."
"Oh, it's fine," she replied, a playful grin tugging at her lips as she tried to mask her fluttering nerves. "I kiss plenty of guys! Honestly, I felt absolutely nothing when you kissed me."The words tumbled out jokingly, but inside, she was a whirlwind of emotions; that kiss had been her first, and the truth felt too vulnerable to share.
"Why would you tell me that?" he laughed, an incredulous look crossing his face. "Oversharing much? I didn't need to know that." His tone was light, teasing, but she could hear a trace of surprise beneath the banter.
"Right," she said, her heart racing as she looked away, acutely aware of the warmth creeping into her cheeks.
He drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist possessively, introducing her to the guests with a casual confidence as his fiancée. She basked in the compliments that flowed in from the crowd, their warm voices wrapping around her like a cozy blanket. "You look stunning," they praised, and she offered her best smile in return. Still, despite the compliments and the vibrant atmosphere of the gathering, her mind remained fixated on the kiss—the electricity of the moment and the strange mix of excitement and fear it had ignited within her.
He found the expressions on everyone's faces amusing; the way they whispered to each other with a hint of indecision made him smile. It was a delightful sight, knowing that everything was unfolding just as he had envisioned, without a single mishap to disrupt his carefully laid plans.
Good job Kotori... You made tonight a success.
500,000 XXXXXXX45 deposited.
"Do you think you could help me reach this zipper? My hand can barely touch it,"she said, a hint of nervousness threading through her voice as she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
At first, he didn't think much of her request. He stepped into the softly lit room, the faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air, and made his way toward her. With a gentle tug, he unzipped her dress, the sound of the zipper slicing through the silence. As he looked up, he caught her reflection in the mirror—a vision of beauty with delicate features framed by cascading waves of hair. Her wide eyes sparkled with a mixture of hope and anticipation, and he felt a pang in his chest, realizing just how attractive she truly was.
Oh...
Yet, even as he marveled at her beauty, he reminded himself of the promise he had made—to keep their relationship within certain boundaries. "Get some sleep, Kotori," he said casually, striving to keep his tone light and nonchalant. But beneath the surface, a tempest of longing began to brew, making it increasingly difficult for him to suppress the desires that stirred within him.