Unexpected Love with My Boss' Son

1

"Sis, one day you're going to be the death of me."

His voice was a hoarseness born from the tumultuous sea of desire, with perhaps a hint of sweet tenderness.

Jared was naturally charming, his eyes always seemed to sparkle, and combined with his slightly mischievous yet handsome face, he could easily captivate girls his age and even younger.

I was getting dressed. My white shirt was crumpled and stained, no longer wearable, so I tossed it into the laundry basket and pulled a T-shirt from the wardrobe.

"Don't talk about life and death so casually," I said, slipping on the T-shirt.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, added some soda, and went to the fridge to look for ice cubes.

Jared called out from behind me, "Don't bother looking. I used them all yesterday when I was drinking cola."

"Didn't think to freeze more?"

I shot him a glare, deciding against the drink altogether. I slammed the glass down on the table, picked up the clothes he had carelessly thrown on the floor, and tossed them at him.

"Get dressed and get out.

I have a project to work on. I can't entertain you tonight."

"Sis, why do you always act like a stranger after we've been together?"

Jared ruffled his messy hair, sitting up with a pout. "You can work tomorrow. I'm leaving for training out of town the day after tomorrow, and we won't see each other for half a month."

I had already opened my laptop and chuckled at his words. "I'd love to work tomorrow, but do you think your dad would agree?"

"That's why I said we should tell him about us, so you don't have to work so hard every day!"

"No way.

Rich kid, I'm here on my own merit. If you go around shouting about it, it'll look like I got my position by sleeping with the boss's son."

With a loud crash, Jared kicked over a small wooden stool and stood in front of me, eyes red with frustration. "Sis, you always say that.

What exactly are we to each other in your mind?!"

I sighed inwardly.

What else could we be but friends with benefits?

I thought Jared understood that, but lately, he had been dragging me to watch silly movies, wanting to go to amusement parks and aquariums, buying me cotton candy, and writing love letters.

I began to suspect that this kid genuinely wanted to date me.

Jared was 19, a freshman in college, and the son of our company's boss.

I got involved with him partly to get back at his father.

Revenge against his father, Tristan, who always found excuses to touch my shoulder, stroke my leg, poke my waist, make lewd comments, and give me jewelry under the guise of work.

To show that I had no interest in becoming a stepmother to a grown man, I had to develop some other kind of relationship.

2

I joined the company the year I graduated with my master's degree.

I was 24 then, standing out among hundreds of applicants and securing a salary of over half a million.

It was enough for me to live comfortably in this first-tier city, as long as I didn't support my family.

When I was 15, my parents had twin boys.

They had it all planned out: "Lilah, in seven years, you'll graduate from college. By then, your father and I will be old, and your brothers will be in elementary school.

You can take care of them."

I blocked all my family's phone numbers, ignored my mother's cries about my brothers not being able to afford school, and my father's curses that no one would ever want to marry someone as heartless as you. I removed them from my contact list.

When I moved my household registration out of my family, I gave them 200,000 as a buyout fee.

From that moment on, I considered myself an orphan.

In the second month of my job, I brought in millions in revenue with a proposal, earning a permanent position and a promotion to project leader within a year.

If it weren't for Tristan, my career path might have continued smoothly and successfully.

Tristan, despite his age, was well-maintained, with a good figure and a great sense of style, looking like he was just in his early thirties.

Many single women in the company had a crush on him.

Except for me.

I'm not naive. A forty-year-old man, under the influence of alcohol, confiding in a twenty-five-year-old woman about how lonely and hard it was to raise his son alone after his wife's death, while claiming to be virtuous-it's clear what that means.

Tristan liked me, but his interest was more about desire than genuine affection.

I wasn't willing, even though agreeing to his advances might have made my career smoother.

Adults know their limits, and he didn't force me, knowing that besides being young and attractive, I was also a valuable employee who could generate profits for the company.

So, he continued to assign me work while trying to woo me, giving gifts, creating physical contact, and testing my boundaries.

I was at my wit's end.

Until that afternoon, before a business trip, Tristan tossed me a car key, asking me to pick up his son.

I drove to the city's top university, searched around, and couldn't find Jared, so I called him.

It took seven calls before he answered, sounding impatient. "Who is this?"

"Jared, I'm an employee at your father's company.

He asked me to pick you up," I said, maintaining a businesslike tone and cutting him off before he could speak further. "Give me an address, or I'll broadcast a missing person announcement at your school's radio station and forum."

I found Jared drunk in a bar near the university.

The lights were dim, the music blaring, and a group of college students were belting out an old song.

I pushed through the crowd and pulled Jared off the sofa.

He was wearing a black hoodie, his hair short and fluffy, with diamond earrings, and his features were striking.

His eyes were misty, the corners long and slightly red from the alcohol, and his lips were a vivid red.

Jared initially refused to leave, but I slammed a bottle on the table to get their attention and dragged him out.

He was tall, and by the time I got him into the car, my back was drenched in sweat.

After following the GPS to the Wade Family villa, he suddenly leaned over, sniffing my shoulder. "Sis, you have such an intoxicating scent."

Desire and wicked thoughts often arise in an instant.

In this car, Tristan had once, under the pretense of giving me a ride home after a business meeting, lightly caressed my thigh through my skirt.

His thumb bore a luxurious jade ring, worth five years of my salary.

He did it on purpose, appearing gentle and amiable, yet confident.

