Lahat ng Kabanata ng Kiss Me Where It Hurts: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 27

Ariana's POV I found myself backing into a corner. Fortunately, a car was parked just behind me. Probably the owner thought it made sense to park right in front of someone's house. Then I crouched behind it, my heart thumping so loud that I could hear it. Curiosity ate me up, and I cocked my head from around the corner of the car, peeking. An average-height man, whom I didn't recognize, stepped out of the car, his hair shaved and in a black suit, as he was on the phone. I couldn't make out what he was saying or the language itself. Not like it was any of my business. But he was right in front of our house. Soon, he started walking towards our house, and he unbuckled his fly as if he wanted to pee. The next thing I saw was a flash of metal, he turned it in his hand as he lifted it up. My face paled, and my palms pressed against the car went cold as I spotted a gun… Who was he, and why was he in front of our house with a gun? On impulse, I dipped my hand into my bag for my

Ariana's POV The atmosphere shifted as I sensed Mom's arm wrapped around mine, her nails digging into the blades of my shoulder.I didn’t feel pain that much. At least not on the outside.“She's…just a kid. You know how kids like to do whatever they want.” Mom chuckled dryly as she kept her eyes on Vincent, whose focus was now on the screen in front of him.Gideon’s desktop.“This child looks well over 20, Cici. Not a kid.” He said, and Mom's face creased a bit.Probably not liking how he put his words.“We're just trying to keep her safe, not cage her. Next time try harder to get her to open up about where she's going.” He finished, a condescending tone to his words, and my brow rose a bit as Mom wet her lips, swallowing words.Well, was it normal to talk to your cousin’s wife like she’s no better than a help? Rude.And what did he say about me looking a lot like Dad? “Did you say you knew—“ “Time to go now. Don't distract your uncle.” Mom cut me off, literally dragging me out of

Ariana’s POV Martins knocked, and on confirmation from Liam, he stepped aside, and I went in. I found Liam on call with someone over the landline, and I dug my nails into my palms as I waited, desperate to get this done and over with. When he placed the phone down, he lifted his eyes, gesturing to the chair across from him. “Take a seat, Ariana.” I stood still. Unmoving. My eyes only flicked to him sometimes, while the rest of the time they were on the files on his desk. “I think it's inappropriate for me to take a seat in my boss’s office without an appointment.” I said, and Liam folded his arms across his chest. “But I'm giving you permission to. It's personal.” Brushing a stubborn strand out of my face, I bit my lips. “Personal. That's the problem. I think we're getting too personal." He adjusted in his seat, folding his brows. “Are you saying I make you uncomfortable?” “No. But you watching my every move and bossing me around isn't far from it.” I blurted, regrettin