Chapter Two

Aspen's POV

I didn't know what to say. Staring back into his hazel eyes, flashes of memories from what happened last night flooded into my head. I remembered bumping into a hazel eyed stranger, telling him he was hot.

My eyes shot down to my body and I was dressed in a fresh set of clothes. I immediately covered my body with my hands, glaring up at him and he seemed to understand what I was doing but he just tutted.

“I asked my attendants to change you after you threw up on my clothes and yours. I didn't see a thing. It isn't like there's anything to see in the first place.” His words were blunt, but the way he sat back, watching me held a different feeling. His hazel eyes lingered for a second too long before pulling his gaze away.

Hearing that, I was not in but embarrassed. This was the first time I'm throwing up the same night after drinking. It was always in the morning after my hangover which I found weird at first but also a blessing since I don't have to pay for laundry for anyone.

I crossed my arms over my chest, rubbing by arms gently. I wasn’t sure if I was shielding myself from his intense gaze or just hiding. “I am so sorry.” I laughed nervously, shifting my weight from one foot to another, avoiding his gaze. “And thank you for bringing me over. I think I was a little bit drunk.”

He stayed silent, placing his cigarette back between his lips, his dark eyes locked on mine through the haze of smoke. There was a dark aura surrounding him and I felt it choking me but it wasn't something I couldn't bear. I didn't know who he was but I could tell he was at least some influential individual from this madly luxurious room we were in.

“I should get going–” I paused as he finally glanced away from me briefly before looking back back at me with a raised brow. “What? I've thanked you already for taking care of me, I have to go job hunt this morning–”

His brow lifted as I spoke, cutting me off with his sharp gaze but a smirk dancing at a corner of his lips. I couldn't tell if it was a mocking one smirk or something else. “Do you know what the time is? I don't think anyone would employ you at this rate.”

“Excuse me!”

“Aspen Smiths,” my name smoothly and almost sexily flowed out of his mouth, sending shivers down my spine. How on earth did he know my name? “26, your father is currently in jail for various crimes and you are in charge of your mother's property. A certified lawyer but quit working for low paying jobs–”

“Who on earth are you? Are you stalking me? Don't tell me you're actually a stalker.” I shrieked, eyeing him from head to toe. He didn't look like a stalker, in fact , why would someone like him want to stalk me in the first place?

He didn't say a word and just tossed his cigarette in the ashtray before gulping down the entire content in the glass. Didn't it burn his throat? The first time I tried whiskey, I almost died from the burning of my throat.

“Do you really think I'll let you go after what happened last night?” He raised a brow, making me do the same in return. What happened last night? Don't tell me he took advantage of me in my drunken state. “Why don't you pay me back for not leaving you in the streets last night.”

“P-pay you back?” I raised a brow, pursing my lips. “I already said thank you, isn't that enough?” I tilted my head to the side in question. What else did he want? He was clearly rich enough to afford laundry so it wouldn't be laundry.

“Do you think a simple thank you is enough for someone like me?” He cocked his brow up again, standing up this time to head towards where I was. One thing that made my knees weak despite the fact he spoke rude was the intensity of his gaze on me. His gaze didn't once flicker away from me like he was a predator and I was hus prey.

As he closed the distance between us, I could feel an unexplainable pressure. When his fingers brushed against my chin to lift my face to meet his eyes, I froze. “I've been looking for you, Aspen,” he murmured, more to himself, his tone soft yet commanding.

“And who are you?” I asked, tilting my head to the side and he finally paused his action, looking at me in disbelief. Or at least that's what his eyes were showing. Did he expect me to know who he was or what? I could tell from his aura that he was involved in something shady, and even if he isn't involved, I wouldn't want to be involved with someone like him no matter what.

“So what you're telling me is, you don't know who I am?” He asked, his tone even more shocked.

“Am I supposed to know who you are? I mean, what good does knowing who you are do to me?” I asked him seriously.

Before he could reply to me, a knock came from the door, prompting me to turn my head in the direction of the door. “Speak.” He said calmly and the door was pushed open.

A guy dressed in black suit walked in, bowing to him when he got to sight. “Don, everything you requested has been prepared.” The man said, stunning me. This made me shoot my gaze back to he who was just called “Don”. There was no way another Don would be this comfortable in another person's territory so that could only mean one thing.

“I'm Giovanni Hugo Black,” he flashed me a smile with his aura flaring. I felt like I could see the dark foggy cloud his foul aura produced. Was it meant to scare me? Because I barely was. But one thing was, I was stunned that he was the “Giovanni Hugo Black”.

Oh my goodness, who knew how much the clothes I puked on last night cost? It could cost more than my entire being, so what would I do if he changes his mind, asking me to get him a new one? I had unconsciously walked into the den of the vicious lion and I had woken him up.

And I never even expected him to be as hot and handsome as this. Like, we've heard lots of rumors about him being so handsome and all but this was just as tempting as anything I could think of. He was too handsome for the title of the devil. Or maybe that's why he was even given the title in the first place.

“No need to act all tense, Aspen. Now you know paying me back won't be as simple as thank you.” He said, pushing himself up from the sofa, heading towards the walk-in closet.

My gaze shifted back to.the guy who was standing there unbothered. I've seen a whiff of him a few times and he was always around Giovanni's underboss. Probably an assistant.

“So what do you want from me if you don't want a thank you? I'm sure nothing I have would be of any value so just give it up now.” I shrugged, my gaze flickering back to Giovanni who was throwing a white shirt on.

He didn't say a word and the whole atmosphere felt even more tense. I knew no matter what I won't get away with this one easily. Walking out of the closet while wearing black leather gloves, he turned his attention to me. “Of course you have something of great value to me, Aspen Smiths.”

I didn't like the sound of the tone. It sounded like something I wouldn't have any choice in deciding if I wanted to give it or not. “It's not like I asked you to help me last night. I mean, you could have just left me there.” I snorted, folding my arms across my chest.

“What if I told you I've been searching for you, Aspen?” He tilted his head to the side as he walked towards me, his strides slow but authoritative. I could feel my feet glued to that one spot, I couldn't bring myself to move my body for some reason.

He finally paused before me, leaning down so our face was just a few inches away before his fingers lifted my chin. “You will go back to search for your lawyer self where you dumped it, because you will be a very valuable asset to me.”

“And what makes you think I would do as you said?” I retorted. I might not be able to move but I am well and able to speak up.

“Because I have every evidence you need regarding your last case and more.” his lips curl up in a wicked smirk. “It'll be enough to give them a huge blow and for you to be free.”