Now, sitting in the same car with his son, the night was dark, the car lights dim, the scent of alcohol lingering, the atmosphere just right.

I smirked, unbuttoned the front of my chiffon blouse, unbuckled my seatbelt, and climbed onto Jared's lap, letting my soft, wavy hair fall loose.

Holding Jared's face, I found his lips with precision, teasing him, feeling his temperature rise.

When he couldn't take it anymore and tried to take control, I quickly pulled back, watching his Adam's apple bob up and down.

Frustrated by unfulfilled desire, Jared looked at me with red eyes, not daring to make a move, his voice hoarse as he pleaded, "Sis, I'm so hot..."

I chuckled softly, reaching to undo his belt while leaning in to kiss him again, whispering against his lips, "What can I do?

Sis can only make you hotter."

3

Jared was very young.

Young... which also meant he was full of energy.

I had initiated it, but in the end, it was he who led me, and I found myself almost lost in the sea of desire.

Jared was indeed drunk, his body burning hot, his head nuzzling against my chest like a puppy.

I bit my lip and pushed him away slightly, but he kissed my earlobe, repeatedly calling, "Sis, Sis..."

He carried the unique scent of a young man, fresh and alluring, but now, deep in passion, it was especially captivating.

The passenger seat of Tristan's car was a chaotic mess after Jared and I were through.

When he reclined the seat and pressed me onto the soft cushion, it felt like an electric current surged through my body, bringing an inexplicable pleasure.

The next morning, I woke up in Jared's bedroom.

He was still asleep, one arm draped over my chest.

Last night, after drinking and staying up half the night, he slept deeply. I moved his arm aside, and the kid only mumbled a bit without much reaction.

Tristan called me, "Lilah, did Jared cause you any trouble last night?"

"No."

Perhaps I had been too indulgent the previous night; my voice was noticeably hoarse when I spoke.

Tristan chuckled softly, his voice suddenly tender and lingering, "Lilah, don't talk to me like that. It gives me the wrong idea."

Let him think what he wants, I've got nothing to lose having been with his son.

I chuckled to myself and ended the call.

Tristan quickly sent a message on Whatsapp: "Send me another copy of the final version of the BlueWave Company bidding proposal as a backup."

I stared at the message, silent for a while.

Tristan always switched between work and personal matters so effortlessly. He didn't mind, but it threw my life into chaos.

The last time I went to his office to deliver documents, his fingers brushed slowly across the back of my hand, just as the receptionist walked in.

Rumors about me spread throughout the company, with all sorts of unpleasant things being said. It wasn't until I spoke softly to him and treated him to a meal that he agreed to clear up the rumors.

He's fifteen years older than me, and when it comes to tactics, I can't compete with him.

But Tristan's company is a leader in the industry. If I quit, it would be hard to find another job with such a high salary.

I stood there, lost in thought, my bare legs on the floor, when suddenly Jared's voice came from behind, "Sis?"

His voice was still a bit groggy from just waking up.

I gathered my thoughts, turned to look at him, and smiled, "Do you know who I am?"

Jared nodded, ruffled his messy short hair, jumped out of bed, and headed to the bathroom to shower. "You said last night you're an employee at my dad's company."

His calmness surprised me a little.

I had expected Jared to question me about last night, and I had even prepared an excuse.

But thinking about what I saw at the bar last night, I understood.

Nowadays, many young people are more open than adults, and as a typical rich kid, Jared was probably used to one-night stands.

That's fine, too. We both know the score, and once it's over, we go our separate ways.

I changed into a dress, slipped on my high heels, and waved goodbye to him before leaving, "See you."

However, I never expected that as soon as I got in the car, Jared called me, "Where did you go?"

I replied lazily, "Taking a cab home."

Damn it, the white shirt was all crumpled from the young master, with some mysterious dried stains on it.

I couldn't help but reflect that I had indeed been too indulgent last night.

But I also seemed to have found myself craving more of it.

Jared sounded a bit annoyed, "You just plan to leave like that?"

I laughed, "What, do you want to go again?"

There was silence on the other end, and after a moment, Jared's voice came through, cold and a bit like his father, Tristan, "Tell your driver to wait for me."

I'm more swayed by sweet talk than tough words.

I immediately let out a cold laugh, hung up the phone, and told the driver, "Keep driving."

But somehow, Jared found out my address. Two days later, when I went out for breakfast in the morning, I opened the door to find him squatting at my doorstep.

Hearing the sound, he looked up, his lips pale from the cold, his eyes wet and showing a hint of helplessness and grievance, like a forlorn puppy left behind.

"Sis," he said, "I've been waiting at your door for a long time."

I've dated quite a few people before, but they were mostly my age. We all knew the rules of the game, and if there was no intention of a long-term relationship, we'd part ways without a fuss.

Jared was the first young guy who wouldn't let go.

I sighed, internally cursing myself for creating a problem, and extended a hand to him, "Come on, let's get you some breakfast."

Jared was tall and had a big appetite. He ate four fried dough sticks-a type of Chinese fried bread-and two bowls of tofu pudding-a savory tofu dish-before putting down his chopsticks, then looked at me with bright eyes, as if he had a wagging tail behind him.

I had no choice but to take him back home and seriously ask, "Do you want to continue what happened that night?"

His face turned red immediately, and after stammering for a while, he finally nodded quietly.

I thought about it. Jared was skilled and naturally gifted, so maintaining a long-term relationship with him was feasible.

Most importantly, he was Tristan's son.

