Please

"I never knew you read these kinds of books. I only read the middle page and I'm thrilled."

"H…how did you get it?" She gulped.

He chuckled.

"Come and get it, sweet. I don't bite."

Raziel narrowed her eyes. He was trying to trick her into opening the window.

"It's not that hard. Come on, I'll give you your erotica," he assured, drawing on the last word.

"It's not erotica. You're horrible at reassuring people."

"And you're a pro at hurting my ego."

"Seriously?"

"No."

She glared at him and he smirked. Seems like she was no longer scared of his blazing golden eyes. Such a huge achievement.

"I won't hurt you, sweet, sweet, Raziel," he spoke out as he used his hands to tell her to come forward. Noticing the reluctance and doubt in her eyes, he shrugged his shoulder.

"Fine, I'll grant your request and leave," he said as he sauntered towards the railing of her balcony.

He heard her panicked voice and her loud footstep as she quickly tossed the blanket off her body and hurried to the window. Just as he saw her opening the balcony window, he smirked at her and leaped off the balcony. She released a horrified shout as expected. It was a five-floor drop after all.

"C…come back!" She slightly whispered, dreading to wake her family or alert the guards.

He turned a deaf ear to her. A hand was tucked into his pocket as he walked down the mansion with ease. His free hand swung the book as he walked. He kept walking and just as he had predicted, she uttered the word.

"Valhoon, please!"

Raziel panicked. She sprinted out of her bedroom, barefoot and with just her thin nightgown. The book wasn't hers, it was May's and she would fight with her if she found out that her book was missing and that she took it. She doesn't want any quarrel with May and she has to take the book from him to avoid May's wrath.

Raziel ran outside and was welcomed by the chilly cold and the bright light of the moon. She sighted him walking away and she racked her brain for something to say. Yes, she now knew his name. She had seen it at the royal grandmother's birthday party. She had forgotten his name until it was forced out of her.

"Valhoon, please!"

He halted and turned around.

She stared at the book in his hands and hesitantly smiled at him.

"Please," she repeated in a sweet and pleading voice. She was going impatient. He has to give her the book before anyone see them here. Thank goodness the guards were not in this part of the mansion. She was scared that her mother would hear the noise and come outside. She was a light sleeper and she doesn't want to take any chances.

In a blink of an eye, he was standing in front of her. She let out a shocked sound and her hands flew to her chest. She stepped backwards timidly. He was too close and it felt uncomfortable to her.

"You chased me away, and now you want me to come back?" He said, adding a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"I…It was just a natural instinct. Who would let a stranger into their room?"

"Stranger? We've met more than twice and we ate together. Have you forgotten?"

"You don't have to mention that."

"Why? I'm only being honest, sweet, sweet, Raziel."

Raziel frowned even more. He was manipulative. His qualities were like that of an upcoming psychopath. Maybe he already was one. He called her sweet. Might be because he regarded her as a piece of flesh. The way he looks at her, tells her she was right.

"My book," she whispered. "Give me my book, please."

He raised his hands an. "You mean this romance or erotica book of yours?"

She nodded.

"I like it and so it's mine now," he declared. He saw the hope vanish from her face and her bottom lip trembled. She looked as if she was going to cry. How was he going to deal with her tears?

"Y…You're horrible. The book is not mine. Please give it back," Raziel pleaded.

"It's not yours? You just said it's yours, right?"

"It's for my sister and she would not like it if her book gets missing."

"Hmm, I see. What would you give me in return?"

"My appreciation?"

"I hate useless things."

"I d…don't know what I ever did to deserve this bullying from you but I'll apologize. Please leave me alone, Valhoon," she requested, putting her both hands together.

Valhoon raised a brow at her statement. "You want me to leave you alone? You don't want your book anymore?"

"I do." Raziel wondered if he finds pleasure in tormenting her. She couldn't stay out much longer. She was freezing due to the cold. Her nightgown did nothing to protect her from the night breeze which seems to have increased ever since he stood in front of her.

"Here, sweet," he lifted his hands with the book to her.

Raziel instantly reached forward to take the book but within seconds, he captured her tiny wrist. She prepared herself to wince but surprisingly, his touch was delicate. He held her wrist like he would egg.

"I didn't say you could have it."

"Please give it, it's not yours," she implored. What kind of a man was he. Didn't no one teach him manners. She guessed no one taught him the etiquette of a gentleman.

"It's the day of Halloween, next week. If you attend the ball at the palace, I'm going to return it to you," he let out smirking at her.

"I told you the book is not mine, please give it to me."

"I'll only give you if you attend the ball next week."

Raziel was fed up with talking to him and trying to plead with him. She abruptly removed her wrist from his hold and stepped back. Her face showed how unhappy and angry she was.

"You can eat the book if you so much like it. Good night."

"You do…"

"Good night," she repeated.

Valhoon was stunned. He never knew she has this side. He was impressed. He was shocked when she suddenly swiveled around and walked into the house. Her dress and hair twirled with her. He looked up to her room with his mouth wide open and watched as she came to the balcony window and stared at him. He wanted to say something aloud but she locked her window and drag her cotton.

He smirked from pure amusement. Now, she'll surely have no choice but to attend the next ball. It was his plan all along. Once she again sets foot into his castle, he would not let her escape.