I watched their surprised faces, patiently waiting for one of them to speak, "Stopping him is only half the job." But it was a deep rumbling, appealing voice that my ears heard. I gulped down the yoghurt in my mouth, trying not to shiver pleasurably under the deep voice as I fought the urge to look behind me. I wanted to lock my eyes with that unique colour, but they would pull me into its depths, were the green glints hid.
I cleared my throat taking another spoonful, "What more?" I asked.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Alec scolded me, a deep scowl in place. I rolled my eyes at him, if only he knew the desires that Tristan's voice alone brought me.. Not that I would tell him! I heard Tristan's feet shifting, stepping closer and closer towards me from behind, and with each step my heart seemed to have raced twice the speed, rushing the blood through my veins.
I almost snapped my eyes closed as I felt his dominating presence right beside, as he stepped in the space between Austin and me. I wanted to look straight ahead, but that would mean locking eyes with Alec, and I knew for a definite fact he could see right through the change in my atmosphere Tristan caused me. Alec was silent and only stepped up when his voice needed to be heard. The silent ones always watches closely.
The small brush of Tristan's arms against mine, sent sharp electrifying sparks to lick across my skin, silently begging for more. For the first time I wondered about these sparks. Sure, romance novels and movies always talked about sparks of touches, but none of them had the description for these. These sparks always appeared when Tristan's skin touched mine, the more the touch, the more electrifying the sparks were, shooting straight to my core, slowly making me beg so silently.. desperate.
I moved away casually, pretending to look over the beauty of this kitchen again, "So?" I asked, wanting him to answer my question from earlier. I sighed, shaking my head knowing he had gone silent again. I gritted my teeth, whipping my head around, ready to stare into his oceanic wilderness, but even then, even when I prepared myself to see that seafoam colour, they still took me by surprise. Their uniqueness still took my breath away, pulling me in, however they didn't keep my mouth shut, "Can you not speak?" I snapped.
His eyebrows knitted together as he scowled deeply at me, "How many times must I warn you to watch your tongue, human?"
"Must as well give up now, Toothless." I muttered, taking another spoonful of my yoghurt. Austin snickered, before trying to cover it up with coughs, but his laughs still broke through. I looked up at Alec for a second, he seemed uninterested in the whole situation as he looked over his shoulder to the food being cooked, but a small smile did play on his lips.
My eyes returned to Toothless, his beautiful eyes looked over every feature of my face, just like I had with his, engraving each of them into memory, especially his eyes.. His oceanic wilderness that grabbed hold of me; its intensity silently daring me to make my next move.
His eyes wandered over my face one more time, flickered over every feature so fast, I couldn't follow or keep up, then turned towards Austin and Alec. For a minute, I had forgotten they stayed in the same room. I shook my head, not missing the smirk Austin sent my way.
"Now that we know his name, we can use it to our advantage." His voice deeply rumbled through, making me slightly fidget on my stool, not only due to the effects of his voice but also the damn ignorance he gave to my question.
I almost clenched the plastic carton in my hand, "Excuse me, with whose help did you find out that disgusting ass' name?!" I snapped, gritting my teeth at him.
He rose an eyebrow at me, sharp bent, yet soft, "You grit your teeth quite a lot." He murmured, almost to himself. I rolled my eyes, turning away from him, I knew I did, but that didn't mean I had to be told that every living day.
"Don't let her out of this house." He spoke to the "twins," a deep command rumbling through his chest, leaving no space for them to argue. While his command annoyed me, I knew I had to, there would be no other way for me to find out anything about that Venturi. If I leave, I wouldn't know where to begin to even search, at least here I knew the jist of a few things- minus the mythological and fantasy bit.
I watched as he stepped away from me, his eyes rolled over my face, carefully gazing over every feature, and it made my stomach clench with an unease pressure that travelled straight to my core.