Tristan was known for his charm but valued his son highly.

He was always arrogant, believing I couldn't escape his grasp, so he toyed with me like a cat with a mouse.

Watching me anxious and helpless was probably his greatest pleasure.

Being close with his son right under his nose was thrilling to think about.

With that thought, I slowly smiled, "Alright."

"But I have to work tomorrow, so I can't keep you tonight. Let's start now."

That night, I was impulsive and didn't use protection. This time, I remembered.

I opened the coffee table drawer, took out a condom, and handed it to Jared, signaling him to put it on himself.

The kid froze for a moment, his face suddenly turning pale.

I didn't pay much attention, reaching out to undress him. Young guys like wearing hoodies-soft, loose, easy to take off.

"The light was dim that night, I didn't notice you have abs, little brother."

I whistled, my hand exploring downward.

Jared was wearing sweatpants, equally loose, exuding youthful energy.

Despite being visibly aroused, he held my hand, his eyes red, staring at me intently.

"Sis," he panted, "I like you."

Such flirtatious words were beginner-level for me, leaving me unfazed. I replied perfunctorily, "Sis likes you too."

Then I leaned in to gently kiss his Adam's apple.

The light in Jared's eyes dimmed and brightened, and finally, unable to resist his surging desires, he took the lead.

The young boy was clumsy at times, causing me some discomfort, but he was indeed full of energy.

By the time he finished this long session, it was already past noon. I took a shower to wash away the marks on my body, and when I came out in a casual nightgown, I found Jared still naked, sleeping on the sofa.

"Go take a shower, and you can leave after," I said mercilessly, urging him to go.

Jared looked at me with a hint of grievance, "Sis, I'm hungry."

"..."

"If there's nothing to eat, I can eat you."

"..."

I turned and walked to the kitchen, saying as I went, "I'll make you something to eat.

After that, you should leave."

There were some leftover slices of bread in the fridge from a couple of days ago. I quickly made a sandwich and handed it to Jared.

He poked at the bread with a fork and looked up at me, "Sis, do you usually eat like this?"

I tossed back a glass of wine and replied indifferently, "Yes, why?"

"Next time, let me cook for you, okay?

I'm a good cook."

I was momentarily stunned, and when I came back to my senses, I neither agreed nor disagreed, just told him to finish eating and leave quickly.

Jared lingered on the sofa for a while longer, kissing my fingers repeatedly before finally leaving reluctantly.

He left, but the messages kept coming.

"Sis, I'm home."

"Sis, I'm heading to my morning class. Remember to have breakfast."

"Sis, it's been a few days. I miss you."

"Sis, there's a school basketball game at seven tonight. I'm the small forward. Do you want to come watch?"

I've never met someone so clingy, and I found it hard to adjust. I initially wanted to refuse, but Jared quickly sent a photo of himself in a blue and white jersey, leaning against the basketball hoop, smiling radiantly.

My heart softened unexpectedly.

After work, I arranged my tasks and drove to Jared's school.

The traffic was a bit heavy, and by the time I arrived, the game had already started.

Jared was tall and agile, scoring quite a few points with his teammates.

As I reached the sidelines, he had just made a basket. Amidst the cheers, he turned around, and when his eyes met mine, they suddenly lit up.

"Sis!" he waved at me energetically before quickly returning to the game.

Watching Jared play, I found myself momentarily lost in thought.

My college years were consumed by studies and part-time jobs, leaving little time for the carefree activities typical of youth.

Yet, as the evening breeze brushed my face and the bright lights of the court shone down, I felt a fleeting return to the youthful days I had missed.

The game ended with Jared's team winning by a landslide.

He immediately ran over to me, asking with a hint of pride, "Sis, did I do great?"

I nodded with a smile, "You were great."

But in my heart, I recalled that day on the couch in my living room when Jared's sweat dripped onto my shoulder, and he asked me the same question.

Despite his good looks, his eyes had a captivating charm that was hard to resist.

This combination didn't seem out of place on him; instead, it made him stand out even more.

It's no wonder many girls at school liked him.

Just now, as he ran towards me, he turned down two girls offering water and towels.

They stood there, looking a bit dejected, occasionally glancing our way.

Jared ignored them, focusing solely on me, and asked cautiously, "Sis, can I stay at your place tonight?"

I hesitated, "Don't you have classes tomorrow morning?"

Jared looked particularly aggrieved, "Tomorrow's Saturday."

Working overtime on proposals day and night, I almost forgot the date.

I was about to ask if Jared wasn't going home for the weekend, but then I remembered Tristan had just returned from a business trip today, so I decided not to ask. Instead, I smiled and said, "Sure."

Jared immediately lit up with joy.

Just then, a few boys from his team walked over, arms around each other's shoulders. Jared turned back to say something to them, and they whistled and laughed, "Jared, off on a date?

Don't worry, we've got your back."

And so, I drove Jared back to my place.

On the way, he received a call from Tristan.

I wasn't sure what Tristan said, but Jared seemed particularly impatient, "I know, I'm not a kid anymore. You don't need to worry so much."

"Playing basketball, what else?"

"I've got things to do, gotta go."

After hanging up, I glanced at him sideways, "Your dad's just concerned about you. Why the attitude?"

"Concerned about me?"

Jared frowned, clearly unhappy. "If he really cared, he should have taken better care of my mom. She wouldn't have left so early."

Mentioning his late mother brought a hint of redness to his eyes.

From the office gossip, I already knew about Jared's family situation.

