Obsession

Cherry on Fire

"Peaches crushed to a pulp, staining the ground red... as the jade mountain crumbles."

Sebastian’s voice was low, his presence heavy as he pinned her down. "What did you say?"

He gave her waist a firm, warning squeeze. His expression remained unreadable, but the atmospheric pressure in the room dropped several degrees.

Sienna hissed, catching her breath. She blinked, offering a smile of pure, wide-eyed innocence. "I said... my foot hurts."

In the next second, her world spun.

Sebastian let go, dropping her back onto the mattress with a blunt, indifferent remark: "Serves you right."

Sienna was already sore in every fiber of her being. This latest tossing left her feeling like she’d been dismantled. She stared at him for two stunned seconds before snapping, "Sebastian, you are literally a dog!"

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, casting a sideways glance at her.

Faint, cold morning light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, mingling with the brilliant glow of the chandelier to wrap him in a glazed, ethereal silhouette. His eyes held a trace of a smile, yet they remained as sharp as blades—the kind of look that sent a shiver straight through her heart.

Feeling her confidence crumble, Sienna let out a nervous laugh and looked away. "I was singing! Just singing!"

Unable to endure his scrutiny, she scrambled for any lyrics she could remember and improvised desperately. "You’re a dog—gedly pursued happiness, meeting you was just an accident, I’m trying to stop..."

"Fine. Stop singing," Sebastian drawled with a dry snort, cutting her off without mercy. He turned to walk toward the door. "It’s terrible."

"..."

Sienna lay flat on the bed, staring up at the crystal lights, her striking eyes narrowing. She traced her lips with her finger; the stinging pain made her catch her breath.

As his footsteps faded into the distance, Sienna couldn't resist a tiny mumble: "Total dog."

He seemed to have a penchant for her when she was being "good."

She knew this well. Whenever she messed up or felt guilty, she’d resort to acting cute, playing the victim, or being submissive—it made her life much easier. Perhaps her act was just that convincing, or perhaps he simply enjoyed the process of her submission too much to call her bluff.

False obedience, tainted affection. Over time, she realized with a start that she was actually becoming used to it.

The eastern sky was beginning to glow with a pale, misty light behind the lush silhouettes of the trees. The villas at Repulse Bay sat nestled between the mountains and the sea, the landscape blurred into shades of slate and charcoal, like a frame from an old film reel.

Sienna was beyond exhausted.

She had spent the entire night on edge, completely at his mercy. The feeling of being unable to fully give herself over made the experience grueling. Now that he was satisfied, she felt like she’d just finished a marathon with only half a soul left. All she wanted was sleep; she had no energy to deal with her ankle, let alone wonder where he’d gone.

Sienna curled up with the thin duvet and closed her eyes, drifting into a heavy, hazy slumber.

Somewhere between dreams and reality, a sharp pinch on her cheek woke her.

Someone was poking her face.

Sienna let out a soft, dazed whimper and forced her eyes open. The glare from the chandelier was blinding. She saw a familiar shadow leaning over her.

Sebastian grabbed her calf and yanked her toward the edge of the bed.

Caught off guard, Sienna was dragged across the silk sheets. With her back flat on the mattress and her leg held firmly in his grasp, she hung over the edge in a precarious, vulnerable state.

She was wide awake now.

"I... I’m tired," Sienna stammered, startled by the suddenness of his movements. A wave of panic rose in her chest as she tried to scramble back. "Really tired. And my foot hurts. Can you please just not—"

Sebastian settled her ankle onto his knee and opened a first-aid kit. "Not what?"

She’d completely misread the room.

Sienna blinked. She looked down, slowly burying her face in her palms. "Nothing," she muffled.

A low, short chuckle escaped Sebastian.

The sound vibrated from his throat—deep, lazy, and the kind of tone that made a girl's ears tingle.

"Stop laughing!" Sienna’s face burned with embarrassment. She grumbled, curling into a ball like a little ostrich trying to find a hole to hide in. Her ears felt like they were on fire.

