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The gentle breeze stroked Faith's face as she mindlessly roamed the street where she used to live.
A sigh escaped her mouth when she recalled how Dan used to be insecure and get jealous of Sterling. Now, Sterling was just the same, or perhaps even worse?
Was this a men's problem?
Faith wished she had enough experience to know.
All day in the office, she had ensured that Sterling knew she was upset with him. She didn't speak to him unless it was work-related.
Still, his stubborn heart wouldn't budge, it irked Faith so much that he even pretended not to notice that she was angry at him.
Didn't he understand how restless and guilty her heart felt that an innocent man lost his job today because of her?
Faith was walking aimlessly, she didn't expect to suddenly bump into a familiar face.
It was her old friend, Natalie.
The air suddenly turned awkward as Natalie approached.
"You seem to be living well, after all."
Faith didn't know how to respond to that, she also heard the disappointment and resentment in Natalie's voice. This woman was supposed to be her friend but had betrayed her without second thoughts.
"You betrayed everyone and got married to a rich man, how did you manage to sleep at night?"
At this point, Faith scoffed aloud, it was hypocrisy at its finest, she also guessed that Natalie must have heard the news of her marriage from Dan.
"And what about you? You didn't even hesitate, you were an absolutely good friend by helping my ex to forget me, how did you manage to sleep at night?" Faith mimicked Natalie's voice whose eyes flashed with anger.
"That's because he deserved better than a cheap whore like you, and things would have worked between us if not for you!" Natalie yelled.
"All you ever did was to use and discard him! You even helped to take away his last piece of property, why else would he be so depressed? You're to blame for what happened to him! I hope you suffer for life!"
Faith watched Natalie's eyes flash with disgust, she wanted to leave the angry woman, but at the same time curiosity got the best of her.
Did something happen to Dan?
Faith didn't realize she had voiced the question aloud until Natalie's eyes narrowed at her.
"He lost everything, why else would he abuse substances and had to be taken away? You ruined his life!"
To say that Faith was shocked was an understatement, her mouth dropped at Natalie's proclamation.
It couldn't be true, Faith knew Dan that much. He would never smoke or even taste alcohol after what happened to his father, how could he do drugs?
It just wasn't possible!
"Where was he taken? When?" She asked unable to stop herself.
"Oh? Are you going to pretend to care after you brought this upon him? I think you'll also be pleased to know that he murdered a person in his intoxicated state, you'll never have to see him again in your life!" Natalie snarled.
Faith turned and started to walk away, her movements were shaky and without rhythm.
Her fists were clenched tight as she exhaled shakily.
What happened to Dan was unfortunate, she would never wish that on her worse enemy?
Was it her fault?
Sadness made her chest feel tight, although what happened to Dan was tragic, how could she be responsible? He'd left her first!
A heavy wind swept past, Faith looked up to see the darkened sky.
She increased her pace and was just thinking about calling a taxi when a car pulled up in front of her.
Her heart leaped when the tinted windows rolled down, before she could even wonder how Sterling got to know where she was, he broke the silence.
"Enter, let's go home!"
Faith was reminded of the reason she had to be upset with him and broke their stare.
"I still want to walk, and I don't need you to drive me, I'll come back myself when I want to." She muttered loud enough for him to hear.
"It's about to rain, you'll catch a chill if you stand there for too long."
Faith took a step back when the car door suddenly opened and Sterling stepped out still dressed in his business attire.
She looked at the darkened cloud which was starting to shower drops of rain and returned her stare to him.
"You don't have to care, didn't I say I will return when I want to?!"
Faith didn't completely comprehend why she was being defiant, the cool droplets of water were starting to fall on her skin and she was also starting to feel cold, but pride wouldn't let her admit that to him now.
A yelp escaped her mouth when Sterling encircled her wrists, jerking her to him. Faith was magnetized by his stare, she blinked furiously and tried to stay unaffected by his nearness.
Still maintaining eye contact, he slowly lifted her captured wrist to his face, his warm breath tickling her fingers.
"You won't be able to work efficiently if you catch a cold." He muttered, and then a mischievous glint flashed across his gaze.
"I also won't be able to fuck you tonight as I would be too busy taking care of you, wouldn't that be a huge loss to me? So of course, I have to care. It's also best if you listen to me as well." His voice was slightly lowered.
Faith's face felt warm despite the cold, she opened her mouth and shut it a few times, still too stunned to speak. Her thoughts were too complicated for a quick comeback.
She didn't know whether she felt mad by the underlying threat in his last sentence or if she was excited.
Perhaps a mixture of both?
She would that it hadn't been all about his firing of Jeb, it was the fact that he hadn't trusted her. He'd accused her of wanting Jeb because she tried to defend him, did he think she was a wanton who would jump into several men's beds?
"What if I still don't want to get in? Are you going to force me?" She challenged, but he only smiled slowly.
Faith kicked herself mentally when the action drew her attention to his sensual lips.
"I also don't want to fuck you tonight!" She added, he'd sounded so confident that he was going to have her tonight, didn't he know that she was too angry at him to want his hands on her?
"Indeed, you don't." His eyes flashed with mirth, his tone was mocking, and she hated him for it.
"I do not want your hands on me!" She spoke in a more affirmative tone.
One of his hands held her wrist, while the other caressed her jaw, and slowly her bottom lip.
"Are you saying I won't find you wet for me if I check your pussy right now?"
His words made heat pool at her center, she squirmed under his heated gaze, the dilation of his pupil made his eyes appear even darker.
"Very well, shall we test that theory right now?!"
He didn't wait for her response.
A yelp escaped Faith's mouth when Sterling suddenly lifted her into his arms and started to head toward the car.
"Put me down right now! I don't want you to touch me!" She yelled despite clinging tightly to his shoulders for fear that he might drop her.
"Liar!" Sterling's voice taunted her ears.
"I'm so mad at you right now!"
"I know. Then let me make it up to you."
Faith's heart was beating too fast. What was this man doing to her?
She could feel the resentment evaporating out of her rapidly.
Her eyes went closed when his lips meshed with hers.
This has to stop.
He always had a way of making her forget everything.
Even worse was that she didn't want to stop him.
She was falling so fast.
Or perhaps she had already fallen some time ago?
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