Chapter 5: Consent

My breathing hitched. His mouth onto my ear, feeling his breath onto my skin… Everything felt so sensual.

Sensations sent onto my spine, and although my brain tells me this is wrong, I can’t stop my body from acting up.

God, why? 

This is so much. 

I’ve never been with any man before, not to mention a man who’s as handsome and charismatic as River.

“A-Alright…” I answered, trying not to show that much how nervous I was. “Can you step back now? Y-You’re too close. People might get the wrong idea.”

River smirked, and instead of complying with my request, he even stepped closer—as if the closeness between us wasn’t still enough.

Placing a strand of hair at the back of my ear, River muttered, “And why would they get the wrong idea? We’re cousins.”

Clutching the fabric of my cloth, I controlled myself as a sudden sensation traveled into my body.

Serenity, don’t entertain those thoughts! River is just messing with you!

I repeated those words like a chant, like it’s the only thing that would make me sane. These emotions are overwhelming me, and it’s all because of him.

But there was something in his tone. Something I couldn’t decipher. 

Or is it just me?

“You’re adorable, Princess,” River said a few seconds later, caressing my cheek for a moment before letting his hand down. “It makes me want to kiss you.”

“W-What?” I blinked in surprise.

“You’re not deaf, Princess, aren’t you?” he asked, smirking.

But suddenly, his smirk faded when his gaze moved from my eyes, lips, and down to my neck.

His gaze darkened, and he gulped. I don’t know how to react to that. He looked… hot. 

I had never seen someone as handsome as him, even in school.

“W-We’re cousins,” I told him, not being able to hide my stammer.

“And why do you think I care?” River said, his tone low and seductive. “That was just blood. I want your heart, soul, and everything about you.”

And fucking hell, I’m in danger having the same thought as him.

Why do we need to be cousins in the first place? Of all people, why him?

I couldn’t answer him. My brain was foggy, and I didn’t know what to say. What I only know is that I’m having a hard time breathing since he’s around.

He just had that effect on me, even if we just recently met.

“Relax, Princess. I won’t bite,” River suddenly said, stepping away from me, letting me breathe. “Don’t worry, I’m not planning to do anything to you… for now.”

My brows furrowed, giving him a deadly glare. 

What is he doing? Why is he giving me mixed signals?

“Since I’m also living in the same place now, I suppose I’ll see you often, huh?” he said, playing with the strands of my hair. “Just behave for now. I won’t do anything that will put you in danger.”

He leaned forward again, causing me to close my eyes and clutch onto the hem of my shirt tightly.

Is he… going to kiss me?

And if he was, then why am I not stopping him? Am I really sick in the head now?

“Relax. I’m just getting something,” River muttered, taking a glass of water on the side. “If you keep that reaction up, I might think that you wanted me to kiss you.”

I clutched my shirt, not knowing what to say.

It made River raise an eyebrow, and he was now staring intently at me.

“Was it the case, Princess?” he asked, his lips curving into a smirk.

He was about to take a step forward, but suddenly, he stopped, then he stepped backward, creating a distance between us.

It was my turn to frown. Why? Is there something wrong with my face?

“Are you two getting along already?”

A familiar voice spoke on my side. When I looked at it, I saw Dad inside the kitchen.

His brows furrowed when he stared at me.

“Why is your face red? Are you sick?” Dad asked, but his voice wasn't laced with worry.

I could hear irritation and frustration with them.

“You can’t be sick, Serenity. The secretary has already filled your schedule. You’re going to accompany me to the business parties, date with Hans, while not neglecting your school.”

“Being sick would only disrupt everything,” he added with a sigh.

I sighed in the back of my mind, too. Dad isn’t worried about me getting sick, but about how it would postpone the scheduled meetings if I do.

I’m already used to it, but maybe because they’re my parents, everything they do, especially the ones that indirectly tell me they don’t love me… stings.

Still, I nodded. “Yes, Dad. I’ll take care of my health even more.”

If that will maintain the peace I have in this home, then I’ll do it. I’ll always follow whatever they want, even if it means neglecting mine.

After all, as I grew up in this family, I don’t even know my likes and dislikes at all.

My parents carved me to be someone that I’m not, making me think that they only had me because I was convenient. Beneficial.

What will happen if I’m not useful anymore?

“Wait,” River, whom I had forgotten was in the same room with us, suddenly spoke. “Why are you the one creating her schedule, Rico? Shouldn’t it be at free will?”

Dad chuckled and shook his head. He looked at River as if he had said the most ridiculous sentence in the world.

“It was only applicable to people in the lower class, River,” Dad answered, clicking his tongue. “You know that people like us, who need to maintain our wealth and standing, should never have any free time.”

“Well… That’s true. But that should be you and Eleanor’s work,” River replied, also referring to Mom. “She’s just a college student. Let her enjoy it.”

“She’s enjoying the life we gave her,” Dad said as he gave me a look from head to toe. “Look at how privileged she was. All her things were branded. She had smooth, delicate skin. She doesn’t even clean the house.”

Hearing those words, I clenched my fists, which I hid on my back. I also wanted to bite my lips to control myself, but once Dad saw it, he would scold me again.

He treats me like I’m just a maid who doesn’t do my job. River, who had just arrived at our house, already noticed what was wrong.

But why couldn’t they? What’s wrong with my parents?

Why do they treat me as an object instead of a human being?

“And why would she need to? You have maids,” River asked, the confusion evident in his tone. “And she’s your daughter. Of course, you would want the best for her.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” Dad told River, his voice becoming dangerously low as he didn’t want to let himself lose this argument. “This is the best life we could give her.”

He added, “If we let Serenity go through her life without our intervention, not only would she destroy her life, but the Miller family as well.”

What? Does that mean he doesn’t trust me? River, who was a stranger to me, could trust me, yet my parents couldn’t?

“Hah. I guess you won’t accept anything I tell you,” River said, finally surrendering. “I guess, you do you.”

He looked at me and said, “I can’t even do anything right now if you always have her consent, isn’t it?”