Chapter 46

Isabella’s POV

What was the point of staying here alone without Mr. L? Perhaps I should just return to my hotel. The thought lingered in my mind as I sat on the sofa, sipping a glass of white wine which I had gotten from the fridge. The day had been pleasant enough, filled with Mr. L's company, and his body; maybe it's time to go back to the hotel and face reality and my work.

Me: I'll go back to the hotel after dinner. Thank you, master, for today.

I typed out the message, my fingers hesitating over the keys before pressing 'send'.

Mr. L was undeniably a workaholic, much like Levi, my boss.

The comparison brought a soft sigh to my lips, a small acknowledgment of how patterns repeat themselves, even in the people we find ourselves drawn to.

Not that I was drawn to Levi anymore. Just thinking.

Mr L’s reply came swiftly, almost as if he had been waiting for my message.

Mr. L: You are my perfect little sub, I should thank you instead.

Mr. L's words flashed on the screen, causing a flutter in my chest. The simplicity of his appreciation carried a weight that made me want to squeal in excitement.

"I think I've won the master's heart. Maybe not fully, but at least to a considerable length," I mused, staring at his message.

"Will I be too forward if I ask him if he likes me?" I pondered silently, chewing on my bottom lip. The prospect of his response both excited and terrified me. What if he didn't share my feelings for him? What if this connection I felt was one-sided, and he merely saw me as a good sub?

The uncertainty grew with each passing moment, swirling like a storm in my mind.

But the desire for clarity outweighed my apprehension. "I'm going to ask him," I decided finally, my fingers hovering over the keyboard once more.

Me: Mr. L, do you like me?"

I typed and sent it quickly before fear made me change my mind.

As I hit send, I awaited his response while uncertainty gnawed at me. His reply would reveal a lot about where we stand, about whether this is just convenient or if there's something deeper brewing beneath the surface like I've been dreaming and hoping for. Like his touch and kisses have hinted.

And then, a minute later, his reply flashed on my screen, causing my heart to skip a beat.

Mr. L: "I like you."

His text glowed on the screen, a simple yet profound affirmation that resonated deeply within me.

But his response left me with a flurry of questions. Did he mean he liked me romantically? Was it my personality, my appearance, or something else entirely that drew his admiration? The uncertainty tempered my initial excitement.

Me: What do you like about me?

I held my breath as I awaited his reply, unsure of what to expect. Did he appreciate my body? My ass and boobs? My voice, or perhaps fucking me?

Mr. L's response appeared almost instantly, catching me off guard.

Mr. L: I like your soft heart.

I was stunned. It wasn't the response I had anticipated. His answer felt peculiar, yet deeply touching. It was unexpected and strangely intimate.

My heart fluttered in response to his words, a surge of emotion welling up inside me. "I like your soft heart." I read the sentence over and over, letting its meaning sink in. It was a statement that went beyond physical attraction, resonating on a more profound emotional level.

Overwhelmed with happiness and unable to articulate my feelings, I simply smiled at the text, my heart brimming with warmth.

Another message from him appeared, shifting the conversation in an unexpected direction.

Mr. L: You haven't mentioned your boss Levi in a while. Is everything okay? Have your feelings changed? Do you no longer fantasize about him?

His words caused my heart to race once more.

I drew in a shaky breath, fingers trembling as I typed out a reply. Each key press felt weighted with uncertainty.

What should I do now?

Does he suspect anything?

I have to be truthful.

Me: My pressure no longer stems from Levi. He's a boss who keeps public and private separate. What he values are hard work and excellence. The pressure should come from within myself. If it weren't for your punishment," I might not have taken the first step in understanding him. He's my boss, nothing more. Now I'm no longer afraid of him. Thanks to you, I trust in my abilities.

I hit send, my pulse pulsating in my veins as I awaited his response.

Mr. L: Good girl. It's not all because of me. It was your breakthrough. Without my "punishment," you would have overcome your pressure eventually. You're very brave, smart, and hardworking.

Warmth spread through me at Mr. L's direct praise. Happiness bubbled up inside, but I restrained my smile as I typed back.

Me: Still, thanks to you for speeding up the process. From now on, he's no longer my object of desire. Your physique is a hundred times better, your abs a hundred times clearer, you are a hundred times taller, your muscle definition a hundred times sharper, your looks a hundred times more handsome, your fingers a hundred times more beautiful, and your personality a hundred times gentler than his!

I paused, realizing I didn't even know what Mr. L looked like exactly. Perhaps I was letting my imagination run wild, but deep down, it felt true.

Touching him had confirmed it. Mr. L was superior to Levi in every way.

The silence that followed my messages to Mr. L was unsettling. Normally, he would respond promptly, perhaps with a word of acknowledgment or appreciation. But this time, there was nothing. It gnawed at me, leaving me to wonder whether he found my praises insincere or doubted their veracity.

I hadn't intended to divulge the drunken affair between Levi and me, but I felt compelled to paint a clearer picture of Levi's character for Mr. L for a reason I could not understand.

My fingers tapped firmly on the screen as I composed my message:

Me: I heard from Franco that Levi leads a chaotic private life and engages intimately with anyone who crosses his path! He's more like a fuckboy!

After sending the message, I hesitated briefly before adding another plea:

Me: Please keep this a secret.