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n'oublie pas de vive (m.) don't forget to live

ROSABELLE

On a day like this, I whiled away my time by aimlessly wandering around my villa, engrossed in a chat with Tatiana over the phone.

She might already have sensed the tension between me and Emi, but she wisely chose not to broach the topic, for which I was both thankful and slightly remorseful. However, that wouldn't change anything now.

There's no way where I can say now that I should have listened to her. Because maybe I'd have never.

My attraction to him always felt inexorable, and there is no turning back now; there never had been.

"Uh, then I'll call you back?"

"Sure, bye."

I ended the call and slumped onto the sofa, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. The absence of my daily coffee had already put me in a foul mood. The usual coffee shop I frequented was closed today, and I didn't know of any second best place where they sell good coffee. "Darn it," I muttered, moodily tapping my feet on the floor.

Nino's voice interrupted my frustration. "Is there anything you need, miss?" He stood near my doorway, wearing a hesitant smile. I almost felt sorry for him. The poor man often had to endure my temper.

I sighed, attempting to sound less annoyed. "No, Nino. I don't need anything, rest assured." I didn't bother to muster a smile as I dismissed him.

I decided to browse my phone once more, but it didn't take long for Nino to reappear at the doorway. I raised an eyebrow at him as he cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact.

"Miss, your guest has arrived." I frowned, "Guest?" As far as I knew, there were no scheduled visitors today, and I couldn't think of anyone beyond Emi and Ana.

"Uhh-" Nino was interrupted by a voice from behind him. "Move aside, Nino." I couldn't help but chuckle at the way Nino flinched. Then he turned around.

Emi stood before him, his head slightly tilted as he wore a sly grin. Nino quickly retreated, obeying his demands, not even hesitating for a moment. And I felt a rush of thrill at the scene.

Emi had a way of making anyone bend over to his will. All he needed to do was just say it.

I wondered if there was more to him beneath that easygoing façade. Perhaps someone dangerous. Someone my heart might crave.

He entered the room confidently, making his way to my bed and sitting down. "You don't usually visit people's homes and use their bed as your chair, Emi," I teased, earning a snicker from him.

"Trust me, I'm very good with the etiquette, Belle," he purred.

Nino had already disappeared from the doorstep, giving us space. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing, I'm bored." I grumbled before putting my phone aside, giving my full attention to the man before me.

"Should've just called me, darlin'. I'd have come flying to save my damsel in distress." I cackled upon hearing his words, shaking my head. "I'm anything but a damsel now, Emi."

"Uh, right," he said, as though he forgot that he was the one to take my virginity, but I knew him better. I could see the tension in his body whenever I mentioned it, as though he took pride in being the one corrupting me first.

"You could make a good actor or con artist, really," I remarked. "For real, Bella?"

He pretended to be amused, and I rolled my eyes. "Shut up," he smirked, but then said, "Come here, Belle," the tone of his voice changed in a whim of second, and I couldn't help feeling a bit nervous.

Nonetheless, I obliged and got up from my couch as walked over to him, my slow steps widening his tentative smile. "Scared?"

"Exhausted."

"Can't have that."

"You're exhausting."

"Complaint can't be approved too soon."

I attempted to sit beside him, but he pulled me onto his lap. I gasped and stared at him in surprise, placing my hands on his shoulder blades for support. "Emi," I hissed, "Nino could walk in any minute."

"Really?" His indolent tone made me scoff. "We're not doing anything," he grinned.

"Sitting on your lap doesn't qualify as 'not doing anything,'" I protested, trying to get up, but his grip tightened around my hip.

I knew I shouldn't have listened to him, but I didn't know how to deny him in first place.

"You could just say that you couldn't find a place to sit," his absurd response caused me to laugh, though anxiety was building up inside me as time was ticking.

I wouldn't be able to make up an excuse if Nino found me on Emi's lap. He would surely inform my dad, and it would be trouble for me.

"What?"

"What what?"

"Emi, you and I both know I can't say that."

"Why not?"

I sighed, not sure if I should laugh at his childishness or snap at him. Because I felt like doing both. "Your driver wouldn't believe you if you said that?" I nodded, thankful he understood how unbelievable it was.

Seriously, why would I make myself comfortable on his lap when there was a huge couch available in my room?

"Then why even keep him, Bella?"

I blinked in surprise, trying hard not to facepalm my self. And he only smiled to that, as nonchalant as ever. "We shouldn't keep people we don't trust, nor should we keep people who don't trust us," he said. "Both are useless, Bella."

I rested my head on his neck, pursing my lips in attempt to not to laugh. "You're crazy. And that's confirmed," his masculine cologne wafted in my nostrils, and I inhaled the delicate scent.

This man was so obstinate with his words that I wondered sometimes what would happen if he decided not to let me go anymore.

That thought made me both aroused and afraid at the same time, and I was very unhinged for that.

"I know, darlin'," he responded, his hand leaving gentle caresses on my thigh. My heart raced as it slowly moved toward my skirt, pushing the fabric up. "Red panties?" Emi chuckled, and my cheeks turned crimson instantly. "You're practically begging me to fuck you, Belle."

"S- shut up." I slapped his hand away, only for him to place it on my thigh again. "Wanna go out, darlin'?" He asked, noticing my boredom.

"Where should we go?" I finally looked at him, lifting my head up from his neck. He seemed to ponder for a moment, and then his emerald green eyes meets mine, excitement waving beneath. "My workplace."

"Your workplace?"

"Yes, Belle."

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We ended up at a massive, impressive building with HAO prominently displayed on the thirty-nine-story glass walls. "No way," I huffed, "Is this where you work?"

I couldn't believe my eyes, nor my ears when he said, "Yes."

Man didn't even tell me how wealthy he was. I might believe it if someone said that I was dating one of Moscow's most prominent businessmen, even if it was just for a week.

"I'm a shareholder in this place, the Hell's Angels Organization. My brother and I own most of it," he explained, fueling my excitement.

"Can we go inside?"

"No, Belle."

My expression dimmed instantly. "Why?" I whined, "You brought me to your incredible workplace only to show me the outside?" I pouted, and he nodded. "Yes, darlin'. The place is... somewhat unsafe for you. Maybe later," he responded, and I could detect a hint of guilt flashing across his eyes, but it disappeared after a brief moment, replaced with genuine concern.

Confusion crept up within me, my conscience ticking in the back of my head. I felt a nagging sense of curiosity but hesitated to push further.

I couldn't decipher what his words meant. But something inside me warned that pursuing this would lead to no good.

"Okay," I let out a defeated sigh, deciding to look away from the window. Emi kissed my hand to reassure me, then he gazed into my eyes.

"Let's take you somewhere even better, hmm?" I pouted like a child but complied anyway, overcome by his charming smile. "Okay!"

With that, he pulled away, directing his car in another direction, taking me into another unknown.

Yet, I couldn't brush off the persistent thought that kept gnawing at my mind.

Hell's Angels Organization

The name rang oddly familiar, and even more peculiar was the inkling that I'd heard it from my dad's mouth.

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