Chapter 11

11~

" Sir—What… no!”

I stammered, my voice trembling as his eyes darkened. The air between us thickened, heavy with anger. His jaw tightened, and I could feel the heat radiating off him, it was sharp, dangerous, and possessive. He took a step closer, his glare pinning me where I stood.

Goddamnit Mia, what have you gotten yourself into!

“Don’t you lie to me” he growled, his tone was low and threatening.

“Sir, I—” I started, but the words froze in my throat as I felt his hand reach up my skin, his fingers brushing against my face before pushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The simple touch wasn’t gentle, it was more of a warning.

“How he held your waist” he muttered, his hand finding my waist in the same instant, pressing me hard against him.

“Didn’t he?”

“Y... yes” I stammered, the word barely a whisper. “But it’s not what you’re thinking, he’s your friend, Mr. Mason!” I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

He didn’t listen. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with something wild; anger, control, or something far more dangerous.

“So why were you so free with him?” he roared, his voice echoing through the room.

“Then tell me—who should I be free with? You?” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Good job Mia, what did you just do to yourself

“What did you just say?” he breathed, stepping closer. His grip tightened around my arm, and I winced.

“Look, Sir...my head aches, and I do not want to talk about this” I said, forcing myself away and turning toward my room.

As I walked, I could hear his footsteps following me. His hand caught my wrist again, dragging me back until my body hit his chest. “Don’t you dare walk away when I’m talking to you,” he said, his voice slicing clean through the silence.

“Sir, please… just stop,” I pleaded softly, my heart hammering.

“Why?” He asked. “Don’t you like it when he touches you? When he looks at you like he wants to devour you” He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

“N–no, I don’t” I whispered, looking away.

“Don’t lie to me,” he growled.

“You love the way he made you feel, the way he...” His hand trailed up my back, slowly unzipping my dress.

“Please, Stop it…” My voice broke.

Then, suddenly, his grip loosened. He stepped back, breathing heavily before turning away and storming into his room.

I could feel Tears well up in my eyes as I fled to mine, locking the door behind me. I tore the dress from my body and collapsed onto the bed, curling up as the tears finally fell.

“Hel… hello?” I sniffed, grabbing my phone and wiping my tears.

“Mia?” The voice sent a wave of warmth through me. The voice I needed most right now

“Jeremiah!” I gasped, half-laughing, half-crying.

“Are you okay? You sound like you haven’t seen me in years” he teased, chuckling over the phone.

“You’re not okay” I laughed through my sniffles. “You call three months a little?”

“Bleh, life’s been great! Your birthday’s in a few months!”

“We still have a month, dummy” I giggled, smiling genuinely for the first time in days. We talked for hours until the night grew heavy.

“I should go now, it’s late. Say hi to Mr. Noah for me and remember, the house feels so peaceful, stay there” he said. The poor guy still thought I lived with Mr. Noah.

