“Sienna!”
My face was flushed red by the time our yelling had stopped.
See? I’m wasting my breath trying to advise an incorrigible man.
For a moment, our breaths were erratic as we stared at each other, becoming archenemies once again.
Bang!
A loud noise sounded in the sky. I instinctively turned and watched as the dazzling fireworks exploded at the highest point, transforming into colorful flowers for a brief moment before disappearing completely.
One after another they came as the sky became a stage for the display with no signs of stopping.
They reminded me of the festive season in J City. With no explicit orders to ban fireworks, they could be spotted in the sky at any point throughout the night of new year’s eve, illuminating the entire city as a symbol of welcoming the new year.
Anthony was still with me at that time. Summer was also very clingy, and the Featherstones had not met with any mishap. The family I had then is the only family I know.
Those were beautiful memories. However, alongside the flow of time came sadness that raged like a torrent. The brilliance of the fireworks only served to amplify the desolation in my heart, and the cause of it all was Nathaniel.
I gritted my teeth as my hands curled into fists. The smile that I had on my face due to those memories gradually turned into a scowl of resentment.
However, Nathaniel thought that I was engrossed in the fireworks. He came forward and hugged me from behind. “I may not know what love is, Sienna, but I know for sure that at this moment, I am reluctant to leave you. Although I don’t believe that relationships can last a lifetime, I swear that my feelings for you are like these fireworks. Even if they’re short-lived, they’re still intense and passionate.”
I flared my nostrils as I said in a cynical tone, “There’s no need for the sweet talk. What you’re trying to say is that you’re currently interested in me, so you’ll do anything to make me stay. Once you’ve lost interest, you hope that I’ll learn from the fireworks and vanish from your sight.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “Maybe.”
As he said that, he released me and led me toward the guardrails. “Stand closer so you can get a clearer look.”
However, as we drew closer, we could clearly see the situation on the viewing platform directly below us. The sight rendered us silent instantly.
Under the warm light of the pavilion on the viewing platform stood a man and a woman.
It was not hard to tell from their silhouettes that they were Anthony and Ramona.
From afar, they looked like a perfect couple.
The two failed to notice us, as they were also looking at the fireworks.
“Anthony and Ramona are both outstanding within this industry. I think they’ll achieve great things if they’re together,” whispered Nathaniel.
Upon hearing that, I turned my face away and glared at him with narrowed eyes. Just say it straightforwardly that you wish to frame them on the pretext of having an affair. Don’t beat around the bush.
However, I still feigned ignorance. “What do you mean?”
Nathaniel looked down to meet my eyes, his lips curling upward as though he was gloating at the situation. “Just the literal meaning. The old me would have also chosen a woman who is evenly matched to be my other half. Would you take a guess as to whether Ramona would be Anthony’s choice?”
I smirked as I walked up to him and said through gritted teeth, “Nathaniel, you’re truly a despicable man.”
Right after saying that, I reached out and shoved him hard, causing him to stagger back a few steps.
He grabbed hold of the guardrail and proudly answered as soon as he steadied his stance, “Thank you. I have always been a despicable man.”
“Indeed. A gentleman would never defame his opponent to advance his agenda.”
With that said, I removed the jacket and threw it at him before making my way down the mountain using the same route we came.
Nathaniel followed closely behind me while still adding fuel to the fire. “No matter where you go, whatever that happened is already the reality. Hiding won’t change anything.”
“Says who? Tell them to stay there forever. If I don’t return and can’t see it, then I’ll reckon it never happened!” I exclaimed as I quickened my pace.
After returning home, I ran into the bedroom and locked the door when Nathaniel was not looking.
Knock! Knock!
“Open the door, Sienna.”
Nathaniel came over not long after and knocked on the door several times.
“I won’t.” I leaned against the door, refusing to sleep on the same bed with him no matter what. “You have yourself to blame for leading me to see Ramona and Anthony. I don’t feel good, so I won’t let you get away with this. Go and sleep in the study!”
“You’re one smart girl,” he said softly with a slight tease in his tone.
It’s not because I’m smart, but his horrible acting betrayed him. While pretending to bring up Ramona, he led me to a position where I could clearly see the foot of the mountain. His motives were simply too obvious.
However, he came up with another argument in no time. “It’s true that I didn’t make it up out of nothing. They are indeed very close. If this wasn’t the case, you wouldn’t have witnessed it despite my schemes. Isn’t that so?”
Refusing to listen to his twisted logic, I retorted, “But I have the right to choose, and I can choose not to look. You need not worry about making decisions for me. That’s it. Our conversation ends here. I don’t wish to argue with you. I’m going to bed, and I wish you a sleepless night!”
I took off my shoes and jumped onto the bed before burying myself at the spot where Anthony had slept the night before. Then I turned over to stare at the ceiling.
I should be able to sleep soundly in our room tonight while smelling his distinct scent.
At the thought of Anthony, I could not help but wonder about his intention to approach Ramona.
From what I saw today, it’s not hard to tell that Ramona isn’t a conservative person. In some aspects, she may indeed get along very well with Anthony. He managed to reach his current position in such a short time, and there’s hardly any room for advancement. In order to further divide Nathaniel’s criminal group, he must win over his opponents. The attitudes of those senior members toward Anthony are apparent. However, as they’re old, I bet they won’t be of much help. The key person is still Ramona. Getting her onto his side might be the crucial factor in breaking down the organization. She doesn’t seem to care much about love, so I wonder what he would do to move her.
I drifted off to sleep while still pondering over the matter.
While I was half asleep, I had the feeling of being engulfed in a warm embrace.
Thinking that Anthony had entered my dream, I did not reject it. Instead, I relaxed and let down my guard.
However, when I opened my eyes the next day, I was startled to find Nathaniel sleeping beside me. I jumped out of bed immediately and stood at the side barefooted.
Although he was awoken by the noise, he took his time to sit up, stretch his limbs, and lean against the bed frame. “Morning. Are you refusing to acknowledge this after waking up?”
I took one look at his expression and instantly boiled with rage, knowing that he was up to no good. “I was sure that I had locked the door. Why are you here?”
“There’s an item in this world called the key. I’m not stupid as to not know how to use it. Besides, the spare key was in the study, and you even told me to go there. So, it’s not my fault.” Nathaniel gave me an innocent look, spreading out his hands as though he was speaking the truth.
“You dirty sc*mbag!” I rolled my eyes at him in disgust before fleeing into the bathroom and locking myself in it.
As soon as I closed the door, I rushed to the basin and splashed water on my face to try to calm down. After that, I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror.
I hope I didn’t do anything I shouldn’t have done last night.
Knock! Knock! Nathaniel leaned against the bathroom door as he teased, “I didn’t see you acting shy when you were curling into my arms last night.”
“Get lost!” I bellowed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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