<b>Chapter </b><b>97 </b>
Nivera stood outside the doors of the mansion for a long time, long after the helper had opened it for her
The cool breeze brushed against her skin<b>, </b>and her aros folded tightly as if that could shild her from the weight pressing on her chest
This was stupid, she didn’t do anything wrong. Damon kissed her. She didn’t kiss him and had stopped him.
She immediately walked away. So why did it feel like she id betrayed him?
Her heels clicked I softly against the maille floors as she finally entered the mansion,
The lights were dimmed, most of the staff had either retired or were tending to duties elsewhere.
However, everything was still, too still, it seemed Alejandro hadn’t returned home. Good, at least she’d still have some time to herself
She made her way upstairs <b>in </b>silence, clutching her purse to her chest as if it could hold back the pounding of her heart.
She didn’t want to think about whether she’d tell Alejandro or not. Not yet. All she wanted was just a quick shower and sleep. When she reached her room, the moonlight was spilling through the tall windows, casting Nivera shadows across the floor
She exhaled as she shut the door behind her and began to unzip her dress
“Back so soon, Cabezota? Her fingers paused hidway when a voice sliced through the darkness.
“I thought he might keep you out till tomorrow.
Her heart jumped into her throat as she looked around. For a homent, all she could see were shadows. Then-
Click.
The light came on, warm and soft, but it did nothing to ease the chill that flooded her spine.
Alejandro sat on the velvet Sofa <b>at </b>the corner of the room, his legs spreadzily apart, his elbow resting over the armrest. His suit jackety folded beside
him.
His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing his forearms, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, a look of affortless <b>sin </b>
He looked like temptation. But his eyes? They were hellfire, and they were threatening to burn her
<b>She </b>blinked, barely able to process the switch in lighting, her breath caught in her throat. “W–What… what are you doing in here?”
He tilted his head slightly. “Funny. I was going to ask you the same thing
Her back stiffened as she stared into those blue eyes of his. “This is my room.”
He smiled–but it wasn’t the charming, yful one he usually wore in public. This one didn’t reach his eyes. “Ah. Right–silly me. I forgot you were a guest here. With… freedom.”
Histone <b>was </b>coated with sarcasm, but there <b>was </b>no humour, no teasing glint, <b>justice</b>.
She stepped back slightly, confusion knitting her brow. “Why are you talking like that<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Company crisis,” he said dryly. “It’s always crisis these days. Almost made me miss the real show”
She frowned as warning bells went off in her head. “What are you talking <b>about</b>?”
He stood slowly, walking toward her. Each step was delibmate, calcted He stopped a few feat from her, just close enough that the had for t to meet his eyes.
“I’m talking about the little meeting you had after
wwith my mother,” he stated, folding his arms. “You know With Damon.
Her breath hitched, and her eyes widened in horror. There it <b>was </b>
How did he know about the fact that she was wills Damon! And more importantly, how did he know about Damon!
Her lips parted, but no sound came <b>out</b>,
She hadn’t even told anyone Marceline had left. There had barely been any staff at the restaurant, Damon had just shown up. There hadn’t been Paparazzi, there hadn’t been-
“I don’t understand-
“Oh,e on, Nivera, he cut in, his voice hard now. “Don’t insult both of us
She took a slow breath. “How do you know about that<b>?</b>”
Alejandro’s gaze sharpened. He didn’t blink as he answered “You think I don’t have eyes, Caberota?”
Of course. Just because Alejandro wasn’t there didn’t mean he didn’t have his eyes on her
His eyes followed her like a predator sizing up a deer. “So… tell <b>me</b>,” he started. “Did you enjoy <b>your reunion </b>with him?
+
Nivera swallowed hard as the knot in her stomach tightened.
“I didn’t know he was going to be there,” she said quietly.
“Hmm, Alejandro replied. “Let’s say that I believe you…”
I
He paused, his eyes sharp and unreadable. “But walk me through you kissing him.”
Her <b>jaw </b>ckened, then quickly set. “He kissed me; I didn’t kiss-
“And you didn’t push him away.”
“I did!” she snapped, her voice rising with frustration and guilt. “I did, Alejandro. It caught me off guard, and immediately shut it down. I told him we were over. That the kiss meant nothing”
He stepped forward again, closer this time. His presence felt suffocating, but not because he was loud. Because he was silent, still, and heavy
Alejandro’s eyes didn’t soften. “And you didn’t think that was worth telling me immediately?”
“I was trying to figure out how to,” she whispered. “It was a bit confus-
“And why were <b>you </b>confused?” His voice dropped.
She swallowed hard. “Because I didn’t want yo it meant nothing, there’s nothing to weigh, is there?“.
feel like shit.”
to think I wanted it. Or that I’m <b>like </b>him. Or that I can’t be trusted.” She looked down. “Because I already
“Hmm,” He hummed with a calmness that felt more terrifying than rage.
“You didn’t kiss him,” he repeated softly. “Were you still remembering what it felt like to have him back? <b>Was </b>it nostalgia, Nivera? Curiosity? Or maybe… He paused once again. “Maybe you forgot whose bed you sleep in now.”
“No, Alejandro!” Nivern hissed sharply. What was wrong with him? Why wasn’t he listening to her? “You don’t get to speak to me like that”
“Noth Alejandro chuckled: “You don’t get to tell me how to react wher you went ahead to kis
His voice was still calm<b>, </b><b>but </b>His shoulders were rigid as he towered over her.
“He was your first, wasn’t he?” He then asked, lifting Nivera’s chin with two fingers.
However, before she could respond, he mmed his lips against her parted ones.