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VERENA

Asael's family was warm and friendly. Well, except for Arien, I loved how everyone looked after him and showed him affection (he looked offended by that though).

Asael seemed much more comfortable here as he smiled often and talked with his parents and cousin.

My presence didn't seem forced either, they all included me in conversations.

Asael was attentive to me as he grabbed the plate of sauteed veggies and started to serve me.

I grabbed his wrist and said in a whisper, "I don't want more."

He frowned at me. "You are hardly eating anything."

"I am not hungry." I shook my head.

He continued to serve me nevertheless, thoughtful of not putting any carrots on my plates. "I want you to finish all this." He ordered sternly.

I rolled my eyes, speaking lowly so only he could hear me, "Okay, Daddy."

The glare he directed at me could burn off an iceberg. "Behave."

"Yes, Da--"

He shoved a spoonful of rice--which he was about to eat--in my mouth, shutting me up.

Glaring at him, I chewed it.

He went back to eating making me realise that everyone was watching us amusingly which made me blush and focus back on my food.

The dinner was about to be wrapped up fifteen minutes later when a shrill voice floated inside the dining room. "A family lunch and no one even invited me?"

Everyone around the table stiffened, a scowl forming on everyone's face especially Asael who snapped his head towards the entrance.

Christina, a woman in her thirties, stood at the entrance. Her platinum blonde hair slicked back in a high ponytail, her blue eyes roamed the room as she smirked.

She was beautiful. Jealousy formed inside me, she was gorgeous and his wife, where I was...just his student.

Stop. I shouldn't be jealous. I have no right to be.

"How the fuck did you get in?" Asael seethed, voice dripping cold.

"I am the daughter-in-law of this house." She argued, looking offended.

"Remind me of one moment when you acted like the daughter-in-law of this house." Asael's father spoke up, glaring at her. "So, I suggest you leave without creating any drama."

She rolled her eyes, blatantly disrespecting him and then her eyes settled on me. "Who are you?"

Her eyes danced between Asael and me and she noticed how close I sat to Asael, a sly smile forming on her lips. "I see, you like them young now."

Asael got up so abruptly that it made me flinch. He stalked over to her while dialling a number and pressing his phone to his ear.

He glared down at her as he said something through the call. A moment later, two guards appeared ready to drag her away.

She glanced at the guards and pursed her lips. "Fine. I am leaving."

She gave Asael a disgusting look. "Bye-bye, hubby."

As soon as she left, everyone sighed in relief except for Arien who was busy playing with his food.

Asael watched her leave before glancing at me over his shoulder and then he was walking away.

What the hell? He doesn't get to leave me here.

I got up too, smiling awkwardly at everyone. "The food was amazing. Thank you." Then I dashed away from there, following Asael out.

I followed him out to the garden where he leaned against the wall and taking off his spectacles, rubbed his eyes.

"Hey..." I muttered, stopping beside him. "Are you okay?"

With a sigh, he put his spectacles inside his pocket, tilting his head towards me.

"Come here." He rasped.

Unsure, I stepped closer to him and in a swift movement, he had his arms wrapped around me as he lifted me off my feet, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

"A-Asael?" I squeaked.

I put my arms around his neck to support myself. His stubble tickled my neck, lips brushing my skin.

I glided my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and I felt him shudder against me.

I slowly relaxed, embracing him back, loving the feeling of being in his arms.

"I didn't know she affected you so much," I mumbled, playing with a strand of his hair.

"She makes me fucking furious." He grumbled. "A few more months and she will be out of my life forever."

I hummed.

Deciding to lighten the mood, I said, "This is the first time you hugged me. On your own. Are you sure you are not having a heart attack?"

A sharp pain shot through my neck making me realise that he nipped my neck in response. "Hey! Did you just bite me?"

Something glided right over that bite. Warm. Wet.

Holy shit. He licked me.

Then his lips sucked that portion of skin inside his mouth causing a small moan to leave my mouth.

