SIXTY-EIGHT

Carl had driven them to the private hangar and had ensured they had boarded Alexander's jet before he had left. The flight to the island had be swift and mostly quiet, and it was only when thr flight attendant announced that they would be landing soon that Yalda spoke.

"Wont it be suspicious that your secretary went with you to your island?" She asked him.

The faintest of smirks curved his lips at her question. He pride his gaze from his phone to look at her.

"And you ask this now that we're almost there?"

She cleared her throat quietly.

"I only just thought about it." She replied.

"As far as everyone is concerned, I'm on a business trip. This isn't the first time you've traveled with me on a business trip."

That was all she needed to know. The rest of the flight had been quiet, and when they finally arrived they were welcomed by a handful of people; a young man named Zack who happened to be the gardener, the cook who was called Matilda, Martha and Natalie who were both middle-aged were said to be the cleaners, and a few other people whose names Yalda couldn't remember.

It was a breath taking place; pristine white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, lush green forests, tropical flowers, a luxurious villa up ahead. She felt just a bit of her stress dissipate.

And to her surprise, Alexander's arm snaked around her waist to hold her closely. It felt alien since he never held her like that in public; they had always had to be careful, they had always had to be mindful of the fact that they were employer and employee.

Perhaps it may not have bothered Yalda that things had been that way, but at the moment, she was beginning to realize that she had missed out on a lot. While she stood alone in business parties and events, Alexander always had a beautiful lady hanging on his arm. In short, her absence had never really bothered him.

Forcing the thought aside, she had pulled on a smile and exchanged pleasantries as the staff welcomed them. They all seemed happy that Alexander was here, Matilda went on and on about how she thought he had lost some weight since the last time he was here.

"Don't they feed you over there?" She asked him.

He chuckled mildly as he shook his head.

"They do, just not the way you do." He replied.

The exchange was warm, perhaps Yalda would have found it relaxing if she was overthinking like always. And she was more than glad she Alexander finally lead her into the villa, as expected, the interior was grand and luxurious. It had dark furnishings and high ceilings from which grand chandeliers hung; it made her feel like she was living a dream, a dream in which she was still depressed though.

"Find the place to your liking?" He asked her as he lead her up the stairs and down a captivating hallway which had tons of paintings hanging on the wall.

She nodded.

"It's beautiful." She replied.

She was very aware that he was still holding her closely, and though she knew better, she couldn't help but let herself be comforted by the feel of his comforting touch.

"It is." He affirmed.

Why were things between them suddenly so awkward? It was awkward to the point that she could hardly breathe.

"When was the last time you were here?" She asked him.

She was trying so hard to dissipate the awkwardness.

"Two years ago." He replied. "It hasn't changed at all."

She nodded. That was all she could do.

"Tired?" He asked her.

The flight had been brief and they had only just gotten here, she was tired at all. But she wasn't sure if she was up for a tour either, not that he had offered to give her one. She shook her head.

"Good, cause it seems I have to start learning how to love you as you want me to." He said to her surprise.

~~

It happened quickly; like a blur. He whipped her through the hallway and into a room, she barely took in her surroundings before he backed her against a wall and crashed his lips onto hers. Her heart stilled as his lips molded against hers slowly.

She melted against his touch immediately and she moaned quietly as his hand slid underneath her hoodie to feel her up. He trailed kisses down the side of her neck causing her to tilt her head back invitingly. It took her a moment to realize that there was no sense of urgency in the way he kissed her, and neither was there any pent up frustration in the way he held her.

It reminded her of the last time he had been this way with her, it reminded her of how emotional she had become afterwards, and she wasn't sure she wanted to put herself through that; she had had enough lately.

She placed her hands on his shoulder to stop him as she shook her head.

"I can't do this." She quietly told him.

He stopped his sweet torture, but he didn't back away from her.

"What exactly is it that you cannot do, Yalda?" He asked her.

She averted her gaze from his as tears suddenly stung the back of her eyes.

"Fuck me if you want to, but don't make me think you care about me while you're at it." She replied. Her throat clenched as she spoke, the words sort to choke her.

An all too familiar smirk curved his lips.

"Isn't that why we're here? To pretend like we're the perfect couple?" He asked her.

She shook her head.

"But we're not. Can we really pretend?" She asked him. "What are we even doing?"

"You sound almost like you're scared to do this." He said.

Well, could he blame her for being scared? Could he? Her gaze flickered back to his and she stared into his eyes tiredly, resignedly.

"Calm down."

She shook her head.

"I can't pretend." She croaked quietly. A lone stream of tears went streaking down her cheek slowly, lazily.

She lowered her gaze from his once more as she sniffled quietly, but his fingers slid underneath her chin to nudge her head up before he wiped off her tears tenderly.

"I know. You don't have to." He told her. "Breathe."

She forced herself to drag in one shuddering breath after another, and as she did, he leaned in and once again claimed her lips in a deep kiss. And though she didn't respond, he continued to kiss her till her lips parted for his tongue to explore.

She moaned as he massaged her waist gently before backing her further against the wall so her bosom was pressed against his chest. His fingers slid into her hair to guide her head how he wanted, and all she could do was let herself feel regardless of the fact that her mind screamed for her to straighten up.

"We're here to sort things out." He said against her ear. "But above all, we're here to relax. Do you understand?"

She forced herself to nod once.

"Say it." He ordered though his tone remained mild.

"I understand." She replied, her voice was barely a whisper.

"Good." His breath caressed her ear. "I'm going to help you do just that."