LIVING A LIFE OF A SALTED FISH

18: Being manipulative with the villainess.

The scent of rose and wine is intertwined in a string of tangles as they seduce my senses. I tried not to inhale much since they are intoxicating. Just the smooth texture of her skin is enough temptation for me to feel like I'm drowning. 

I took a deep breath, sighing in vex. Oh Ruhee…what are you doing to me? 

My heart cried, bleeding from pleasure and pain. And I kept asking myself why am I doing this. In fact, I had the choice to leave, but I stayed and rubbed this woman's back. In my head, I keep justifying my actions. Argumenting that my body wanted it, so…what can I do? 

Also, before I could even say anything to reject Ruhee, my hand had already grabbed the body scrub and went on it. My body is not even listening to me, so no one can blame me, right…?

In my heart, I partied and felt elated, because I feel like Ruhee is trying to flirt with me. But I also knew the truth in my mind. I know why Ruhee is doing this. I'm not stupid after all. I could tell that she was doing this for some kind of revenge. Even though I don't know how her mind works, I could tell that she isn't doing this out of pure intentions. After all, Ruhee is the type to be bitter about the smallest petty things. Like that time when she would always come to my room to request for a rematch in playing chess, and the only reason why she would come back was because she couldn't defeat me in it.

And I like how competitive her spirit is. Since then, my time in the mansion has been fun and full of life. Because I had a playmate in my room. So I made sure to not let Ruhee win even once. I made certain that she would feel so defeated and frustrated. Every time we played, I made her think that she could almost win against me, then at the end, I would crush her dreams, destroying her expectations. That unwillingness made Ruhee come back to me everyday to play chess with me. Only to return with more disappointment. 

Thinking back, I believe I think I grew fond of making her feel annoyed since then. 

I got under her skin, because I wanted to be the one in her thoughts. So when we are playing, she would stop talking about Cleopatra and start thinking more about me. Recalling these memories now, I think I had already had admiration for Ruhee on the night I transmigrated into this body and this world. At first, I was only fascinated by her appearance. But the more I grew to know about her, the more I wanted her to stop loving that princess.

I think I had always had thoughts for Ruhee, but I only came to realise it after that one kiss. In the back of my mind, I had always wanted Ruhee for myself. All my actions and reasons are for the sake of making Ruhee…mine.

However, I wasn't the straightforward type, and I'm a bit slow when it comes to my own feelings, so I guess…I unknowingly irritated and annoyed Ruhee out of my own interest. I probably didn't realise it myself that I'm doing it because I like Ruhee. And I don't like it when her lips would utter another's name. Especially that princess Cleopatra.

So I probably did all that, so Ruhee won't think about that woman. As soon as my thoughts lead to that, my eyes widened in realisation. Finally, my mind entered enlightenment as the insight came to me. 

A question was raised and so are my lips. Why not just manipulate Ruhee to like me back? I asked in my thoughts as I scrubbed the back of the said woman in my mind. If I could get under her skin, then surely I could also get to her heart, right?

At this, my eyes squinted, staring slyly at Ruhee's head. My lips raised as I thought of a plan. One where Ruhee would grow attached to me. 

After clearing my worries, I became more sure of what to do. I just need to make Ruhee feel so attached to me. In her mind, in her soul, and in her heart; I should be the centre of her person.

Not that Cleopatra.

Thinking of that woman, my heart brewed a storm, and I felt a growing dislikeness towards this princess. I know that she doesn't like Ruhee, but I can't help but be jealous. I don't have the right to feel this way, I know. But...what choice do I have?

My heart can't deny the bitterness that the true person who occupies Ruhee's heart and mind is that person. I want it to be me. It should be me.

The lids of my eyes narrowed as I felt obsession taking over me. Due to this, I absentmindedly moved my hands with more force as I scrub Ruhee's back firmly.

The woman let out a small moan, sounding music to my ears. My smile deepened as I leaned forward, and my front touched her back. 

"Does it hurt?" I asked, whispering to her ears.

I heard her take a deep breath as she sighed in silence. She shook her head and answered in her soft melodious voice.

"No, keep going, you're doing great," she said with difficulty.

I took that as a praise as I nodded despite her not seeing me. "Do you like it rough or gentle?" I question with my ambiguous voice.

"What?" The woman asked, sounding dumbfounded, then she glanced over her shoulder staring at me probingly. "What do you mean by that?"

When she turned to look at me, I had already plastered an innocent face. "Hmmm?" I tilted my head to the side as I continued. "I'm asking whether you like to be scrubbed with more pressure on your back, or if you want my hand to be a little softer with the pace, host. What else should it mean?"

Her brows crossed together as she gazed at me in doubt. Her ruby eyes locked on my face, observing it thoroughly. And I stared back with my innocent face as I tilted my head to the side.

"Something the matter?" I asked.

Ruhee frowned as her eyes lingered more in my face. After seeing nothing, she shook her head as she turned, facing forward again.

"It's nothing, go scrub my back, but be gentle about it," she demanded, sounding a bit disappointed.

The moment Ruhee turns her back to me, my lips curve to a playful smile. "Okay," I replied in a timid tone, despite chuckling in my heart.