His mother came from a scholarly family and married Tristan, supporting him as he built his business from scratch.

Just as the company was stabilizing, she fell ill, and by the time they discovered it was late-stage cancer, she only lasted two more years.

She passed away when Jared was just nine.

I didn't know how to comfort him, so I took advantage of a red light to pat his shoulder reassuringly.

Jared's eyes reddened further, "Not long after my mom passed, he brought a new woman home, and soon after, another. There was always someone new around him.

I can't stand him or those women!"

I thought, "Oh, please, you're not perfect either," but outwardly, I smiled and said, "So, do you hate me too?"

Jared was taken aback, quickly looking at me, "Of course not!

Sis, you're nothing like them!"

I parked the car, got out first, and walked towards the building entrance. Jared hurried after me, repeatedly explaining, "Sis, I didn't mean you. You're different from them.

I like you..."

Once inside, I turned on the living room light, closed the door, and pulled Jared into my embrace, tilting my head slightly to kiss his chin.

Jared paused, his voice lowering as he reached to undo my dress's belt and buttons.

I pressed my lips to his, chuckling softly, "The night is young; let's make the most of it."

The next morning, I woke up to find Jared had made breakfast for me.

A slightly burnt fried egg and milk with cereal, missing sugar.

Seeing his expectant eyes, I managed to eat it all. Then I pulled out a game console from the drawer and tossed it to him, "Play for a bit. I'm going out to buy groceries."

Jared quickly said, "I'll go with you!"

I rubbed my forehead.

He was really clingy.

Jared looked at me pitifully, "Sis, don't you want to take me with you?"

"Fine, fine." I gave in, "You can help carry the groceries."

"Great!"

Jared jumped up from the sofa, as if I had offered him a gift instead of a chore.

As we pushed the cart through the supermarket, I was selecting milk when a familiar voice, tinged with surprise, reached my ears, "Lilah?"

I paused and turned around, seeing a familiar face with handsome features and expressive eyes.

It was Ricky, my ex-boyfriend from graduate school.

Compared to Jared, my entanglement with Ricky was far more complex.

I had given my heart, and we had engaged in the tense games adults play.

On the day we broke up, Ricky kissed my cheek, smiling coldly, "Lilah, you'll never find someone who loves you as much as I do."

I pushed him away, smiling gently, "I know, but we both love ourselves more."

Ricky and I met through a part-time job.

At the time, I was worried about next month's living expenses and my packed schedule.

Since starting college, my parents had stopped supporting me, and I had to cover all my expenses.

But after choosing a minor, my studies became more demanding, and juggling part-time jobs and exams nearly drove me crazy.

To make matters worse, I was let go by two families I tutored.

That's when Ricky appeared.

He offered me a tutoring job for his high school sister at a rate much higher than the market average.

That Christmas, fueled by alcohol, Ricky and I ended up in bed.

In the dim, intimate light of the hotel room, he looked at me with desire in his eyes.

I hooked my arm around his neck, laughing softly, "Are we even now?"

"Not that easy," he murmured, nibbling my neck, his voice hoarse, "Lilah, let's give it a try."

Ricky and I started dating.

He was indeed good to me, never forgetting to give me expensive gifts on every occasion.

I believed he liked me, but his affection was conditional on it not affecting his own life.

He could pay a high price for my tutoring services but couldn't accept me continuing to shine brightly.

When he suggested I help out at his family company, and I refused again, Ricky's expression darkened, "Lilah, if you keep this up, you're wearing down my love for you."

"Oh."

I smiled lightly, "Then let's break up."

Ricky and I were both decisive. When we said it was over, we really never contacted each other again.

Three years had passed, and I hadn't expected to run into him today.

Before I could react, Jared stepped in front of me, glaring at Ricky with vigilance, but his words were directed at me, "Sis, who is he?"

"Lilah, since you left me, your taste in men has really declined."

Ricky's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes were cold, "Is this little guy even of age?"

Jared remained expressionless, coldly retorting, "What's it to you?"

He turned to hold my hand, "Sis, let's go."

I didn't move.

Jared hesitated, a flicker of anger crossing his eyes before it quickly turned into the familiar look of grievance, his voice tinged with sadness, "Sis..."

I patted his hand reassuringly, then looked up at Ricky, "No need for you to worry. I prefer them young and easygoing now."

Ricky's smile didn't waver, "Lilah, I never thought you'd end up with a boy toy."

Hearing this, Jared turned his head, boldly declaring, "It's none of your business!

I enjoy being with her, what's wrong with that?"

Ricky's expression finally changed. Seeing I didn't refute, he took it as confirmation, then lowered his eyes briefly before picking up a bottle of milk from the shelf and placing it in my cart, speaking with a gentle tone, "Lilah, I remember this is your favorite brand.

You always lacked calcium, so remember to drink milk regularly and cut down on the alcohol."

After speaking, he left without hesitation.

Jared was infuriated. He put the bottle of milk back on the shelf and picked a new one before following me to the checkout.

Once home, I quickly prepared lunch in the kitchen and called Jared to eat. "Come on, time for a free meal."

He picked up a piece of rib and placed it in his bowl, but didn't eat it. Instead, he hesitated and looked up at me.

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to ask?"

Jared asked, "Lilah, who was that person... really?"

I didn't expect him to be so concerned about Ricky, so I answered honestly, "An ex-boyfriend. We broke up quite a while ago."

"...

Do you still like him?"