Without another word, he ripped his gaze from me and left the kitchen, "I guess I annoyed Toothless off," I mumbled, watching his figure drift into the distance. I silently hoped for him to look back at me, a hope that dreaded me. I was supposed to use him for information against Venturi, but I'm finding myself drawn into his presence and wanting more of him with every second that has passed. Every time I built my walls, it only took those damn sparks to make them come crumbling down like pieces of clay.
"You like him." Alec's voice tore me away from the door he passed minutes ago.
I blinked, rapidly, clearing my throat as I saw the soft smile he played, "What? No!" I spattered out, I fought the urge to facepalm myself.
"Of course, she doesn't," Austin was quick to join in, sounding very confident in himself, "Because lovely Jisoo here, is going to fall for me." He winked, the arrogant smirk well placed.
"Eh..no." I shook my head, a few chuckles escaping my lips.
"What makes you so sure?" He raised an eyebrow challenging me. While Austin was devilishly handsome with his blonde hair and bright blue eyes, it wasn't he that drew sparks on my skin, and it wasn't him who came in my dreams.
I smirked, "Because," I started, leaning in close, he did too; amusement sparking in his eyes, "Blondes aren't my type." I said, as I reached up and ruffled his blonde hair.
He looked almost offended as Alec burst into laughter.
I frowned, looking between them, wondering again, what had they done to make me feel at so ease with their presence. I acted so care-free with them, even after the graphic violence they had displayed yesterday. I knew if Austin wanted to, he could grab my hand easily and crush it without breaking a sweat, and yet it didn't stop me from petting them.
"You alright?" Alec asked me once his laughs died down into soft chuckles.
"Yeah." I shook my head, waving the topic off, that wasn't what was important. I needed to talk with Tristan, perhaps talking alone with him might do some good and I could stay away from Austin's suspicious eyes for now, though right now, he seemed to do just fine with me, but then again, I didn't want to take my chances, "Tristan, doesn't eat with you?" I asked, casually not wanting either to turn against me.
"He already ate, but he can be a workaholic." Austin shrugged, not seeming too bothered by the question.
"So, where is he?" I asked, causing Austin to raise an eyebrow.
"Ouch, already getting bored of me?" He smirked.
I rolled my eyes, "Keep trying, Austin." I mumbled, before turning to Alec, hoping he would answer my question.
He sighed, answering, "I presume, he's in his office. Down the hall and the third door on your right." He directed me. I nodded, getting up to leave, "Please don't get him angry and give the rest of us a headache." Alec said, just as I turned away.
"It's not my fault he's temperamental." I shrugged, walking out the kitchen, my wounded now nothing but a numbing pain.
"Interesting couple." I heard Austin mumble as I left. I frowned, wondering why he would put Tristan and I together. Perhaps it was the intense stares we gave each other that made Austin think that Tristan and I had some potential in becoming a couple, but we were from two completely different worlds, it didn't make sense for us to be together.
"You, little human, belong in my realm now. You're my mate."
Tristan's words from our initial meeting drifted across my head, over and over again, slowly engraving his voice and words into my head, giving me another thing to treasure. Yet, his words didn't make sense to me. I sighed, hating how much I allowed myself to grow closer to him. I needed to keep myself away from this man. My relationship with him must be kept strictly professional, only needed for business..
But it wasn't like any business I have ever encountered, despite any of that I needed this to succeed. I had an overwhelming urge to take down the Venturi, and for that to happen, whatever I had for Tristan.. infatuation or lust must stay locked away. I simply couldn't mix business with pleasure, no matter how much my body begged for his touch.. For the delicious sparks that drew to my core.
Too lost within myself, I let my feet walk in the directions Alec had given me, but my mind stayed afloat in the whirlwind of my thoughts.
I must keep myself away from Tristan at all costs, I sighed, opening the doors to his office, mindlessly and closed it behind me. The movement within the room is what snapped me away from the depths of my mind.
He stood there with a few papers in his hand as he watched me with a deep frown. I felt myself gulping under the intensity of his eyes, even from standing half away across the room. They stood out alarmingly against his dark hair, impossible to miss.
