~~~Zeus~~~
I sat on the couch in my penthouse, pondering what to do with the pickpocket lady. A part of me wanted to unleash my ruthless side, but another voice whispered, "She's too beautiful to go six feet under, Zeus." I shook off the thought, focusing on the task at hand.
Just then, an idea struck me. I could use her as my puppet, leveraging her pickpocket skills for my gain. I summoned my guards to bring her to me.
Minutes later, they arrived, and I couldn't help but admire her beauty, even in her tattered and dirty gown. Her curves were undeniable, and I found myself captivated.
"Focus, Zayden," I chided myself, regaining my composure.
She stood before me, her eyes locked on mine, and yet, she didn't seem to be intimidated by my presence. No fear, no tremble, no hint of apprehension. It was as if she was immune to the aura of power and authority that surrounded me.
I found myself intrigued by her bravery, or perhaps, her foolishness. Who was this woman who didn't know better than to tremble before Zayden, the ruthless and feared billionaire?
My curiosity was piqued, and I felt an unexpected spark of interest ignite within me. I wanted to know more about her, to understand what made her tick, to uncover the secrets behind her fearless eyes.
But as I broke the news of her punishment, her face fell, and sadness crept in. She tried to protest, but my deadly glares silenced her.
Monday morning arrived, and I sent a guard to retrieve her. As I prepared for the day, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
Downstairs, I found her sitting on my couch, wearing a hoodie and jeans that accentuated her curves. I smiled inwardly, approaching her.
In the dining area, Abby was making breakfast. Just as I was about to take a bite, the pickpocket lady yelled, "Don't eat it!" I halted, staring at Abby and the pickpocket lady.
Abby urged me to eat, but something didn't feel right. I trusted my instincts and asked a guard to bring one of my dogs. The pickpocket lady's warning proved true – the meal was poisoned.
I stared at Abby with utter disgust, my mind reeling with the magnitude of her betrayal. How could she try to kill me after everything I'd done for her? I'd protected our marriage, despite her infidelity, all because of her parents. But now, I realized I'd been blind to her true nature.
Abby tried to escape, but my guards quickly caught up with her, holding her tight until the police arrived. I watched with a mix of anger and relief as they took her away.
"I'm pressing charges for attempted murder," I told the police, my voice cold and detached. "She can rot in hell for all I care."
As the police dragged Abby out, she kept mumbling words, but I paid no attention. I was done with her, done with the lies and the betrayal.
I turned my attention to the pickpocket lady, who stood quietly, observing the scene unfold. For the first time, I saw her not as a pawn, but as a person. And I felt a pang of gratitude toward her for saving my life.
I moved closer to Aria, my curiosity piqued. "What did you say your name was again?" I asked, my voice softer now.
"Aria Mchenry," she replied, her eyes locking onto mine.
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward her. "Well, Aria, thank you for saving my life today. I owe you one."
Aria's expression changed, a hint of hope flickering in her eyes. "It's alright, but... does this mean I can go now? You know, considering you owe me one, you can as well let me go."
I stared at her, amazed by her audacity. Maybe this was the reason our paths crossed – for her to save me. "Well, I could," I said, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. "But please, allow me to say thank you properly."
Aria's brow furrowed, curiosity getting the better of her. She agreed, and I took her on a whirlwind tour of the city – shopping, cinema, and dinner. Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself chuckling along with her.
As the day drew to a close, I took her to one of my hotels, where we enjoyed the balcony view. The city lights twinkled below us, casting a magical glow over the evening.
I gazed into Aria's eyes, my expression sincere. "How about we become business partners while I pay you for your service? I could really use some of your pickpocketing skills. Trust me, you're not going to get into any trouble with me by your side."
Aria's eyes searched mine, as if seeking hidden motives or ulterior intentions. Her gaze lingered, and I could sense her weighing the pros and cons.
Finally, she responded, her voice measured. "That doesn't seem like a bad idea. Let me think about it."
As she took a sip from her wine glass, I noticed a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She seemed intrigued by the proposal, and I sensed a spark of interest. I leaned back in my chair, waiting patiently for her decision, my eyes never leaving hers.
I turned to Aria, my curiosity piqued. "So, tell me, why does a beautiful lady like you venture into pickpocketing?"
Aria's expression turned somber, and she hesitated before responding. "Let's just say things haven't been going pretty well for me lately, and I had to survive."
The air was filled with an uncomfortable silence, but Aria broke it, her voice laced with curiosity. "If you don't mind me asking, why does your wife want to kill you?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I don't know what her motive could be, but I do know I've been nothing but a great husband to her, despite her infidelity."
Aria's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, so she's cheated on you before now, and you still stayed?"
I nodded sadly, feeling a pang of regret. "It was mostly because of the relationship I had with her parents, but right now, I think they're going to understand why I did what I did."
Aria's gaze turned introspective, and she murmured, "I guess life doesn't seem to be fair, now does it?"
I sensed there was more to her words, but she brushed it off, leaving me wondering.
As we stood there, the tension between us was palpable. Our eyes locked, and I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her. Her beautiful lips were tempting, and I couldn't hold back anymore.
I pulled her into a passionate kiss, the world around us melting away.