I thought for a moment. "I used to, I suppose."

Jared pressed his lips together, lowered his head, and quietly ate his meal, saying nothing more. His expression was somewhat inscrutable, leaving me unable to guess what he was thinking.

Jared stayed with me for two days, but on the third day, he had to return to school for classes.

Before leaving, he was reluctant to go and insisted on a goodbye kiss.

I kissed his warm cheek, and just as I was about to pull away, he suddenly grabbed my chin and pressed a long, lingering kiss on my lips.

When he finally let go, he gazed into my eyes from up close and whispered, "Lilah, I'll miss you."

I sighed inwardly and lied, "I'll miss you too."

Jared's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Really."

Of course, it was a lie.

During the two days he was here, he was incredibly clingy. I had a pile of unfinished work waiting for me to tackle once he left.

I should have asked him to leave sooner, but looking into Jared's innocent, puppy-dog eyes, I just couldn't bring myself to say anything harsh.

The next morning, I handed the proposal I had stayed up all night working on to Tristan. He flipped through a couple of pages before looking up with a smile. "Lilah, I've always trusted your work."

I pressed my lips together. "Mr. Wade, you should take a closer look.

This proposal is for the bid against Fairy Technologies. I've highlighted several key figures, but I haven't figured out their strategy. We'll need to discuss the specifics in a meeting."

Tristan nodded. "You can organize the meeting."

I agreed and turned to leave. Just as my hand touched the doorknob, Tristan called out to me from behind.

Turning back, I heard him ask with a smile, "Lilah, have you been dating these past two days?"

My hand tightened slightly, and I replied with a faint smile, "How could I?

I'm still young and want to focus on my career for a couple more years."

"I knew it. You know your priorities and what should and shouldn't be done."

Tristan's smile was kind, but it made me feel a bit nauseous.

On my way home from work, I received a call from an unfamiliar number.

When I answered, two familiar, noisy voices came through: "Sister."

It wasn't Jared; it was my ten-year-old twin brothers.

I didn't like them.

I knew they didn't like me either.

But at that moment, they were following our parents' instructions, pretending to express their feelings over the phone. "Sister, we miss you so much. Will you come to see us next month?"

"No," I replied expressionlessly. "I don't know you."

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by my mother's furious shouting: "You little ingrate!

You've lived in our house for so many years, and Erik and Derek are your own brothers!

You're living in luxury in the big city while your brothers suffer in a small town?

Ungrateful wretch..."

A string of expletives followed.

I listened quietly, my tone still calm. "I've recorded this. If you call again, I won't hesitate to expose you online."

With that, I hung up and changed direction, heading to a bar.

In the dim lighting, I sat at a corner table and drank two shots of tequila. Gradually, I felt a bit dizzy, resting my head on my hand and staring blankly ahead, letting my unfocused gaze drift into the void.

The alcohol hit hard. I wobbled as I stood up, then sat back down and picked up my phone.

On a whim, I dialed Jared's number.

He arrived quickly, showing up at the bar in less than half an hour. The tall, slender young man stood at the entrance, drawing the attention of many onlookers.

Ignoring them, he scanned the room and walked straight toward me.

I looked at him through my drunken haze.

Jared crouched down, meeting my eyes, and paused before speaking.

"... Lilah, your eyes are so red."

I smiled, placing my hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Take me home."

Jared carried me out of the bar, hailed a cab, and took me home.

As the intoxication surged, I leaned against his shoulder, feeling uncomfortable. Once inside, he gently laid me on the sofa and was about to get up when I hooked my arm around his neck and kissed him.

His breath was hot against my ear, and his eyes grew darker. I kissed him softly and whispered, "Brother."

"Lilah, I'm here."

"Do you like me?" I asked.

Jared's gaze wavered, but he finally said, "I do."

Liar.

Perhaps from playing the game too often, he had become quite the actor.

The young boy's eyes were sincere, but his words were full of lies.

The first time we met, I fell asleep in the car on the way back.

He didn't even know me before that.

How much could he really like me?

I closed my eyes, hiding all my emotions, and wrapped my leg around his waist, slipping my hand under his sweatshirt. "Alright, show me how much you like me."

No one is born cold-hearted.

When I was little, my mother held me and said she liked me.

I was happy and said I liked her too.

She said, "You don't have to like Mommy, but you must like your brothers, paternal and maternal cousins, and your future little brother...

Lilah, they're your family. You must selflessly support them, remember?"

Later, Ricky also said he liked me.

He said, "Lilah, how can I handle it if you keep opposing me?

Stop it, I won't treat you badly."

The emptiness inside me was suddenly filled with heat. I clutched Jared's shoulder, gasping for breath, and suddenly tears fell.

Jared panicked, froze, and didn't dare move, gently wiping my tears with his hand.

What happened afterward, I couldn't remember at all.

I usually hold my liquor well and rarely get drunk, but every time I do, I forget things.

The next day, Jared was gone when I woke up. I lay on the sofa, covered with a blanket, and saw two used condoms in the trash.

I got up with a slight headache, poured myself a glass of warm water, and drank it all.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

I grabbed a jacket and threw it on, then went to open the door.

Jared stood there with a bright smile, a large suitcase beside him.

And so, Jared and I began living together.

At first, I was reluctant, but Jared seemed to know I couldn't resist his soft approach. He tugged at my sleeve, acting cute and even squeezed out a couple of tears, so I had no choice but to agree.

