Chapter Three: Dangerous Attraction

Coreen awoke with a gasp and started panting. She clutched her chest because her heart was beating so fast for her own good. Her forehead was sweating, even when it was cold. But what she noticed and was really ashamed of was what she felt down there.

She glanced at the iron wall in front of her and thanked God above again that it was not as glassy as the whole mansion because she might have died in disgrace. She acted like a damn cat in heat! And what's worse is that she only knew the man for a day, and she already dreamed about him like that!

The sight of his sinful body popped inside her head again, and Coreen shook her to forget it. Coreen is not innocent of such things, sure. She had a boyfriend before, and although she didn't give up her virginity, she had experiences in that world. She knows that what she feels is lust. She wanted to blame Royce, but it wasn't his fault that she dreamed of him that way. And dang, if the arrogant man knows about it! He'll have a field day!

Her alarm clock started ringing, so she turned it off and went to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and did her morning routine. Then she went down to cook for Royce before he went to work. And that was one of the things Liza forgot to mention. She had no idea what his work was. Maybe he's a model; that's why he has an ego the size of his house.

Coreen just shrugged and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't see Royce coming down from his room. She was sure her cheeks would turn red when she saw him, and the devil would smell something. When she's in the kitchen, she prepares spicy bacon, ham, and eggs. She also prepared a glass of orange juice she saw in the cupboard. According to the note, Royce isn't a fan of drinking coffee or anything hot.

"Had a good night's sleep?"

She was in the middle of washing the pan she used when he talked, and that's why it made her jump a little. "Mother of Mary!" she exclaimed in surprise.

Coreen looked back at Royce, who was now wearing a suit with two buttons open so she could see his sinful chest. And of course, the man is wearing leather gloves. Wow, Liza is not kidding. He seems to hate skin contact, for he has to wear gloves every time.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted him and answered his question. "Oh yes, I've slept well."

She felt her cheeks heating in remembrance of the dream, but she immediately wiped it off.

"Good. 'Cause it might be your last."

And forget what she did; it was replaced by annoyance as quick as lightning. She did not answer and placed his breakfast through the small hole in the wall, which was enough for her to place his food. What would she pay to smash the plate in his face to wipe off that smug look he has?

"What? Have you run out of courage right away?" he scoffed in answer as he sat across from the table and began to eat. "What a shame. Hm, at least you know how to cook."

She smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, they are still here." She rolled her eyes when she turned her back on him and returned to washing the dishes.

She heard him snort before he continued eating. While cleaning the counter, she simply observes Royce and studies his every move discreetly. How he handles his spoon and fork, how he slices the bacon before mixing it in the rice, and how he opens his mouth Even the way he chews and swallows is sexy. Coreen found herself saying.

When he's about to lift his head, she immediately looks away and focuses her attention on cleaning the area.

"You literally know things about me, but all I know is your name. Why don't you introduce yourself?" she heard Royce say, which made her stop in mild surprise.

He taunted and insulted her yesterday, and now he wants to know her. Is he perhaps bipolar? Or he's simply collecting more information to insult her some more?

"There's nothing interesting to know about me. I'm twenty-five, I have a younger sister, and I have no parents. I was a secretary before I came here," she answered honestly.

"Hm, how did you get fired?"

She could only remember the reason for her unfair removal, and that made her blood boil. "I was accused of being a mistress."

She heard him laugh out loud, which irked her so much.

"With that sultry look, I am not surprised."

She couldn't believe what she heard from and whipped to face him. "Excuse me?"

He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up. "What? I was just being honest." He said and just shrugged as if he didn't insult her.

"You really are an asshole," she said in pure disbelief.

"That is my middle name, baby," he said while smirking before laughing and climbing the stairs.

The desire to strangle the man is overwhelming, Coreen. So that's why none of his maids last? Because Royce Sullivan is an asshole, jerk, insensitive, and sexist. God, she could go on forever, and she only met him! She can't believe that man! Is this his way to be alone? Or is he just terrible? Coreen was stunned at the thought. Or maybe he's gay, and that is why he's driving women away?

Coreen felt disappointed with her ideas. Despite his ugly personality, the man is still very handsome. It actually makes sense now. She snorted at the thought. Royce can't fire her anyway because his aunt hired him, so why not fight back?

"Something funny?"

At that moment, she was no longer surprised by his appearance. She just smiled at him, surprising him. Maybe he thought she was going to pack. Then he's wrong. Oh, so wrong.

"Something just came to mind," she answered as she wiped her hands with a clean rug.

She noticed that he was carrying a jacket hanging over his shoulder, making him look like a bad boy.

Royce just hummed in disinterest. "Care to share?"

