[26]

“Can't I just ignore this lesson?” asked Miya with a pitiful look at the pile of textbooks and materials Lidia had just given her.

“If you study them diligently, I'm sure Miss Miya will be able to overcome your difficulties.” Lidia smiled slightly at Miya's behavior. Since her arrival this afternoon, Lidia could see that the girl sitting in front of her had absolutely no interest in learning. Perhaps if it wasn't for her obligation to finish her education soon, the girl would still be playing around and not really care about how her education was going.

The first time she was introduced by a woman named Miya Ashton, Lidia felt that this girl came from a well-established economic circle and was used to living in luxury. Although it was suspicious how the girl could end up in Damian's luxurious mansion, the difference was striking to Lidia.

“But can we take a break for a moment? I'm tempted to taste the Pavlova that Desi brought for a snack this afternoon.”

Lidia shook her head firmly. “If you can finish this essay, I don't mind you finishing that snack in the corner.”

Miya's eyes glanced enthusiastically but also helplessly at Lidia's words just now. A tray of lunch snacks that tempted her so much had to wait for the right time to be tasted. Miya was getting used to living in Damian's mansion which was much more showered with luxuries than her life in the Ashton residence. She was used to being taken care of and not really thinking about anything other than having fun, but in this mansion, she felt much more fully cared for even though... she couldn't have fun freely.

But, hey... what was missing from this mansion? Nothing. All the facilities that Miya had never imagined were available here. There was only one thing that made Miya feel lonely: no friends to have fun with. The servants in this mansion couldn't possibly want to do what Miya wanted-have fun. Because of course, they were afraid of Damian.

“Well, I have shortened your task. Please work on this question." Lidia smiled meaningfully. “You don't want to miss out on that sweet dessert, do you?”

Miya's shoulders drooped weakly and gave her mentor a wistful look. Lidia was a mentor who could not be persuaded at all. The blonde girl had tried hard-Miya hadn't forgotten how hard she had studied last night even though...

“I'll try,” Miya said quietly as she picked up one of the papers in front of her. She tried to gather her concentration which was scattered due to the many numbers and analysis results she had to learn before completing her case study.

Wearing a gray turtleneck that shows her curves so beautifully, as well as hair that Miya deliberately put in a high ponytail, makes Miya's appearance today look beautiful but looks relaxed. Actually Miya didn't really like the clothes that were now hugging her body. If it weren't for the obvious reddish stains around the neck-not to mention the nape, Miya wouldn't have chosen this fairly thick T-shirt.

Although the library room where Miya studied was very comfortable but still, the girl felt uncomfortable. Even if she protested repeatedly, the person who forced Miya to wear these clothes only showed an innocent face. Even casually enjoying the morning meal that Miya felt ... was very late.

The blonde-haired girl had not forgotten what had happened at the dinner table some time ago.

“You're late,” Damian said with a glance of cynicism at the girl who scowled at him.

“Who made me late?” she asked with an annoyed look. “Oh... thank you, Desi.” Miya was originally going to pull out the dining chair that she had chosen to be right in front of Damian. Instead of pulling it herself, Desi did it for her willingly. And a few waiters soon served Miya a delicious-looking and appetizing breakfast portion.

Though it was mostly fiber and animal protein and... milk. Oh my. Why did milk have to be served to her? Miya didn't like the fatty taste of milk nor the smell that made her suddenly nauseous. Since the age of five, Miya had never touched milk at breakfast.

“Um... can you get rid of this milk?” asked Miya with a displeased frown. “I don't like milk.”

“Lidia is scheduled to come back today.” Damian ignored Miya's protest, nor did any of the waiter’s approach to grant Miya's wish. “I don't want to hear the report from your mentor if your grades are really minus.”

Miya was flabbergasted but then managed to control her emotions. Perhaps it was the hunger that had taken over or her body that still felt tired, making Miya not want to argue much. But her eyes fell back on the glass of milk that hadn't been removed from in front of her. “Desi, I think you need to get rid of this milk. I don't like it.”

“Yes, Miss." Desi rushed over to Miya but... the clinking of Damian's fork and spoon stopped her in her tracks. She swallowed nervously and immediately looked down - Damian's gaze at her was piercing as if she had made a big mistake. For that reason too, she discouraged him from approaching her.

“You don't like milk?” asked Damian, who had stopped eating. Those coal-black eyes gave him a scathing look and an obvious dislike. It also made Miya seem to fidget in fear that Damian was no longer as relaxed as usual.

“Yes, Mr. Sawyer.” Miya's hands squeezed each other behind the dining table.

“Do you know what milk is?”

Damian's question was answered with a slow shake of his head, Miya's lowered gaze, and more attention to her hands intertwined. “I was once poisoned by milk and until now, I'm traumatized that I can no longer drink milk. But if it's processed milk I can still consume it,” Miya said quietly. Hoping Damian would stop looking at her with that look. Horrible. Really.

