Hypnotizing

Aysel's soul left her body the moment their eyes met. The man's eyes were a mesmerizing black, unbelievably soulful, like a starry night. They were the kind of eyes that could have sent one's heart racing, but being stared at only made her heart sink. For they were bone-cold, and there was a hint of cruelty pulsating in them.

He stared at her for what felt like an eternity, though it was actually just seconds. In those moments, she felt as if she had been cornered by a deadly beast, suffocating under the intensity of his gaze. She didn't dare to breathe properly; she couldn't, nor could she make any movement, for it was as if she had been frozen on the spot until he looked away.

'So scary...'

Trying to steady her heartbeat, she wondered how intimidating he must have been when he was perfectly healthy.

"Aiyo, stop scaring your woman away, Nathan. She's a fan of yours and adores you a lot," Lawrence said, shooting an apologetic look at Aysel as he noticed her stiff body and pale face.

It wasn't easy to stay calm in front of his grandson, especially when stared at with those viper-like eyes.

Lawrence wished his grandson could be friendlier, as that would make fewer people turn against him, but he knew what was bound to happen would happen. He also knew Nathaniel was different; he was just born like that. With predatory eyes that make one feel like prey before him.

"Aysel, don't mind him being like this. He's actually a very kind man at heart," he told her.

'Old man, are you sure? I thought I was about to die just now.'

Aysel immediately smiled, hiding her nervousness. "I understand, Grandpa. I was just surprised that Mr. Nathaniel could still be as handsome as ever."

She was trying to butter up the old man, but her stomach dropped when the old man didn't look pleased, for his eyebrows became furrowed.

Did she say... something wrong?

"As I said earlier, he's your husband, Aysel, not your boss. You should address him as Hubby, Darling, Sweetie—all those sweet names, not 'Mr.,' okay?"

Aysel felt relieved immediately, but at the same time, she felt awkward about the terms Grandpa had listed.

What Hubby?

Still, she knew she would mess things up if she were to refuse, so in the end, she nodded obediently, not daring to look at Nathaniel the whole time.

"O–Okay."

"Good!" Lawrence clapped his hands, visibly excited. "You can stay with him for a while then. The butler is already arranging a proper room for you."

"O–Okay."

Lawrence looked between them several times before happily leaving the room.

Now, it was the two of them.

And for the first time, Aysel didn't know what to do.

She was thoroughly intimidated by him that she didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

She had never been told that her husband was a devil, the manifestation of the very being.

His earlier gaze had been too eerie, making Aysel feel meek. Right now, she didn't want to meet those eyes again. But she had to do something, didn't she?

"I—"

"Y—"

Damn it! They actually decided to talk at the same time!

Aysel's heart thudded with fear, and she immediately shook her head.

"You can go first."

"You can go first."

Aysel was speechless once again. Why the heck did she have to be speaking at the same time as the devil?

She fearfully raised her head, wanting to read his face so she would know whether to talk or not, and her breath caught in her throat when she realized he was looking at her, too.

And surprisingly enough, the dark look in his eyes had evaporated, and his eyes finally displayed their charm, making her heart skip a beat, for those eyes... they gave her an even more intense feeling than earlier. Those eyes were so passionate and hot, that she thought they were the gateway to heaven.

The man opened his mouth to speak. "You don't need to be scared of me."

Surprisingly, his voice was so deep, yet at the same time light, simply ethereal. Her ears itched being talked to like that, and her heart also took another leap.

Everything about him was deadly enough. Hypnotizing enough. Capable of making one submit to his will without a word of refusal.