Xander I opened my eyes. Everything was a blur, and the world spun around me. My body felt like dead weight against the mattress, refusing to respond. My face was damp with sweat. This was the aftereffect of the drug. The only sleeping drug that could actually knock me out, but the price was paralysis. A few seconds where I was nothing more than a prisoner in my own body. I let my gaze drift to the window. It was bright outside. I stared at the ceiling. How exhausting. After a moment, I flexed my fingers, feeling the stiffness in my joints fade. With effort, I pushed myself up. Normally, I shouldnât be able to stand for an hour, but my body had already adapted to the drug. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, sliding my feet into the slippers. My shirt clung to my skin, damp with sweat. Annoyed, I tugged it off and tossed it onto the bed before heading to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, and stepped into the shower. Running a hand through
RosaI stared at the photographs on the table, my expression indifferent. My legs were crossed, one foot bouncing lazily as I skimmed through them. Levi stopped in front of me, shifting slightly, his face tinged red. âDr. Rosa, I brought your favourite mint ice cream on my way here.âI glanced up at the big cup in his hands. My eyes flickered to the side, catching Elijah nudging Asher with a knowing grin. âSheâs becoming more popular every day,â Elijah muttered under his breath. âYou should improve on your moves.âAsher ignored him, as if he were spouting nonsense.Levi hesitated when I didn't say anything. âIâm sorry for getting it without your permission. I didnât knoââI smiled, taking the ice cream from him. âThank you, Levi. I was craving some.âHe sighed in relief. I peeled off the lid and scooped a bite with the tiny plastic spoon, letting out a small moan at the taste.âOh, howâs your older brother?â I asked, eyes still on the photographs. âHeâs still going for his checkups,
Rosa âHahahaha!â I laughed, my stomach aching from the effort. I clutched my wine glass tightly, trying to keep it from spilling all over my black hoodie and sweatpants. But the more I looked at the three boys in front of me, the harder it was to stop. "How long are you going to laugh for?" Asher asked. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, barely catching my breath. "Hah, until Iâm satisfied." He scoffed, clearly not amused, which only made it worse. I took a deep breath, shaking my head as I tried to regain composure. "Okay, let me get this straight," I said, holding up a hand. "Elijah and Roman decided to play thief and steal Mia's purse. But then, just like a badly written action movie, our hero, Asher, swooped in and stopped it?" âYes. How many times am I going to repeat myself?â "Haha. Men," I sighed between giggles. "Sometimes, I seriously wonder what goes on in their heads." Elijah huffed. "It was a perfectly good plan, you know." I arched my brow, smirking. "L
Mia I stared at the man in front of me. He was too attractive. So much so that my brain struggled to function properly. Xander and this man were both devastatingly good-looking, but in completely different ways. Xanderâs beauty was something rare. He looked dignified, refined, almost otherworldly. He looked like he belonged in a painting, a masterpiece that captured everyone's attention. He didnât need to do anything to make women fall for him, his mere existence was enough. But this man was the kind of beautiful that made you sin. His presence alone was sinful. He was temptation wrapped in leather and tattoos. Everything about him screamed dangerous. "Who the fuck are you?!" The leader of the robbers spun around, aiming his gun at the man. But before he could do anything, his companion froze, his eyes widening in sheer terror. âT-That man⊠heâs Asher.â The leader stiffened, his face losing all color. "Oh my god," the second man whispered. "What are we going to do?" So, his n
Mia âYouâre so beautiful in person, Mia,â she said warmly.I smiled politely, glancing up from my plate as Mrs. Smith beamed at me.âOh, thank you, Mrs. Smith.â I returned the smile. âYouâre too kind. Youâre even more beautiful than I am.âThe middle-aged woman laughed, touching her face lightly. âWell, we old folks canât lose to you young ones.âBeside me, my mother chimed in with her usual charm. âOh, what are you saying, old folks? Youâre very young and beautiful, Mrs. Smith. Sometimes, I have to put in extra effort when dressing up because I donât want you to outshine me.âMrs. Smith waved her off playfully. âOh, really? Well, Iâve been using this new cream lately.âMy motherâs eyes lit up. âReally? What kind of cream?âMrs. Smith leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret. âDonât tell anyone, okay? The cream isnât widely available yet, so all the rich ladies are scrambling to get their hands on it.âMy mother eagerly nodded. âOf course, I wonât tell.âMrs. Smith smiled. âItâs ca
RosaThe maintenance worker leaned down, extending his hand. âDr. Rosa, can you raise your hand higher so I can pull you up?âI stretched my arm as high as I could, but my fingers barely brushed his. Damn it. I bent my knees slightly, ready to jump and try again when a strong arm wrapped around my waist.I paused at the sudden touch. Before I could react, Xander lifted me effortlessly, one hand securely gripping my waist, the other... resting firmly on my ass.â....âDonât look at him, Rosa. Donât you dare.I clenched my jaw, focusing on the open hatch above. But my body betrayed me. Curiosity won, and I glanced down.Xander met my gaze, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. He raised an eyebrow. âAre you not going to raise your hands?âI smiled playfully. âMr. Xander, it's not that I'm complaining, but are you perhaps using this opportunity toââ I felt his fingers press ever so slightly âKeep talking like that, and I might reconsider my help, Dr. Rosa.âI chuckled and