Temptation
1286 Words
There are truly things in life that, no matter how much we want them, will never be ours, especially when they’ve long been meant for someone else.
Zoe once dreamed of staying at Villa Kerrigan longer. But now that Ciel had confirmed her suspicions, that he was soon to marry, her own heart felt like it was choking her.
But who could she blame? She only fell in love… unfortunately, with someone she never should have loved.
“Miss Zoe, would you like to come with us later?” Esmeralda asked while watering the garden near the fountain. It was Sunday—her day off.
“Where to?”
“The resort. Let’s go night swimming.” Esmeralda grinned.
“Sure. I don’t have plans anyway. What time?”
“Before lunch. We’ll handle the food. It’s free entry, so nothing to worry about.”
“Who’s coming?”
“You, me, Alfred and his wife, Ricky, Wenna… and I heard Sir Jonas will join us.”
“Jonas? Ciel’s therapist?”
Esmeralda nodded. “Yes! He’s friendly—and handsome!”
Zoe chuckled. “He’s just keeping himself from getting bored here.”
Jonas was staying at the resort for the duration of Ciel’s therapy. How long would she stay, though? Ciel’s recovery was quick. Sooner or later, she’d have to leave.
“I heard even the staff there have a crush on him,” Esmeralda teased.
“Well, then he won’t get bored,” Zoe joked and both laughed, until a familiar voice interrupted them.
“Working hours, and you’re gossiping?” Serena’s sharp tone made Zoe roll her eyes.
“I’d better go.” Zoe quietly excused herself.
“Don’t forget later, Miss Zoe,” Esmeralda whispered.
Zoe only nodded and walked off, not wanting Esmeralda dragged into another confrontation.
At the entrance stood Serena, arms crossed, wearing white shorts and a red top that flaunted her figure. If beauty were the only measure, Ciel had truly won the prize. But was he aware of how unpleasant his fiancée could be?
“Excuse me,” Zoe said casually, but Serena didn’t move.
When Zoe met her gaze, Serena’s brow arched—a challenge.
“If I were you, I’d ask Ciel for a long break,” Serena said coldly. “You’re bored, but that doesn’t mean you can gossip during work hours.”
“I wasn’t gossiping.”
“Then why were you laughing?”
“Since when is laughter forbidden during work?” Sarcasm slipped out before she could stop it.
Serena’s face flared. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that! You’re just my fiancé’s nurse—”
“Serena!”
Zoe froze. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or irritated that Ciel had appeared, saving her, but cutting her off.
Serena spun toward him, furious. “What? Are you defending her again?”
Ciel didn’t answer her. His emotionless eyes found Zoe, and her heart stuttered wildly. Why did he still have this effect on her? She averted her gaze.
“Where are you going?” Ciel asked softly.
“To my room,” she replied, keeping her voice cool.
He stepped beside Serena. Together, they looked perfect…painfully perfect. Zoe hid the bitterness in her smile. Serena was right. She didn’t belong here.
Ciel lightly pulled Serena closer by the arm, clearing Zoe’s path. Zoe lowered her head and passed them without a word.
Inside her room, she sat on the bed and covered her face.
“I shouldn’t feel this way! I shouldn’t be jealous!” she whispered angrily. “They’re bound to marry each other! I can’t be the villain in their story!”
x-x-x-x-x
The following afternoon at the resort, Zoe let the sunlight and cool water soothe her thoughts.
“Wanna swim?” Jonas asked, grinning, wearing only summer shorts.
“Later. I just want to relax a bit.”
He sat beside her. “Trying to get a tan?”
“Not really. I just missed the sun.”
“Have you been working for Ciel Kerrigan long?”
“Almost a month. But I’ll probably leave soon.”
“That’s a shame. But you’ll easily get hired in New York…with your looks, you could be a model.”
Zoe laughed. “You’re flattering me.”
“It’s true. I even thought you were Ciel’s girlfriend at first.”
Her chest tightened, but she forced a smile. “He already has a fiancée.”
“That’s good. They look perfect together,” Jonas said lightly.
Yes, she knew that too well.
When Jonas offered to get food, she agreed. As he walked off, Zoe admired the resort…its pools, gardens, and the elegant hotel beyond.
Jonas returned with their lunch. They had just started eating when her gaze froze. Ciel was walking toward them, his face dark despite the sunlight.
Jonas reached out to wipe something from the corner of her lip. “There,” he said.
Ciel’s stare hardened.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked Jonas coldly.
“Yes,” Jonas answered easily, unaware of the tension.
Zoe coughed, drawing Ciel’s eyes to her. His gaze lingered too long on her chest, making her flush.
“E-enjoy your meal,” she stammered.
Ciel said nothing.
Moments later, Esmeralda called out, “Sir Jonas! Let’s swim!”…but fell silent upon seeing Ciel.
Their boss ignored everyone else, eyes locked on Zoe as if afraid to blink.
Jonas joined the others in the pool, leaving Zoe alone under Ciel’s watchful presence.
“Sit down,” she muttered, uneasy.
“How long will you stay here?” he asked, still staring.
“Esmeralda said until midnight. Is that okay?”
“Do you want to stay until midnight?” His tone was soft but heavy with meaning.
She hesitated, then nodded.
Ciel sighed. “Then I’ll stay too.”
“What?” she blurted.
He sat where Jonas had been, relaxed yet commanding. “Don’t you like my company?”
“I didn’t say that,” she said nervously.
“That man,” he glanced toward Jonas, “is flirting with you.”
“He’s just being friendly, Ciel.”
“Friends don’t touch each other’s lips,” he snapped. “Why did you let him?”
“He just wiped something off—”
“I’ll find a new therapist.”
“What? He’s helping you!” she argued, exasperated. “You’re being irrational!”
When he didn’t respond, she stood abruptly.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“To swim!”
She stripped down to her black bikini, the sunlight glinting off her skin. Ciel’s jaw clenched, eyes darkening.
“No. You’re not going in wearing that,” he said lowly.
Zoe ignored him and marched toward the pool.
“Boss Ciel’s glaring at you,” Esmeralda whispered.
“Let him,” Zoe muttered, diving in.
Jonas soon challenged her to a race. She agreed, laughing for the first time in days. But mid-swim, something pulled her leg downward. Panic surged until she saw Ciel underwater, gripping her.
She struggled, but he only drew her closer, his arm around her waist. When she signaled that she needed air, he pulled her up—his lips brushing hers in a brief, shocking contact that stole what little breath she had left.
Back at the surface, gasping, she found herself still in his arms, their faces inches apart.
“You don’t know what it does to me, seeing you like this,” Ciel murmured.
His hand slid protectively to her waist, lingering against her skin, heat radiating even through the cool water.
“C-Ciel…” she breathed, trembling between fear and longing.
- Writer