He dragged his suitcase into the bedroom, opened the closet, and started hanging his clothes inside.

That's when I realized Jared wasn't quite the typical rich kid.

His clothes were all cozy hoodies, making him look like an adorable puppy-like guy. When he sat on the sofa playing games, he had no aggression at all.

I rented a small one-bedroom apartment, so Jared naturally ended up sharing the bed with me.

The boy didn't snore, but he always liked to cling to me in his sleep, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I'm no saint either, so I would touch his abs and nuzzle his neck, and before I knew it, we'd end up tangled together.

Jared was only a freshman, and his major didn't have many courses yet. Most of the time, he stayed with me, only leaving reluctantly when he had evening classes.

He would even comfort me, "Lilah, don't miss me. I'm just gone for a day. I'll be back soon."

In the past few days, our company won the bid against Fairy Technologies and secured the big project with Hummingbird Corporation. Tristan decided to reward me, as the project leader, with a generous bonus.

Combined with the money I had saved, it was just enough to buy the apartment I was renting.

Navigating life in this city, it seemed like only a home could give me the greatest sense of security.

I was in a good mood, so I decided to humor him, "Alright, I'll be at home cooking and waiting for you."

When it came to cooking, after Jared tasted my dishes, he never dared to boast about his culinary skills again. Instead, he asked me, "Sis, your cooking is amazing. Why don't you cook more often?"

I smiled faintly, "I don't like it."

Jared seemed to intuitively understand my mood and didn't press further.

That night, when I returned from working late, I found him sitting at the table with two steaming plates in front of him.

They were the simplest dishes, yet his once elegant hands were now covered in cuts.

I paused for a moment, and Jared raised a hand, "Sis, I learned from a food blogger's tutorial.

Give it a try."

The light from the table lamp cast a shimmering glow into his eyes, his eyes sparkled like stars.

To be honest, Jared's cooking wasn't very good.

But somehow, it filled the cracks in my heart, while also stirring up other ambiguous emotions.

I felt an overwhelming urge to flee.

Later that night, after my shower, I saw Jared sitting at the table, headphones on, watching something on his phone while jotting down notes.

Curious, I leaned over and realized he was writing down recipes from a video tutorial, noting even the grams of salt and cloves of garlic.

I found it amusing, yet deep down, there was a warm sensation spreading through me.

I poured a glass of wine and added ice, and sat on the bed, watching him with interest.

I don't know how long I watched before Jared put down his pen and turned around, meeting my gaze.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Sis!"

Then his Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened.

I did it on purpose.

I intentionally wore a sheer camisole, didn't dry off completely before dressing, swirled the wine glass so the cold liquid trickled down my neck, and left my bare, pale legs draped over the bed's edge.

Jared approached me, and I looked up at him.

Even from this angle, his face was handsome.

His jawline was sharp, his lips pressed tightly together.

When Jared wasn't smiling, he resembled Tristan a bit.

This resemblance instinctively repelled me because Tristan represented too many unpleasant, sordid memories for me.

But I had learned to act. The more disgusted I felt inside, the more alluring my smile became.

I tugged at Jared's collar, forcing him to bend down, kissing his lips and passing the cold wine to him.

Jared's gaze grew deeper, his hand slipping under my camisole, moving upward.

As he entered, I gasped, my nails digging into the bare skin of his back.

He clung to me, whispering over and over, "Sis, sis..."

"Sis, I'll die in your bed."

I swallowed my tearful smile and whispered, "No, you won't, little brother.

You're too good for me to let you die."

That's how it was.

Only by surrendering to the pure hormonal desires could I find immense security.

People may betray others, but never their own desires.

I don't know how long it took before I finally pulled away from the depths of desire, lying limply on the bed.

Jared suddenly got up and left the room.

Shortly after, he returned with a glass of milk.

"Sis, drink this before you sleep," Jared said, pausing before adding, "I found your medicine and health report in the cabinet. You should drink more milk if you're calcium deficient."

I was silent for a long time before taking the milk and drinking it all in one go.

Why was I calcium deficient?

Before I turned eighteen and could earn my own money, I had never tasted milk.

During my teenage years, I grew like a bamboo shoot after rain, but without enough nutrition, I became excessively thin.

Every night, curled up on the narrow spring bed in the living room, I felt as if my bones and joints were creaking in the silence.

I placed the empty glass on the table and reached to turn off the light.

Jared stood in the darkness, softly calling, "Sis."

I lay down and closed my eyes, "Sleep."

8

Jared seemed to intuitively understand my mood.

The next morning when I woke up, he was gone.

His backpack and laptop were also missing, and the spare key I had given him was left on the dressing table.

I sat in the empty bedroom for a while, then calmly went to heat some toast, ate, and went to work.

For three whole days, Jared didn't send me a single message.

Fortunately, a new project had started, and I was swamped, quickly pushing aside any stray thoughts. I spent my days at the company, overseeing progress, and only drove home late at night.

By the time I got home, it was already one in the morning.

As I stepped out of the elevator, I immediately saw Jared leaning against the wall, his head slightly bowed.

His hair, uncut for a while, had grown long, covering half of his face.

Hearing the noise, he turned to look at me, his eyes red, his face pale, with a hint of grievance in his gaze.

I silently met his eyes for a moment, then walked past him expressionlessly, took out my key, and opened the door.

Jared followed me inside.

As soon as I kicked off my heels and turned around, a searing kiss met me, urgent and fervent.

Jared's grip was strong, moving from my lips down my neck, stopping at my collarbone.

