Chapter 247
1305words
“I want you. I need you! You’re mine…”
Deep blue eyes stared deeply into mine as though I was his prey whom he couldn’t wait to possess. His warm hands slid their way up from my hips to my waist and just beneath the side of my breast.
I shivered when I felt his warm breath fan to my skin before he laid a soft-feathery kiss beneath my ear, and a gasp escaped my lips the second he nibbled my earlobe.
My breathing hitched and became heavier as I stared into his whirlpool eyes and felt his intoxicating touches.
My entire body was at his mercy as I got drawn deeper into his embrace. Then, he leaned closer, pulling my arms up my head as he put more weight above me.
Lips touching my ears, he spoke in a deep and devilish voice, “Mark my words, Della… You and the Wakeland will be MINE.”
Mine… Mine… Mine… Mine…
That one word filled with so much desire and conviction echoed in my mind like a broken record, bringing me to insanity.
My heartbeat went fast, my hands went cold, and my breathing stopped.
I struggled on the sofa as my sight went blurry, and then suddenly, he vanished. Everything went black as I was dragged back by an invisible force with my hand outstretched for something to hold on to, but I grabbed nothing.
“No!” I shouted as my eyes opened wide to find the familiar cream-colored ceiling of my office.
It’s just a dream… No,… a nightmare, to be precise.
My chest rose and fell heavily as I inhaled as much air as possible.
“Are you alright?” Hearing my fiancee's familiar, worried, and manly voice, I shifted my head to meet his loving eyes.
Only then did I feel his warm hands that were holding both of my arms, trying to pull me awake from that nightmare.
“It’s just a dream… I’m here…” Albert whispered sweetly, breath funning on my cheeks while he pushed the loose strands on my face back behind my ear before he gently caressed my cheek, all while eyes remained in mine.
Calmingly, I eyed him and realized how nicely he brushed up. His hair was messy yet handsome. His clothes made him more buffed and attractive, as those white shirts perfectly fit his body, enhancing his muscular biceps.
He also kept the two buttons on his polo shirt open, giving just enough of a teasing view of his muscular chest.
Albert’s so perfect – handsome, kind, and gentle. How could I not entirely fall in love with him? I must be really a fool.
“Why are you here?” I whispered, raising my hand to enclose the hand he used to hold my cheek.
Albert pulled up the blanket with a sweet smile, covering me with his other hand before comfortingly patting my shoulder. “I heard from Diana that you worked all night, so I came early this morning to check on you.”
Pulling his hand from my grasp, he shifted from his seat a beat and gestured to the tray of food he had on the coffee table beside me.
Holding a glass of milk toward my way, he patted my head proudly and praised, “You did well on getting Mr. K’s support and cooperation.”
Mr. K…
Hearing that name made me flustered as flashes of last night’s steamy scene came to my mind, almost making me lose my grasp on the glass of milk. It would have fallen and broken if he weren’t still holding it with me.
Clearing my throat, I took a large gulp of milk and pretended to be as calm as possible. Nodding, I smiled back, “Indeed, it is.”
“Here, have this.”
“Thank you so much; you know me so well.” I sat up and accepted the tray of waffles and minced fruits.
While eating, Albert sat beside me and said, “I was worried you’d have difficulty handling a complicated business deal like that at the banquet since you are alone, but you did it with flying colors!”
I raised my eyebrow and sarcastically replied to tease him, “Wow, thank you for the vote of confidence in me.”
Albert laughed, warped his arm around me, and poked my nose. “You know that’s not what I meant. Kendrell is an old, scheming guy. I’m worried he’d do you wrong. That’s why I’m so glad that Mr. K chose to side with you. With his support, Kendrell won’t be so arrogant, especially since Wakeland depends on Deadtail’s medical supply.”
After munching a couple of bites of strawberry, I swallowed and nodded my head. “That’s right. At this moment, offending Mr. K means offending the entire population of Wakeland.”
That was the frustrating and annoying truth right now. Despite my title as a Princess and rightful owner of this land, it’s an unfortunate thing to say that I have no power nor influence here right now.
Deadtails' medicine is a silver lining for the people here; they rely on it to live.
I swallowed, realizing that it was not Kendrell I should be worried about but Mr. K, as he could definitely threaten and manipulate me at his will. If a day comes and he forces my hand, he’d definitely win.
Putting my plate and fork down, I shifted my seat to face Albert and seriously asked, “What do you think of Mr. K? What kind of person is he?”
Albert casually smiled and shrugged his shoulder. “Everyone knows that he’s an exceptional businessman. He spent a large sum of money to develop those drugs and help Wakeland’s children usually live. It’s a win-win. He not only gained profit but also helped a whole lot of people.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple…” I uttered after being silent for a while.
“What do you mean?” Albert stopped his movement and asked with furrowed brows.
Leaning back on the armrest beside me, I narrated, “I sold all our rubies resources to Mr. K last night. I think he’s an ambitious man, and that’s a reason to be cautious of him.”
Shaking my head, I added, “I don’t think it’s safe to completely let this land’s economy and population’s health completely depend on him.”
I was staring at him seriously, waiting for his opinion, when he suddenly and outrightly laughed.
I looked at him dumbfounded. “What?”
Still laughing, he said in between, “You’re overthinking it. He’s just a businessman. Like everyone else, they go for profit.”
Then, he suddenly leaned it and smirked, jokingly saying, “So, you guys were talking about business last night. I though he was trying to pursue you. After all, my fiancee is a gorgeous and charming woman.”
I was utterly stunned and froze, but then I quickly denied, “That’s impossible! Everyone in the kingdom knew I was engaged with you.”
Shit! I spoke too quickly! I’m being so in denial and guilty! He wouldn’t catch on, would he?
Albert said it jokingly, but it scared the life out of me. Suddenly, my conscience was eating me from the inside out. But that also brought me to how bold Mr. K was. It’s true that everyone knew I was engaged with Albert, so how dare he make a move on me, much less take advantage of my momentary weakness.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile and changed the subject. “I want to go to the temple of the moon goddess this afternoon. I want to pray to her.”
He earnestly nodded his head. “Okay, I’ll go with you.”
“No!” I said quickly, which surprised him.
When I saw a glimpse of offense in his eyes, though, I held his arm and quickly explained, “It’s just I wanted to have a quiet time for a while to think and plan for Wakeland’s future.”
