Kisses Dipped in Lies

chapter 6

•༆

[𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒔 𝑷𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆]

•

The Basils, as a family, are the richest and most influential family in Spain, and it got even crazier because of Roderick.

The Basils are made up of a family of seven.

Godfrey, who is the father, married two wives.

His first wife, Safira, gave birth to Roderick, 26 years old, and then Isabella, 20 years old.

His second wife, Ksenia, also gave birth to two children, and in fact she was the first to give birth.

She had Shawn, who is 28, and then Lionel, 19 years old.

They all live in the penthouse except Roderick, but the family barely sees each other.

They could actually go a straight month without seeing one another unless they meet at the garage, because there is only one garage in the penthouse and it is like a house on its own.

But the probability of them meeting there is almost zero though.

Except Godfrey and his wives.

So once in a while, they get to have dinner together, which is going to be tomorrow.

Inside, Isabella walked into the general car garage. She was dressed up, almost naked, and obviously on her way to the club. She is a club addict, and if Bella is not almost naked then she is not dressed up at all.

The bum shorts she was currently wearing revealed all her butt cheeks, and her crop top barely covered her breasts, leaving the rest of her body sinfully exposed.

The bodyguards bowed as she approached. She hissed and ignored them completely.

Going straight for the first car her eyes caught, the red sports car, shining brightly.

She was about to get there when someone skateboarded past her.

No one else but Lionel. He was also dressed up, looking hot as always, his hair falling over his face.

It was almost unbelievable because Lionel does not even look like Shawn, who is supposed to be his brother, neither does he look like his father or mother.

Instead, he has Roderick’s face. Almost everything about his features gives off Roderick vibes, even his attitude.

He barely speaks. You will hardly ever hear his voice.

But Bella is the opposite. She is like a bomb, always ready to explode.

So the moment Lionel stopped beside the red sports car, her brain twisted and her skull sparked.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, glaring at him hatefully.

"Going out..." Lionel said gently.

"Oh, he thinks I give a f**k about his life," Bella laughed crazily.

"I hope you're not taking that car..."

"But I was already thinking of taking this car out tonight. I have a..."

"f**k off before I lose it, you bastard of a mistake," Bella blurted.

"Mistake?" Lionel blinked.

"Oh, they didn't tell you? Okay, let me tell you how you're a mistake. Your brother is literally 28 and you're 19, that's nine years difference, you dumb ass. Ask your mother that history and you will figure it out. Now if you will excuse me," she pushed him aside and entered the car.

She almost jammed him with the car before driving off.

Lionel stood there for a minute before getting into another car and leaving as well.

•༆

[𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂'𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏]

Lovella just came out of the bathroom and sat in front of the dressing mirror, staring at her face.

Somehow, she went deep into thought for a while, just staring.

Then suddenly, she picked up her phone and dialed Jane’s number.

As expected, Jane answered instantly on the first ring.

"Hey babes," Jane answered, and by the sound of her voice she seemed happy.

"Hey. I have a request, and it's quite important. I mean, really important," Lovella said.

"Why are you sounding like that? Come on, tell me," Jane chuckled.

"There's an outfit I saw in your collection just now, and I think I need it. I have a special event tomorrow, but it's quite late. I can't go to your store again. I've sent you the picture. Tell me if it's available," Lovella said.

"Oh, I can see it. Yeah, I have it, and some are even available at home. Wanna come?" Jane asked.

Immediately, a smile appeared on Lovella’s face.

That was exactly what she wanted, the reason behind the heavy lie she had just told.

Of course, she knew Jane would want to show off her house.

"You can use the opportunity to visit. You've never been here," Jane said.

"Yeah, right. I'll be on my way now," Lovella said.

"Then I'll be waiting," Jane said and hung up.

Lovella smiled, a very dangerous smile. She stood up and walked to her closet.

She scrolled through with her fingers until her eyes caught one of the sexiest gowns she owned.

Once again, she smirked and began dressing up.

It took her only ten minutes to finish up. She was downstairs immediately, and she wasn’t planning to drive herself or go alone.

The driver opened the car door for her, and she entered.

"Ma'am, do you want us to follow?" one of the bodyguards asked.

"One," Lovella answered shortly.

The driver got in, and a guard joined in front, and soon they were out of the house.

"Esmeralda Villa," she told the driver.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered.

•༆•

Roderick was at the wine bar, drinking while scrolling through his phone when Lovella arrived, so he was the first to see her.

Which surprised him, but it didn’t show on his face.

"Hello, Mr King," Lovella greeted with a smile. That same smile of hers.

Roderick completely ignored her.

Lovella scoffed, clearly pissed. She was about to walk over to him when Jane appeared from the stairs.

"You're here!" she said loudly.

"Yeah, I just came in," Lovella said and sat on a couch, crossing her legs.

"Oh, you look tired. I was planning to give you a house tour," Jane said, dropping her phone beside Lovella.

"Oh please, some other time. I wasn’t home all day, so I’m tired," Lovella said.

"Okay, you can wait here. I’ll get you the outfit," Jane smiled and walked away.

Lovella watched her pass Roderick and kiss him on the cheek. At that exact moment, Lovella’s eyes locked with Roderick’s, and she smiled at him.

Jane walked away, and their eyes remained locked, the smile still on Lovella’s face.

Roderick looked away and stood up. He picked up his wine and left, taking another route.

Lovella rolled her eyes, stood up, and followed him.

Roderick was just about to turn the corner when Lovella met him there, and his brows raised.

"Can I know exactly why you're avoiding me? Do I make you feel uncomfortable?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes.

"What game are you playing? Give up. It's not going to work," Roderick said plainly.

"Why? You're going to tell Jane?" Lovella asked.

"You think I won’t?"

"You can’t," Lovella smirked.

Roderick raised his brows.

Okay. How confident.

"I got your number from her phone just now. I’ll text you, and make sure you reply. I hate people ghosting me," she whispered in a sexy voice, touching his chest and staring at him with seductive eyes.

"Later," she winked and walked away.

Roderick’s eyes followed her, and he chuckled dryly, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Instead of leaving like he initially planned, he returned to the bar.

Jane came back the same minute, and he watched them talking loudly and smiling.

Roderick said nothing and kept drinking until it was time for Lovella to leave.

"Goodnight, girl," Jane waved at her and immediately went over to Roderick.

Lovella smiled and stared at them, Jane hugging Roderick.

She typed something on her phone, then dropped it. Her eyes stayed on Roderick as his phone buzzed on the table and he picked it up.

It was a text from an unknown number, but he opened it.

Number: Goodnight Papacito

Immediately, his eyes went to Lovella, who now had a straight face.

"Who texted you?" Jane asked.

Lovella’s eyes remained on him.

"Oh, no one. Just business," Roderick muttered.

His eyes went back to Lovella.

She smirked, turned around, and cat walked out of the house.

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