He bit down, causing me pain, and I let out a soft moan, but he showed no intention of easing up.

I closed my eyes and pushed him away, turning on the overhead light.

In the sudden brightness, Jared staggered back a couple of steps, looking at me with a gaze full of hidden pain.

"Sis," he said hoarsely, "these three days, I didn't reach out to you. Did you think of me?"

I remained silent.

A flash of determination crossed Jared's eyes, and then he suddenly stepped forward, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the bedroom.

"Sis, you don't have to answer. I know you don't want to say it."

That night, Jared seemed especially energetic, turning all the unspoken matters into another kind of desire, leading me into a sea of passion.

By the end, I was utterly exhausted, my fingertips trembling, yet he remained on top of me, planting gentle kisses along my bare back.

The next day, I had several noticeable hickeys on my neck.

Jared was still sound asleep in bed when I dressed, silently watched him for a moment, and then left for work.

With the project temporarily on hold and a short holiday starting the next day, I didn't have to work late tonight. After work, I wobbled to the underground parking lot with my bag. As I passed a dark corner, a hand suddenly pulled me in.

Startled, I was about to scream when a hand clamped over my mouth.

The hand smelled strongly of tobacco, with a cool touch of jade on the knuckles, and was sweaty.

A wave of nausea rose in my throat, and I nearly doubled over to retch.

Tristan's oily voice sounded in my ear, "Xiao Zhao, I just praised you for knowing your place, and now you're flaunting this in front of me?"

His fingers brushed over the hickeys on my neck.

In the darkness, I stared into his predatory eyes, forcing myself to stay calm, "Mr. Wade, I'm an adult. Isn't it normal to have a bed partner?"

Tristan chuckled lowly.

I increasingly felt that he and Jared were truly alike.

When they smiled, the corners of their eyes would lift slightly, and the curve of their lips was identical.

"A bed partner?"

Tristan leaned in, sniffing at my neck before finally releasing me.

I quickly stepped back, watching him warily.

"Xiao Zhao, it's been almost a year. No woman has dared to make me wait this long.

You're tempting, but don't test my limits."

As I drove back, my hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel.

The room was dark, and Jared wasn't there.

I leaned over the toilet, emptying my stomach, then staggered back to the bedroom, curling up on the bed, shaking.

When I was a child.

I was six years old then.

My parents wanted another son, so they sent me to live with my grandmother in the countryside.

She lived in a mud house, and after a heavy rain, most of the backyard wall had collapsed.

One night, a local thug climbed over the wall and broke into my room.

He covered my mouth with his sweaty hand, reaching under the blanket to pull at my dress.

I lay wide awake in the darkness, straining to see his face. My hand groped around the pillow until it found a pencil.

The pencil pierced into his back, and he let out a scream that finally woke the neighbor's dog.

Amidst the frantic barking, he slapped me hard across the face and fled out the door.

Later, my grandmother called, and my parents came to take me back home.

I stepped through the door with my pitifully small bag of belongings. My mother glanced at me with disdain and said coldly, "Lilah, you're so young, yet you already know how to manipulate people."

Oh.

They thought I didn't want to live in the countryside, so I deliberately seduced a local thug to get my grandmother to send me back.

I hated the primal urges in people, yet I found myself willingly lost in them.

"Sis?"

Jared's voice suddenly broke the silence, and the bedroom lights flicked on. I squinted and looked up to see him standing by the bed, his face full of apology.

That face gradually overlapped with Tristan's in the darkness.

I sat up expressionlessly. "Get out."

Jared's lips trembled, and tears suddenly fell. "Sis, I'm sorry.

Sis..."

That night, he slept on the couch in the living room.

The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, Jared was standing in front of me with a cup of hot milk.

He wore an apron, and the smell of fried eggs wafted from the living room.

I got up silently, washed, and ate breakfast. Then I looked up at Jared, who was watching me cautiously from across the table.

"Jared."

I put down my cup and smiled faintly at him. "Do you still want to live here with me?"

Jared nodded vigorously, his voice almost breaking. "Sis, do you want to kick me out?"

You brought this on yourself, don't blame me.

I exhaled slowly and chuckled, "Why would I?"

After all, you are Tristan's son.

"Sis wants to apologize to you. I shouldn't have taken out my work frustrations on you last night.

It won't happen again."

There are countless villains in this world. Why should I be the only one to act perfectly?

"Come on, Sis will take you out for a walk."

-But I won't.

Jared's wardrobe, full of hoodies and T-shirts, now included a finely striped blue and white shirt.

It matched perfectly with my striped blue and white dress.

He wore that shirt for three days straight until it got dirty in bed, and he had to change it, looking at me longingly.

I smiled, lifted his chin with my hand, and planted a kiss on his lips. "Be good, little brother, and Sis will buy you new clothes."

Of course, I was teasing.

Tristan's son could easily afford a new shirt.

Jared knew this too, but he was happy to play along. At night, with a dim light left on by the bed, his eyes were misty and wet as he looked at me. I didn't want to delve into the true emotions buried beneath.

This relationship was a bit dangerous. To put it poetically, it was like walking a fine line, playing with fire.

To put it bluntly, it felt like I was having an affair with Jared.

Right under Tristan's nose, the woman he coveted was intimately close with his son. The thought alone was enough to make one laugh.

Every time I watched Jared lose himself in my body, willingly succumbing to desire, I thought the same thing over and over.