The embarrassment lasted less than thirty seconds before she let out a sharp gasp. She curled forward to grab her ankle, unable to stop a yelp. "Ow, ow, ow! My foot!"

Is this first aid? This feels like he’s trying to snap my bones!

"Sebastian! Sir! Please, don't trouble yourself," Sienna squeaked, struggling to sit up. "You’re a man of high status; you should be resting! I couldn't possibly let you do this manually. I’ve got it! I’ll do it myself!"

It was just a sprain, but the way he was handling it made her think she’d end up needing an X-ray.

"Don't move." Sebastian frowned slightly, his hand tightening around her thrashing leg to pin it firmly against his knee.

"No, really, I’m a fragile soul. I can’t handle this much kindness!" Sienna was still fighting, both hands gripped around her own calf in a desperate attempt to pull away, her composure completely gone. "I think... I think I have healing powers. It'll fix itself!"

Sebastian looked up at her. "I said, don't move."

His tone was flat—softer than before, but it had that quality that made her heart do a nervous little somersault.

Sienna’s shoulders slumped.

Thanks. Message received. T^T

She didn't dare move again. Watching him prepare to rub in the medicinal oil, she recalled the agonizing sting from a moment ago and turned into a broken record: "Be gentle," and "I can really do it myself."

But the expected pain never came.

Sebastian’s expression remained as cold as a winter frost, appearing almost annoyed, but his movements were surprisingly gentle. He poured some oil into his palm and began to work it into her ankle, inch by inch, slowly kneading the tension away.

Sienna gave a tiny, involuntary shiver. It felt... strange.

The pain was being replaced by a buzzing, tingly sensation that started at her ankle and climbed upward.

Half of Sebastian’s face was lost in shadow. His features were rugged, his expression distant, and his dark eyes were partially veiled by his hair.

In this moment, looking down at her, he didn't seem quite so cold.

Sienna watched him, her long lashes fluttering. She lost herself in the sight of him.

Perhaps the room was too quiet, or the air too thick, but it felt like a soft, deceptive bubble of tenderness. Without even realizing it, she leaned toward him and lightly hooked her finger around his.

Sebastian paused for a fraction of a second. He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity. "What?" He knit his brows slightly. "Still hurt?"

"No. It’s nothing." Sienna pulled her hand back.

There was a bizarre feeling in her chest—itchy, electric, reaching deep into her soul. Even though she hated this life, she couldn't stop her heart from leaning into this moment. It felt as though, as long as she was with him, everything was vital and alive.

Sometimes, he actually made it feel like they were just a normal couple who had been together for years. But clearly...

Realizing where her thoughts were heading, Sienna looked away.

Searching for a distraction, her eyes landed on several gift boxes nearby. She hadn't noticed them last night; they were likely the haute couture gowns, jewelry, and seasonal accessories sent over by brands, which the housekeeper hadn't moved to the walk-in closet yet.

Bored, she leaned over and snagged a long box, curiously tearing off the wrapping.

As the scroll unfurled, a painting revealed itself.

The ink was lush, the colors of the birds and flowers vivid, the figures in the spring landscape full of life. The brushwork was masterful and ancient. Sienna recognized the style instantly.

It was Grandmaster Zhong’s Peach Blossom Spring.

Sienna froze.

She tore open the other long box. As expected, it was the other piece from the auction: **** (Empty Waters of the Spirit Mountain).

Sienna hesitated, looking at Sebastian with uncertainty. "You had someone bid on these?"

Sebastian offered a silent, bored blink.

Aside from the two paintings, there was a small box by her feet containing an unpolished gemstone. It was rare and unique—flashing green fire by day and glowing red by night. It was the alexandrite she had mentioned in passing once.

Sienna was genuinely stunned. "These are all for me?"

Chloe had mentioned someone was overbidding by ten times the price. She had wondered who that obscenely wealthy person was; now it made perfect sense. It was classic Sebastian Thorne:

The "Wealthy and Dangerous" style.