"Can I help you with anything?" He asked, tossing the papers onto the table. My eyes wandered the length of his large office. The dominating black colour is what I noticed first. Black with gold embedded around, a mix of modern and vintage. The black wooden boards gleamed, sparkling against the hues if sunlight that poured into the room. Plain and cold, very much like him. But I couldn't help but remember the same colours coated him, when he was transformed into a dragon. The creature's dominating colour was black, with the brighter running along the edges, like gold hidden within black rocks.
I cleared my throat, slightly grateful for the formal tone he had used on me, "I was hoping to help with the Venturi case." I said, keeping my voice even.. monotone.
"I don't need your help." He said, flicking over some file he had on his desk with one hand, the other placed into the pocket of his slacks. The tight shirt he wore was ready to rip open any minute, ready to expose his chiseled chest to me. The arms of the shirt rolled up over his elbows, a look I always found appealing.
I groaned inwardly both from his reply and the awkward angle I managed to place my leg. I sighed, walking over to the other two large doors within his office. They were open, allowing the soft breeze to flow in. The balcony looked out into the forest, giving a beautiful view of the large trees and the mountains.
My legs were barely able to keep me walking, so I leaned against the rails for some bit of support as I looked over the trees gently dancing with the wind. The greenery for him to enjoy, made a spark of jealousy to rise within me. While he got to look out into the whole forest that spread underneath the balcony, I had nothing but rise buildings and heavy city lights that drew away the night's stars.
"You shouldn't be walking." I heard his voice, deep, rumbling dominantly through his chest, holding a least bit of interest in what he was reading on the file. I bit my lip, holding back the urge to shiver every time his voice grew over the silence around us.
"I know more about Venturi than you do." I started, ignoring his recent "concerned" statement, "I can help in stopping him and then finally get the hell out of here." I chuckled humourlessly.
I heard him stepping towards the balcony, but I kept my eyes ahead, watching the soft breeze tickle against the smaller branches of the trees, "I think you're forgetting about your little fire." He said, standing beside me.
I shook my head, turning my gaze towards the mountains. No, I haven't forgotten about my 'little fire'. I simply wanted to forget it. I didn't want to see the eyes of someone watching me like a monster, or hear the screams of the woman that raised me. But I couldn't help feel slightly annoyed at how he addressed it. It felt almost as if he was insulting me, like I was a little chess board piece he could easily knock away, no matter how powerfully the sparks ignited within me.
"Little fire?!" I suddenly snapped, looking up at him, his eyes seemed to be brighter in the sunlight, swirling the seafoam colour against sparks of silver and emeralds, "What? Do you want a fire match, Toothless?"
He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, feeling annoyed at what I had called him, "I'm not some silly dragon from a cartoon that plays stupid and pouts several times." He muttered, making me roll my eyes.
"I guess you did your research on Toothless." I mumbled, "And he isn't like that." I added, feeling an odd need to defend my favourite childhood -or possibly early teenage- animation character.
I heard him let out a deep sigh, choosing not to respond to my statement, but rather about the reason I came here, "You don't know half of it. You can't help."
Then, tell me dammit!
"What more is there to know?" I asked, trying to play dumb at his words, "Stopping Antonio Venturi doesn't require a history lesson."
"Why do I even bother.." He muttered under his breath, turning away.
I sighed, realising I couldn't reach out to him playing dumb and walk around the edges. I already knew, trying to offer him money was no use. I guess, in his eyes, secrets were more valuable than money.
My eyes wandered over the clear forest greens, trying to figure out another way. Bright flutterings of light caught my sights, almost too blinding at first, but soon turned into soft hues, much like the sunlight. I frowned, at the strange, yet familiar sighting.
Feather-like flower petals that coupled with the wind in a passionate dance.
"Uh, Tristan.." I found myself saying his name, turning slightly, but my eyes remained on the feathers I saw from before.
