Chapter 4

Jacob was standing in front of my door, just as I had anticipated. I attempted to shut the door in his face, but Jacob's hand swiftly intercepted, preventing its closure.

This drama with Jacob is the last thing I want to endure today.

"For the love of God, Jacob! What are you doing here?!" I asked, my voice a mixture of anger and frustration. "Why can't you understand that we are done? DONE! DONE! DONE! It's been a month now—get over it! I've moved on. Move on too."

"I demand you talk to me," his voice carried a tone of authority, igniting a fiery rage within the depths of my chest. "You can't just end things like that."

"You don't have the right to demand anything from me!" I yelled. "Remove your hand, or I'll jam it in the door and break it."

"Do it! If that will make you talk to me. But you must talk to me today."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I yelled as I finally let him in. "What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I just want to see you. It's been a month. When will you get over this? You've never been mad at me for this long," Jacob said in frustration, his eyes pleading, searching for a glimpse of love in mine.

"And that's why you were taking me for granted. Jerk!" I yelled, my anger flaring at the memory of his neglect. "I have moved on."

"You love me, Alison. You can't just move on after a month," Jacob said softly, his tone betraying a hint of vulnerability.

"Well, maybe I didn't love you," I retorted, the words spilling from my lips with more force than I intended. I watched as his expression shifted, registering the impact of my words. Guilt tugged at my conscience, but I refused to let it sway me. I couldn't allow him to manipulate me into returning to a relationship fraught with uncertainty.

"So you never loved me?" His voice wavered with hurt, his eyes pleading for confirmation or denial. I averted my gaze, fixating on my neighbor's wooden door as if it held the answer to all our problems.

"Look, Jacob, I didn't mean that," I began, my tone softer now. "But I do mean it when I say I'm done with this relationship."

"What if I tell you the truth? All the truth. Will you give us another chance?"

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest dissipating as I leaned against the wall. "Better start talking. You have ten minutes." My tiny apartment suddenly seemed smaller.

"How can you just throw away everything we have like that over a little misunderstanding?" Jacob said, making me mad all over again.

"You disappearing for a week is just a little misunderstanding, you asshole!" I lashed out, my voice trembling with hurt and anger. "You know what? Just leave!" I half screamed, feeling the weight of betrayal heavy on my chest. "If you won't tell me the truth, then leave! I don't want to see you. I don't want to hear from you! Tell your friends to stay away from me too."

He started to walk closer to me. "Babe, please. I promise it won't happen again," he pleaded. "If it does, don't accept me back."

I swallowed.

His gaze, half-lidded, held me captive, radiating the gentleness I had always found irresistible. He had sprayed my favorite perfume on himself today, its familiar scent enveloping us. I knew he did it deliberately to remind me of us. Plus, he's dressed in a crisp white shirt because he knows white is my favorite color on him. When he wears white, his features are accentuated by the color. It was a calculated choice, one that spoke volumes of his understanding of my preferences and his desire to mend what had been broken between us—or to seduce me. I pick the latter.

Jacob is here to get into my pants, and I can't let him.

"Fuck you!" I say, but my voice does not come out as angry as I intended. Instead, it's a bit meek. I hate it.

Jacob's fingers gently thread through my hair, coaxing a stray strand behind my ear. "I've missed you," he murmurs, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. A faint moan escapes my lips before I catch myself and push him away.

"You always do this! Stop it!" I snap, my chest heaving with frustration. "Sex isn't going to fix things this time."

Jacob's smile falters, his eyes betraying a hint of hurt. "Alison, babe..."

Before he can finish, the abrupt sound of footsteps echoes from the elevator. I turn to see a tall, imposing figure clad in a black tuxedo and sunglasses. His blonde hair glistens under the artificial lights, and an undeniable aura of authority surrounds him as he approaches, clutching a sleek black bag. As my door is still open, he walks in easily, though he just stands there at the entrance, staring at Jacob and me.

"Are you Alison?" he asks.

My focus shifts entirely from Jacob to him.

I raise an eyebrow in acknowledgment. "Yes?"

"I'm here on behalf of Lucien. He sent me."

Oh, this is the driver.

Extending a huge shopping bag towards me, he says, "He asked that you dress up in this."

My gaze shifts to Jacob, but his expression is one of fear as he swiftly maneuvers out of sight, disappearing from my apartment.

It's an unfamiliar sight—nothing ever fazes Jacob.

Shaking off my bewilderment, I accept the bag. "Thank you. I'll go change," I inform the driver before shutting the door.

As I step into my room, the lingering tension from Jacob still prickles my skin. However, as I unzip the bag and gingerly extract its contents, any remnants of fear or discomfort are swiftly replaced by a squeal. Being a fashion girl, few things excite me more than receiving new dresses, especially from my man. Not that Lucien is my man. Well, at least not yet.

Lucien has outdone himself. Nestled within the folds of the bag lies a stunning gold dinner gown, its delicate floral patterns promising to transform me into a vision of ethereal beauty. I adore the long slit and the backless stripe. Oh! I'll be so sexy.

But that's not all. As I delve deeper, my eyes widen in awe at the sight of three sets of diamond earrings and necklaces, each more exquisite than the last.

My fingers brush against a small piece of parchment, and I eagerly unfold it. A note from Lucien greets me, written in beautiful, clean handwriting fit for love letters—almost as if it's penned by someone who has lived for a long, long time.

I couldn't make a choice, so choose the one you like best and wear it. Keep the rest.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I read his words, touched by his thoughtfulness.

A gasp escapes my lips when I open each set and my fingers graze the cold, hard surface of the diamonds.

"Oh my God!" I squeal, the realization of their value hitting me. "This could buy a car! Who is this man?" I mutter to myself.

There's another note.

I want you to look like a sunflower in autumn—beautiful and elegant.

I uncover a pair of shoes that truly steal my breath away. They're like something out of a fairytale, each detail meticulously crafted to perfection.

After I take them out, I see a lone sunflower with a note attached to it. It's the last item in the bag.

I open the note and read it slowly.

To someone as fair as the sun setting. To meet you for the first time is a charm I eagerly await to be swept away in.

I put the sunflower to my nose, and it smells just amazing. And the letter just steals my breath away.

Overwhelmed by the sheer extravagance of it all, I sink onto the edge of my bed, the weight of emotion crashing over me all at once. There's nothing I can do to stop it.

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. It's just too good to be true. i know he definetly has a darkside. Yet, I'm willing to take the risk. I will take the risk. What's the worst that can happen?