Moona's POV:
The moment he finished speaking, his powerful body wrapped around me with overwhelming force, pressing me down against the front seat.
"And besides… ever since I met you again… I've had no intention of letting go."
"You… hateful... mmph...!"
He lowered himself over me, capturing my breath, sealing off every protest.
His breath pressed against mine, hot, consuming, possessive.
"Don't…"
I pushed him with all my strength, but it was useless.
Nicolas grew increasingly dissatisfied with mere closeness alone.
His scorching breath grazed from my lips to the line of my jaw, down my neck and shoulder invading me, making me tremble, my breath completely out of control.
His hand slid from my chin downward, deliberately tracing the curves of my body, never crossing the line, but enough to suffocate me with his dominance.
"Don't… don't do this!"
I trembled, my eyes filled with helpless pleading.
"Please…"
The devil before me smiled, corrupt and intimate:
"Please what? Didn't we already, once..."
"Don't!"
Before I could finish, he captured my breath again.
Nicolas's breath ravaged the softness he remembered, the feelings he'd been starving for, breaking down the last of my resistance.
But right then...
Knock knock knock!
"Nicolas…?"
Liliana's soft voice echoed with the tapping on the car window. Her voice grew louder, closer.
Nicolas frowned, terribly annoyed. He opened the door and at that instant, like escaping death, I bolted out of the car, running away as fast as I could.
"Moona?"
Liliana froze when she saw me climb out.
And I froze too.
I blinked and suddenly, sorrow flooded my eyes. My long lashes trembled.
Then, in one breaking moment... I turned and fled toward my car, disappearing into the night.
...
Liliana's POV:
Watching the car vanish into the darkness, I stood stunned. Nicolas's usual careless expression slowly turned heavy; in his deep, shadowy eyes flashed something I couldn't decipher.
"Nicolas… that girl just now… wasn't she…?"
I couldn't hide the shock, suspicion, and unease rising in me.
"That was Moona."
His voice was cold, his gaze fixed not on me, but on the darkness beyond. After speaking, he turned and headed straight to the car.
Hearing that name, my body trembled slightly, but I quickly concealed it, keeping my expression composed.
"Get in."
Nicolas opened the door and spoke with such icy sharpness that I almost shivered.
I pulled myself together and sat beside him. Seeing Nicolas's grim expression made my heart tighten. Why would a man who cared about nothing wear such a look?
"Nicolas…"
I called softly and took his hand, bringing it toward me. My delicate body leaned gently into his strong chest.
A flicker of something complicated flashed in his eyes, but he didn't push me away. He let me lean on him, silent to the point of frightening.
"In your heart… are you still thinking about her?"
My slender fingers traced along the proud curve of his throat, then down to his powerful chest.
Nicolas frowned but said nothing until his large hand gripped my wrist and pulled it away. His gaze sharpened to the point I could barely breathe. He lowered his head, voice soft yet dangerous:
"Liliana, it seems you're becoming more and more nosy."
His words stabbed into me like a blade. My face paled instantly. After a moment, tears gathered in my eyes as I looked up:
"Nicolas, I know I spoke wrongly… but… but what I meant was… if you love her… then I'll be the one to leave… Fate has always been this way anyway, I won't force..."
"Enough."
His roar shook my heart. Nicolas had clearly run out of patience. His abyss-deep eyes churned with turmoil.
Without another word, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, and the car shot forward.
I trembled at both the rushing wind and his storm-dark expression. I turned my face away, unable to look at him.
In that moment, the gentle softness in my eyes vanished.
A cold, venomous glint flashed through them.
Moona…
Even if you appear…
I will never give Nicolas to you.
Never.
The night outside swallowed everything including this painful, inescapable love.
...
Moona's POV:
I didn't know how I got home. Only when I collapsed onto my bed did Nicolas's voice and that wicked smile of his continue echoing in my mind.
"No…"
I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my ears with my hands.
Why? Why, after so many years, did I have to meet that man again?
I don't want this… I really don't…
Sketches of my university years flooded back, dragging with them every ounce of exhaustion, pulling me back to the moment I first arrived in Aldercrest Dominion…
Spring, March, on the streets of Aldercrest Dominion.
The trending colors from Milan had just made their debut, and everywhere from narrow alleys to bustling streets, a spark of high fashion bloomed. Under the sunlight, a girl shone softly... That girl was me.
My long black hair spilled gently over my shoulders. My outfit looked simple, yet didn't hide the innate elegance, it enhanced it. My skin was white as snow under the sun, like smooth, glossy butter.
Especially my smile bright, warm, sincere shining more brilliantly than the sunlight itself.
I was Moona, a first-year student at the Paris Fashion Design Academy. That year, I came to Crestfall Capital University as an exchange student, helping with color design. Since childhood, I'd been known as a "prodigy girl." At only sixteen, I had already shown exceptional talent in fashion design.
That day, I was using my rare Sunday to stroll through the fashion shops every woman loved, looking for inspiration for my next piece.
When I reached a lavishly decorated shop, my eyes lit up. The place was filled with the trendiest clothing and accessories. And then…
I saw the luxury sports car parked right in front of the door!
Having money must be nice, huh? Just leaving your car lying around, not even bothering to park properly. One look and I knew either a spoiled playboy or someone rich for generations.
I shrugged and planned to walk in, but after thinking a moment, I stepped toward the car…
If I was entering such a glamorous shop, even as a student, I shouldn't go in bare-faced. So, proudly, I used the car's side mirror to touch up my makeup.
Hmm. Not bad!
I smiled confidently at my reflection. My gaze lowered to the glass window and in my clear, mischievous eyes, a wicked glint flashed.
Sunlight glimmered on the glossy surface of the car.
And if one looked closely…
"Penalty-worthy."
(Yes. I wrote that with lipstick.)