Time ticked slowly as the room sank into silence, only the hum of Alex's phone breaking the stillness. Ariel lay curled on the bed, cheeks flushed from their earlier conversation. Every word he said still echoed in her head like a forbidden lullaby.
"Alex..." she murmured.
He looked up from his phone, eyes softening. "Yes?"
She hesitated, her fingers nervously tangling in the bedsheet. "Are you... happy that Simon and I are no longer together?"
His gaze lingered on her, intense and unreadable. Then a low, husky laugh escaped his lips. "Why wouldn't I be?" he said slowly. "A foolish mortal left a goddess... and I'll forever be grateful to him for that. He traded heaven for hell, and now I get to bask in your divinity."
He sat up straighter, leaning toward her. His voice dipped darker, laced with something fierce and possessive. "But what I don't like is seeing you cry over him. It breaks my tiny, ice-cold heart."
A grin ghosted his lips. "If I ever catch you crying over that bastard again, I'll spank you. And if you so much as whisper his name around me, I'll tie you to this bed and make sure the only name you remember is mine."
Her heart thudded violently. The threat dripped with danger and desire, and though it should have scared her, all it did was make her pulse race. A blush painted her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip, struggling to hide the shiver running through her.
Alex noticed.
"Oh?" His grin widened. "You want me to spank you, baby?"
His voice dropped to a sinful whisper as he leaned closer. "I wouldn't mind doing that right now... giving you a little pleasure wrapped in pain. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Ariel turned away, burying her face in her hands. "Go away... you're driving me insane."
His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, "I'd love to drive something else into you... like the key to that sweet little lock you've been guarding."
She let out a gasp, scandalized and speechless. "You're such a pervert," she muttered.
Before Alex could tease her further, his phone buzzed again on the nightstand. He glanced at the screen and stood up.
"I have to take this," he said simply and stepped out of the room.
Ariel caught a glimpse of the caller ID: Mia Madre.
Her heart clenched, breath catching in her throat. Mia Madre. The name rolled off the tongue like silk feminine, elegant, suspicious. Her mind ran wild. Was it another woman? A mistress? His real lover?
The heat of jealousy spread through her like wildfire. Her chest tightened as a storm brewed inside her.
Minutes later, Alex returned. But the look in her eyes stopped him mid-step. She was stiff on the bed, arms crossed, face cold.
"Who was that?" she asked flatly.
He blinked, confused. "It was-"
"I don't want to hear your lie," she snapped.
Alex froze. "Sweetheart-"
"Don't 'sweetheart' me!" she shouted, her voice trembling with hurt. "So that's it, huh? You have another woman? Was I just a plaything? A warm body to keep you entertained?"
Alex's jaw tightened. He raked a hand through his hair, anger flashing in his eyes. "Shut up, Ariel. For fuck's sake," he growled. "That was my mother. Mia madre literally means 'my mother' in Italian."
He stepped closer, eyes dark and hard. "You really think I'd cheat on you? With anyone?"
Her anger evaporated instantly, replaced by stunned silence and growing shame.
"I... I didn't know," she whispered.
Alex exhaled, his voice lower now. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. But don't jump to conclusions like that again. I don't play games with you, Ariel."
Tears pricked at her eyes. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have assumed."
His expression softened. "No need to apologize. I shouldn't have raised my voice or told you to shut up."
He moved closer, slowly, like he was calming a frightened creature. "But listen to me, really listen. I'd rather die than cheat on you."
The raw truth in his voice made her chest ache.
"I love you, Ariel," he said quietly.
Her breath caught. The words settled deep inside her, warm and terrifying. She opened her mouth, the three words dancing on her lips, but they refused to come out.
Not yet. Not after Simon. Not after everything.
She looked away, guilt staining her features.
Alex saw the hesitation in her eyes and gently touched her chin, lifting her face to his.
"It's okay," he whispered. "Take your time. I'm not in a rush."
Then, just like that, he stepped back and shrugged on his jacket.
"I've got a few things to handle. But if you need me-"
"I don't have your number," she said quickly.
He smirked. "Already saved it on your phone."
Her eyes widened. "What? When?"
He winked. "Earlier. Might've taken a peek while you were sleeping."
Before she could respond, he was gone.
Ariel stared at the closed door, stunned. Slowly, she sank back onto the bed, her hand pressed to her chest. Her heart felt full... fragile... alive.
A soft smile curved her lips. "I love you too, Alex..." she whispered. "I'm falling for you already... but I won't let you win me easily."
She didn't know he hadn't gone far.
Just outside the door, Alex leaned against the wall, his hand still on the knob. He heard every word.
A smile spread across his face, slow, smug, and victorious.
Without a word, he walked away.
---
The black car purred as he slipped into the driver's seat. The cool leather met his back as he exhaled and reached for his phone.
"Charles," he said darkly.
"Yes, boss?"
"Send it. Now."
"Simon or Rose?"
"Simon." His voice was sharp as ice. "Post it publicly. No police. I want him ruined, humiliated, shredded by the internet. Jail is too kind. Let the world judge him."
There was a short pause. Then, "Understood."
Alex hung up and stared ahead. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. His thoughts weren't on Simon, not really.
They were on her.
He could still hear her voice, trembling and sweet... I'm falling for you already... but I won't let you win me easily.
A smirk curved his lips as he started the engine.
"You don't have to let me win, sweetheart," he muttered to himself.
"I'll earn it."
But first... Simon had to burn.
--