Did Aric truly expect me to stay in the room and wait for him to finish the shower? No way! But then, when I expressed my refusal to wait, he just shrugged his shoulders and chuckled on his way to the bathroom.
What was funny?
Then, as soon as he was inside the bathroom, I walked out of the room and returned downstairs where I informed Luke that Aric already saw me. But then, I remembered he mentioned his cook preparing my favorite pancake.

However, when I went to check, there was no pancake in the kitchen as he promised. I pouted my lips as I turned to face him, and he also looked apologetic. I was about to ask when he explained that there was no flour in the pantry, and that he just sent one of his staff to get some flour.
“I’m sorry but there would be no pancakes today,” he said. “But how did Aric see you?
“He was in the room on the left and he was topless,” I answered and I caught a glimpse of how he clenched his jaw.
“Hungry?”
“Why should I? We just had breakfast at home,” I reminded him.
“I know but driving makes me hungry. Come on, Isabella. Join me for brunch,” he said as he held my hand toward the breakfast nook.

There was fried bacon, sunny-side-up eggs, and toasted bread. Also, there was a pitcher of cold fruit juice and a bowl of fresh fruit slices. While staring at the food on the table, I wondered if his servant knew him too well.
“Since Aric was upstairs, would it be uncomfortable for you?” he asked while stuffing some bacon into his mouth.
“Not really, but as much as possible, I don’t want to be in close proximity with him. If you are his friend, you must be aware how much we loved each other before I refused his marriage proposal,” I told him and he nodded.
“And it was bewildering why you had to hurt him that way, I mean, you are aware how much he loves you, and yet, you refused his offer to become his Luna. Why, Isabella? Was there another man?”

“No, but a glimpse into the future warned me not to marry him,” I mumbled and then I realized I shouldn’t have said that.
“Can you really foresee the future? Or was it just your alibi to refuse the marriage offer?”
“Does it matter? When I saw Aric earlier, I could tell he didn’t harbor any resentment toward me. In fact, he smiled and winked before going to the bathroom,” I recalled what happened in the room earlier, and then, Luke narrowed his eyes at me.
“He winked at you? Why?”
“I don’t know, Luke. Why don’t you ask him?”
“Later. After this, we have to go to the supermarket to buy something,” he mentioned, and I frowned.
“I thought you already sent one of your servants to go shopping for essentials!”
“Yeah, but since Aric is here, I need to buy his favorite steak and wine,” he told me, and the next thing I knew, I found myself inside his car.
This time, he didn’t take Dad’s car but his own vehicle. Then, he opened the stereo, and a piece of mellow music played on the background. When I glanced in his direction, he just smiled.
“Are you okay? You seemed to be bothered about something,” he said, and then he focused on driving.
From my seat, I could see his side profile and I couldn’t help but admire how sharp and defined his jaw was. “How long have you known Aric?”
“We are childhood friends,” he revealed but then I wondered why I wasn’t aware of it in my past life. “Why, Isabella? Are you having second thoughts now? Do you want to get back together with him?”
I wasn’t sure if I was just imagining or not but there was a hint of jealousy in his voice. So, instead of responding to his statement directly, I averted my gaze while trying to focus the scenery on our way to the supermarket.
“Isabella?” he asked again.
“You are wrong. I am not considering it, Luke.”
“But why the long face, darling? Perhaps, do you miss him already?”
This time, his tone had changed to a gloomy one, and my eyes widened at the rich emotions on his face. “Okay, I admit that I am a little uncomfortable with the situation right now. I mean, I used to date Aric, and now I am always with you.”
“What’s the problem? We are not dating, Isabella.”
It was an innocent and true statement but it was painful for me. Then, when he cackled as if he just said a joke, I looked at him, and I realized that his eyes revealed something darker than jealousy.
“Are you saying that you are uncomfortable being with me even if we are not dating yet? Anyway, try to relax whenever you are with me, Isabella. I don’t bite unless we are both naked in bed,” he whispered before winking at me.
Suddenly, I could feel my blood rising to my cheeks, so I immediately covered my face with my hands. What was he doing? Was he flirting with me?
Then, the car suddenly stopped and I heard him unbuckling his seatbelt. But before going out, he suddenly grabbed me closer toward him, and my heartbeat became rapid, and before I could utter another word, he conquered my mouth.
It was so sudden that I was stunned for a moment, and when he moved his lips against mine, I was tantalized! He hungrily kissed me, and he grabbed my hair when he deepened the kiss, and it lasted for almost ten minutes or even more.
“Your lips are so sweet, Isabella,” he said while staring into my eyes after the kiss.
"Why did you do it?" I asked.
"Because I can't stop thinking about how these lips would feel against mine," he said while touching my swollen lips.