pte

ali

king slightly. Each step I took down the stairs echoed through the house, the words repea

ocence and broken my heart, wanted to see me again. I felt a

. The sun was shining brightly, but my mind was cloudy with thoughts of the nightclub inci

ustling sidewalk seemed eerily quiet, as if people were avoiding the area. I muttered to my

ugh my purse, scattering its contents in my urgency. My fingers finally closed aroun

wave, relief washing over me as it pulled up beside me. I yanked open the door and slid in, my eyes fixed

to the traffic. I sat back, my mind racing wi

, lost in my thoughts. The taxi finally pulled up in front of a sleek,

tinted glass, my heart racing with a mix of curiosity and caution. I strai

ed a beat. It was him, his piercing blue eyes fixed intently on mine. A slow smile s

e air, shattering my composure. The pain I felt earlier was nothing compared to th

voice was laced with arrogance.

felt a surge of defiance and anger, but also a hint of f

y eyes locking onto his. "What do you want, Mr." I

orcing me into your car? Not happening. And as for that kiss? Completely unacceptable.

im. "Your arrogance is staggering. You need to lear

. "You're just a sensitive soul, getting worked u

isn't a joke; this is about respect. And you're clearly

owing. "You're still hung up on that k

alf-hearted apology like that makes up for wh

at. But I don't think you can dictate the terms here. I'm the one wh

about playing games or manipulating each other. This is

ain. But something in his eyes told me that he was genuinely willing to listen

d started the engine. We drove in silence for a

my knuckles white with tension. The car's accelerating speed made my heart race,

med to be driving on autopilot, his gaze distant and unresponsiv