Then the memories returned to haunt the peacefully sleeping girl, making Elia recall the events of yesterday. She jolted awake in horror at what she had seen.
The girl was bewildered by her surroundings, for the last thing she remembered was collapsing on the bathroom floor at the university. She gasped in shock.
Elia recalled seeing a strange man enter the bathroom just before she fainted. She leapt off the bed, desperate to understand why she was in a stranger's home.
Ivan was gazing at the sky while smoking one of his cigarettes when he heard a sound coming from the room where the girl who had stolen his heart was.
He walked over to Elia and found her clutching her head, trying to grasp what was happening to her. A sly smile curved his lips at the sight of her terrified face.
Ivan slowly approached Elia until there was no space left between them. His hot breath ravaged her neck savagely as his arms caged her body.
Elia's body shuddered at the sensation of Ivan's breath. She tried to escape, but his hands were like iron bars, preventing her from moving even an inch away.
Gathering her scattered thoughts, Elia asked, "Wh… Who are you? Why am I here? And why are you so close??"
Ivan chuckled at her expression, biting his lip to control himself.
With icy calm, Ivan spoke: "Hmm, have you forgotten me, little mouse?" He spun her around so their eyes met, their breaths mingling.
Elia stared at him in confusion, only to gasp in shock when she realized who he was. She shoved him away, stumbling back until she slammed into the wall from the force.
Her voice trembled with fear, her breath uneven. "Im… Impossible. You're the man from the accident."
Ivan hummed, watching her every movement, delighting in her reaction. Elia broke the silence: "I… I was drunk, I couldn't see the road clearly. A-and I saved you from falling, so we're even!"
Ivan burst into laughter at her words, then his expression darkened. "Do you think my life is so cheap that I'd let you go so easily after you nearly killed me?"
He approached her slowly, stopping only to mutter, "Do you know your act counts as attempted murder? And I've never left someone alive after trying such a thing. Hmm…"
Tears welled in Elia's eyes as she sobbed out, "W-what do you want f-from me?"
"Hmmm, I wonder if you'll be able to pay the price."
Elia thought for a moment before whispering, "I'll do anything to make it up to you, as long as you let me go."
Ivan smirked wickedly, his voice calm and taunting. "Anything, huh? And you still think you can leave… Seems you've forgotten you're in no position to make demands. You'll pay the price my way, without objection."
Elia's tears fell like a waterfall as she pressed herself harder against the wall. "What… what is the price you want?"
Ivan closed in on her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "I want you." His words struck her like thunder. She pushed against him in panic.
Tired of her resistance, Ivan forced her onto the bed and straddled her. "Don't fight me, darling. It was your dance that made my heart dance with you. Your sweet voice that seduced me. Don't blame a heart that fell into a love so intoxicating it savors even a glance."
Elia struggled to get away, but Ivan pinned her wrists and captured her in a fierce kiss, savoring the taste of her lips. He pulled back briefly to let her breathe.
Elia's heart pounded so loudly it seemed audible from afar. She stared blankly at him as he licked his lips, not realizing her reaction had awakened a ravenous beast.
Ivan took advantage of her moans, deepening the kiss and exploring her mouth. After a while, he pulled back, trailing kisses down her neck.
Soft kisses fell on her skin as he inhaled her intoxicating scent, driving him to madness.
At last, Ivan pulled away, finding Elia had fainted. He chuckled at her childlike sleeping face, then carefully lifted her into his arms, leaving the room.
He climbed the stairs slowly, not wanting to disturb his sleeping "little one." Reaching another room, he laid her gently on a large white bed, admiring her beauty.
Elia was an eighteen-year-old girl who loved riding motorcycles and racing. She lived with her caretaker, Rebecca, since her mother had died when she was five. She was fairly tall, with black hair streaked with violet, and skin as white as snow. Her eyes…
Ivan left his beloved and headed to the kitchen. His phone rang—it was his father.
"Ivan, since you left the house, why didn't you meet Serena?"
Ivan sighed in annoyance. "Father, don't even try. I'll never marry her."
"Fool! Do you want me to go to my grave without seeing my grandchild or ensuring the future of our family?"
Ivan bit his lower lip, thinking, then replied, "Don't worry. I've already found a wife for your son."
His father froze, staring at the phone, stunned. "You're not lying, are you?"
"Yes. I'll bring her to the mansion tomorrow so you can meet her."
"You didn't force her, did you?"
Ivan laughed darkly. "Don't worry. She'll agree to marry me… of her own will." He hung up and returned to preparing dinner for his "little one."
After some time, Elia woke up. Memories of what happened flooded back, and she cursed Ivan a thousand times inside her head. Her cheeks flushed pink as she climbed out of bed.
She descended the stairs quietly, following the source of noise—the kitchen.
Elia's eyes widened in shock at the sight before her.
Ivan was standing at the stove, checking his cooking, completely unaware of her stunned gaze tracing the lines of his body.
After a moment, Ivan spoke. "Careful, little one. Your eyes might eat me alive. Save that for later. Sit down, dinner's ready."
Embarrassed, Elia took a seat at the table, only for her jaw to drop. The table was covered in delicious dishes and drinks.
Suddenly, she felt herself lifted off the ground. She looked up to see Ivan smirking at her before seating her in his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. He buried his face in her neck and murmured with a dazed tone, "Shhh, just eat quietly."
... To be continued.