Allison froze under the pressure of Lucian's lips. Her eyes fluttered, her breath hitched and the room seemed to be on fire. She could hear nothing but the thud of her heart, beating wildly in her chest, she feared he might hear it . His kiss wasn't hungry—it was slow, deep, and deliberate. As if he had waited years to do this with her but she was his employee.
Allison's lips responded timidly, betraying the flurry of emotions erupting inside her. She wasn't supposed to react like this, No—she wasn't supposed to let her boss kiss her especially as she just came out of a very chaotic relationship. This was totally wrong. Yet, her body didn't move from that position. Instead, she tilted her head, allowing him fuller access to her mouth. The fire between them ignited with massive speed.
But just as quickly as it began, Luciann pulled back. His brows were furrowed. He looked away, as though angry with himself. "I shouldn't have done that."
Allison stood there, speechless. Her lips still tingled. She clutched her arm, she felt humiliated and embarrassed. What was she then, a kissing puppet?
"I'll go," she said, in a voice lower than a whisper but she was sure he heard her. Lucian didn't stop her at all, he acted like she was a gust of wind.
As Allisonreturned to her room, her fingers brushed over her lips. " What the hell is wrong with you Allison? Her emotions was in a mess. She had already been through enough chaos in relationship—now this? And to think she was slowly falling for Lucian, her boss.
--------------------------------------
THE NEXT MORNING
The sun rose behind the clouds. The morning breeze brushed through the open windows of the villa.
Allison still couldn't sleep. Her eyes were red, not from crying, but from tossing and turning. Beatrice barged in with her usual morning energy bringing in breakfast for Allison.
"You didn't sleep, did you?" she asked, sitting cross-legged on Allison's bed.
Allison gave her a look. "You know, I don't plan on explaining much."
Beatrice tilted her head. "So… what exactly happened between you and our icy boss last night?"
Allison turned crimson. " We kissed but it wasn't anything special'."
"WHAT?" Beatrice dropped her toast. They mostly eat together in Allison's room.
"Lower your voice," Allison said with a flushed face .
"Oh my god. I thought I was dreaming when I saw you walking out of his room like a ghost. So he finally made a move, yayyyyy" Beautrice grinned mischievously.
"It's not like that. Didn't you hear me say it's nothing special?". Allison threw a pillow at her as she sat up to take a toast.
Beatrice dodged easily. "Oh, it is like that. And don't even pretend you didn't like it." She said as she rolled her eyes.
Allisonturned her face away. Silence answered the accusation. Yeah, it was clear, she liked it all.
" But what got your mood low," Beatrice asked with concern.
" He didn't acknowledge it. He acted like it was nothing to him like I was just some random puppet" Allison said in a low voice.
Beatrice sighed outwardly. She didn't know what to advice her right now. Lucian Devon was really unpredictable most times.
---
"Boss, there is a movement in the north sector. They're not retreating anymore," Dan reported, standing at straight.
Lucian leaned back in his chair, fingers crossed together. He hadn't spoken to Allisonsince the kiss. His mind has been in disarray..
"Who's leading them?" he asked.
"Shen." Dan's voice dropped to a dangerous tone.
Lucian eyes darkened. "Prepare a team. Tonight, we cut off the snake's head."
" Yes sir "Dan said, he did notice his boss seem to be in a very cloudy mood. He prayed for the victims of his boss' wrath silently. He had to go do his work fast and efficiently unless he would be among the victims. He sighed inwardly.
*********************
Allison was in the backyard, watering the small plants she had started growing. It calmed her. Dirt on her hands was easier to handle than the chaos in her life.
Beatrice stepped out with a curious expression.
"There's a black car parked out front." she said.
"Whose is it?" Allison asked, wiping her hands.
"I don't know, but the guy stepped out looking like a Korean drama villain." she said with sharp gaze.
" Who let him in? Lucian would be furious if he founds out."
They both turned to see a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a dangerous smirk walking towards them in a long stride.
"Is Miss Allison in?" the man asked smoothly, adjusting the gold rimmed glasses he had on.
"I'm Allison," Allison said in a cautious tone.
He tilted his head. "I knew it. Still as stunning as the last time."
Allison frowned. "Have we met somewhere else?"
The man's smile faded. "Of course you wouldn't remember. We met only briefly… the day you bumped into me outside the supermarket."
Her eyes widened.
"Lin Fan, my name " he added.
"Why are you here?" Allison's voice was cautious.
"To warn you," Lin Fan said. "You're entangled in something far more than you realize, even devils flee from him. And he," he paused, "Lucian... he's not who you think he is ."
Before she could speak, Lucian's voice cut through the air.
"She knows enough." He had arrived without a sound, his presence domineering. His steps slow but deliberate.
Lin Fan stepped back. "She deserves the truth."
"This isn't your business," Lucian said coldly. His eyes like daggers like it could pierce Lin Fan all over.
"Tell her about the Red Crescent Gang. Tell her who she is," Lin Fan retorted.
Allison's head snapped toward Lucian.
But he didn't flinch. "Go back to whatever hole you crawled out from now." He had a commanding force. Even Allison wanted to crawl out, she wasn't used to such strong presence.
"I'll be back," Lin Fan warned, then turned and left.
Allisonstood frozen. "Wh–what's the Red Crescent Gang?"
Lucian sighed, his jaw tight. "That was from my past, don't dig into it. Stay out ." He said in a sharp tone.
"Why not?" she snapped. "Is it related to what happened last night? Or why there were so many masked men trying to kill you? And what was he saying about me?"
Beatrice emerged from the shadows. "Allison… you shouldn't push. Go back inside your room". Allison felt Beatrice was acting strange. Everytime it came to anything related to fights Beatrice aura changes.
But Allison's eyes were burning. "No. I deserve answers. My life could be in danger "
Lucian looked into her hazel eyes. "You want the truth? Then prepare yourself."
That night at the Villa, Allison sat alone on the rooftop. Her mind wouldn't stay clear.
Lucian joined her without a word. They sat in silence for a while before he spoke.
" It's complicated Allison". Yueying stared at him.
"When yo gain power, so manyb responsibilities follows, " he looked at her directly. "I was their leader the gang… until I turned against them."
"Why?" she asked.
"They started trafficking girls. Children. I couldn't stay silent."
Allison's heart clenched.
"That's why I've been hunted. That's why I can't afford weaknesses."
"Am I… a weakness?" she asked. Her heart skipped a bit anticipating his reply.
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to face her fully.
"You've turned my life upside down, Allison."
She bit her lip. "Is that a good thing?"
Lucian pulled her closer, his face few inches from her. "It's the most dangerous thing that's happened to me in years sweetheart." Allison couldn't hear any other thing accept his voice and her heartbeat.
And just like that, he kissed her again—this time harder, like he couldn't hold back any longer, like he wanted to devour her.
This time, Yueying kissed him back with equal passion and ferocity.
---
SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK
A man in a white velvet suit leaned against the wall, holding a glass of wine. On the table in front of him were photos—of Allison, Beatrice and Lucian.
"She's the key," the man muttered. "And when I take her… Lucian will come crawling like a kid." He chuckled.
He tossed the photo of Lucian into the fire after squeezing it into a ball, his eyes fell on Allison's photo.
" You deserve to be used properly young lady, " he smirked.
The game had only just begun.