Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Serena, eyes locked on the distant sight of Romeo and Mirabella kissing, remained silent, filled with a sense of defeat.
Determined not to let her down, Martin persisted in negotiating with the guard, suggesting they could pay double the price or meet any other request the private party might have, as long as it was within his power.
The guard, moved by his sincerity, reluctantly went to consult the head of security.
The head of security, unable to make the decision, jogged to the center of the flower field and waited for the couple’s tender moment to end before asking, “Boss, there’s a couple from Solterra who want to come in with his girlfriend. They’re offering double the price and promise not to disturb you.”
“Let them in’ Mirabella said, looking up at her partner, her arms still wrapped around his waist. “Aren’t we heading somewhere else shortly anyway?”
“If my fiancée says so, then that’s what we’ll do, Romeo said, gazing adoringly at Mirabella and planting a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve also arranged for a hot air balloon.”
“Did you get that idea from browsing online, or did you come up with it yourself?”
“A bit of both.” Romeo admitted, watching for her reaction. “Is it not romantic enough?”
As long as it was his doing, Mirabella adored it. “As long as it’s from you, I love it”The security chief relayed the message, and soon Martin and Serena were allowed entry.
Martin beamed, “Serena, we finally get to go in.”
Serena watched as Romeo and Mirabella ascended in the hot air balloon, her eyes darting to the photographers swarming the field, capturing the moment.
Martin sensed the envy and disappointment in her gaze and softly asked, “Would you like to ride in a hot air balloon, or take photos?”
Serena wanted to roll her eyes. She had no desire to share a hot air balloon or a photo shoot with him.
She just retorted, “Can’t you think of something original? Why always copy someone else’s ideas!”
Martin was puzzled by her sudden outburst. In a soothing tone, he asked, “What would you like, then?”
He was willing to fulfill any wish she had.
Serena shot him a cold glare in response, “What’s the point if I have to come up with it myself? Look at her boyfriend — a private event, a special composition, a heartfelt confession, a hot air balloon ride, and even a horde of photographers to capture it all.”
Martin pondered with a hint of mischief in his eyes, “How about I surprise you with something like this next time?”
Serena remained silent, feeling an undeniable chasm between him and the charm she found in Romeo.
There was just no comparison!
She was settling, and she knew it.
Martin suggested a stroll through the sunflower fields, but her gaze kept drifting towards the hot air balloon tethered nearby. It wasn’t flying far, and she could clearly see a couple locked in an embrace, sharing a kiss that was all too glaring for her.
It was such an eyesore!
Noticing her discontent, Martin tried to cheer her up with a soft proposal, “Hey Serena, want me to snap a pic of you with my phone? You could post it on Facebook.”
“Forget it,” Serena replied, uninterested. “Taking pictures on someone else’s turf feels like mooching off their moment. Don’t worry about me. I just want some time to myself.”
Martin felt a pang of quilt, realizing he should have planned ahead to avoid disappointing her.
Up in the hot air balloon.
Romeo’s lips lingered on the girl’s, his hand gently caressing her slender waist.
Mirabella responded to his fervent affection, and after a while, she felt his passionate kisses begin to wander downward.”Romeo.
Her soft call made him pause, his eyes still filled with lingering adoration, “Hmm?”
“There are people watching below.”
Mirabella looked down at the stunning vista—the sprawling lavender fields were a breathtaking masterpiece.
“I never realized how beautiful lavender could look from this angle.”
“You’re even more beautiful.” Romeo embraced her from behind, sharing the view. “If you like it, we can come here more often.”
Mirabella knew their time was limited; they both had busy lives and rarely had moments to enjoy the scenery in quiet like they were now.
“Some sights are worth seeing just once.”
“No matter how many times you want to see it, I’ll be there with you. If you get tired of it, we’ll find a new place.
If not, I’ll stay until you’ve had your fill”
Serena, watching the hot air balloon with its occupants still aloft, could only imagine the intimate whispers shared in that close embrace. It was maddening.
Martin glanced at the couple in the sky and then at Serena beside him. He cautiously reached for her hand, hoping to ease her irritation.
Serena felt a surge of aversion but was also aware that she needed to give Martin some encouragement. He had to be firmly attached to her, willing to give his all.Martin was surprised when Serena didn’t pull away. His smile grew sweet and content. He was careful not to hurt her, holding her hand with a tenderness that was almost fearful.
The couple in the balloon kissed again, with Romeo leaning in, seemingly insatiable, driving Serena to the brink of envy.
If only Romeo had been that assertive and gentle with her.
Why had he been so cold to her in the past, almost annoyed, yet so smitten with Mirabella?
Martin, sensing she was still upset, followed her gaze. In the warm sunlight, the couple in the balloon seemed to melt into each other with their kiss.
Martin, too, longed to kiss her, to melt away her anger.
But as he leaned in, Serena turned away, her eyes flashing with irritation and reluctance.
Realizing he had crossed a line, Martin apologized, “Sorry, I got ahead of myself.
“Do you want me or my heart?” Serena suddenly looked up, her voice tinged with anger.
“Of course I,” Martin was visibly nervous, his gaze locked into hers, yet he couldn’t bring himself to deceive her, “want it all.”
He yearned for both.
The sincerity in his eyes appeared to Serena as nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing, “So, hanging out with me, you’ve always had ulterior thoughts, right?”
Martin was puzzled. To him, these ‘ulterior thoughts’ were simply an extension of his affection for her.
Seeing her upset, Martin didn’t dare to soothe her with his actions anymore. He could only try to explain verbally.
“I’ll admit, I’m drawn to you, because I like you. I want to kiss you, hold you, take your hand. I want you, all of you, for myself. But more than that, I want your heart. I hope to have a place in there, even if it’s just a tiny corner, that would be enough for me.”
Serena turned her face away, silent.
“I’m sorry, Serena. I’ll be more mindful from now on.” Martin gently tugged at her sleeve, not daring to take her hand, “Please, don’t be mad, okay?”
Serena purposefully shrugged him off and marched ahead.
“Serena.” Martin felt uneasy, fearing she might think of him as a creep and cut him off for good.
When Serena saw him anxiously catch up, the sense of control over him suddenly lifted her spirits.
“Are you smiling?”Martin caught a fleeting smile on her lips, which eased his anxious heart, and a grin spread across his face, “Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”
“From now on, you can’t touch me without my permission!”
Martin found this a bit tough, but anxious not to upset her again, he simply nodded in agreement, “Okay.”
Serena glanced at his hand, and Martin quickly retracted it, not even daring to touch her sleeve again.
Her mood improved even further, reveling in the power she held over him.
“So, are you still mad?” Martin cautiously walked by her side, watching her every expression.
“Much better now.”
“Then, can I hold your hand again?” Martin longed to reach out to her.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Serena extended her hand, “Here.”
Overwhelmed with excitement and joy, Martin quickly took her hand, afraid she might change her mind.
The hot air balloon gently descended.
Those above didn’t realize why there was such commotion below.
“So, you’re ticklish” Mirabella chuckled, giving Romec’s waist another playful scratch.
Romeo retaliated, laughing, “You’re even worse.”
“Stop, please stop.”
Mirabella couldn’t dodge in time and found herself captured in his arms.”Say you love me.”
Mirabella remained silent.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.