Little brother, I guess I'm the bad guy here.

The company's project had entered the second phase, and I was often too busy to eat, let alone reply to his messages.

Jared sent over a dozen messages, sharing snippets of his life, and I could barely respond with a few words.

When I got home in the evening, he had showered, his hair still wet, and he wandered around me with his bare chest, while I was busy checking data and monitoring progress, too occupied to pay him any attention.

In the end, Jared sat dejectedly on the edge of the bed. "Sis, am I no longer attractive to you?"

I paused my typing, turned to him, and curled my lips. "Little brother, entertain yourself for a while. I'll hang out with you after I finish my work."

And then...

Then he really did entertain himself, watching my back.

His energy hadn't diminished at all, and when he pressed me onto the bed and kissed me tenderly, he was still full of vigor.

I laughed and complained a bit, and Jared immediately grinned smugly. "Sis, I'm on the school basketball team, the center. My stamina is great, don't worry."

That afternoon, Jared came back with two tickets to the Forest Music Festival.

These tickets were hard to get, selling out in a second. I had no idea how he managed to get them.

Jared looked at me with bright eyes. "I got them through a friend with connections. Sis, let's go together.

There will be popular bands."

I squinted and smiled, teasingly. "Little brother, did you peek at my playlist?"

"No, I didn't."

Jared seemed a bit embarrassed. "I just found your Apple Music account."

"Did you snoop through my playlist?"

I dismissed his excuse with a wave, but I was genuinely interested in the music festival.

It had been ages since I attended a live concert, and watching my favorite bands perform on stage was one of my few passions.

That weekend, Jared and I went to a Woodstock-style festival.

Unexpectedly, while buying water at the entrance, we ran into Ricky again.

Jared immediately stepped in front of me protectively. Ricky, seeing his stance, burst into laughter. "Lilah, aren't you tired of playing with this kid yet?"

I stayed silent.

Jared replied coldly, "What happens between Lilah and me is none of your business!

You're history, so have some self-awareness."

It was the first time I heard him call me by my full name, which was quite unusual, so I glanced at Jared a couple of times.

Ricky's expression darkened slightly. It seemed not many people spoke to him like that, except for Jared.

But he didn't get angry; instead, he smiled at me. "Lilah, you're a smart person. You know who's right for you."

Smart person.

Those words pinned me to the wall.

Ricky called me smart, and Tristan said I was sensible.

But they were both wrong.

I'm a lunatic.

I hooked my arm around Jared's shoulder and planted a kiss on his lips, then turned to Ricky, whose face had suddenly turned sour, and smiled slightly. "Ricky, I've told you, I like them young and obedient now."

"You're over the hill now."

For men, age is probably a sore spot.

Ricky's face turned icy as he walked away.

The festival started at three in the afternoon, but I waited until eight in the evening for Taylor to take the stage.

By then, a light drizzle had begun to fall, but I was in the crowd, singing and dancing along with everyone else, my eyeliner and lipstick smudging in the rain.

When the atmosphere reached its peak, I turned around, grabbed Jared by the collar, and pulled him down for a kiss.

This action wasn't out of place; many couples around us were doing the same.

But as I kissed Jared, I caught a glimpse of Ricky in the crowd, watching me with a half-smile under the rain and streetlights.

After the event, Ricky intercepted Jared and me in the parking lot.

Looking at Jared's stern face and my expressionless one, he leisurely chuckled, "Lilah, this kid is your company boss Tristan's son, right?"

My heart sank.

Ricky's smile grew wider, but his eyes were filled with malice. "Well, Lilah, you've really outdone yourself. I underestimated you."

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away briskly.

I frowned at his retreating figure, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Once in the car, Jared sat quietly in the passenger seat for a while before suddenly saying, "Big sis, I'll get my driver's license soon, and then I'll be the one driving you."

I absentmindedly replied, "Hmm," still pondering Ricky's words.

"Big sis, I want to tell my dad about us."

Before Jared could finish, I looked up at him. "What did you say?"

He clearly heard the coldness in my voice, and a hint of hurt flashed in his eyes. "Big sis, I've wanted to say this for a long time. You work so hard. If my dad knew who you are, at least you could have it a bit easier..."

"Forget it, rich kid."

I started the car with a blank expression. "I earned my place in your company fair and square. If you say that, what does that make me?

I even lead projects. How can I command respect?"

My tone was harsh, and Jared couldn't have missed it. He shrank back into his seat, saying nothing more.

By the time we reached the building, it was already late at night.

I glanced at Jared beside me, feeling a bit restless, and lit a cigarette, opening the car window.

Jared finally couldn't hold back and reached out to stop me. "Big sis, don't smoke.

It's bad for your health."

I grabbed his collar, put out the cigarette, and kissed him, the faint taste of tobacco spreading.

I was rough and reckless, my teeth clashing against his lips, quickly tasting a hint of blood. He didn't mind at all, letting me kiss him, letting me pull him onto my lap.

"Big sis."

Jared looked at me with those gentle, doe-eyed eyes.

His eyes were naturally alluring, but he always put on this puppy-dog look in front of me, as if certain I'd relent.

I sighed, softening my tone. "Little brother, I've worked hard to get where I am today. Let's wait a bit longer, okay?"

Jared nodded, his voice muffled. "Big sis, comfort me a little more."

Afraid of our relationship being exposed, unable to command respect?

That was the excuse I gave Jared.

The real reason? Even I didn't know. And I didn't want to find out.