Chapter 2

Lily Pov 

“Here I am again!”

I exclaimed as I looked at the large mansion in front of me. I felt overwhelmed by the emotions and memories this place gave me. I tightened my hands on the bag I brought with me and I knew from this day on, my life would change. 

“Let's go in!” My father’s voice snapped me out of my daze and seeing him walk forward, I immediately gathered myself and prepared to follow behind him.

“Dante, I'm back! And this time, I’ll make you mine!” 

***

I sat nervously on the couch, not caring about the drink that had been served to me by the maids. My eyes wouldn't stop straying to the stairs where my Dad had disappeared to with the maid who had asked him to meet Dante upstairs.

I have always been a bold and wild girl, but only when it comes to one person would I turn timid. 

Dante… 

I closed my eyes to contain the overwhelming love that was about to spill out from my eyes, and when I opened them, it had returned to being calm, but no one knew how nervous I was inside and how my blood surged with nervousness.

Who wouldn't be nervous? 

I was about to meet the man I had been thinking about for many years, the man who had rejected me, the man whom I had given my heart to, the man whom I hadn't stopped dreaming about, and having fantasies about. 

As I sat in his home, with the knowledge that I’d stay here, excitement sparked in me and my soul felt refreshed. Suddenly, I froze in my seat as I heard the sounds of footsteps.

The aura in the room changed, the air turned stiff and as the footsteps became louder and closer, my heart beat increased with it. 

My body trembled and my soul felt like it was about to fly away. I closed my eyes and clenched my fist tightly, then finally, I raised my head and turned towards where the sound was coming from, and the moment I set my eyes on him, my mind went blank.

For years, I had thought of what to say when I meet him, how to act and greet him, the smile I should have on my face and how to move, but the moment I saw the man who stood with a cold and powerful aura not far away from me, my mind and head went blank and I couldn't remember anything anymore. 

My heart began to beat so fast, my fingers trembled and my eyes stared at him dazedly.

He remains the same. Wild in a roguish way, eyes that contained Indifference and coldness. 

My eyes stared at that god-like face of his, and I fell in love with him once again. Slowly, I let my eyes roam his every being, from his face, I strolled to his Adam's apple and then down to his muscled chest that was obvious from his shirt. 

I gulped and my eyes deepened. 

My eyes then moved from his tattooed arm which had always enchanted me and then down to his lower abdomen and when it got there—

“Little girl…” 

My brain snapped out of it when I heard his voice. Startled, I raised my head sharply only to meet those eyes that seemed to steal my breath away. 

“Won’t you say “Hi”  to me?” 

His deep, low voice sounded again and I finally snapped out of every stupor. 

My eyes widened and I immediately stood up from the couch where I sat. I looked at my father and then Dante who had now stopped in front of me with an aura that commands respect. 

His chuckle rang in the room, then I felt my chin being raised which showed my pale face. With my head raised, I stared at the handsome face that was now very close to mine and my heart paused. 

“Lily…Welcome back home.” He said and a smile boomed on my face and when I least expected it, I felt a single tear slide down my face and it seemed he noticed it as the look in his eyes suddenly changed and he stared at me with some emotions I couldn't understand. 

My fingers pinched themselves with nervousness. 

How could my tears slip out now?! Why did I have to show it when he was this close to me?! Oh my goodness! Did he realise something? Would he reject me from staying at his place? Oh my! 

I muttered inside me anxiously and then gave him a pitiful smile. 

“Dan— Uncle Dante!” I immediately collected myself, then looked at that face of his that was so close to mine, then I whispered, “Long time no see, I'm back!” 

His eyes shook immediately he heard my words, and I swear I could see the anger and confusion in them, but I didn't care! 

I wanted him to know I'm back, and I still haven't given up on him. I was here not just to get protected by him but also to achieve my heart's desire which is— Him. 

Dante gave me an indifferent look, then stepped away from me and turned to walk back to a couch while saying; 

“Your father has already explained everything to me and you’re allowed to stay here as long as you follow the rules of this place!” 

My brows furrowed in a tight frown, and I waited for him to continue but he didn't, instead, it was my father who suddenly interrupted.

“Now that you’re here, I need to go!” My father announced and my heart which had returned to its composure surged again. I forgot about my situation with Dante and rushed towards my father.

“Where are you going, Dad? Will you be okay? Is the mission this time very dangerous?!” I asked anxiously while holding his shirt.

My dad looked at me, then sighed, “You don't need to worry about me, Lily. Just stay obediently with your uncle Dante and I’ll contact you at every chance I have, okay?!” He said, then caressed my head but I still couldn't help but feel something was wrong.

That feeling gripped me and my hold on his shirt tightened. 

Forget about my love life, about my desire. As long as my only family is fine, then I can even give up on what I had wished for. 

My lips trembled as I looked at him with unshed tears. I had that feeling that something big was about to happen to my dad but he wasn't explaining to me.

“Dad…” I sniffed, then continued, “Remember you’re my only family. Don't leave me..” 

My dad looked at me speechlessly then turned to look at his friend, Dante with helplessness. 

“Please, take care of her and protect her like you promised. Don't fail me.” 

Dante trailed his eyes on me, then chuckled, “As long as she doesn't do or think about something forbidden, then she can stay here and live properly.” He said and my heart clenched awkwardly.

I knew what he meant, but I was too worried about my dad to care about him now. 

I watched helplessly as my dad leaned down and dropped a kiss on my forehead, then released my fingers from his shirt and strolled out of Dante’s house without turning back.

I stood with my fingers clenched and her face filled with unshed tears as I watched his back. 

A question suddenly appeared in my heart. 

“Will he be back like he had promised?” 

I closed my eyes and made a silent prayer for him. He was my only family and I can't lose him.

Suddenly, I heard a sound and when I turned, I saw Dante who was now on his feet and was about to leave coldly. My eyes widened in disbelief. 

He was leaving just like that?! 

“Dante!!” I cried out before I could stop myself, and when he paused, I looked at him nervously and a question I had been meaning to ask slipped out from me before I could stop myself.

“Do you miss me? Ha-Have you ever thought about me since I left?”