Janet POV
“What’re you doing here?” I asked the obvious.
“The more import-tant question is why are you cryi- He paused when I held his hand just before he could touch my face. -ing!” He completed his sentence anyway. I looked at him from head to toe. He was still in his three-piece suit, though his coat’s button were undone along with some upper button of his shirt. The tie was wrapped around his forehead and his hair were a mess, but God, he looked adorable in his stupid drunk-self. I controlled the unwanted smile back and left his hand to let it fall on its own.
“What are you doing here, Mr. Grey?” I repeated myself, crossing my hands against my breasts.
He looked at the flower-bouquet he was holding and smiled before he carried them forward to me, “For you!” I looked at those beautiful red-roses then back at him. He was unsteady on his feet.
“What’s going on, Mr. Grey?” I demanded, “What the hell are you doing at my house in this drunk state?” He opened his mouth to answer but couldn’t when something shattered in my house and snapped his attention towards it. My eyes widened like tennis ball when I realized that Valentino is inside. Fuck!
“Wh-What was that?” He asked in his tipsy tone, looking over my shoulder with a slight frown. I quickly shut the door behind my back and threw him a big smile, “What?” My heart begin to drum wildly inside my ribcage.
“The s-sound!”
I lifted my shoulders up, “What sound?” He raised his index finger at the door but didn’t say a word, looking at me baffled. I raised my brows at him and he kept staring at me mute. My heart almost in my throat and body becoming dead-cold. The fear of Val catching Paxton here with me and that too in this state was shaking my soul. I have to get him out of here! “Mr. Grey-
“N-Nevermind. I want to-to t-talk to you!” He let his hand down and took a clumsy step forward but I put my hand on his chest and stopped him from coming any closer. He raised his brows at me, “What?” His body not at balance. I rotated my head a little and heard footsteps approaching. My heart lurched into my throat and mouth hung open, “Jan- Before he could say anything I grabbed his hand and walked past him, causing him to slightly lose his balance as I dragged him with me hurriedly.
“Hey, hhat’s happeni- umm,” His words muffled and eyes slightly widened when I pinned him against the wall with my palm on his mouth. I put my index finger on my lips as a gesture of stay quiet. He inhaled a large breath in and gave me a nod. I removed my hand from his mouth and peeked out from my hidden place that just then the door was burst open violently and Valentino comes out with his two guards following him. He paused, his fists rolling tight and the movements of his shoulder were enough for me to realize that he’s enraged. Paxton moved his face to see what I was watching but I was quick to grab his face.
Our eyes locked with each-other.
At the moment, under the moonlight, he looked magnificent but what kept me captivated and unable to move was those heavy intoxicated brown eyes of his. I literally forget where am I standing and in what circumstances. His eyes moved down and halted on my lips. I bit the lower lip without realizing and his eyes were back on mine.
Suddenly, a strong bang was heard along with a grunt. My heart skipped a beat and eyes widened.
Valentino just punched his car’s window!
Paxton frowned and was about to look at Val but before he could, I grabbed his face between my palms and smashed my lips against his. His body stiffened with my unexpected action. I opened my mouth and took his lower lip in, kissing him slow and sensually to keep his focus only on me but a low gasp escapes my mouth when he snaked his arm around my waist and jerked me closer, kissing me harder by grasping my jaw a little roughly.
Well, what did you expect?
Our bodies pressed together heatedly against the wall, breathing heavily as our lips moved in a sync. I could taste the alcohol in his breath. I squeezed my eyes and grabbed the hem of his blazer, the proximity was too much to handle. That moment, something was happening to me and to my brain. The kiss was to distract him but something weird was happening to me. The feeling is inexpressible. I couldn’t think straight, nor could I stop myself.
“Oh, Janet!” He slid his hand down and grabbed my breast in his palm, giving a light squeeze to it and earning himself a soft moan. He rolled us over and pinned me against the wall, grabbing my wrists in his one hand and slamming them above my head as he kissed me harder by pushing his hips on me to keep me in place. He grabbed my neck and pulled away. I gulped, my breasts rubbing against his chest as I took long and heavy breaths with him. His eyes were full of passion and something more that I can’t put my finger on. I looked down at his lips and he moved closer but couldn’t kiss me when my head was snapped on the way the loud roar of a car engine came from. It was Val who’s finally gone. I sighed audibly and looked back at Paxton who still hasn’t sensed anything weird and was looking straight into mine.
I guess, I screwed up bad this time!
-
“You just did what?” Asked Vero, looking at me with wide shocked eyes. I threw her a weak smile. She slammed her palm on her forehead and looked away, “You do realize what your psycho fiancé would have done if he had seen you kissing him, right?”
“I had no choice, Vero!” I said in my defense, “At the moment, that was the only thing I could do to distract him from Val!”
“Distract him?” She yelled, “I’m sorry but to me it seems like you didn’t kiss him to distract him from Valentino but to attract Valentino to him!”
