Good night kiss ?!

Her eyes are dark and she takes a few steps back. The boy smirks thinking that her works were all for show.

In a flash, she has her sword pointed at his throat and she slits just so few drops of blood linger on his white neck.

" Next time I wouldn't miss."She withdraws and leans the sword on the wall of the barn. Her expression is lighter as she examines the boy. Ilona wanted to make the boy dissipate but giving it a second thought, seems that finding him a job and putting him to pay for staying in the barn is a good opportunity to have another income. Also finding him a job wouldn't be that hard if she were to recommend him. His looks will make the hiring even easier.

Ilona is in thought as she looks at one point having her arms crossed.

The man wipes the blood on his neck. He looks at the red blood on his fingers and frowns.

'No one ever touched me. To think she cut me with her sword …. She is one crazy lady…'

He glares and with fast speed, he pins her on the wall. His hand is gripping her neck as he lifts her.

"Who do you think you are to slash me? You peasant …" He grits his teeth and is prepared to continue his speech when the girl nonchalantly takes off her pocket a small knife and with vitality, she makes a mark on his face.

The knife draw a long bloody line on his left cheek to his eyebrow. As he sees red he drops the girl and rips the sleeve. He pressed with the improvised bandage on the wound and growls at the girl.

"You maniac women !"She sighs and approaches him with small steps. He flinches and steps back as she moves forward. The man trips and falls on the hay. Ilona puts her leg next to his side and looks down at him.

"Don't be scared. This is a sign of misbehaving. You should pay for your actions." Her cold expression makes the man freeze under her gaze. It wasn't the first time she had to deal with disrespectful boys. They would usually make fun of her height, so putting them in their place become her specialty.

He is speechless. How can a lady smaller than him have the upper hand against him? He presses more on his wound and groans.

"Let me see !" She focuses her eyes on the sleeve. Ilona frowns when she remembers that the shirt was her father's. She lost one shirt because of this insolent fool. That's why she wanted him to leave in the first place. The boy will bring her all sorts of troubles. He is the called know-it-all type having an arrogant side. Also, he doesn't know how to listen. The worst type of boy to have it near you.

She is questioning her decision. Should she give her plan a go?

Depending on his future actions.

The boy uncovers the wound. He feels the dry patches of blood as he tries to blink.

"It will leave a scar. Are you angry? Your precious face is now scratched."She touches his slit and follows his reaction."Do you still want to stay here? What if I kill you ?"

"Of course I am mad. But I can't let a mere girl make me lose my composure. A man's wounds are his pride. Have you heard of that ?"He smirks as he stretches his hand grabbing her crimson hair. He pulls her closer and violently bites her lower lip.

Ilona can't believe what just happened. 'I guess he wanted revenge…..'

She never met a man like this to not renounce after being beaten twice. One thing that is good about him is his perseverance. She moans as she feels the sharp pain having the form of his teeth.

"You don't know when to give up. That's a good thing."She smiles as she feels her lip pulsating ."I guess you still want to say here. I want to propose a deal." Ilona smirks as she stands straight. The boy has some good qualities that can turn bad. It all depends on how she leads him.

Ilona shoves the knife back into her pocket.

His perseverance can be good if she gets him a job because he will not make her reputation go bad. She will make the villagers think that the fight they had was out of friendship. She can hit two birds with one stone.

Also, it is the worst quality if she were to fight with him every time he pestered her to let him stay as he will never be able to get a job by himself.

"I want to hear what the mad woman has to propose! I will think if I want to accept it or not. Speak!" The boy clears his throat and looks at the girl ready to find out what crosses her mind.

In her eyes, his speech manner is the most annoying thing on the earth. He speaks as if he owns everything.

'Bastard…' She gathers all the calm she has and opens her eyes looking at the boy. His disheveled looks make her laugh mentally when she thinks of the way he speaks as royalty. Well, Ilona decides to ignore that fact and become resistant to his unmannered behavior.

"I will find you a job and you can stay here how much you want but …. You will pay me rent. What do you think?" She is aware that he can refuse. But if he were to refuse he will be out of here in no time.

The man thinks for a second and opens his mouth having a sly expression.

"I will pay you less than the normal rent, as compensation for the slit and the scar. You know I am persistent. I am sure you don't have time to deal with me. I will accept if you accept my condition." He smirks and stands up.

Ilona realizes the trap and she knows that the man might have the higher ground.

"I agree." She frowns and slaps the hand he already had stretched as if he predicts that she will have no way around but to accept his condition.

Ilona turns to leave but the man grabs her hand.

"What do you want?" She glares.

Ilona's hate grows more and more since he first glanced at her in the bar. He is a curse! Not only he is arrogant but he is damn smart!

"Aren't you gonna give me a good night kiss ?" His good disposition and the damned smirk on his lips are rising her blood pressure.

"Kiss ?!" She feels that he is the only person who can truly bring out her worst qualities as well as her real personality.

"I can overlook my request if you give me your name." He stares at the girl and steps closer.

Ilona sighs and understands what he wants. Well at one point he will know her name anyways. She might as well not make her evening even worse.

"Ilona Whisper ."Her voice is calm and the fatigue makes it hard for her to speak louder. Her eyes are pointed, looking up at his face. The dry blood gives her a tight feeling in her chest.

"A truly nice name for a scary lady. Did you know that your name means joy? "He smiles as he lifts her hand." It might not be nice for you to meet me, but for me, it is a good thing that I finally met you. "His lips kiss softly the rough yet feminine hand. He knows that she is the one.

Ilona is stuck for a moment and as she looks at him she frowns. His gesture is a common thing in the noble family. But a noble would never kiss a commoner hand.

'Did I hit his head too strong ?"

He lifts his head and looks into her eyes with a gentle look as if his previous cold eyes never even existed. Ilona pulls her hand back. He snaps from his reverie and his icy face is back.

"Don't touch me ever again! Have you not learned your lesson ?"She keeps eye contact with him and her glare is making him understand the assignment ."I will come early in the morning. Make sure to be awake ."She is ready to leave after she grabs her sword.

"My name is Victor ." His cold voice is heard by her as she closes the door of the barn.

Ilona glances at her hand. The feeling of his lips pressed against her skin still lingers. She wipes repeatedly the back of her hand.

"Crazy bastard ..." Her steps take her into the house. Her feelings are mixed when she thinks about the blood on him not being cleaned. Also, his unpredictable gentle look bothers her a little. Why is he acting this way? He is the definition of hot and cold ….

The dark kitchen is cold. Anise is already sleeping in her room. The clock on the wall indicates midnight. She sighs and starts the fire. With small steps, she gets in the bathroom. Her clothes are on the ground as she gets in the cold water. Her muscles ache.

'He is giving me another headache….' She rubs her temples and tries to relax for a minute.

'Joy ... My behavior will never mirror my name ever again ...'

She remembers the good days with her parents and her sister, living like a normal family. Eating together, sleeping together, being together.

Now everything is the polar opposite of what was back then.

Ilona lets a tear fall on her cheek.