Enfi's body moved.
She cautiously, with a cat-like lightness and hesitation, slowly leaned her body towards Hawk.
Her shoulder gently brushed against his arm. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel his firm muscles and body warmth.
Hawk didn't move, holding the steering wheel with one hand like an experienced driver.
Enfi's heart pounded like a drum.
She summoned greater courage, resting her head gently on his arm.
Her hair brushed his neck, almost imperceptibly.
Still no reaction.
This silent acquiescence felt like encouragement.
Enfi looked up, gazing at Hawk's face, so close to hers.
In her beautiful eyes, there was no fear now, only a sacrificial focus and a dazed look of submission.
Her hand, trembling slightly, rose very slowly, cautiously touching Hawk's hand resting on his thigh.
Her fingertips first lightly traced the back of his hand, feeling the warmth and strength of his skin. Then, with a desperate courage, her fingers gently, tentatively, intertwined with his.
Hawk's fingers finally moved.
He didn't push her away; instead, he tightened his grip slightly, enveloping her cool, small hand in his palm.
This subtle response ignited a long-suppressed flame within Enfi.
When the traffic light turned red, she no longer hesitated. Her body leaned up, and she clumsily pressed her soft lips against the corner of Hawk's mouth.
It was a kiss filled with tentative innocence and intense dependence.
Hawk's eyes reflected Enfi's face, which was both nervous and eager at that moment.
He looked down at her, his gaze calm and unruffled, but the commanding presence radiating from him did not diminish in the slightest.
A moment later, Hawk pushed Enfi away.
Enfi panicked the instant she was pushed away, thinking she had done something wrong, and instinctively wanted to retreat: "I… I'm sorry, sir, I…"
Her words were cut short because Hawk pointed out the window and said, "It's green."
…
A five-minute drive took a full hour. The car stopped at the entrance of a discreetly luxurious apartment building.
Hawk looked at Enfi, who was in his arms, still breathless, her cheeks flushed, her eyes misty and even a little watery, overwhelmed by his masterful techniques, as if admiring a work of art he had just branded.
"You've arrived at your new residence."
Enfi awoke as if from a dream, her cheeks burning, her heart still pounding wildly.
She obediently straightened her wrinkled blouse and skirt, her fingers touching her slightly swollen lips, and a new wave of heart-pounding and inexplicable excitement washed over her.
She dared not look into Hawk's eyes, and meekly opened the car door.
Hawk also got out of the car, leading Enfi into the apartment elevator, straight to the top floor.
With a fingerprint unlock, the heavy door slid open silently.
What greeted them was a spacious, high-end apartment.
Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the dazzling Manhattan skyline.
"This place… it must be expensive…"
After curiously looking around for a while, Enfi cautiously uttered this sentence.
Hawk's mouth twitched; he found it somewhat amusing. He patted Enfi's shoulder and said, "Five thousand dollars a month. The rent will be deducted from your three salaries."
Then he pointed towards one of the bedrooms: "That's your room."
Enfi took a deep breath. She turned around, not heading towards the bedroom, but approaching Hawk again.
This time, she didn't hesitate.
She reached out her slender arms and wrapped them around Hawk's lean waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.
Then, she stood on tiptoe and actively kissed his Adam's apple.
It was an extremely bold and suggestive action.
Hawk's body seemed to stiffen for a moment.
Then, he let out a low chuckle, suddenly raised his hand, and clasped the back of Enfi's neck, forcing her to tilt her head back to receive his descending kiss.
At the same time, his strong arm slid under her bent knees, lifting her entire petite body horizontally.
Enfi gasped, instinctively clutching his neck.
Hawk carried her, striding towards the bedroom.
The bedroom was equally spacious and cold, with a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city's glittering lights, and a surprisingly large black bed in the center.
Enfi was tossed onto the soft down comforter.
She didn't even have time to feel dizzy before Hawk's strong body covered hers, his shadow completely enveloping her.
All clothing became as fragile as paper in the face of absolute strength.
The city's neon lights outside the window, like flowing ribbons, cast a cold glow on their entangled figures.
After an unknown period, the storm subsided.
Only their heavy, uneven breathing remained in the room.
Hawk rose and walked towards the bathroom connected to the bedroom.
Soon, the sound of running water could be heard from inside.
Enfi lay exhausted, curled up in the center of the huge bed, her body aching and filled with a strange afterglow of being thoroughly used.
The cold air in the room and the dazzling world outside the window reminded her of the reality of her expensive cage.
The sound of water stopped.
Hawk emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets rolling down his well-defined muscles.
"How do you feel?" Hawk asked softly, his tone very confident.
Enfi struggled to sit up, wrapping herself in the sheet.
Her face still bore fresh tear stains and the flush of passion, her black hair clinging messily to her sweaty forehead and neck, her eyes showing a fragile submission after being thoroughly broken. She said, "Very… good…"
Hawk smiled. At least half of it was thanks to the best coming-of-age gift he'd received in '18. He really wanted to say: In '18, with my hands in my pockets, I didn't know what an opponent was!
She lay down, enveloped by Hawk's lingering scent, and sank into a dreamless darkness.