The ride was silent.
The windows of the Mercedes G-Class were tightly shut, sealing us inside a dim, private world. The soft interior lights barely illuminated the space between us, casting long shadows across Johnathan's face.
My thighs felt cold.
Not because of the air.
But because of him.
His expression was distant, unreadable. The quiet tension rolling off him made my body tremble slightly.
He hadn't expected me to act like that tonight.
Fighting Annabelle.
Creating a scene at Sharon's party.
In his mind, I was supposed to be better than that. More composed. More mature. Someone who wouldn't fall into their traps.
But honestly…
Only a fool would stay calm when someone tried to take their lover away.
I wasn't going to pretend.
Not when I had finally found something worth protecting.
Being with Johnathan felt like living my best life. Every wish, every dream, every fragile hope I had ever buried seemed to come alive when he was near me.
My heart melted every time I looked at him.
He made life feel beautiful again.
There are moments in life that completely transform a person.
You can spend years walking through darkness, believing that life only holds pain, disappointment, and shadows.
Then suddenly—
Something changes.
A person enters your life.
And everything shifts.
Your fear turns into hope.
Your emptiness becomes warmth.
Your broken pieces begin to heal.
Johnathan was that moment for me.
He was the force that pulled me out of hopelessness and placed me back into a world full of meaning.
And I would protect that feeling.
Fight for it.
Even betray myself for it.
Because I wanted more.
More of him.
More of us.
"Why did you leave the room?"
Johnathan's voice suddenly broke the silence.
His hands rested calmly on the steering wheel as he guided the car smoothly through the quiet streets.
"You were about to win that fight," he continued.
"I thought you'd stay and finish it… even if Sharon called the police."
I blinked.
"Wait," I said, turning toward him. "You wanted me to fight?"
My voice carried genuine surprise.
I had expected the opposite.
I thought he would scold me for embarrassing him.
For acting childish.
For creating chaos.
"Vanessa," he said calmly, glancing briefly at me, "you left me alone with Annabelle."
He sighed quietly.
"You know what she's like."
"She's bold… seductive… and persistent."
"She gives me chills whenever her body—"
"She has nothing over me," I interrupted firmly.
My voice came out sharper than I intended.
"I would break her before she ever intimidates you."
He didn't argue.
Instead, he placed one hand gently on my thigh.
His touch was warm.
Firm.
Comforting.
I felt my entire body relax under his hand.
"You should have stayed," he murmured.
"I don't want Annabelle close to me."
"She carries too much heat."
"And I'll burn her alive if she hears you say that," I replied dryly.
Johnathan laughed softly.
"Next time," he said, "just punch her."
I raised an eyebrow.
"She is too beautiful to be that intimidating."
"Got it, sir," I replied playfully.
"I'll leave a mark this time."
He chuckled.
The tension between us finally softened.
Soon the car rolled into the private garage beneath Johnathan's penthouse.
The moment we stepped inside, the familiar atmosphere wrapped around me.
His home reflected him perfectly.
Dark lighting.
Rich textures.
Masculine elegance.
Expensive paintings lined the walls, and several framed photographs displayed moments of his life—some even showcasing his powerful physique, his defined chest and sculpted abs captured in professional photography.
I had been here before.
Many times.
And every corner of this penthouse carried memories.
The scent of his cologne still lingered in the air.
The view from the windows.
The quiet nights we spent talking here.
The laughter.
The difficult conversations.
This place held pieces of us.
Pieces Annabelle would never have.
I walked slowly through the living room, my eyes drifting from one memory to another.
My thoughts were distant.
My heart heavy with emotion.
Then suddenly—
My back hit the wall.
Johnathan had pushed me there.
Not violently.
But firmly enough to make my breath catch.
His hands pressed against the wall beside me, trapping me between his arms.
His body leaned closer.
I felt his breath brush against my skin.
Warm.
Dangerously close.
My pulse quickened.
He moved closer.
Closer.
His hands began to wander slowly along my waist, sending waves of electricity through my body.
I gasped softly.
His touch moved lower.
Exploring.
Careful.
Intent.
"Vanessa…" he breathed.
His voice was rough.
"Seeing you fight Annabelle tonight…"
He leaned toward my neck and nipped playfully at my skin.
"…made me want you."
I laughed softly, the sound turning into a quiet giggle as his touch tickled my neck.
But after a moment, I gently pushed him away.
"Johnathan," I said with a smile.
"Calm down."
"Your energy is too wild tonight."
Without waiting for a response, I walked past him and collapsed onto the large couch.
My body sank into the cushions.
I was exhausted.
The fight.
The emotions.
The adrenaline.
Everything was finally catching up with me.
If I stayed here long enough, I might fall asleep.
A moment later, Johnathan joined me.
His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his chest.
His warmth surrounded me completely.
I closed my eyes briefly, allowing myself to sink into the comfort.
Being here felt safe.
Like stepping into a world that belonged only to us.
"Vanessa," he said quietly.
"Listen to me."
His voice was serious now.
"No one will take you away from me."
He paused.
"No one."
"We're meant to do bigger things together."
"And we will."
I looked up at him.
"I believe you," I whispered.
"You've always been my safe place."
"My sanctuary."
"The place I run to when the world feels too heavy."
I rested my head against his chest.
"Life feels complete when I'm with you."
"I only want more of you."
My voice trembled slightly.
But the words were real.
Completely real.
He smiled softly.
Then he cupped my jaw gently and pressed his forehead against mine.
We stayed like that for a moment.
Breathing the same air.
Sharing the same silence.
Until suddenly—
His phone rang.
The sound shattered the quiet moment.
I reached for it instinctively, ready to grab it before it interrupted us further.
But Johnathan was faster.
He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
"My mum," he said sharply.
"Why is she calling?"
My body stiffened.
The warmth inside my chest vanished.
A cold knot formed in my stomach.
Mrs. Patricia.
The one person who terrified me more than anyone else.
Why was she calling him now?
Did Annabelle tell her what happened tonight?
Did she reveal that I slapped her?
Because if she did…
Then everything between me and Johnathan might be over.
And this love story…
could end before it truly began.