The CEO's Painted Skin

John retreated to his usual quiet self while listening to his buddy's chattering.

"By the way bro, when is the second round?" asked Romeo, the excitement was glittering in his eyes.

"The next Friday, next week," answered John.

"Can I come with you bro inside the room? I want to see for myself with my two eyes how sexy Ella is without her clothes," asked Romeo grinning cheekily.

John shook his head. "It's a challenge between us. It would be unfair on Ella's side if I will bring another guy inside that room. We will settle the score between us only," he said.

"Hmm...," Romeo's eyebrows knitted together. "If she will touch you, bro, what's gonna happen? Can you resist her charm and seduction if she starts running her pretty skilled hands on your aroused body? You know...seeing and touching are two different things," he said.

John stared at his friends face. "If she touches me, she will be disqualified. Meaning, I can only touch her but she can never touch me during the entire duration of the challenge. Her task was to seduce me with all her might without touching any parts of my body. The last time in the pool she trapped me and I was taken by surprised by her cunning ways. If she wants to get my attention, she has to wait for me to make the first move. She can't force herself on me. I had given her every chance and opportunity to do everything she wishes inside that room just to tempt and seduce me, it's a fair play between us, if she failed then she loses, it's not my problem anymore," explained John.

"I agree, it's fair play indeed. She should stop pursuing you and forcing herself on you after she will fail all the rounds. After all, she agreed to all the rules. Hope she will finally stop pestering you and I also hope you won't get tempted on the second and third round. If you need some assistance, I'm always ready to help you. I wish you good luck, bro!" said Romeo.

John stretches his arms above his head. "Anything else, bro? I will lie down for a while to have a few minutes nap," he said.

"Ah, nothing bro. I'm just there for a little chit chat. I will go now." Romeo rose to his feet and exited the office.

>>

~Mystic Bay Twin Tower~

Catherine woke up late that morning at 9:00 AM.

When she opened her eyes, John was no longer by her side. Damn! She was not able to talk to him regarding her need for money. She was supposed to ask for some money from him so that she can buy gifts for her mother's birthday, then, of course, she also need to ask him to accompany her into Cavite City because she can't face her family alone without bringing the father of her baby, for sure she will be bombarded with lots of questions by her family. It would be much easier for her to face them if John will accompany her so that less explanation is needed.

She doesn't want her family to know about her suicide and her previous illness which is Dissociative Amnesia. If they will know the truth about what John did regarding the cheating issue, they would, of course, demand that she will stay away from John, still, it's not the best solution to everything, it doesn't help that she's pregnant right now and she has no job to fall back to. Besides, the one supporting her family right now is John.

Catherine sighed.

Financially she and her family were heavily dependent on John.

During the entire course of their relationship, she never asks money from John. She never demanded or make any request for him to buy her jewelry, expensive bags or shoes.

But this time, she has to swallow her pride and ask for more money. Every time he will give her money she will just pay it with her body through sex. She still has no plans to marry him, her trust in him still broken. She wondered if she can even learn to trust him again after what happened in that pool.

She exited the room and went to the dining room area. Her breakfast was already prepared by Minerva, she began eating and finished devouring all the foods in her plate which consist of one cup of rice, stir fry vegetables and steamed fish.

After eating, she washed her plates and glass in the sink and dried them in the dish drainer.

She went to the living room and saw Minerva watching some TV show. When the nurse saw her, she muted the TV and faced her.

"How are you feeling today, Catherine?" asked Minerva.

"I guess, am feeling better compared to yesterday," she answered.

"So, you and Sir John was able to talk seriously last night regarding your troubles?" inquired Minerva.

She shook her head. "No. We are not able to talk much because I keep reminding him of his cheating. We quarreled a bit then sleep," she no longer discussed with the nurse about the sexual intimacy she and John shared last night. The desire to nag John and keep calling him cheater on his face was satisfying. She loves seeing the hurt in his eyes. How can he cheat and get away with it? He has to suffer as well, it's unfair if she will be the only one suffering. Hmph!

Minerva was shaking her head upon seeing the burning hatred in the younger woman's eyes.