HIS TEMPTATION

HE KNEW IT

--------------------------EMILEY'S P.O.V-----------------------------

---PLZ SUPPORT AND...JUST SUPPORT-----

Chapter One: His Temptation

I’ve been crushing on a man who lives right across the street from me... Sounds intriguing, right?

But what started as a simple admiration for his looks has turned into an obsession. I find myself sitting by the balcony every evening, waiting for him to return home from work. He usually gets back around 7 p.m. How do I know that? Sigh... I just do.

Arson Mathew. The man who owns my heart lives so close, yet feels impossibly far away. I don’t understand why some people are made so perfect, to the point that they make us question our own existence. Not that I’m unattractive—no, I’m pretty decent, I suppose.

But Arson… he's something else. His features are what you'd imagine in a Greek god. If only he were as kind as one, and had some mercy on his little worshipper... me.

His hazel eyes sometimes flicker in my direction, but never in the way I want.

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I live with my older brother, Henry. Our parents died in a fire that destroyed our home. Thankfully, Henry and I were rescued, and now he takes care of me. We moved to this apartment soon after the accident, and it's been over ten months here.

Henry loves me, he really does, but the weight of his responsibilities makes him act cold sometimes. Though, I’m no saint either—I love teasing him. Can’t help myself, you know?

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I was enjoying a long bath when I heard Henry shouting for me to hurry up. After making him wait a good twenty minutes, I finally emerged into the living room, ready to call him a jerk for disturbing me. But I stopped when I saw him sitting on the couch, face buried in his hands. Uh-oh, what now?

I walked over to him. "Hey, what’s wrong?"

He looked up at me through his fingers, his voice tired but gentle. "I was about to call for you again. Sit down."

I sat beside him, turning to face him. "What’s going on, Henry?"

"So, Emy... there's something I need to ask you. Just be honest with me, okay?"

"Okay," I nodded, unsure where this was going.

"I have a problem at work, and I need to go to the States for a few weeks. I want someone to look after you while I'm gone. What do you think?"

He brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, trying to soften the blow.

"What? The States? For how long?"

"Five or six weeks, maybe longer. I can’t leave you alone for that long."

I froze. Five weeks? Henry’s been my rock. Without him, I’m... well, I’m kind of useless.

"O-okay... but when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

My jaw dropped. "Tomorrow!? You’re telling me this now, the night before?"

"I’m sorry, Emy, it was a sudden arrangement. But there’s no way I’d leave without telling my lovely little sister." He tried to calm me down, but I was fuming.

I sulked for a while, but eventually, I gave in—Henry always knew how to sweet-talk me. After some playful tantrums, I retreated to my room and headed straight to the balcony for my nightly ritual: watching Arson come home.

It wasn’t long before I heard the familiar sound of his Benz pulling up. My heart fluttered as he stepped out, looking every bit the god he is. I froze when his eyes flickered up to me, staring for a moment before he walked into his house. I was left gawking at the now-closed door.

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Morning, 6 a.m.

Henry woke me up early, but this time I wasn’t angry—I knew today was different. After freshening up, I found him in the kitchen, dressed for his trip and making pancakes. Damn, he looked good, though I'd never admit it.

"Good morning, little one. Pancakes today," he said with a smile, focused on flipping them perfectly. Pancakes are my favorite, and Henry knew it.

"What time is your flight?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"I’ll leave after breakfast. I have to stop by the office first."

As I dug into the stack of syrupy pancakes, Henry dropped another bombshell.

"A friend of mine is coming by to take care of you while I’m away. Be nice to him, Emy. He’s not exactly Mr. Sunshine."

"What? A friend? Who is he?"

"You’ll find out tonight. Just don’t be a pain, or I’ll have to send someone from work to babysit you."

---

After Henry left, the day dragged on endlessly. By evening, I was back in my usual spot by the balcony, waiting for Arson. But just as I settled in, the doorbell rang. Great timing.

Grumbling, I stomped downstairs and yanked the door open—only to be stunned into silence.

Standing in front of me, in his perfectly tailored suit, was Arson Mathew.

My heart stuttered in my chest as I struggled to process the sight of him. Before I could even form a coherent thought, his deep voice cut through the air.

"Don’t look so shocked. I know you’ve been watching me."

He stepped inside, brushing past me like he owned the place, while I stood frozen by the door. Eventually, I regained some composure and stammered, "Wh-why are you here?"

He turned, a smirk playing on his lips. "Surprised? I thought I’d give you something to think about since you’re always so interested in what goes on in my apartment."

Shit. How does he know?

"I know more than you think... princess."

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