“I was on the backside of the house, Vero. No way, he was going to see us!”
“Okay, okay you made sure that he don’t see you, but kiss? I mean, couldn’t you do something else, Janet Reyes?”
“I’m drunk, damn it,” I retorted, “I-I’m fucking drunk myself. I couldn’t think straight!”
“Straight my foot!” She agitated, “You know when that idiot wakes up, he will forget everything that happened tonight except the kiss!”
“Yeah, thanks for reminding that I have a huge matter to deal with!”
She frowned, “Are you fighting with me?”
“No, you are fighting with me!”
“I’m worried, Janet Reyes!” She yelled, “I’m fucking worried about you!” I stared at her for a moment and looked away with a sigh. She took her seat next me on the couch and pulled my arm to make me look at her, “You need to make a good explanation for what you did out there tonight because trust me babe he will ask for one!” I groaned and threw my head in my palms, depressed and frustrated with my stupid shitty life.
I have no idea about how I’m going to handle Paxton after what just happened between us tonight. Neither do I have any plan about how I’m going to escape my dear Valentino. I know that once his given time will be over, he’ll drag me back to where he thinks I belong. I’m just so screwed.
“God, why can’t my life be normal?” I scoffed, looking at the ceiling above me. She let out a mock chuckle, “If you stop putting yourself in such messes consciously? Maybe it can be normal!”
“Will you please stop blaming and yelling at me for a second?”
“Fine!” She crossed her hands against her breasts and I rolled my eyes before slamming my face back in my palm, “Where the fuck he is anyway?”
“In the guest room,” I grumbled. I was trying to find a way to get rid of Valentino and at the same time was looking for an excuse for that kiss as well.
“Janet?” I hummed from behind the palms, “That sound,” I slowly removed my palms and looked at her, “Was it a-
I nodded, “Yup. It was a gun-shot!”
“Can you tell me what happened?” She asked in her low soft tone, “Was he trying to kill you or something?”
I shook my head, “No. He gave me his gun and asked me to either kill him or marry him!”
“And since he’s alive, you couldn’t!” I let out a sigh and looked at my lap. My fingers crossed with his each-other as I fidgeted with my thump’s nails, “Why?” That snapped my head at her. I stayed mute. I didn’t know how to answer her, “Do you love him, Janet?”
“No,” I was quick to answer but within a second I doubted myself and changed it, “Yes. I mean, honestly, I don’t know. Since the time we’ve met again, he’s been only torturing me, keeping me away from peace but I just can’t hate him... Nor can I think of hurting him!” I mumbled the last line.
“You care about him, Janet!” She placed her palm on my hand and smiled, “However bad he is. He sure have done something very good to have this place in your heart, hasn’t he?” I pressed my lips in a thin and nodded.
“Yup. He’s done something that makes me forgive him over and over again!”
That’s true indeed. Valentino really has done a lot for me. No, I am not talking about financial and power support but mental and emotional support. After Ethan’s death, Lucas and I were no longer in a position to take care of the work. So, he took responsibility and looked after it until Lucas was well enough to take it back. He also took care of me and stayed by my side all the time regardless of himself or the business that was literally sinking because of his absence. He even postponed our wedding date for me. I was completely shocked because Valentino is a very selfish and stubborn man who does what he wants without caring about the wishes or consent of others and it was his dream to marry me, but for me he became selfless and kind. I thought that it’s his filthy way to have my complete submission. But now that I think about it, it turns out it was his love. He’s truly in love with me ever since we met at that party. But I am not. He has to understand that because if he don’t then one day his stubbornness will surely cause one of us death.
“Janet?” Vero’s call snapped me out of my thoughts, “So, how are you going to get rid of him?”
“Haven’t thought about it yet. But I will!” She nodded. I stared at her and wonder how is she still nice to me. She almost dies tonight because of me but instead of kicking me away, here she is, trying to help me with my craps! “I’m sorry, Vero,” I said in almost a whisper. She frowned, “I’m sorry because if I wasn’t your friend, you wouldn’t be going through this crap!”
“Well, can’t agree more but still don’t be sorry because I am the one who wants to stay your friend forever, not you!”
“Why?” I asked, genuinely curious, “I mean, after all that happened tonight, why do you still want to be my friend?”
She smiles and says, “Because that’s what friendship is about, darling. No matter what happens, friends stays together. Always and forever!” I let out a chuckle and bent to take her in a hug but couldn’t when something shattered and snapped our heads on it. My eyes widened. The sound came from the Paxton’s room.
“Fuck!” I abruptly got up from the couch and rushed to him. When I reached his room, I held the doorknob and jerked the door open only to find him collecting the broken pieces of the vase he just broke. I let out a sigh of relief to find him all fine and unharmed, “You must be sleeping, Mr. grey!” His head was snapped on me.
“Yeah, but-” he got up to his feet and says, “I still haven’t said what I came to say,” I crossed my hands against my breasts, “So, can we talk?”
