Chapter 219 The Woman Behind Her
The tinted car windows offered some cover, but people outside could still vaguely see shadows inside the car.
Filled with shame and anger, Harper attempted to kick Francis, who swiftly subdued her legs under his knees, causing the car to jolt with their intense struggle.
Squinting, Francis warned in a low, commanding tone, "Stop moving, unless you want this car to fall apart!"
Startled, Harper froze, her gaze darting towards the window until Francis's firm grip on her waist restrained her.
Her clothes rode up in the skirmish, exposing a sliver of her glowing fair skin. Cool fingers brushed her warm waist, evoking sensations akin to melting in a soothing hot spring, a visceral comfort that nearly prompted a moan.
Drawing himself closer, Francis murmured, his voice low and seductive, "Imagine the rumors flying with the car rocking like this..."
Instantly, Harper's complexion flushed a bright crimson hue. Trembling with anger, she snapped, "You're insane!"
Forced to resort to curses, that was all she could muster before fixing him with a fierce glare, her lips slightly parted from the heated exchange, breathing shallowly.
In that moment, despite the tension, she exuded an effortless allure that wasn't lost on Francis. His gaze darkened as he leisurely pinched her full lips, his voice icy, yet laced with a veiled threat, "Listen up. End things with him, or he's not getting off easy."
The mere thought incited an uncontrollable agitation within him, his actions poised on a knife's edge of unpredictability.
Exhibiting an uncommon display of patience, almost hypnotic in his resolve, he affirmed, "I won't stand for you with anyone else."
His calloused fingers, a testament to years of strenuous workouts, grazed her lips, sending electric shivers through her body. In an instant, Harper's face flushed crimson, even her toes curling in discomfort as she averted her gaze. "My arms ache; release me."
Arching an eyebrow, he taunted, "You're fragile."
Recalling a previous encounter in bed, where even a hint of exertion left her drained, she caught his implication and retaliated by slapping him, only to have her hand seized firmly.
Then, he rolled down the window and instructed Victor to drive.
Harper was startled. Remembering Keith was still outside, she instinctively lowered her head and slid down, almost kneeling at his feet.
Though her actions seemed futile with her presence known, the remnants of Francis's affection marked her neck, and her disheveled hair hinted at recent intimacy, leaving her too ashamed to meet anyone's gaze.
Observing her reaction, Francis's gaze turned frigid as he reached out to lift her, his expression stern as she clung to his pant legs with a helpless look in her beautiful eyes.
A brief bob of his Adam's apple later, he callously discarded a bracelet he'd just removed, a more cutting gesture than any words could convey, before calmly closing the window as the car glided smoothly along the road.
Seated upright, Harper caught sight of Keith retrieving the discarded bracelet with a rigid expression, a wave of guilt crashing over her. Had Francis not intervened unexpectedly, she had intended to return the bracelet to Keith privately, not in this humiliating manner.
Fighting back anger, she rebuked, "Francis, who said you could toss my things away?"
His eyes chilling, he retorted, "If you fancy that bracelet, I'll buy you ten."
He had spent a whole month customizing and meticulously crafting a ring, but she didn't seem to like it that much. However, recalling that night she picked up the ring when he lingered downstairs, he smirked.
Harper regarded him as if he were unhinged, accusing, "You were humiliating him."
Cocking an eyebrow, Francis retorted, "And why not? He deserved it."
To him, Keith stood as an insurmountable obstacle in his connection with Harper; the idea of giving Keith any regard felt like a cruel jest.
Speechless, Harper sensed a chasm widening between them, as if they inhabited different realms altogether.
Fearing that Harper would cherish another man's gift, Francis felt an unsettling unease creep over him. Acting decisively, he drew her onto his lap, despite her uncomfortable resistance, asserting his dominance while issuing a stern admonition, "Behave, unless you want things to escalate right now."
Recalling the tension in the car, Harper acquiesced, silencing her objections and allowing herself to be enveloped in his embrace.
As the car halted at the apartment complex, Harper's skin prickled with discomfort, her desire to escape palpable. Francis, grabbing her leg firmly, issued a low ultimatum, "Promise you'll end things with him tomorrow. Understood?"
Silent, Harper made a hasty exit, evading the intensity of his gaze and the weight of his demand.
Francis's eyes were deep as he took in her departure. He wasn't in a hurry; he had plenty of ways to make them break up.
"Drive," he said, and then the night swallowed the sleek black car into obscurity.
Harper ascended to her apartment, wrestling with restlessness as she reached for her phone to message Keith. However, in the end, her attempt at explanation faltered into a simple, apologetic text: [I'm sorry.]
Met with silence from Keith, Harper's furrowed brow betrayed her assumption of his displeasure.
Resolving to clarify matters in person, she dismissed the notion of a formal breakup, deeming it irrelevant given the loose nature of their connection.
Approaching her door, Harper discovered the keypad lock depleted of battery, prompting her to delve into her bag for the spare key. Just as she retrieved it, a faint sound diverted her attention.
The key slid through her fingers, clattering to the floor.
Without turning, Harper slowly crouched down, fingers brushing the key, a subtle glance towards her heels revealing a pair of familiar red high heels mere inches behind her.
Stiffening, she hesitated before a chilling voice pierced the silence, "Harper, long time no see!"
Turning abruptly, her eyes widened in recognition.
It was her.
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