Be Mine

Aciel waited for Xylia to answer. He let Simon talk to her and wanted to hear her response. The silence was deafening as the boys anticipated Xylia's decision.

"I'm sorry. I need to talk to Aciel. He didn't force me." She finally answered.

Aciel smiled hearing those words from her. Simon glared at him while the others were surprised by Xylia's reply.

"I'll let you off this time. But I'm telling you that whatever your plan is, I'm against it." Simon said.

Aciel didn't say a word and just smirked at Simon before getting inside his car, leaving them confused.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked.

"Somewhere we could be alone." He simply answered.

Xylia kept quiet and just looked outside. She felt worried, but she couldn't turn back her words anymore. For the first time in her life, she made a decision on her own without anyone telling her what to do.

She frowned when they entered an underground parking. The place looked like a luxurious hotel since all the cars parked inside were either expensive ones or limited edition.

She looked at Aciel, curiosity was all over her face.

"This is one of the places I usually hang out. I have an exclusive room on the top floor." He answered.

She nodded but was still silent.

When Aciel stopped the car in front of an elevator, one of the valets ran toward them. Aciel opened the car door and gave the key to the valet. Then he walked toward the passenger side to open the door for Xylia.

"Come on." He said while pulling her inside the elevator.

Xylia knew that coming with Aciel was a big mistake. If anyone found out that she went to a hotel with a man, her mother would definitely kill her.

Aciel dragged her inside a suite when the elevator stopped on the top floor. Xylia was in awe seeing the elegant spacious room of the hotel. It had a wonderful view over the city and a beautiful garden with thousands of different flowers in unique colours.

"Is this a hotel?" She asked.

"Not really. This is a residential building, and this is the penthouse. I actually live here."

"Why did you bring me here?"

He frowned. "You said someone might hear us in school. A lot of people know you and me, so I think this is the best place for us to talk."

She nodded and then walked toward the glass wall to see the breathtaking view of the city. Aciel was just looking at her and observing her every move. When she smiled, his heart thumped. He turned his eye off her and ignored the feeling he just had.

"So tell me, what happened to your lip? I want an honest answer." He asked.

Xylia didn't reply for a moment. She was just staring quietly into the cars below the tall building.

"Why do you think the Antonov clan was the wealthiest family in this city for decades?" Xylia asked Aciel.

"I don't know anything about your clan except that you're one of the most influential families here."

He lied. He actually made a background check on all the powerful families in the city. That was one of his training as the underboss. He needed to know each family's strengths and weaknesses because his father told him, they could be useful in the future.

"Our family strengthen its power by making ties with other powerful families. One of those methods was through an arranged marriage. My mother told me that they found a man for me. She wanted me to meet him. I declined."

Aciel gritted his teeth. He thought he was the only one forced to marry a stranger.

"So your mother hurt you because you declined?" Aciel asked.

Xylia nodded. "Ever since I was born, my future had been planned by my parents. My everyday life was arranged by them. Even my friends were selected and chosen by my mother. I was like a doll, a robot. I never wanted to disappoint them. So I obeyed everything they wanted me to do."

"Have you ever been happy with all the things you did for them?"

Xylia chuckled. "The only time that I was happy was when Chelsea became my friend. My mom chose her, and Chelsea was a true friend indeed. So I'm sorry if I'm not happy with the board's decision to replace her as the Vice President."

"Then why didn't you reason with them?"

"Because my mother would know about it. She had spies in school. Teachers, students and other staff. They were paid by my mother."

"You left school. What if she finds out?"

"I don't know. But I wanted to get away from everyone. That school? It felt like a prison to me."

Aciel raised his hand to touch Xylia's face.

"Do you know the name of the guy she selected for you?"

Xylia nodded. Her complexion changed to red when she felt Aciel's hand on her cheek. She turned to him to see his reaction to what she had told him.

Aciel's face looked serious. His silver eyes were like crystals, starting at her, and she could see her reflection in them.

"His name is Ivan Harlow. His family owned a shipping and airline company. Do you know them?"

He didn't answer. He was not sure if that was the same guy who was charged with harassment. Aciel knew that the last name was the same, but he could not remember if he was that guy.

"My mother said he would transfer to our school, and tomorrow he will start attending class. She wanted me to welcome Ivan tomorrow." She sighed.

"Why can't you just leave your family and stand on your own? That's too simple."

Xylia stepped backwards. "I can't. I'm not like you, Aciel. Don't compare me to you who grew up disobeying your father. You don't know anything, but to please yourself."

Aciel's expression turned dark. He rushed towards her and then pushed her onto the couch. Xylia fell and was afraid of what Aciel would do next.

"No one ever talked back to me and come out unscathed." He said with gritted teeth.

He started to unbutton his shirt, exposing his chest and toned abs. Xylia's heart started pounding. She wasn't stupid not to know what Aciel was thinking of doing to her.

"Aciel no!" She pleaded.

"You already knew that coming with me will end up like this. I'm pissed so I want someone to warm my bed. Besides, if I take you, no one could claim you. So be mine." He said with a serious look on his face.