Liliana and Vance left the party, with Maria next to Vance. As they drove towards Maria's house, Liliana struggled to control her intoxicated friend, who seemed to be getting flirty with Vance. She pleaded with Maria to behave, but her words fell on deaf ears.
During the car ride back home from the club, Maria playfully leaned towards Vance, her voice dripping with flirtation, while Liliana sat in silence, her face carefully composed, hiding the subtle signs of her inner turmoil. Vance noticed this and moved next to Liliana.
Maria suddenly blurted out, "I'm so jealous of you, Liliana. You're beautiful and now you have this handsome man following you around." Liliana was taken aback by Maria's confession. She never expected her best friend to feel that way.
"How could you say that, Maria?" Liliana asked, her voice filled with concern. She reached out to comfort her friend, assuring her that she was beautiful in every way and that any man would be lucky to have her.
Liliana, trying to make Maria feel better, jokingly remarked, "Plus Vance is not handsome at all!" But deep down, she knew she was deceiving herself. As she spoke, Vance smirked and playfully rubbed his chin with his hand, fully aware of Liliana's inner struggle.
As they made their way to Maria's house, Vance couldn't help but keep his gaze fixed on Liliana. Her beauty was captivating, and he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Sensing his intense stare, Liliana finally broke the silence, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and playful annoyance.
"Why do you keep staring at me like I'm a piece of food?" she questioned, her eyebrows raised in mild exasperation.
Vance's lips curled into a smoldering smile, his eyes never leaving Liliana's as he responded, his voice dripping with seductive charm. "Oh, my dear Liliana, it's because you are a feast for the senses. Every inch of you is irresistibly delicious, and I can't help but savor the sight of you, indulging in the intoxicating desire that you ignite within me."
His words hung in the air, their intensity creating a palpable tension between them. Liliana's cheeks flushed, and her breath caught in her throat as she realized the depths of Vance's attraction. It was a moment charged with anticipation, leaving them both yearning for what lay ahead.
As they approached Maria's house, Maria had fallen into a deep sleep. Vance carried her to her bed, gently tucking her in and ensuring she was comfortable. Liliana removed Maria's shoes and placed a trash can next to her bed, just in case. She gave her friend a kiss on the forehead, silently wishing her sweet dreams.
Returning to the car, Liliana couldn't help but be captivated by the starry night skies. The stars provided a sense of comfort and reassurance, a reminder that there was something greater beyond their current reality. Vance noticed her fascination and decided to take her to a spot where they could see the stars more clearly.
As they stood under the starlit sky, Vance teasingly brought up Maria's earlier comment about his looks. He lifted Liliana's face with his hand, his beautiful brown eyes gazing deeply into her soul. "Am I not handsome to you?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of playfulness and sincerity.
Caught off guard by his direct question, Liliana struggled to find the right words. "It's getting late," she stammered, trying to change the subject. "I should get home."
But Vance had other plans. He revealed that they were going on a trip the next day as a birthday present from him to her. Liliana hesitated, unsure of what to make of this unexpected gesture. "Where are we going?" she asked cautiously.
"It's an island getaway," Vance replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "A place where we can escape from our current reality and enjoy some time together. I promise you'll love it."
Liliana's heart wavered between curiosity and apprehension. She knew that going on this trip meant spending more time with Vance, potentially deepening the connection they had already started to form. But it also meant stepping further away from the life she had known.
After a moment of contemplation, Liliana agreed to the trip. She realized that it was an opportunity to experience something new, to break away from the constraints that had been imposed on her. She decided to embrace the adventure, even if it meant facing her growing feelings for Vance head-on.
As they returned to Vance's mansion, Liliana was awestruck by its beauty. She followed him up the stairs, where he showed her to a room adjacent to his. "You'll be sleeping here," Vance said, his voice filled with reassurance. "It's the safest room in my home."
Liliana thanked him, feeling a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took a warm shower and slipped into bed, her mind filled with swirling thoughts and emotions. The clock struck 4pm, and Liliana woke up, ready to start the day.
As she descended the stairs, Liliana noticed Vance speaking to a man who seemed to be packing a lot of belongings. Curiosity got the better of her, and she approached Vance to ask about their plans.
"How long will we be on the island?" Liliana inquired, hoping to gather more information. Vance turned to her with a smile and replied, "We'll be there for three weeks." Liliana's eyes widened in surprise, realizing that she hadn't packed enough clothes for such a long trip.
"You could have mentioned that earlier," she said, a hint of frustration in her voice. Vance chuckled and reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, princess. We'll go shopping on the island. Consider it my treat."
Liliana's determination to stick to her plan of making Vance lose interest in her grew stronger. She didn't want to rely on him for anything, especially not his money. She was determined to prove that she could stand on her own and regain her freedom.
Little did she know that the journey ahead would test her resolve and reveal hidden truths about herself and Vance. As they prepared to embark on their island adventure, Liliana braced herself for the challenges and discoveries that awaited her, knowing that she had to stay true to herself no matter what.