IRENE

At my request, Kian brought us to a nearby cafe. What's the point of going out on a bike ride and not going to a specific place?

This time he rode at a normal speed and we soon reached a cafe.

Getting off the bike, he helped me take off my helmet and then gently brushed away the hair from my face, fixing it.

I watched him in awe as he did that and then proceeded to remove his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair making him look sexy.

"Let's go." I intertwined our fingers together and dragged him inside.

The cafe was cosy, the smell of coffee and sweets wafting to me instantly making my mouth water.

Kian led the way inside, taking me to the last corner booth and we both settled down, sitting opposite each other.

"You were trying to kill me, weren't you?" I placed my hands on the table, leaning forward, narrowing my eyes at him.

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, you were. You were driving so recklessly, what if we had gotten into an accident? You would have been happy to get rid of me, no?"

His eyes darkened and he pinned me with a cold glare. "Don't talk nonsense."

I huffed. "No matter what I say, to you, it will always be nonsense."

He looked like he wanted to disagree but then a waiter arrived to take our orders and I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and a caramel macchiato while Kian ordered a hot latté.

Once the waiter had gone, I asked, "Do you always drive so recklessly?"

He shrugged.

"Don't do that. Please. I don't want you to get hurt. Who will I annoy then?"

A hint of a smile flickered at his lips, his eyes so soft as he gazed at me intently.

The longer he stared at me, the more I fiddled in the seat, having his attention on me was so overwhelming.

I glanced out of the window instead and said, "You know you laughed earlier, on the bike. Three months of marriage and all it takes for you to laugh is seeing me being afraid. That's mean. You are not a good husband, Kian Ludovica."

He cocked his head, amusement lingering on his face.

"See, you are still finding this funny." I glared at him. "You could have hurt us both."

"I knew what I was doing. I would never hurt you, Irene." He stated, sounding stern.

"Oh..." I trusted him. More than I should. Just his simple statement assured me.

We both fell silent, our eyes locked together in a comfortable stare.

I extended my hand towards him, saying, "Give me your hand."

He frowned subtly. "Why?"

"Because I wanna hold it. Now give me, hubby."

Sighing, he put his left hand on the table and I snatched it, pulling it towards me and locking our fingers together.

I grinned, loving the warm, skin-to-skin contact with him.

I played with his hand, tracing the lines on his palm with my finger and then traced the platinum wedding band on his ring finger.

My husband.

I bit my lips as I felt giddy at that thought.

I played with the ring, twisting it around, pulling it up and then sliding it back down.

I heard him mumble to himself, "No less than a kid."

I shot him a sharp look. "Just because you are older than me doesn't mean I am a kid."

"Your antics prove otherwise."

"You earlier said I was adorable." I grinned.

His lips pressed into a thin line and he looked away.

"Uh-oh." I tugged at his hand. "You can't deny it, I heard it loud and clear."

To save him from further interrogation, the waiter arrived with our food and set it down on the table.

Kian pulled his hand back just as his phone started to ring and he picked it up, pressing it to his ear.

The sandwiches looked good and so did my drink and I took a sip of it, almost moaning at its heavenly taste.

Kian shot me a pointed look at that before he resumed listening to whatever boring stuff the other person was saying.

I slowly ate my sandwich as I looked at him listening so carefully to the other person.

Who could it be?

What if it's a woman?

His mistress?

Someone he actually likes?

Someone who doesn't annoy him like I do?

My mood soured, all the deliciousness of the sandwich vanishing as I glared at Kian making him raise a brow at me.

It's been months, he must have needs, what if he has been seeing someone else to satisfy those needs?

But then he said that cheating is something he would never resort to and I believed him but still...

Does he plan on remaining celibate for the rest of his life?

That just doesn't seem possible for a sexually active man.

My case was different. Even if Kian ever touched me in that manner, I don't think I would mind it considering all the dirty thoughts I have been having about him lately.

But that is when he wants to...I am not a very desirable person. Actually, I am not a desirable person at all.

I should stop hoping for him to fall for me. He thinks I am annoying which I agree I can be at times but...I only do that around people I am comfortable with.

Now how am I supposed to explain that to him?

He has changed though. He talks to me, he has softened towards me, lets me touch him.

But--

Strong fingers wrapped around my hand which was clenching around the edge of the table.

I didn't even realise I was holding the table so tightly as I stared at a spot on the table blankly.

Kian was still on the call but he was now frowning as he gently pried my fingers off the edge, stroking his thumb over my knuckles.

I needed that contact so I intertwined our fingers, my overthinking coming to a stop.

So what if he doesn't love me back (it will fucking suck), I won't stop trying.

His call went on and I pouted, not liking that he was giving his attention to someone else.

My eyes fell on his coffee and I wanted to taste it, so I grabbed the mug, lifted it to my mouth and took a small sip.

