CHAPTER 9

 Elizabeth was silent the whole time she was eating. But she could feel Arduous looking— no, rather staring at her from time-to-time. And although there was a part of her that was starting to become conscious, she kept eating and almost consumed everything that was on the center table of her hotel suite.

 Just as Arduous instructed, she took the pill afterward, nervously praying that it would work its purpose. She didn't know what was in her mind last night that she gave in to the temptation and her body's want without thinking of the possible consequences.

 Science was her favorite subject for heaven's sake! And she was someone known as an advocate of safe sex. But then there she was, she just had a sex with someone she just met.

 Though having sex with Arduous whom she just met last night wasn't the case.

 Their unprotected sex was!

 "Don't worry, I know an ob-gyn and a world-class doctor who prescribed that pill so it will work."

 She turned to Arduous who was as if had read what was on her mind.

 "Well, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?"

 "So, you're not up on having kids too?"

 Elizabeth shook her head with what he was thinking, "Not that I don't want to. Of course, every woman would want to become a mother but I think this is not yet the time for me."

 "Hmm, let me guess. Still enjoying being single?"

 "And still getting there."

 She made sure to emphasize the word 'there', making sure he would get the meaning in which Arduous nodded. And with her response, Arduous just became more interested with the woman sitting beside him at that moment.

 Ella said that Elizabeth finally came home with her mom after years of living in London because she was getting over her ex-boyfriend who dumped her because she refused to give in her virginity. But last night, it was as if Elizabeth had been waiting for someone to touch her. The way she moaned and accepted him was something that was contradicting the narrative that he heard about her.

 Or maybe he was just that sexually appealing to her that she easily gave in? Or maybe not?

 Whatever the reason was, she was really interesting and it was something that had caught his attention. And it was the first time that he skipped a day in his office to look after a woman he had spent the night with.

 "So, uhm, what is it that you want us to talk about?"

 It was then when he turned to her when she finally initiated to open up about that topic. He didn't know how would it work for them especially in her case, but he had been wanting to talk about it with her since last night.

 Taking a deep breath, Arduous sat casually as he looked at her.

 "Well, I won't beat around the bush anymore. It has something to do with what happened to us last night."

 Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she looked at him, "And what about it?"

 "You see, something happened to us and you were not unconscious when we did it. You were even the one who initiated it."

 Her cheeks burned at the mention of her initiation through their text message for something. She bit her lips and suppressed her shyness in which again, Arduous found amusing to look at.

 "We had sex, yes." she replied, knowing well that it was what he wanted to hear which was true.

 "Yes, we did. And I am sure you are not denial that you are sexually attracted to me as well."

 "As well?"

 Elizabeth put a shocked questioning tone with her response with her brows furrowed. While Arduous who was claiming something just nodded casually.

 "Wait, I don't want to assume things but are you saying that you are sexually attracted to me?" she continued.

 "Yes, I am."

 He didn't even deny!

 Elizabeth could only sigh at his straight and on-point remarks, shaking her head, unable to believe the man in front of her. It wasn't the first time that someone— a man was vocal and straight to the point towards her with what he wanted, but not as much as Arduous.

 For her at that moment, he was on another level.

 "What?" Arduous asked.

 Elizabeth just shook her head. She didn't know that going with her mother in her hometown would be like that.

 "Don't tell me you are going to deny it? Or maybe you are just someone who is only up for a one night stand—"

 "Oh, Arduous, please, stop!"

 "That's exactly how you were moaning last night."

 Elizabeth could only close her eyes and bit her lips with his sudden mood swing. He was starting to become someone who would be a reason for her heart attack. She knew there was no wrong talking about sex for adults especially it was just the two of them in the room where something happened to them.

 But Arduous was really on another level.

 He was that proud and kinky.

 "Just, what do you want, really?"

 She couldn't bear hearing more of his kinky stuff. She knew her cheeks were already burning red and she knew it wouldn't be impossible for her to look like a ripened tomato if he would continue with his kinky stuff. And she could see that he was clearly enjoying her reaction!

 "Gosh," she mumbled and looked at him, waiting to say something.

 Arduous stared at her for a moment, weighing properly if his move would be just fine. He knew she was a virgin, he had proven it last night and after seeing the blood on the bed sheet when he woke up this morning. But just because she was a virgin, doesn't mean she was innocent and he knew she wasn't.

 But still, he needed to consider if he was up for something that was in his mind at that moment. After all, only a few women with the likes of her understands and also has the same fetish as his.

 There was nothing wrong to give it a try to, so taking a deep breath, Arduous looked at Elizabeth in the eye, making sure she would get what he was saying.

 And when Elizabeth heard him, it felt like her mind suddenly went blank as what he said was the only thing in her mind.

 "I want us to be fuck buddies."