Delson lifted Zeya's chin with his index finger, his touch rough and domineering. His smile widened, but beneath it lurked a clear threat. "I'll make sure you live happily if you marry me," he said, his voice soft yet forceful.
Zeya slapped Delson's hand away in disgust, her eyes gleaming with anger. "I'm not canceling it," she replied firmly, her voice trembling with emotion. "It doesn't matter whether you want to report it or not, I don't care."
She tried to walk away, but Delson quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back. Delson's strong arm gripped Zeya's wrist tightly, preventing her from escaping. Delson brought her face closer, his other hand gripping Zeya's jaw forcefully, forcing her to look into his eyes. With a swift and brutal movement, Delson kissed Zeya's upper lip, a wild, intense, and violent kiss.
Zeya struggled, hitting Delson's broad chest with all her might, but Delson only tightened his grip, his tongue slipping into her mouth, deepening the forced kiss. With furious force, Zeya pushed Delson's chest, causing him to stumble backward. She wiped her lips roughly, her eyes blazing with anger.
"I could report you to the Dean!" Zeya threatened, her voice trembling but firm.
Delson laughed, his voice cold and full of contempt. He moved closer, his body restricting Zeya's movement between the door and his body. "Then report it now," he challenged. "Then we'll be destroyed together, and I can have you all. How about it?"
Zeya raised her head, her gaze sharp and hateful, daring Delson to continue. Her eyes shone with a fierce determination to fight, even though she was surrounded by a far greater force and threat.
Zeya clutched her skirt, her fingers turning white from the pressure. Fear and doubt mingled within her. The dream of going to London, of achieving her dreams, was so close yet so far away. Washington, the city she had always lived in, now felt like a cage confining her. She had to leave, she had to make her dream come true.
"What do you want?" he asked finally, his voice barely audible, a confession of weakness hidden behind the words.
Delson smiled broadly, satisfied to see Zeya finally give in. He leaned in close, his whisper hot in her ear. "Be my girlfriend, and call off your engagement," he said, his voice soft yet compelling. "Let's keep our secret tonight. How about it?"
Zeya swallowed her saliva, Delson's breath in her ear made her heart beat fast, a confusing mix of fear and desire.
"Please... give me another option," she whispered, pleading.
Delson stared intently at Zeya's lips, his thumb gently stroking them. "Nothing," he said, his voice firm. "That's the only choice. Or... would you rather sleep with me? Make up for that night?"
Zeya looked into Delson's blue eyes, her eyes sparkling. "You are going to marry my sister... How can you ask me to sleep with Dad? What if Larin knows I betrayed him?"
Without warning, Delson sealed Zeya's lips with a deep, passionate kiss. His tongue aggressively explored her mouth, an undeniable display of dominance. Zeya closed her eyes, her body tensing, then slowly softening, swept away in a whirlwind of irresistible desire, surrendering to the sin that promised momentary gratification, an escape from the harsh reality. She was powerless to resist.
Delson pulled Zeya by the waist, her body pressed tightly against his. His touch was strong and domineering, pressing the nape of her neck to lift her head, giving him complete control of her mouth. His kiss deepened and intensified, his tongue exploring her mouth passionately.
Delson's hands moved slowly, unbuttoning Zeya's blazer one by one. The touch of the fabric on Zeya's skin felt so sensual, evoking a strange and confusing sensation. Delson's kisses descended to Zeya's long, smooth neck, her white skin feeling so soft beneath his lips. The hot touch left a fiery red trail, arousing a wave of sensations that clung to Zeya's body, a mixture of fear, desire, and guilt all mingling. Her body trembled, not from the cold, but from uncontrollable passion.
Zeya gasped, consciousness returning to her. She pulled herself from Delson's embrace, snapping herself out of the whirlwind of desire that had nearly brought her to the brink of destruction. Her movements were hasty, as she backed away, straightening her blazer with trembling hands.
"Excuse me, sir," he said, his voice shaking, "I have class."
Without waiting for an answer, Zeya hurried away, her steps hurried, afraid that Delson would hold her back again. It had to go, before it really got out of hand.
Delson smiled, brushing his thumb over her lips, feeling the lingering sensation of Zeya's kiss. He tasted his own lips, murmuring in wonder and satisfaction. "How can her mouth be so sweet?" he murmured, amazed and captivated. He had no idea he was falling in love with Zeya, the woman he had never noticed before, the woman who had now turned his world upside down.
-----
The large mirror in the campus bathroom reflected Zeya's figure standing with her back to the sink, her hands gripping the edge tightly.
His eyes stared at his own reflection with a confused expression—a mix of nervousness, anger, and... confusion.
He took a deep breath, but his chest was still rising and falling erratically. His heart was beating too fast, too hard.
The vibrations could still be felt throughout his body, even though the incident had only lasted a few minutes. But the effects still lingered, battering him mercilessly.
With trembling hands, Zeya opened her small bag and took out concealer and powder.
He tilted his neck, and a faint kiss mark appeared on his pale skin. A purplish red mark that now haunted him.
With quick but careful movements, she patted concealer onto her skin, trying to cover up the marks left by Delson.
She rubbed it with her finger, blended it with powder, making sure nothing looked suspicious. But no matter how well she disguised the mark, she couldn't disguise the unease within her.
His gaze returned to the mirror, piercing through himself.
"Please, Zeya... don't get caught up in him," she murmured softly, almost a desperate whisper.
"You have to realize..."
She closed her eyes, trying to calm her still-frenzied heartbeat. But memories of Delson's gaze, his touch, the faint scent of his perfume lingering on her clothes—all of it swirled in her head.
Zeya opened her eyes slowly, took a deep breath, then let it out in a heavy breath.
"You're just caught up in it for a moment... This isn't love... This is just temptation. You have to be strong," he said softly to his own reflection.
Then she smoothed her hair, pulling back her professional, calm face like a mask, preparing to go back out. To meet the world. To meet... Delson.
But behind his cold eyes, there was an inner war that had not yet ended.