It was not as sweet as mine but it was good so I took another sip of it and when I placed it down in front of him, I noticed that I left a pink lipstick stain on the rim.

Oops.

I could have wiped it away with a tissue paper but then I didn't and got busy with my sandwich.

Kian ended the call, placing his phone away and his brows furrowed when he noticed the stain.

I smiled sheepishly when he glanced at me.

He lifted the mug to his mouth and much to my surprise, turned it around so that the stain was towards him and he placed his lips directly on it, his gaze connected with mine.

My breath hitched and I licked my lips. He was indirectly kissing me and when paired with the way he gazed into my eyes, I was breathless.

He put the mug down, the slightest of smirks tugging at his lips.

I ducked my head down to hide my blush as I hastily ate my sandwich.

He will one day give me a heart attack if he continues teasing me like this.

.
.
.

TW: Sexual Harrasment

My thoughts kept wandering to my husband while I worked on my laptop.

The floor was empty by now, only my boss remained in his office while I was in mine.

Or so I thought.

The door to his office opened and Lina stepped out, her face looked haunted, hands trembling as she closed the door.

Her cheeks were stained with streaks of tears.

I instantly got up and marched over to her. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Her head snapped to me and tears filled her eyes and then she threw herself at me, hugging me tightly as she sobbed.

"He...he touched me...he...is disgusting."

I didn't ask her where he touched her exactly, her sobs were an answer enough and I couldn't describe how fucking bad I felt for her.

I hugged her back.

At some level, I understood her.

"He almost...raped me..." She cried softly.

I hugged her even tighter, rage consuming me. God, I wanted to kill him.

"Hey, I know nothing I will say will make you feel better but I believe you and I will help you report him, okay?" I tried assuring her.

Employees made complaints to us, we were the Human Resource Department but now the head himself did something so fucking disgusting, this had to be taken to someone higher.

She sniffled, pulling away. "Thank you."

She wiped away her tears and stepped past me to leave when I asked her if she wanted me to drop her but she denied it.

Kian still had a driver assigned to me but this time female, I had no problem dropping her but she said she would be able to go back on her own and I told her that I would talk to her tomorrow.

Angry at my disgusting piece of a boss, I packed my stuff, ready to get the hell out of there when my intercom beeped.

Sighing, I pressed the button, speaking a bit sharply, "Yes?"

"In my office."

I took a deep breath and I decided to check quickly and then leave.

I went inside the office. Mr Torres was a middle-aged man but he carried himself smartly but that didn't change the fact that he was a fucking creep.

He sat in his chair looking a bit drunk and pointed to the papers lying around on the floor near the desk. "Pick it up."

Sighing, I went closer and crouched down, picking up the papers quickly and then as I was keeping them in the drawer as per his request, I felt his palm land on my ass.

Cold dread settled inside me and I hurriedly shoved the papers inside and stepped away from there, shooting him a glare.

"Now, Irene." He stared at me creepily. "What are you in a hurry for?"

"I have to go home", I replied and turned around to leave.

I almost ran to the door but he was fast. Before I could open it, he pushed me against the door, pressing his front to my back.

His fingers wrapped around the back of my neck and he shoved my face against the door. "Now you fucking listen to me."

His other hand sneaked up and grabbed my breast harshly.

No. No. I bucked against him, trying my best to push him off but he was so fucking heavy.

A lump formed in my throat the longer he groped my breast, fondling with it, something hard pressed over my back.

"Don't you fucking dare to tell anyone about Lina, you understand me?"

His hand left my breast and sneaked down, going inside my pencil skirt. "No please," I begged.

His fingers went inside the waistband of my panties and cupped me there tightly making me sob.

"I will fucking fire you and make sure no one else ever hires you. So keep your fucking mouth shut."

His fingers breached my entrance making me cry out painfully.

Then he pulled away making me sigh in relief. "Get the fuck out of here."

I ran out of there, grabbed my laptop bag and made my way to the elevator.

I couldn't breathe.

Again. Fucking again. As a kid and now...

I thought I was over this. It took me such a long time to recover from those traumas and now again.

Why me always? Why the fuck do I have to suffer like this?

I wiped away my tears as I reached the car waiting for me down at the front of the building and climbed inside.

I needed Kian. I needed him. I wanted him to hold me.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't fucking breathe.

The car ride home seemed longer than usual and when I reached there, I ran inside looking for him.

But he wasn't there.

With trembling fingers, I hit dial his number.

He picked up on the third ring and remained silent until I said, "K-Kian?"

"Yes?"

"Where...where are you?"

"Out. Why?"

"When will you be...back?"

"Two hours."

Disappointment settled inside me and I mumbled, "Okay." And hung up the call.

It's good he isn't here. He would never want a wife who is always getting harassed. You shouldn't tell him.

My inner voice reminded me and this time I agreed with it.