Leanna

[Scheming]

We stood near the shore, waiting for Cain to make his way towards us.

The cold man remained expressionless as he strode in our direction. But the frostiness in his eyes intensified as he shot a glare at the little puff of fur in my arms.

Sensing danger, Little Pluffy shivered and snuggled against me for protection as he whimpered. I threw a pointed look at Cain and hugged the little shivering furball closer to me.

Cain shook his head a little. His expression said he was regretting buying the little pup. He made his way towards us and gently patted my head while he shot another glare at the little furball.

"Let's go," he said, and held my hand, leading me into the tent.

----

"We are very sorry, Mrs. Goldwood, but Mr. Fay is not here," said the concierge lady, trying her hardest to be polite with her tone.

"Don't lie to us!" Holley spat and pointed at the concierge lady, forgetting all her image. "We know that Cain is here!"

The concierge lady was stunned shut –– Holley Goldwood, rumored for her breath-taking beauty and docile ladylike temperament was shouting at the top of her lungs. Another reason not to believe in rumors.

Even an angelic face hid a demonic side. The concierge lady thought.

"Holley."

Evelyn reprimanded her daughter, and she smiled sweetly at the concierge. "Well then, if Cain is not here, then we will trouble you no longer."

Evelyn then motioned for the driver to take them home.

Holley let out a cry of protest, "Mother! Cain is here in New Haven! Someone saw him here! Where can he be, but in his penthouse?! Mother, you have to buy me a unit in Azure Sky!"

Holley was on the verge of insanity these past few days. She did everything to see Cain, but the man remained elusive as ever. The last time she saw him was at that meeting with the Jansen's in Tower One in New York. She thickened her skin and begged her mother to bring her to that private affair just to see the man.

After her father withdrew all relations from the Fay's, it became even harder to see Cain, and she cursed her father many times in her head.

Evelyn's heart tightened as she stared at the anguish on her daughter's face. Holley was pampered since young. All she wanted was given to her, served in shiny golden platters. Evelyn made sure of that. Holley was the only daughter she had, the pearl in her palms. And right now, she couldn't bear to see her only daughter like this.

"Holley, Azure Sky is already full. We are making arrangements for one of the tenants to sell her unit to us."

"When?!"

Evelyn held her daughter's hands. "Patience honey, not for long."

"Mother, you can't expect me to wait and do nothing while that whore is stealing Cain from me!" Holley hissed through the space of his gnashed teeth, which made the driver jolt.

Evelyn pulled down the divider, separating them and the driver, so no sound was leaking.

"Holley, don't worry. I've already contacted your elder cousin to help you."

Holley paused, and a smile spread on her face. Her elder cousin was like a brother to her. Everything she wanted, her cousin would give it to her without fail.

"Cain will travel next week to fix the problems we've caused. At that time, your cousin will meet him personally. That will be your chance."

"Mother, you . . ."

Evelyn laughed despite her evil thoughts.

"Even someone like Cain Fay, once the rice is cook, he will have no other choice but marry you."

----

[Sulking]

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Buying protective gears for you."

I laughed under my breath.

A while ago, after camping, on our way home, we made a detour to a bike shop to pick a bike for me. After so much deliberating, we decided on a white vintage bike and helmet.

I scooted over to him on the bed. It was ten in the evening and little Pluffy, after I brushed his teeth, slumped his way towards his comfy new bed –– dead tired.

I glanced at his laptop, and my brows furrowed even deeper.

"Cain, you do know that I'm going to a school and not on a battlefield, right?"

"You can never be too sure. Your safety is my number one priority."

I sighed, seized his laptop, and placed it on the bedside table.

"It's late, what time will you be leaving tomorrow?" I kept my voice neutral as much as possible as not to make him worry.

Cain's eyes lost its luster. "After you and I walked annoying furball."

"Oh . . . , then we should go to sleep."

Even with forced, I couldn't suppress the crack in my voice. I pushed a button to dim the lights and lay on the bed, my back facing him so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes.

Getting used to his warmth every day, and then he would suddenly be gone for a month. Even my years of indifference couldn't battle the desolation.

It all took a lot of restraint and self-control on my part not to blurt out that I wanted to go with him.

Don't be too clingy! It's only a month! I scold myself.

. . .

. . .

He rose and hovered over me. I closed my lids shut so that he wouldn't see the sorrow in my eyes.

"Leanna . . . , I'll get this over quickly and return to you," he said, barely above a whisper.

He tucked my hair behind my ear before his lips softly but firmly kissed my eyes.

I turned and faced him. Cain's mirrored the longing and sadness on my face. I caressed his cheek, fingers outlining every contour, memorizing it. My hand trembled as it slid down to his collarbone, down to his chest, and stopped on his pelvis.

My eyes flicked to his, waiting for his approval. The tremor in his eyes broke the coldness on his face.

I smiled bitterly at myself and retracted my hand. I turned my body sideways and closed my eyes.

"Don't worry about me. Just . . . ," I choked and cleared my throat, "take care of yourself . . ."

. . .

. . .

"Mmmm . . ."

He laid on the bed, resting his arm on my waist. I knew he knew what I desired, and I knew he wouldn't give it to me. But still, I couldn't help myself.

I want to feel his love before he goes.

My lips pursed, and my cheeks puffed, sulking like a spoiled child who didn't get what she wanted.

Sensing my temper, Cain hugged me from behind without a word.

Minutes passed like that, and yearning and heartaches replaced my disappointments.. I faced him, placed my leg on top of his, and hugged him tight, burrowing my face against his warm chest.