“I love you so much, my rose. So much that without you, I deny to even breath,” he murmured against my lips, claiming my mouth again. With the intoxicating strokes of his tongue, the warmth of his arms, I found myself letting out a sign of content.

Clutching his coat tight in my fists, I kissed him back with equal urgency. I missed those lips. I missed his arms, his voice, his everything.

Slowly pulling away, he stared deep into my eyes. With both of our breathing harsh, we couldn’t move our gazes away from each other. It was like an invisible magnet pulling us towards each other.

“Are you still mad at me, Rosebud?” he asked, gray pools filling with hope. “Will you give me—give us a chance?”

Would I?

Just as I opened my mouth to give him my answer, a knock landed on the door. I tried to pull away from him, but he didn’t let me.

“No need. Whoever it is will go away.”

Shaking my head, I wiggled out and opened the door, much to his dismay. It could be something important. But the actual reason behind my eagerness to open it was to escape his question.

Before I could even pull the door wide, it flew open, making me stumble back.

“Mr. Valencian! It’s so great to see—” Her ear-splitting grin threatened to fall when her eyes landed on me.

My jaw clenched.

Red freaking witch!

What the hell was she doing here?

My eyes immediately formed into a glare.

“Uh, hello, Ms. Hutton, Mr. Valencian! I’m sorry if I interrupted anything,” she said, planting an extra sweet mask on her face. The once over she gave him didn’t go missed by me.

“Rosebud, you didn’t answer me.”

Not even acknowledging her, he took long strides towards me. But I stepped away. My twisting facial expression must’ve told him to keep his distance.

“Don’t you dare!” My voice came out as a snap. He called her here? Why? “You’ve got a guest to attend! Why don’t you concentrate on her instead?”

“Baby…”

I stepped back again from his approaching form.

Clenching his fists, he let out a curse, murmuring something incoherent under his breath. His eyes were desperate… wild. Then his flashing stormy gaze flickered to the red witch who wore a maroon dress today.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he roared, making both me and her flinch. His shoulders were rigid, his nostrils flared.

With eyes wide open, she opened her mouth and closed like a gaping fish. Her little outfit and excessive makeup spoiled my mood further. Not wanting to be there anymore, I pushed my legs to move. My heart still thudded from his words. Warmth, anger, and jealousy were messing with my head. And I definitely didn’t want to see her face any longer. What she did last time still burned me like a hot knife.