His Wicked Temptation

Chapter One

✈︎

thalassophile
(m.) lover of the sea

ROSABELLE

I slumped myself onto the bed, the soft mattress enveloping me in its comfort. My eyes nearly closed due to the exhaustion I felt now.

After approximately fifteen hours of plane journey, I had finally landed on the ground in Moscow. The excitement I felt at that moment is seldom describable in words.

Afterward, the car that had been waiting for me near the airport dropped me at the villa dad had bought for me beforehand for my trip to Russia.

"Damn," I eyed the ceiling in awe, unable to believe that even the ceiling of a villa could be so beautiful.

I swear if my eyes weren't giving in to the slumber that was slowly engulfing my senses, I would've done a house tour right after I arrived here. The place is beyond perfect.

My phone buzzed from beside me, and seeing the caller ID, I forced myself to pick it up. "Ciao papà!"

"Ciao mia cara. Sei arrivato a casa sano e salvo?" Dad's voice reached my ears from the other end, making me smile slightly.

"Sì, papà. Come stai?"

"I'm fine, Bella. Your voice seems tired. Will you take some rest now?"

"Sì. I'm so tired, papa."

He chuckled lightly and then said, "Okay, then. I'll call you later, cara." With that, I bid my goodbyes to dad and cut the call.

A sigh left my mouth as I threw the phone onto the bed and closed my eyes finally, not caring to change into some comfortable clothes or get refreshed first.

Everything besides sleep is for later.

✈︎

"Oh my God, oh my God, LOOK AT YOU, GIRL!" Huge gasps left the mouth of the woman who stood in front of me, fanning her face dramatically as she looked at me up and down.

All I could do was stare at her with utmost surprise as she continued her shenanigans. "God, you're gorgeous! I'm bewitched," Then she glanced at the bartender beside us who also had an amused expression plastered on his face at seeing her reactions. "Don't you find her bewitching too, huh, pretty boy? What do you say?" She asked him, pointing her fingers at me, while the poor man only spared a single glance at me before nodding his head slightly, probably trying not to offend me.

Well, the woman who was still making faces was Tatiana, a renowned tattoo artist from Moscow who I've become friends with a few years ago. I've met her online, and after a while of chit-chat, we became very good friends.

She was one of the reasons I wanted to visit Moscow.

And after finally being able to meet her at a local club in this metropolitan area felt as exhilarating as ever. She was in her twenties, but the tattoos that covered her up and down made her appear nearly someone in their thirties.

Honestly, to say, she looked magnificent.

"Stop it," I laughed, shaking my head before taking a sip from my drink. She laughed along with me, "Nah, girl, I didn't expect you to be that cute. Look at those ocean blue eyes," She sighed again, and at that moment, I blushed slightly.

Getting compliments was very normal for me, and they were so often and so common that I could almost predict what someone would say about me when they saw me. And now they felt monotonous, really.

However, I never thought it'd be Ana who'd break my boredom.

She looked so genuine that I almost felt grateful.

"Ana," I grumbled, glaring at her, and finally, she stopped laughing. "Okay, okay." She said before breathing out another cackle. "Tell me now, how did you convince your daddy to let you come here?"

"Don't remind me of it." I sighed, shaking my head at the remembrance of the hassle I had to go through for this. "But why didn't he agree in the first place though? Haven't you traveled to many countries before?" She asked with curious eyes.

"I... that story is for another day as well." I tried to avoid the suspense in her eyes with my words.

Ana doesn't know about my family or my identity, and I wouldn't make the mistake of telling her either.

Thankfully, she decides to let the topic slide for now. Then she leans beside me, resting her head on my shoulder as a sigh escapes her mouth. "Shit, Rosie, you won't believe how happy I am to see you."

"I'm happy to see you as well, An. I've been excited to see you forever."

"Are you straight?"

I cracked a laugh at that before shooting a glare her way. "Yes, duh."

"God bless you, sweet Christian."

Ana was bisexual, and honestly, I already feared my sexuality after being with her for only thirty minutes. I'd never tell her that I'm anything except straight.

We chatted for a while until the soft music that was playing in the background changed, replaced with blasting music.

"Wohoo, the DJ is here!" Ana shouted, her eyes glinting at the sight where people ran to the stage to have their fun.

I looked around the place, amused at how fast the atmosphere had changed.

"Hey, Rosie, let's go!" Ana said for the last time, and before I could reply, she started dragging me towards the stage.

Oh, well.

One thing I forgot to tell her was... I've never been to clubs.

Clubbing, night outs, or partying before eighteen were strictly forbidden in our family. Even Rafe, my most recalcitrant brother, had to follow that rule. But despite being twenty by now, I never had the courage to venture into some club.

I barely got any chance to enjoy my life before flying to Moscow.

"Wait-" I tried to make her slow down her pace, wondering how this girl could be running in heels that fast.

Ana, in contrast to my words, kept running while I still struggled to keep up my pace with her. Either way, the excitement that radiated off her face never failed to bring a bright grin to mine.

However, then suddenly, thanks to my clumsy steps, I bumped into someone, my hand leaving Ana's grip in a second.

A gasp left my mouth as I nearly fell backward, until I was grasped by my left hand and readjusted to my position. Still, somehow I limped on my feet and ended up grabbing the other person's arm for support.

Embarrassment filled my guts as I looked up at the person with a big apology on the tip of my tongue. But the moment my eyes met theirs, or his, I stilled. Momentarily. Absolutely.

Staring down at me was a man with the most beautiful pair of emerald green eyes I've ever seen and a jawline so sharp that it could cut through ice.

Shit.

He raised an eyebrow at my frozen expression, mischief spreading across his face. "Privet?"

Oh, my God.

_____

TRANSLATIONS:

01. Ciao mia cara. Sei arrivato a casa sano e salvo? - Hello, my dear. Have you reached home safely?

02. Come stai? - How are you?