Illicit Attraction

17. TRUTH BEHIND LIES

HENRY

"So, Mom withdraws the case against you?" Era's widened eyes showed disbelief and amazement.

"Yes..." I nodded, "...in return, she wants me to leave this state... this country to be exact."

"What?" Era automatically got off from her bed and walked closer to me. She bit her lips impatiently as she watched me place some books and frames inside the box. "But how about this tower? Don't tell me-"

"That's right, baby," I sighed, putting the last folder in the box. I closed it and wrapped it with tapes, then I sat on the table's edge. "That's her other condition. She'll leave me alone if I stay away from you. So I'm selling this company and starting all over... in France... with you," I murmured, cupping Era's checks.

"To whom?" She asked.

Months ago when Emilia visited me in my cell, she presented her bargain. She wanted me out of the country. Moreover, she asked me to give up Andersen Tower, just like a piece of candy. In return, she would be disposing of all the shitty cases she threw against me. I got fucking pissed at first. How the hell did this woman become such a greedy monster right now? She was so ambitious to the extent of using this situation for her own benefit.

"Henry?"

I blinked twice and shook my head when Era whispered my name. I looked at her and her innocent curious face melted my heart. "Y-yeah, baby?" I muttered.

"Who would buy Andersen Tower? Are you really sure about letting it go? It belongs to your family."

It's a fact that the building meant everything to me. It's the first establishment my late dad had accomplished from nothing. Now I was going to flush it just like that, but of course not just because of nothing. I was sacrificing the Tower as for me, Era's the greatest treasure.

"My pal from France would take charge of the tower. Don't worry, I still have some shares so it means I'm still part of the business." I gulped at my lies.

Era took a deep breath and eventually smiled. "Alright. Good thing to hear that. At least my guilt lessened."

"You don't have to feel guilty about this, baby." I wrapped my arms around her little waist and laid her on my chest. "These are all my decisions. And I'm happy doing this for us."

"Really?" she giggled in my ear.

"Yeah," I whispered, pushing her gently to scan the whole of her. "Now pack your things. We're living in the country tomorrow, okay?"

"Right." she smiled.

I pressed her chin and turned to my back. But before I touched the doorknob to leave her room, she ran towards me and embraced me from behind, making me frozen on my feet.

"Don't leave just yet. How about... join me in the shower before I touch my stuff, hmm. Just a quick shower."

My lips curved upward to a smile as I turned to my back to face her. "You sure?"

"Uh-huh," she mumbled on my face. Her hands crept through my chest, unbuttoning each button of my shirt. As she exposed my skin, the heat was rising from my system and I knew, after she pulled that little nightie from her body, I was already dragging her inside the bathroom.

"Oh, baby. You're seducing me too much," I whispered as I placed her on the bathroom counter.

"Am I?" she asked, innocently.

"Yeah. The bad thing is I can't fucking resist you." I gritted, catching her lips. I heard her moaning and that beautiful sound turned louder as my lips crawled down her wet body.