I heard him grumble something under his breath as he walked back up to me, "What?" He asked, his voice came uninterested and perhaps annoyed too, but nevertheless I felt his dominating aura beside me in seconds.
"What's that?" I asked, pointing towards the soft feathers, fluttering gently. I turned, watching how his eyes slowly removed themselves from my face towards where I had pointed to.
His gaze set upon the bright feathers-like flower petals, "Wishers." He said.
"What?" I frowned, looking back at them.
He sighed, making me look back at him again, but his eyes remained on what he called 'Wishers' but from the softness of those emerald sparks in his eyes, I knew his mind was somewhere else. The soft hues from the sunlight and the Wishers appeared softer in the reflection of his unique eyes, but never allowing the vibrant colour to fade away. It seemed no matter what sort of light shone down on them they will always stay the bright seafoam colour, sharply.
"They're like those.. red seed dandelions for you humans." He frowned, lost in thought of how to explain it to me, "They grant wishes -hence the name- but only if it chooses to change colour underneath your touch."
I scoffed, causing him to return his eyes to me again, "That's ridiculous, "I muttered, "Wishes don't come true; nothing is ever given to you. You have to work hard and get through every obstacle life throws at you." I said, cursing at the very existence that the nonsense thoughts of making wishes and foolishly hope for them to come true.
Mother was the same, she foolishly wished and hoped for my father to love her again… Or did he ever?
I thought of it many times, if he had, he wouldn't have cheated on her.. allow me to be born and break her soul.
But even then, she had cared for me, provided the same both for Jackson and I, even though I wasn't her own. She provided us with everything, education, admiration, courage, strength.. and love.
While, mother should have received the credit for what she had done, my father never allowed, of course, to the media it was he, who provided us the education, business and wealth. Mother stayed nothing but a wife of a businessman. That's all she was, even after everything she has done for my father and his business. When mother was fresh out of college, she was immediately offered a job at Kwon Inc due to her looks, excellent grades and references. It was then they met, mother worked as my father's assistant. Through the scandals and hardships mother stuck with him, providing him with whatever she possibly could. Perhaps, that's where my father thought it was necessary to love and marry her. He thought it was the only way to repay her. My father, perhaps, he never truly loved her; he felt obliged to marry her.
Was that why she was always hidden away?
I stood there, watching the feather-like petals float away, I thought it all through once again. Love didn't exist in this world, did it? Otherwise, my father wouldn't have cheated on mother, he wouldn't have had that affair with my birth-mother and I wouldn't have been born out of that affair. My father crushed her heart, even after everything. And even now, I didn't understand why she would still put through with him.
"Jisoo." He breathed my name, breaking me away from my chain of thoughts, as I tried resist the urge to shiver.
My eyes met with the undeniably handsome man in front of me, slightly raising an eyebrow seeing the once guarded glints, now soft embedding slowly with the vibrant seafoam colour. I gulped, realising why his eyes shimmered with a softness. I slipped.
I slipped through the cracks of the shield I had guarded myself with, allowing a true emotion to play in my eyes. I blinked, rapidly and maybe even breathless trying to get rid of whatever emotion my eyes had played,
But it was already too late, he had seen through me.. He had seen whatever emotion I played, unknowingly.
Sh*t! I felt my heart racing wondering how or what I had felt, but nothing came to mind. I only ever felt pity for mother, whenever I thought of her and my father's relationship. I bit my lip, looking up at him again, the softness in his eyes didn't disappear yet, only making me curse at the living daylights, because it only made it that much harder to build up that wall against him.
I cleared my throat, wanting to change the topic, I twitched my lips before speaking, "You know, I was supposed to make 10 million today!" I whined at the loss of my company. The gala was a success, automatically making my expansion a success too, but with this whole ordeal crashing down on me, I probably lost everything my gala had to offer.
"Humans and their greed!" He grunted, walking away. Leaving me to wonder why he despised humans so much.