Fuck.

I was prepared for more of it but I was released almost immediately as he set me down on the ground.

"Better?" He asked roughly, swiping his thumb over that bite.

I nodded almost in a daze. "Yeah."

He nodded back and pulled out his spectacles from his pocket, putting them back on as he watched me softly.

He is a big, old man capable of taking care of himself but I felt bad for him nevertheless and had this insane urge to comfort him.

"Can you lean down for me?" I murmured.

"Why?"

"Just come here."

He complied without further questions, leaning down until his face was level with me.

I cupped his face in my hands making him frown and without giving it much thought, I pressed my lips to his forehead.

I watched in fascination as his whole body froze, eyes staring at me in confusion and disbelief as he blinked slowly.

I pulled back, giving him a small smile. "Better?"

He leaned back, standing straight and averted his eyes from me.

Did I make him uncomfortable? Shit--

In the bright light, I clearly noticed the pink staining his cheeks as he bit his lips, refusing to look at me.

A chuckle escaped me. "Oh God. Mr Alderidge, did I make you blush?"

He slid his eyes to me, shooting a glare at me but even that felt forced. He was not really angry with me.

"What will happen if I tell this to everyone? The old, grumpy Asael Alderidge blushed. Imagine the headlines." I teased him further.

His eyes rolled back and he gently shoved me away, pretending to be angry but there was no mistaking the smile that played on his lips.

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.
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"So, back to States now. Even though I enjoy there and I love Zahria, there's something special about being on your home soil. Don't you think?" I babbled on much to Asael's disappointment.

He sat opposite me in his jet, sipping on a cup of tea, thankfully he did pay attention to me and nodded in response.

"Okay, let me ask you. Why did you need this break? Any specific reason?"

Something crossed his eyes, his fingers tightening around the cup. A moment later, he shrugged half-heartedly. "I needed a break."

"That's it? Or maybe you were trying to run away from your responsibilities." I suggested.

He took a sip of his tea as he glanced out the window, a solemn look on his face. "Being the head of the family comes with lots of responsibilities. Just because I am on a break from the company doesn't mean there's no responsibility."

"Oh. Another question. If you wanted a somewhat break then why did you choose to teach? You have enough money to last you a lifetime, you didn't have to work..."

He set down his cup and leaned back. "I can't leave everything and sit idly. I had to do something to spend my time. Teaching sounded like a good option."

"Well, you do teach good." I smiled. "I love your teaching my method."

He looked proud. "When I was a student, I had a professor who taught similarly. I adopted his methods."

"I am glad you did."

Our eyes locked together, a comfortable silence descending on us as my eyes dropped down to his mouth.

Hoping, he didn't notice, I averted my eyes, grabbing my phone which was lying on the table in between us.

I was about to get busy with it when he said softly, "I got something for you."

"Huh?" I looked up and found him holding a black jewellery box. Where did that come from?

Seeing me looking perplexed, he clarified. "A Thanksgiving gift."

"I wasn't aware people gave each other Thanksgiving gifts. In that case, I didn't buy you anything."

"I don't need any gifts from you, weirdo."

"But you can gift me?"

He slid the box towards me. "Take this, Verena. Don't argue with me. I came across this online, I liked it so I bought it."

I raised a brow at him in question. That didn't sound like the truth but I didn't call him out on that.

I picked up the box and opened it slowly. Nestled inside it was a thin, gold bracelet which was adorned with tiny diamonds placed at every interval.

I picked it out carefully, mumbling, "It's gorgeous. Thank you."

I genuinely liked bracelets, especially ones like this which look elegant.

"Help me put this on?" I extended it towards him.

He took it from my hand as I held out my left hand and then very gently, he placed his around my wrist, his eyes focused on the task as he hooked it.

As he was done, I admired my hand, twirling it around. "It's so pretty, isn't it?" I showed him excitedly.

His gaze clashed with mine, lips curling up. "Very."