Once Upon A Sinful Night

Pleasure 02

Ma'am Cassandra? Why was he speaking as if he's lower than me when he's supposed to be my boss? Is it because I'm my father'a daughter?

I decided to ignore it. I shook my head slightly, trying to push the thought away. I lowered my head and untied my hair, shaking it loose so it fell over my shoulders.

When I raised my gaze, I noticed that his attention was fixed on my hair. His eyes slowly moved to mine and stayed there for a moment before drifting down to my lips.

“Does red lipstick suit me?” I asked with a friendly smile, lightly tapping my lips to draw his attention.

I frowned in confusion when he suddenly glared at me. He shook his head, turned his back, and stepped out onto the balcony. I followed him while pouting. He sat down on the lounging chair where I had been sitting earlier and took out his phone.

I followed him outside with my arms crossed and my lips still pouting. I sat across from him, wondering if I had done or said something that offended him. Honestly, I felt like I should be the one offended because he kept ignoring my presence.

“I made some black tea. Do you want some? Dad said it tastes good.” I reached for the glass pitcher and poured tea into his cup.

I paused and looked at the cup before glancing back at him.

“Uh… is it okay with you if we share saliva?”

I flinched and my eyes widened when he suddenly slammed his fist on the table. The items on top nearly fell over.

He pressed his fingers to his temple while glaring at me. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

I looked left and right before slowly sitting back down, fixing my posture while silently asking him what his problem was. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and grabbed the teacup before bringing it to his lips.

“Why? I’m just asking because that’s the same teacup I used. If you don’t want to share saliva, I can get you another one from the kitchen. No need to be angry, geez.”

I became uneasy again when he suddenly stopped drinking the tea. He slowly lowered the cup and ran his tongue over his lower lip.

Maybe the only reason I wasn’t completely irritated with him yet was because of how handsome he was.

“It’s good.”

My eyebrows lifted in surprise. I couldn’t believe he had just complimented me. I tried to hide my smile but failed.

“Because I like learning new things, Mr. Villanue—” I stopped and pouted when I realized I didn’t like how his name sounded when I said it. “Can I just call you Adrien? Actually, I’ll call you Adrien. I hate formalities.”

He didn’t answer. He simply stayed silent while looking at me.

“Call me Cassandra in return. And don’t call me Ma’am like earlier.”

“How’s life in America?” he asked suddenly.

I leaned back in my chair and laughed lightly while glancing around. I played with a few strands of my hair as I tried to think of a believable lie to tell him.

“I-it’s great. It’s very nice there. Everything is bigger and colder. It’s very different from here.” I clapped my hands lightly and stood up. “Uh, excuse me. I’ll just use the bathroom.”

I quickly left the balcony. Since Dad had given me a short tour earlier, I already knew where the bathroom was. I closed the door and went straight to the sink, turning on the faucet and letting the cold water run over my hands.

I closed my eyes and lightly bounced in place from stress. I felt like I might faint.

I didn’t realize how hard it would be to lie to everyone. I had only just started, and it already felt awkward. Adrien looked smart. I was sure he was, otherwise Dad wouldn’t trust him with the resort. He barely showed any emotion and was very quiet.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and smirked. The red lipstick actually looked good on me. It was my first time wearing this color, and it wasn’t as bad as I had expected. It made me look more mature.

I wiped the lipstick off using the back of my hand and washed my hands afterward. I fixed my appearance and smoothed the wrinkles on my clothes before leaving the bathroom.

When I returned to the balcony, Adrien was still there. He was sitting quietly, staring at his empty cup of tea. His jaw was moving slightly and his eyes looked sharp, as if he was thinking deeply about something.

“Adrien?” I called.

He immediately looked at me. My heart skipped a beat when his piercing gaze met mine. Why did he look so angry?

“Hey, do you think we can use the kitchen? Can you come with me? I haven’t eaten yet because Dad and I arrived very early. My stomach is starting to hurt from hunger,” I said hopefully as I approached him and sat down across from him again.

He glanced at the phone in his hand, checked the time, and showed it to me.

“I still have things to take care of. Work. I’ll try to ask someone to escort you.”

He stood up while fixing his clothes and rolling up the sleeves of his shirt until they reached his elbows.

He was tall. The sunlight hit him directly, making his tan skin glow slightly under the morning light. The wind even started to move his hair.

“Why can’t it be you? Dad told you to take care of me. I’ll tell him and you might lose your job,” I teased, though there was a hint of complaint in my voice. I looked away and crossed my arms while staring at the ocean.

I tried to sense his reaction. It was easy to guess what expression he had.

“Have breakfast with me first, then we can go together to whatever work you need to do. After all, I’m your assistant, right?”

