Playing With Fire

Cattleya’s POV

“Huh?” 

He smiled, “Have we met before, Cattleya?” 

My lips quivered in fear, swallowed hardly as I replied, “No, I don’t think we have met before, J–Jaxon.” 

He sat on his long black couch, spreading his legs, and directed his gaze at me for a second. 

Then he leaned his back and closed his eyes, seemingly yearning for a moment of peace. 

I stood there, watching him intently, but my mind was uncertain about what to do next.

I can't let him ignore me this time; I have to do something crazy.

I carefully took off my heels one at a time. 

Next, I took a deep breath and sat down on his lap, putting myself at ease right away. 

Then I gasped when I smelled his manly perfume, which took me away.

As his piercing, mystifying gaze locked with me, his face shifted from bewilderment to surprise.

He leaned back a little, resisting the urge to touch me. Then, in a gentle voice, he asked me, "What are you doing, Ms. Sullivan?"

“Uhm…” 

“Is this how you pay me?” he asked, arching his eyebrow.

Catt, pls, say something, don’t just stare at him like that! 

I thought he would be rough with me, but he held my face with one hand and touched it softly.

Oh, crap, I'm going to die!

Okay, one kiss is enough for me. But this time, I'll keep him interested.

He pulled me so close to him that it was hard for me to breathe, and then, to my surprise, he dominantly claimed my lips. 

His kiss was full of power and control.

I could feel his soft lips on mine, and I kissed him back because I wanted this to happen; it was all part of my plan. 

I kissed him deeper, and his tongue went into my mouth. Then, he was taken aback by how I returned the kiss, but he soon melted into a contented sigh. 

Just then, we heard a loud explosion outside his VIP room. 

Fear gripped me, and I frantically tried to push him away but he reacted so quickly that gripped my waist and scooped me without worry. 

"You don't want to die here, won't you?" he asked, breathing softly.

“No,” I whispered as I tried to pull away from him. 

Jaxon release me with a frown written on his face, “What—” 

I tiptoed and kissed him on the lips, “If you want to finish what we started, you gotta find me.” 

I smiled playfully and before he could react, I already ran away barefoot.

***

Everyone is running down the hall at the same speed as me. I could hear them yelling out of fear. 

They are scared to death and running for their lives. I joined the crowd to hide from Jaxon.

Then, as I walked out the door, I sighed in relief and rubbed my face in anger because I had really left my purse in Jaxon's room. 

"F**k!" 

Next, I hopped in a cab to head home without even thinking straight.

When I stepped out of the car, a smiling guard greeted me and said, "Good evening, Ms. Cattleya." 

The guard’s smile vanished when he saw me not wearing any shoes.

“Are you alright, Ms. Cattleya?” 

 "I don't have cash; please pay the taxi driver. Thank you." I said as I passed him and walked inside the gate, like my whole spirit was separating from my body. 

My mom scanned me from head to toe, her disapproval evident in how her eyes lingered on my curvy short dress. 

"Why are you dressed like that? You went to a party? How could you?!"

I glanced at her, a knot of frustration tightening in my stomach. 

"Trust me, Mom. I have my reasons," I said, the words heavy with unspoken emotions.  

She scoffed in disbelief. She didn't say a single word anymore; she just let me walk upstairs, and then she returned to her room with a muffled sob escaping after her.

My heart ached for her. Communicating with Mom had always been difficult, the distance creating a chasm between us. We only saw each other three times a year, fleeting visits in London before they'd return to Italy. 

Growing up, I'd been a grandma's girl, spending every summer with her in the countryside. The thought of leaving her side at twelve had been unbearable. So, my parents made the difficult choice of letting me stay with her.

***

The next day, 

My stomach growls, instantly followed by a throbbing pain behind my eyes.

Ugh, this was not how I wanted to start the day.

I pushed myself out of bed and dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing water on my face and brushing my teeth in a wimpy try to feel human again.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, Vianne's cheerful voice cutting through the dull ache in my head. "Hi, Ms. Catt!" she exclaimed. "Good morning. I called to let you know that the condo was ready for you to move in today. What do you think?"

I forced a smile and said, "Alright,"

"Uh, and also! Patrick is coming to get you," Vianne continued excitedly. 

“What?” I asked in disbelief. 

Vianne laughed, "I told him to help you today since I have the day off. And your dashing prince is more than happy to lend you a hand."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Dashing prince, my foot."

“Oh, Ms. Catt! Give Sir Patrick a chance, he’s been pursuing you for a year now…” 

“Bye, Vianne. Enjoy your day off, okay?” I said in a sarcastic voice.

Then I ended the call and walked downstairs with a heavy face.

I sat in the dining area and the maid prepared the milk and bread for me.

 I smiled at her and said, “Thank you. Uhm, where’s mom?” 

The maid scratched the back of her head as she said, “Oh I forgot to tell you, your parents told me today that they’re going for a business trip. They told me to take care of you while they’re away.” 

I scoffed and whispered to myself, “They couldn’t even wait for me to wake up?” 

And suddenly the guard walked in the kitchen and said, “Ms. Catt, someone’s here for you.” 

“Oh, that must be Patrick.” I said as I stood up and walked outside. 

Surprisingly, I saw Jaxon Moretti standing in the doorway. 

He wasn't just the cool guy from the VIP room; he was a natural force that was both dangerous and captivating. 

His eyes were so intense that they sent a spark through my body and held my attention.

I clenched my teeth and bit my lower lip in anger b

ecause I shouldn't have looked at him like he was a good guy! He's the cruel Mafia!

In a deep husky voice, he uttered, "FOUND YOU."