Damian, who had not wanted to lower the intensity of his gaze, hearing Miya's explanation, only sighed softly. “Put the milk away, Desi.”

“Yes, sir.”

Miya could only watch what Desi was doing and was quite relieved that she wasn't forced to drink the milk. Ugh! She couldn't imagine having to finish a drink that some people find quite enjoyable in the morning.

“Tell me, what else don't you like?” asked Damian while supporting his face with his right hand. His eyes looked back at Miya but this time, they were more relaxed and didn't make the atmosphere suddenly feel like it was being strangled by excessive intimidation.

“I think it's just milk,” Miya replied still in a low voice.

“Enjoy your breakfast, Miya. You need to recharge.” Damian resumed his breakfast. Unlike Miya, whose face suddenly flushed and felt hot. "And ask Desi to help you hide what's behind that nape of your neck. I don't mind if you're very confident with lots of marks of mine. But Victor and Marcus are visiting this afternoon. I'd hate for you to attract their attention.”

Miya's eyeballs rounded perfectly. She immediately clutched the back of her neck, which might still have the marks Damian had mentioned. Even though she arrived at the dining room late because she had a lot to hide from the marks Damian left behind. The man was really like a vampire who loved to bite his prey mercilessly. Plus the outfit Desi had prepared for him was low-collared and showed off her slender neckline just like that.

“Who made me like this?” she asked with an exasperated look. I wonder where the guts that shrank earlier because of Damian's piercing gaze went? Was it because the man in front of her was looking at her with a more relaxed and humane gaze? Made Miya have the courage to speak as casually as possible and the atmosphere at the dinner table warmed up again?

“Are you blaming me, Baby Girl?” Damian grinned between drinks, signaling that his breakfast session was over and he had to get on with his work.

“Who else should I blame?” Miya couldn't believe Damian could say that so lightly. But it seemed like she had to be a lot more vigilant than before because of Damian's approach to her. Standing right in front of Miya and... “Ugh!” Miya's chin was pulled a little tighter just so they could stare at each other.

Miya's goosebumps bristled as Damian's face lowered closer to her. The man's breath was also increasingly felt on Miya's face. Miya's hands were clenched tightly on the edge of the chair as a grip so that she could still maintain her sitting position. What Damian did made her remember how they spent the night.

“I haven't forgotten, Baby Girl, you’re whining for me to lick your whole body. That's not what you expected to be left out of our lovemaking last night, is it?”

Miya closed her eyes tightly and felt... her body heat up even more.

“Enjoy your breakfast and... Change your clothes. I'm not a man who likes to share.”

After speaking like that, Damian left Miya alone. His mood was absolutely at one hundred percent. Without even realizing it, Damian let out a small whistle with a faint smile gracing his face. And because of that, many of the waiters stared in surprise and disbelief that Damian could act like that. They were used to Damian's stiff and cold demeanor. It was also not uncommon to hear him scold others even if it was a small matter.

But this morning... Damian seemed different.

While Miya breathed a sigh of relief when Damian completely left her. Although it left a flushed face and a racing heart, at least Miya didn't have to show that face in front of Damian. And it looked like she should speed up her breakfast and then change into something more covered up. There was no way she could show off the redness on the back of her neck to others.

Miya still had a high degree of shyness.

“Miss Miya,” Lidia called with a surprised frown. How could this girl, who had so many assignments and textbooks, be daydreaming while staring at the tray full of sweet treats? Did Miya want it that badly? But... Miya wasn't a five-year-old child, was she?

“Miss Miya.” Once again Lidia called out to her because of the previous call, there was no response from Miya. At the same time, someone interrupted them.

“Miya-Miya!!!”

The door to the library where Miya was studying with Lidia was wide open. A man with two-colored hair entered with a wide grin and an innocent face. His steps, large and confident, approached Miya and pulled out one of the chairs so that he could sit next to Miya. Who still hadn't gotten rid of her surprise that the man's arrival was so sudden.

“Are you really afraid of Victor's threat?”

“What are you doing here?”

The question was heard at the same time from Miya as well as Marcus. But Marcus was the first to respond with laughter. “Finish your lesson today. We're horsing around."

“Huh?”

“Come on!” Marcus immediately pulled Miya to leave all the activities in this library. “I'm sure you're tired of those difficult lessons, right?”

“But...”

“Come on, you won't get scolded by Damian. I guarantee it. Horsing is fun and you should see how Damian is on a horse."

“Wait a minute,” Miya tried to defend herself. “I still have work to do.”

“Later.” Marcus chuckled cheerfully. “Come on, when else can you play with us? In the next three days, Damian and I have to go to Sezhya Harbor. Don't you want to get to your goal soon?"

Miya blinked in disbelief. Although Marcus' hand continued to drag her to leave the library, Miya felt that she had stopped walking. Just staring at Marcus with a look of surprise and confusion. “ Goals?”

Marcus grinned slightly. “You think I don't know the meaning of your being here?”