He let out a deep breath while looking up at the sky. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.

“It’s important, Miss Cassandra,” he said firmly.

“Why are you being so mean to me?” I complained as I stood up and blocked his path. “Why do you act like you’re angry at me? I didn’t do anything to you.”

He sighed again. One hand rested on his waist while the other fixed his hair that had been messed up by the wind. I was surprised when he suddenly smiled, though it looked sarcastic and forced.

“The kitchen still lacks ingredients and supplies for cooking, so you won’t be able to use it. Do you even know how to cook?”

I grimaced, disliking the tone of his question. “I can cook. I know many dishes. Is there another kitchen I can use? I like making my own food.” I placed my hands on my hips and stepped closer to him. “You’re offending me, Adrien. You’ve been doing it since earlier.”

Because I was standing so close, his breath brushed near my face. I caught a faint scent from it.

I was startled when I suddenly felt his hand on my waist. I looked down and saw his hand slowly moving behind me.

A strange sensation ran through my body when his hand touched my side, even through the thick fabric of my clothes. I let out a shaky breath, feeling uncomfortable in his hold. I gasped softly when he suddenly pulled me closer.

His eyes lowered to my lips. Without realizing it, I looked at him too. I couldn’t help admiring his face again. Almost every part of it looked perfect. He looked gentle and kind at first glance.

His expression was just the problem.

“I like that color on you better,” he said quietly.

“H-huh?” I looked confused.

Then I realized his attention was still on my lips.

“Um… I’m not wearing any lipstick. These are my natural lips,” I said, my cheeks warming because it sounded like he was complimenting me.

“Really?” He looked slightly surprised. “It suits you better.”

“Kissable?” I teased with a playful smile, lightly moistening my lips.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His eyes seemed amused as he watched the movement of my lips. A moment later, he looked into my eyes again before gently pushing me aside so he could pass.

“Are you staying here?” he asked as he started walking away.

I was stunned. I shouldn’t have expected him to suddenly become nice that easily.

I followed him, silently giving him an annoyed glare from behind.

“Nope. I just wanted to see the beach house. I’ll be staying in my hotel room—if it’s still unoccupied.”

“Your hotel room?”

“Mm-hm.”

He looked down and slipped his hands into his pockets before letting out a heavy sigh.

“Then eat at the hotel.”

He left the room and walked down the stairs. I followed him while glaring at his back and quietly mocking what he had said earlier.

We stepped outside the beach house. I jumped down the porch steps even though I was wearing heels and almost tripped on the sand.

A strong breeze hit my face as soon as I steadied myself. My attention shifted to the powerful waves of the ocean in the distance.

If I were the girl I was six years ago, I would have run straight toward the sea and jumped into the water.

But I wasn’t excited anymore. This place only reminded me of the struggles I had faced alone, with only my daughter, Catherina, by my side.

If she were here now, she would probably be jumping with excitement.

Next Sunday, I would bring her with me.

“Miss Cassandra.”

I turned and saw Adrien leaning against the railing of the porch staircase. His hands were in his pockets as if he had been waiting for me.

I walked toward him and casually held onto his arm.

He shook his arm slightly, signaling for me to let go, but I refused and shook my head. He pulled his arm away from me more firmly this time.

It was obvious he had already had enough.

Was I really that annoying?

“Adrien, I really want to cook. Please?” I pleaded, giving him my best puppy eyes and a small pout.

His gaze briefly fell on my pouting lips before he looked away.

“Do whatever you want. You don’t need my permission,” he said, emphasizing his words as if he was eager to leave.

“But Dad told you to take care of me,” I argued.

“How old are you? You can take care of yourself.”

“But—”

“I still have things to do at the hotel, Miss Cassandra. Do you understand that? I’ll go ahead.”

He left me standing there and walked away without waiting for my response.

My heart started beating rapidly inside my chest. It felt like it might burst. I looked back at the ocean again, feeling suffocated by fear. I held my arm and rubbed my palm against my skin.

My eyes started to water and my chest felt heavy.

Just as I was about to cry, an arm suddenly wrapped around my waist and pulled me along.

“I take it back,” he said calmly. “You really haven’t changed, Ma’am Cassandra.”

I looked up at him while he walked beside me, guiding me forward. His eyes were focused straight ahead, and as always, his face showed no emotion.

A small smile slowly returned to my lips, though I stayed quiet and simply let him lead the way.

It was strange. I couldn’t remember him as a bellboy. I couldn’t even imagine him working as one. He had the face of someone who looked like he came from wealth.

The resort had changed so much that I could barely recognize it anymore. It had become larger and more modern.

I wasn’t very good with directions.

Luckily, Adrien seemed to know exactly where he was going.