HIS TEMPTATION

HIS NEW SIDE

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

I was really pissed off by Arson’s sudden disappearance. Like… Why does he have to be like that? Did he only come here to mess around with me? I grabbed a pair of trousers from my closet, pulling them on before tying my hair into a messy braid. Leaving my room, I locked the door to the balcony.

Downstairs, I found Kevin sitting at the table, breakfast set out like a gentleman. If only Arson was even 10 percent as gentle as Kevin. Wait… why am I comparing them? Sigh... Forget it.

I dropped into the chair across from Kevin, who gave me a warm, chocolatey smile and waited for me to start before he began eating. After breakfast, Kevin washed the dishes and tidied up. He was doing his best to look after me, and all I could do was show my gratitude. Before heading out for some business, he mentioned he'd be back by dinner.

Back in my room, I was idly scrolling through my phone when I got a call from an unknown number. I hesitated, letting it ring, but finally picked up.

“Hello?”

“...”

“Hello??”

“...”

“Is this some kind of prank?”

“No, Princess.”

I froze, then recognized the voice. My heart fluttered in that annoying way it always did when he was near.

“What do you want?” I tried to sound annoyed, but I couldn’t deny the strange thrill of hearing his voice, even over the phone. No matter how close you get to someone physically, having their number feels… different.

“What’s wrong, babygirl? You don’t sound so good.”

Ugh, he has no idea! It was him who just disappeared on me, and now he’s acting all sweet and innocent. And yet, I kept falling for it.

“Nothing happened. Just feeling a little annoyed at someone,” I muttered.

He chuckled, like he knew exactly what I meant.

“So, my princess is feeling grumpy, huh?”

Grumpy. A cute word for how I was actually feeling.

“I’m sorry, princess, but I couldn’t help leaving because—”

“Why did you have to leave?” I cut him off, frustrated. Did he not care how I felt? He might be older and more ‘mature,’ but this wasn’t childish. I deserved at least an explanation.

He paused, his tone shifting, deeper and darker.

“You know, princess, you should be grateful I decided to leave. If I’d stayed, I might’ve beaten the hell out of your little friend for constantly calling you ‘baby.’”

Oh. That’s what this was about. He couldn’t handle anyone else calling me ‘baby.’ So lame. So… hot. No, stay mad, Emiley.

“He calls me ‘baby’ because he loves me. Not like you, who leaves right after.” Hmph… bullseye.

“Careful, babygirl,” he warned, his tone soft but laced with threat.

“What trouble? I’m just stating the truth—”

“The kind of trouble where you won’t be able to walk straight, and your precious Kevin will have to carry you around after I’m done with you.”

Silence. My cheeks flushed. Did he just say… what I think he said? My stomach twisted, my hands suddenly clammy. What was this effect he had on me?

“Now, babygirl, take some rest. I’ll be there tonight.” His voice softened, playful again. “Don’t worry, I’ll behave. For now.”

I nodded instinctively, forgetting we were on a voice call. He must have known, though, because he chuckled.

“Behave well, princess… don’t make daddy punish you tonight.”

I ended the call, threw my phone onto the bed, buried my face in a pillow, and screamed. Daddy! The word stung and soothed in a way I couldn’t explain. Since losing my dad, I’d never felt this strange comfort, this craving to say the word again, even if it didn’t make sense.

Arson was rude, arrogant, selfish. Nothing like my dad. And yet, he was protective, possessive, loving in his own way… and he handled my tantrums just like my dad used to.

I hugged the pillow tighter, letting that strange warmth lull me, and eventually, I fell asleep.

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