"I just thought you disliked us because..." she trailed off and stared directly at his piercing gaze. "It is men that you want."

She expected him to laugh and deny her accusations, but his next move surprised her. The man stayed silent and left without a word, but not before looking at her with an unidentified look in his eyes. What was that?

Coreen kept staring at the closed door even after he left. Why did she suddenly feel nervous? She felt all her hair stand the way he looked at her before he left. His eyes held a promise of something. But what? Did she overdo it?

Who cares? He asked for it. Coreen said to herself, and she just finished her chores.

"Hello, Aunt Isabel? How's Rica?" Coreen asked her aunt as she finished all her work and thought about calling to make sure her sister was okay.

"She is fine. She draws most of the time and sleeps after eating," Aunt Isabel replied softly.

She was grateful that her aunt was kind, even though her husband is a scum. How did she even love that horrible man? A drunkard, asshole, and war freak Just like his eldest daughter too. They do not deserve her Aunt Isabel.

"Is she awake? Please let me speak to her."

"All right. Just a moment." She heard her calling her sister until she heard the younger sister's cheery voice.

"Hello, Sister?" Coreen smiled.

"Hi, little sister, I heard you were drawing and coloring, huh? When I come home, show them to me, okay?"

Coreen closed her eyes several times as she felt her eyes tear. She felt so sorry for her sister because, at the age of ten, she had stopped schooling. She often saw sadness in her sister's eyes whenever she saw other children attending school.

"Yes, sister."

"I'm sorry, huh? I'm sorry if I don't come home every night. Promise when I get home I'll buy you some toys or food. What do you want?" she insisted on acting happy even if she felt sadder than ever.

"Really, big sis?" she said, hearing the delight in her voice. "I would like a donut, Sis."

"Psh! Is that all? If you want, I can even buy you two boxes!" she said happily to her sister.

She heard her laugh and smiled again.

"Well, when can I go back to school?"

At her sister's question, she was stunned and could not hold back her tears. She covered her mouth and tried to stop the tears, but it just wouldn't listen. She pretended to cough and cleared her throat.

"You can't go to school right now, Rica. It will tire you out, sweetie. But I promise you that I will make a way for you to come back, okay?" she said, wiping her eyes.

"It's okay, big sis. Just be careful over there, huh? Don't just worry about me."

"Of course, sweetie. Always be careful, alright? Don't tire yourself out, and always follow Aunt Isabel, okay?"

"Yes, yes. All right, big sis."

"Bye, lil sis. Love you."

"I love you too."

When the line was cut off, she let the tears in her eyes fall freely. She has to save up for her sister to get surgery soon.

Coreen fell asleep in tears.

Coral slowly woke up to the feeling of something warm trailing up her body. Is this another dream? Why does it seem so familiar?

She slowly opened her eyes, and they grew larger when she saw a hand with gloves that was tracing her leg without actually touching her. Is that even possible? Her eyes trailed up the hand to find Royce with no emotion on his face. Coreen swallowed and tried to stand up to stop it, but was shocked when she couldn't. She looked up to see her hands tied to the headboard of the bed.

"What is this? Release me! This is not a good joke!" she demanded in annoyance and fear, but she forced herself to stay calm.

The man only gave her a pointed look. "Yeah? Now we're talking about jokes."

"That's a joke, a joke!" she emphasized.

"It doesn't sound like one to me," he said coldly, sending shivers down her spine.

She bit her lips as she felt his fingers slowly coming closer to her most protective part.

"N-no! I'm sorry!" she choked back a sob.

His face hovered above her own, and she could smell his breath as he got closer and closer to her face. Her heart pounded faster, harder, and erratically. But to her relief and dismay, his lips and nose remained a few inches away from hers. She could almost stare into his eyes, and only a small push could connect their lips. This was the first time she had seen his face up close. So close.

His eyes are dark, almost black, with how intense his stare is. Her eyes traveled down his pointed nose down to his red lips—those sinfully sexy lips that had the right curve. He also has a small beard that adds to his manliness. She could not spot a pimple on his face. It was smooth and reddish, making her wonder if her own face was just as smooth.

He continued to tease her and act like he was going to kiss her, but he never did, and it made her frustrated.

"Still think I'm gay, precious?" he breathed on her face.

She couldn't help but whimper when he pulled away to whisper something in her ear. "Was this better than your dream?"

She gasped in disbelief and stared wide-eyed at his blank face. H-how? How did he know about her dream, and how did he know he was in her dream?

Royce smirked at her and stood straight. "I hate human contact. I'm not allergic to it," he said, tossing a pair of scissors on her bed before walking away. Leaving her in question. Leaving her confused. Leaving her.... disgustingly wanting more.