“Alright, alright…whatever you say. Goodnight, Jere.”

~~~~~~

I woke up early the next morning. Saturday meant chores. I had to go grocery shopping, clean the house, and prepare breakfast. The sting of last night still lingered in my head, it was sharp and bitter, as I stepped out of the house.

“Yes, I’ll take that… and this one here” I said to the vendor, picking up some vegetables.

“And this lavender oil too.” After paying, I thanked the woman and made my way to the curb.

“Darn it, where are all the cabs?” I muttered, struggling with the bags. Just then, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up in front of me. I stepped back, startled.

“Ms. Harper?”

That voice… it was familiar.

“Ah… Enzo?” I smiled as he stepped out of the car.

“Tesoro” he said warmly, taking my hand and brushing a kiss across my fingers. Typical Enzo.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, holding the bags closer. “My company’s surveying some land nearby, so I thought I’d drop in. It’s been a while” he chuckled.

“Oh, pardon me, please?" he walked over to the car, pulling it open for me.

“Oh no, please, go ahead. I’ll just get a cab” I insisted, smiling awkwardly.

“What are you—” I began, but he gently grabbed my bags and placed them in the back seat.

“I insist, amore” he said, taking my hand and gently guiding me into the car.

I sighed as he started the engine, gazing out the window at the blur of passing trees.

“You really didn’t have to, Enzo” I said softly.

“A lady as beautiful as nature itself shouldn’t be found walking alone” he replied, rolling down the window to let the wind in.

He hummed lightly to himself as he drove, and I couldn’t help but glance at him.

“Do you always wear suits?” I asked, amused.

“Yes, Tesoro. You don’t like it?” He glanced my way, smirking.

“No… it’s perfect,” I said, smiling back.

If Mr. Noah hadn’t told me that Mason was his son, I would’ve sworn Enzo was instead.

He suddenly pulled over, nearly making me jolt forward.

“I’m sorry, Tesoro. I’ll be right back” he said, stepping out before I could ask why.

Minutes passed. I was beginning to wonder if I should just walk home until he opened the door, slightly breathless.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Harper” he said, slipping back into the car. “Oh, it’s fine Enzo” I smiled. He pulled out and handed me two cotton candies.

“You… went to buy these?” I asked, staring in disbelief. “I thought you might like them” he said with a grin.

“Jeez Enzo, You didn’t have...”

“You don’t like them? I knew it! I should’ve gotten strawberry—”

“No, Enzo!” I laughed. “I love them. Really. Thank you.” He smiled, clearly relieved. “Piacere mio” he said — my pleasure, before restarting the car.

When we got close to my street, I asked him to pull over.

“I’ll walk from here, Enzo,” I said, smiling. He got out anyway, opening my door like a gentleman. “Thank you so much, Enzo. I really appreciate it” I said, taking my bags.

He started rolling up his sleeves, making me confused. “I’ll help you carry them, Tesoro” he said, reaching for the bags.

“Oh, jeez, Enzo...no, please. You’re embarrassing me” I laughed, snatching them back.

He looked ready to argue until his phone rang. An office call came in making him hurry back. “Take care of yourself, Ms. Harper” he said, kissing my hand before driving off.

I watched his car disappear down the street, sighing. I’d only known him for a day, and yet everything about him felt… easy. Too easy. Was I lucky or, unlucky?

I scoffed, sluggishly entering into the house

I finished my chores, washed the dishes, and prepared lunch for Mr. Mason. I then walked into the living room, I noticed the new diffuser and remembered the lavender oil. I got the oil and poured some in the diffuser, turning on the air conditioner to spread the scent faster.

Within minutes, the house smelled heavenly. I smiled. Lavender always reminded me of peace. My perfumes were lavender-based too, so the house now smelled faintly like me.

Kicking off my shoes, I sank onto the sofa.

Why was he so angry to see me with Enzo? My thoughts wouldn’t settle. Was Sir Mason… jealous?

“No” I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “Impossible.”

Still, I couldn’t deny it, Enzo might have been a work of art, but Mason…Mason was a masterpiece. If the two were in a contest, I wasn’t sure who would win. Maybe it’d be a tie. I chuckled softly to myself before drifting off.

I slowly opened my eyes, the room was dim. My vision blurred, and then I saw a face right in front of me.

“Ah-choo!” I sneezed.

“Mr. Mason?” I gasped as he stumbled back and fell.

Wait, was he… watching me sleep?

I jumped up, startled, as he scrambled to his feet, clearing his throat.

“I… I was looking for my phone,” he stammered, avoiding my gaze. I almost believed except that his phone was right in his hand.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach as I watched him stride across the room and disappeared into his own.

“Terrible smell, by the way” he called from the stairs, his voice uneven, clearly trying to cover his actions before slamming his door shut.

Poor Lavender

My lips curved into a smile, as I pressed a hand to my chest, cheeks burning.

Wait, why am I blushing? Mia, get a grip!

My phone rang, saving me from my thoughts. “Mr. Noah!” I said, answering quickly.

“Dear child, how are you? How’s everything there? I hope you’re—”

“I’m fine, Mr. Noah,” I said, smiling and swinging my legs like a child.

“And Mason?” His tone softened, almost sad.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Noah. He’s… absolutely fine.”

“Come visit me soon, my dear. There’s something I want to discuss with you,” he said before hanging up.

Something about his tone told me it was about Sir Mason.

~~~

I got off the bed, checking the time. My steps slowed as my eyes caught the sight in front of me.

Sir Mason had just finished drinking a glass of water, and was about to pull off his shirt when I walked in. His chest revealed perfectly sculpted abs that made me question why he even bothered wearing clothes. My lips parted as my eyes traced the lines of his toned, muscular arms, and I froze in place.

Wait… was this guy a Greek god or something?

“What are you looking at?” His voice snapped me out of my trance.

I coughed.

“Nothing, sir. I—I thought you wanted something, that’s why” I said quickly, my heart pounding fast as I turned to leave.

“Wait.”

His voice stopped me right in my tracks. My body froze, almost like it had been waiting for those exact words. I turned to face him, only to find him already standing right in front of me. My forehead bumped against his chest, and my heart started pounding against my ribs.

At this point, it could practically burst out of me.

He leaned in, his breath brushing softly against my skin as he whispered, “My friends will be over by eight. Make something nice.”

It was clearly a tease—an open invitation to the temptation standing right before me. Get a grip, Mia.

His breath was warm, and it immediately sent a shiver crawling down my spine. A small hiccup escaped my lips as I quickly nodded, watching him walk away from the kitchen.

“Oh goodness” I exhaled, taking a few deep breaths. I leaned back against the wall and lightly hit my head.

“This guy will definitely be the death of you, Mia” I muttered, sighing as I rubbed my forehead.

Only if I had known...