Chapter 4 – So You’re Still a Virgin
1401 Words
Zayden pulled Ariel’s hand in one swift motion, bringing her back into the room. The balcony door shut tightly with a gentle push.
Ariel said nothing. There was no resistance in her eyes, only a strange look that couldn’t be explained. When Zayden gently pushed her onto the bed, she simply stared at him in silence, as if both challenging him and surrendering everything at once.
Zayden leaned down, kissing her neck slowly. The sweet scent of Ariel’s skin pierced his senses. But at that very moment, he felt something foreign—a warmth that fell onto his cheek. A tear.
Ariel quickly wiped her face, turned her body away, pretending to cough.
“You regret tempting me.” Zayden’s voice was hoarse but sharp. He restrained himself, pulling his body away. “You’re crying, aren’t you?”
“I don’t regret it,” Ariel denied quickly.
Zayden stood, looking down at her. “You think I can’t tell the difference between sweat and tears?”
Ariel didn’t respond. She simply shifted her gaze to the ceiling.
Zayden took a deep breath. “You’re not proving anything to yourself.”
But before Zayden could leave, Ariel pulled one of his hands, sending his body tumbling onto the bed.
Ariel was now on top of him, her hands tracing the man’s broad chest. “Who said I regret it?” Ariel whispered, then kissed Zayden’s lips softly but with a demanding force that pushed Zayden past his limit.
---
At 7 a.m., sunlight filtered through the window blinds. Ariel opened her eyes, her body still wrapped in thick blankets.
Zayden stood in front of the mirror, dressed neatly in a black suit with his tie nearly done. He looked calm as always, as if the night before had never happened.
“You’re still a virgin,” he said without turning.
Ariel stiffened. “Why?”
Zayden finished his tie and finally turned to her. “Why would you seduce a man who’s not even your boyfriend?”
Ariel sighed. “I... was lonely, Uncle. Gavin never knew how to treat a woman. I was always the one who understood him. But who ever understood me?”
Zayden simply looked at her. There was no expression in his gaze, only that unyielding sharpness.
“I’m an adult,” Ariel continued, her voice trembling. “I wanted to know what it felt like to be spoiled. To be touched, to feel what it’s like to have s*x. And I heard—” Ariel let out a small, bitter laugh, “the gossip about you. About your incapability. I was curious. So yeah—”
Zayden approached. “So you made me your experiment?”
Ariel nodded slowly. “Turns out I was wrong. Uncle was amazing! I couldn’t even get up. It hurt so much. Next time, go slow, okay, Uncle?”
“There won’t be a next time. Forget last night ever happened.”
Ariel looked at him, shocked. “Why, Uncle?”
“I won’t be the third person in the relationship between you and my nephew.”
“But I’m no longer—”
“Not my concern,” Zayden cut her off quickly. He grabbed his jacket from the hanger. “I’m your boss, Ariel. And from now on, we’re strictly professional.”
Zayden walked out of the room without another glance.
Ariel bit her lip, then smirked mischievously. “Forgive me, Uncle. Looks like I’m going to use you as an outlet for the pain your nephew caused me.”
---
At ten in the morning, the sky was overcast, reflecting Ariel’s unsettled heart. After showering and putting on a pastel-colored casual dress, she carried a box of home-cooked food.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have left Gavin just like that. Otherwise, my life will be made difficult by Gavin and Aunt Ghina,” Ariel muttered to herself while staring at the road through the car window.
The car stopped in front of the Gionino family residence. She took a deep breath before stepping out. The house staff already knew her, so they didn’t ask much. She headed straight upstairs to Gavin’s room.
Her steps stopped right in front of the slightly ajar door. She heard soft moans from inside. Curiosity guided her fingers to push the door slightly open—and in the next second, her eyes widened.
Inside the room, Gavin was sitting at the edge of the bed, and a woman—whom Ariel immediately recognized as Iora, Gavin’s ex—was leaning in, appearing to kiss Gavin on the lips.
Ariel swallowed hard. She wasn’t angry. She didn’t cry. She simply smiled. A smile that was hollow, yet deeply painful.
She cleared her throat softly. “Well, looks like I came at the wrong time.”
Iora immediately pulled away but grinned smugly. Gavin froze, his face turning pale.
Ariel lifted the food box in her hands. “I was just dropping off your favorite meal. Hmm, well then, I’ll go.”
“Ariel! Wait!” Gavin jumped off the bed, slightly unsteady, chasing after Ariel who had turned to leave.
“Ariel, it’s not what it looked like!” Gavin grabbed her arm.
“Oh really? So I saw it wrong?” Ariel turned, her smile wide but her eyes not laughing.
“I swear. That just now—” Gavin looked awkward, scratching the back of his head. “I just got a little cut on my lip from punching myself last night. Iora was just blowing on it.”
Ariel stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded slowly. “Ooh... okay. So it wasn’t a kiss, just a healing blow?”
“Yes, sweetheart!” Gavin nodded quickly, relieved that Ariel seemed to believe him. “You believe me, right?”
Ariel only smiled and shrugged.
Then, without warning, Gavin pulled her into a tight hug. His embrace was warm. “Sweetheart, last night you were just kidding, right? You’re not really going to leave me, right?”
Ariel remained silent. Her arms hung at her sides. She didn’t return the hug, only stood frozen. Her chest tightened—not because of Gavin’s hug, but because she realized she was trying to hold on.
“But... Iora is back.”
“Ariel, she’s just the past,” Gavin whispered, tightening the hug.
Ariel took a deep breath. “Alright. I’m sorry I made you sad last night.”
Gavin hugged her even tighter, making Iora burn with jealousy.
He slowly let go of her, his gaze tracing Ariel’s face—then suddenly widened when his eyes landed on the side of her neck.
A red mark. Clearly visible.
Gavin’s breathing quickened, his chest heaving. “What is this?” his voice turned cold.
Ariel instinctively lowered her head, her hand moving to cover her neck. “It’s nothing.”
“Nothing, huh?” Gavin grabbed her shoulders roughly, pushing her against the wall. His hand gripped her neck tightly. “Who did this? Who touched you?!”
Ariel gasped, her breath choked. “G-Gavin... let... me... go...”
“Answer me, Ariel! Who did you have s*x with, huh? Do you have another man besides me? Is that why you suddenly wanted to break up last night?!”
“Gavin, I—” her voice cut off from the pressure on her throat.
“Oh my God, Gavin!” Iora, who had been watching with a sour face, suddenly rushed over to pull his hand. “Are you insane?! You could kill her!”
Gavin snapped out of it, releasing his grip. Ariel collapsed, coughing hard while clutching her neck.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry, what happened to your neck...?” Gavin crouched down in front of her, his voice now much softer.
Ariel brushed his hand away, her eyes glistening. “You don’t even trust me. You hurt me just because of a mark on my neck. When it’s just a mosquito bite.”
“I... I’m sorry, Ariel. I lost my temper. I was scared of losing you. Please don’t be mad...” Gavin pulled her into his arms again.
Ariel didn’t respond, just stayed silent.
Iora stood at the doorway, her face dark with rage. “Just watch, Ariel. I won’t stay quiet. Gavin is mine, and I will take him back—no matter what it takes.”
- Writer