Sebastian still didn't speak. He just looked at her, letting out a low, mocking snort.

He looked almost judgmental.

Sienna didn't care about his look. She very naturally claimed the paintings and the gem, her lips curling into a smug, triumphant grin. She looked like a little peacock showing off its feathers.

"I liked them, so they're mine." After two years with him, Sienna had mastered his "might makes right" logic perfectly.

She tried to play it cool, but masterpieces and gems were her two greatest weaknesses. "I love you so much!" she cried, rolling across the bed while hugging the paintings and the stone. She made a little finger-heart at him. "See this, Sebastian? My whole heart belongs to you."

Sebastian let out a cold, dry laugh. "I’m pretty sure that heart belongs to my bank account."

"It belongs to your bank account," Sienna corrected him righteously.

She sat there for a while, admiring her loot before carefully placing them back in their boxes. Her happiness was simple, almost boring, but it was enough to make her forget her doubts for a moment.

While she was distracted, the first-aid kit had been packed away.

Sebastian kicked the kit aside and stood a few paces away, lighting a cigarette. The flame illuminated his dark eyes—bright, cold, and devastatingly attractive.

As the blue smoke drifted, the air grew heavy with intent.

He watched her through the haze. His gaze felt physical, heavy with a silent pressure.

It was a look of pure, unadulterated scrutiny.

After a few seconds of silence, Sienna felt her pulse quickening. "What are you looking at?" She pulled the gift boxes closer to her, acting like a protective squirrel with its nuts. "You're not planning on taking them back, are you?"

"Are you still tired?" Sebastian asked suddenly.

"I was, but I'm wide awake now." Sienna shook her head, confused. "Why?"

Sebastian’s gaze darkened. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and crushed out the half-finished smoke. He looked at her, his lips curling into an unreadable smile. "Then stay in bed with me for a while longer."

Sienna let out a tiny, confused "Huh?"

She couldn't keep up with his sudden shifts.

Sebastian grabbed her by the leg again and flipped her back onto the mattress. Before she could react, his shadow fell over her, and she felt the bed frame groan as he moved.

He caught her jaw, looming over her.

Sienna’s head was full of questions.

"We can wake up later," Sebastian whispered against her ear, his voice a deep, vibrating rumble.

He didn't give her a chance to refuse. The silk tie of her robe came undone, and the morning chill was ignited by a sudden, fierce heat. Peaches crushed to a pulp, staining the ground red... as the jade mountain crumbled, he occupied her entire world.

Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly on the post-rain landscape.

Cherries on fire, blooming like snow.

Sienna was woken by a phone call.

She had slept deeply. It was already past lunch when the housekeeper knocked cautiously. Her appetite was poor, and her ankle was still tender, so she only managed a few bites of the shrimp and bird's nest soup. A bath had been prepared for her. She sank into the warm water and fell asleep again.

When she woke, the water had turned cool.

The bathtub’s temperature control was set low, and a half-finished glass of red wine sat on a tray floating on the surface.

"When are you coming back to the capital, Sienna?" The person on the phone sounded like they were in a fantastic mood. "Since the holidays started, you’ve vanished! Without you here, these people just want me to do flower arrangements, fashion shows, and tea parties. I’m bored to death. Let’s get together—I’ve actually been getting into gemstone auctions lately and I need your expert eye."

It was her university roommate from abroad, another girl from the city’s elite circles.

"In a couple of days," Sienna said, pulling herself tiredly out of the tub. "I still have a few things to handle." She rubbed the back of her neck and pulled on a loose robe, heading toward the walk-in closet. "But did you suddenly hit the lottery? Why play a game where you lose nine times out of ten?"

"You nailed it, babe! I woke up and my family’s stock has surged again." The roommate couldn't hide her excitement, her words coming out in a fast, giddy rush. "Haven't you seen the news? The scandal at Hengrong Electronics has gone nuclear. My family's competitors are officially in the gutter—I’m thinking of setting off fireworks just to show my 'respect.'"