Sweet Punishment

"Hey, by the way, when did Theodore come back? I didn't know," finally Kiera remembered something that she missed out in the spur of the moment earlier.

Anna snapped back to reality when she recalled Theodore too. Here she was lecturing Kiera when she herself is in such a messed up situation. Who can justify her current situation, huh? Her own decision also didn't make sense, out of the blue involving herself into a troubled relationship with a man she came to like for the first time, with a man who doesn't even bother to commit to anyone when doesn't feel it would bring any advantage to him in any way.

Anna wavered for a moment what to say to Kiera and then decided to keep it from her for now. "I don't know myself. He just came to my apartment this morning, I was also quite surprised. He didn't tell you that he would?" Anna questioned her back.

"No.. I don't remember anything like getting his call…"

"You were tired, maybe you missed it?"

"Maybe, it never happened before though. Well, he came to your apartment because he thought you were there, but you weren't supposed to be, right?" Kiera squinted her eyes all of a sudden as the whole situation seemed a little confusing to her.

"I… was, I was there because I had to pick up some documents. Then, suddenly I got his call when I was in the elevator and found him outside my apartment. So…," Anna finished, averting her eyes from Kiera.

"Oh, so that's what happened…"

"Yeah, yeah, exactly this thing happened," Anna faked a smile to make herself look honest though Keira was still a little puzzled about something but didn't voice it out for some reason. For some days, her thoughts were a bit muddled up after that family dinner that she started to think about useless things often these days. She really has to stop this weird act.

When the two of them left the cafe, Anna found Cherry standing beside the alley with Theodore leaning back on it, having a distant look on his face. His leather jacket and the casual clothes he was wearing made him look like a motorbike racer. Anna's heart skipped several beats witnessing his flawless profile like usual. Why is he so handsome? Sometimes, it's hard for her to control her fast-beating heart looking at him.

After seeing those two walking towards them, Theodore moved and handed the motorbike key to Kiera's hand.

"You don't have to drive it back. Go home," saying that, he grabbed Annabelle's hand and walked towards Kiera's car parked a few meters from where they were standing.

Anna didn't even get the chance to see the dumbfounded Kiera standing there for the last time as she was dragged by him and had to get inside Kiera's car. When did the plan change like this? He should have given a heads up at least. A while ago, when he walked out angrily from the archery house, she thought he was already gone. But to her surprise, he didn't go but planned to ride back home in her car? When did he get the keys? Was it when they were talking in the coffee shop? She must have again forgotten her keys in the archery home, huh? Not bad, sitting in a car when Theodore is the driver, kinda feels like a long drive date right?

Though that giddy feelings of hers made her a little happy, Anna once again snapped back to reality from her fairyland when she felt a bit heated all of a sudden. The person beside was the one who was emitting the heat though. What is it? He looked okay a minute ago. Then how come he is so angry now?

Anna didn't know what happened all of a sudden, as she worriedly touched his forehead to check if he had a cold fever or something. She actually didn't see him having anything for the whole day actually. Is he empty-stomached this long then? Shit! Why didn't she notice earlier?

"You haven't eaten anything since you came back, right?" though after checking, she found his forehead wasn't that hot as it was supposed to be, she still felt a little worried.

Theodore looked at her in disbelief for some moments and again turned back his gaze to the road. She is really thinking about other things right now? Seriously, she really never fails to surprise him. Theodore speeded up his car as if he was in any hurry, straight back to Anna's apartment. He didn't utter a single word in the whole ride, making Anna wonder about his sudden change. When they entered the elevator, Anna couldn't help but ask him as she was really puzzled by his behavior right now.

"What's wrong? Are you mad at me about something?" Anna quivered her eyes towards Theodore but still didn't get any reply. When she was already thinking of giving up on deciphering his mind thoughts, the elevator reached their floor as Theodore grabbed her hand, taking her by surprise and dragging her towards her apartment. He typed the door password by himself casually as if he had known this password for years by now.

*click*

The door was opened with a soft click sound as they stepped inside the apartment while Theodore was still holding her hand. What was it? Was it his rough, cold hand that made her think weird thoughts? How come she is finding them so warm? Maybe because of his body temperature. Who knows? She must have gone berserk for thinking too much these days.

Anna was tangled in her own thoughts, but all of a sudden, Theodore locked the door behind her as he pinned her to the door. Right now, they were facing each other so close that she could feel his hot breath on her cheeks.

"Wha… what happened?"

"You said if I am mad," Theodore finally opened his mouth, his voice sounding a bit husky.

Anna suddenly felt a ticklish feeling inside her stomach. What is it? Is that called getting butterflies?

"Yes, are you?"

"I am…." Theodore lowered his head a little as he took some strands of her hair in his long bony hand and started to play with them. For some reason, his voice sounded a lot mellow to her, like a soothing lullaby.

"Why?" Anna asked, looking straight at his eyes as he returned her gaze.

"Hmm…. you kissed me two times yesterday without my permission."

Shit! So, it wasn't a dream huh? Like hell! How could she do that? It was her first time to kiss any man in real life, but the worse case is she really doesn't remember the feeling of the kiss though it was just on the cheeks. Wait, this is not the main thing she is supposed to be worrying about now. What explanation can she give?

As Anna was silent, Theodore's lips curved into a small mischievous smile, making her stuck inside her dream again. "You also looked at me weirdly a while ago."

Eh? When? Was it then when they came out of the café? Was it that weird? But how can she control herself when he is this handsome? Suddenly, she thought of an idea, a full-proof one.

"Why? Can't I do that? I am supposed to be your girlfriend right?" That's right, whether it's for 2 days, 2 months, or 2 years, they agreed to be in a relationship. Isn't it okay to look that way at her own boyfriend? The moment Anna realized she had already started to think of him as her boyfriend made her feel that ticklish feeling again. What's this feeling? So, it feels like this to have a boyfriend for the first time, huh? That's quite amazing, quite refreshing. But the next moment, the refreshing feeling was enveloped by her nervousness as Theodore came closer making her heart beat faster all of a sudden. Right now, she could clearly see every inch of his gorgeous face. Shit, can he hear her heart beating this wild? She doesn't know anymore.

"Of course, you can, Annabelle, as I can punish you for doing something without my permission."

"You… you're holding a grudge? It was just a small peck on the cheeks… why you…."

"Yes, for that, I have to punish you, you know?" Theodore said, leaving her hair strands as he took her chin in his hand.

"What? You're holding a grudge now for that? Okay, I am fine with everything as long as that isn't related to any violation," Anna said, closing her eyes shut as she was preparing herself for a punishment mentally.

"Are you sure?" Somehow, his voice sounded huskier.

"Yeah, yeah, go on, doc. If something happens, you have to cure it too."

Though Anna said she won't accept any violence, in her mind, she already decided to prepare herself to get a little beating. He won't beat her that hard, huh? Like she is still a lady, so….

As Annabelle was drowned in her gibberish thoughts, she was more off-guard than usual. All of a sudden, she felt something fall on her lips, and in a split second, she understood what it was. Opening her eyes in shock, she found Theodore's thin lips pressed lightly on hers.