A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Adrian stroked his chin, an amused twinkle in his eye. “I do give off that creepy vibe

at times.”

Matilda sighed, her voice laced with a hint of apology. “My son’s still young; he can be a bit impulsive with his words. I just wanted to say sorry for that.”

Adrian chuckled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “No need for apologies. It would’ve been pretty weird if I’d come off all chummy right out of the gate.”

Matilda’s smile faded a touch as she got straight to the point. “Look, Mr. Simpson, what do you need from me, really?”

“Do you believe me if I say I’m here for your work?” Adrian played coy for a moment, then admitted, “Alright, you got me. I don’t believe it, either. I’m interested in you, Matilda, because you’re, well, easy on the eyes and quite the looker.”

Matilda’s face registered shock. “What exactly are you implying?”

Adrian winked at her. “Maybe I come across a bit more forward. But you know how it is, over there people act on impulse and get over it pretty quick. I’m looking to have a more tangible relationship with you. If you decide to walk away afterward, I won’t hold you back. Clinginess just causes problems for everyone. Of course, with your This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

talents, it’d be best for you to stay at our company…”

Now Matilda understood and offered a strained smile. “Are you asking me out?”

“Oh!” Adrian snapped his fingers in mock revelation. “There’s the word I was looking for. Yes, that’s right, I’m asking you out.”

A one–night stand.

Matilda’s gaze turned icy as she regarded him. “The world’s full of people expressing their passion and impulse, Mr. Simpson. But to be so blunt about a hookup, this is a

first for me.”

Adrian’s smile grew ambiguous. “Nobody said there’s anything wrong with it. In the adult world, we don’t really need all that ‘true love‘ or ‘deep affection.‘ That stuff is burdensome and holds you back. I’m just after a quick thrill.”

Matilda’s smile froze over, and after a long pause, she spoke softly, “Perhaps you’re right; maybe deep affection is just masochism.”

Look where her profound love for Yvan had gotten her. Five years in prison, no sunlight, trapped in purgatory, over and over subjected to torment and torture.

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The scars on her wrists, the broken skin on her finger, the pain and hatred etched deep into her soul. The price of her deep love was too steep, so much so that she might never love again.

Matilda laughed at herself bitterly, then said to Adrian, “Even so, Mr. Simpson, event having tasted the bitterness of love, I don’t want to indulge myself and fall into desire. It’s no different from succumbing to deep love. So, I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you.”

Adrian’s lips curled with interest. “Is this some new kind of playing hard to get?”

Matilda answered firmly, “Not at all.”

Adrian conceded, “Oh well, that sounds like a rejection to me.”

Matilda nodded and took a swig of her drink. The clear liquid cascaded over her lips and down her throat, a moment of beauty that was utterly intoxicating.

Adrian found Matilda infinitely more intoxicating than the drink in her hand. He smiled, though his voice was colder now. “Since you have turned me down, there might not be another chance like this. But business is business; I’ll still give you the deal. After all, Willow told me you have a lot more backbone than the other women despite being a rival. She respects that and doesn’t want to play dirty.”

That was the last straw for Matilda. She offered a mocking laugh. “Should I bow down and thank you profusely?”