“No, we can’t!”
“But-
“I said no, Mr. Grey!” He pouted a little but didn’t say a word. His was body was not at balance. “You need to sit down!” I said but he ignored my word like I just didn’t say it. I rolled my eyes and took a step forward to make him sit on the bed as he was unable to keep himself still with the alcohol in his system but halted on my spot when the kiss flashed. My heart beats increased and eyes lit up. I quickly turned around and sucked a large breath in.
What happened, Janet?
I bit my lower lip.
Are you-Are you afraid of him?
I shook my head and turned to him but as soon as I laid my eyes on him, my heart beats accelerated and throat dried. He was standing there unsteadily with a slight frown on his face. I tightened my fists and gulped hard.
Yes, I’m scared of him!
“You okay?” He asked, unable to stand still.
No, Janet, no! Don’t be afraid of him. He’s not going to kiss you.
I unfolded my fists and exhaled through my mouth, walking towards him with courage.
At least, not unless you kiss him!
I stood in front of him and took the pieces of that vase from his hand by keeping my eyes down to avoid his enchanting ones. I put those pieces away and grabbed his hand, walking him towards the bed but he halted in between and jerked his hand out of my hold.
“No! We-We have to talk,” He insisted like a child, “I-I promise, I won’t take your much time!”
“Alright. But sit down first” I smiled and tried to grab his hand again but couldn’t as he kept moving it here and there like a stubborn child. I scoffed, “Mr. Grey?”
“Listen to me!”
“I will listen to everything you will say but you need to sit down first or you’ll fall!”
“No, I don’t want to sit. I-I want to talk!”
I clenched my jaw, “Fine. Tell me what is it?” My voice has annoyance and irritation. He kept mute. I shot my brows up, “Mr. Grey?”
“I’m sorry, Janet!” The room went to pin-drop silence. I lifted my shoulders and asked, “For what?”
He replied, “For abusing you, torturing you and doing things that surely hurt you... I’m sorry!” My eyes become soft. He took a step closer and adds, “Can you f-forgive me?”
I sighed and crossed my hands against my chest, “I don’t know what’re you talking about!” His shoulders dropped and his eyes getting heavier and heavier as he watched me with guilt-ridden eyes.
Just don’t look him in the eyes!
I quickly looked away from his hypnotizing eyes, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow. Good night!” I turned around and was about to leave but couldn’t when he said.
“I didn’t call you back through sincerity, Janet!” I rolled my fists and turned to him, “I wanted to make you pay for Charlie’s loss. But I was wrong!” he paused, “You weren’t at fault, Janet. Never! It was all my fault. I was the one who threw you in the pool-
“You can stop,!” I interrupted him monotone, not wanting to listen anymore because his sincere voice and guilt-ridden eyes were melting my heart for him and he don’t deserve it. I will never forgive him for what he made me lose with his pathetic joke... You sure?
“No! Please let me speak, Janet. I-I want to confront my sins to you!” He requested in his drunk stubborn tone. I shot my brows up and forced on the word, “Sins?” I was hell surprised when he called his wrong doing sins. He nodded, “Yes, my sins. I tortured someone as sweet, kind, humane, loving and beautiful soul like you! I-I am sinner, Janet!” He was literally on verge of tears. I gave him a weak small smile and looked away.
Wow, a guy like him calling himself a sinner when the epitome of a sinner is standing right in front of him? Well, to be honest, if I wasn’t going through this usual crap of my life then I surely would have talked to him about it or maybe laughed hard when he called me a beautiful soul and himself a sinner. But since my mind is already full with other more important stuff, I have no space for all this to take in.
“So, will you forgive me?” He asked and took a step closer to me. I was about to say yes to over this conversation here but just when he took another step closer to me, he disbalanced. I gasped and grasped his wrist to save him from falling but end up falling with him on the bed.
“Are you okay?” I asked with true concern for him. He didn’t respond to me. His eyes were heavy and hands were holding me carefully above him on the bed, “Paxton?”
“I am—I’m really sorry, Janet... really!” I didn’t talk, only looked at him mutely, “I-I know I was a dick to you and don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I still ask for one!” I smiled but it was barely visible to him, “Forgive me?” I bit my lower lip to keep my smile and he opened his mouth to say more but maybe the alcohol did its job as he could no longer form words. Soon, his eyes closed and hands fell on either side of him.
I smiled, “Idiot!”

Hey my lovely readers... Firstly, I’m so sorry for making you wait for the updates this way. I know, I’m horrible but sometimes you’re not always the reason of everything, right. I mean, I couldn’t update faster because of God who kept me occupied in more important stuff. Lol!
Well, the good news here is I have signed a non-exclusive contract with AnD’s publishers which means this novel will soon be moved to other platforms like “Webnovel, Dreame, and rest I forgot! So, to continue reading you need to find this work on one of the platforms I will mention on the next update.
Thanks a lot for your love, support and patience with me :)
Love you forever... :) :)
