Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

Jerk.

"Jerk!" What the hell was he thinking? That I was this desperate to sleep with him? Why did it come with the terms to bed Krew Selik-the world's biggest jerk? Why did he make sex so complicated? Who started this freaking mindset? Because he knows you're not into one-night stands, idiot!

My anger was still all over the place, clinging in the air as I paced back and forth in the room.

Oh, god, I felt like cheap, a whore! I was going insane.

There was a lot more to that term under the surface, though that I didn't think I would figure it out anymore because of how atrociously I reacted-I jumped to the conclusion as if it was a damn federal crime. Once this stalking issue was over, I could go back to that life I left, and I could have sex with any men I liked that I didn't have to deal with the consequence. I sighed helplessly. Who could I fool? I was exaggerating this. I must have hit my head pretty hard that I confused myself.

Hmm. On the other thought, maybe for a change. Besides the last relationship I had, it didn't end pretty well. I ended up being stalked. Great, River. Now what? It was Krew Selik-the jerk we're talking about. I liked him a lot to not involve my emotions during sex. I, for one, if it was just sex, I couldn't fall for him, but it was impossible. So I refused to give myself dissatisfaction, and it was much safer to inquire to my reliable source.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Krystyn.

"Hey, girl. How's my favorite person in the world?" She was always gleeful-one thing I liked about Krystyn.

"Liar. Least favorite you mean?"

Her laugh resounded from the end of the line. "Okay, my brothers will kill me if I put you on my number one. Should I say the third favorite?"

"That would do." I bit my bottom lip. Was I really going to ask her?

"What is it, River? I can hear the wheeling of your brain from here."

I blew a huge breath before I answered. "Does your brother into some kind of a sex contract?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" She burst into laughter. I tried hard not to be unaffected because, honestly, her laugh was contagious.

"Please?"

"Are you sure we are talking about the same person? My brother, Krew Cassiel Selik? No way! Why? What do you mean?"

"I'm not interested in knowing about Kai's sex life, Krys. But are you sure?" Oh god. Oh, god. Please, say no?

"Yeah. I would have known about it, you know. I mean, we share secrets. Wait, do they have to share it with their baby sister? But I'm sure I would know about it. They're my brothers after all." God, this is getting so damn awkward. Then what if he was not into that kind of arrangement? God, I'm not ready to hear it.

"Why does he stay here and not in one of your properties or any penthouses in the city?"

"Ah. Krew is different. He's Kai's counterpart, and he takes his privacy pretty seriously. He loves serenity than city noises and pollution. I can't blame him. After that incident, he despised attention. He shut down all his social media accounts and started living in his house. Despite being the major shareholder of Selik Enterprises, he chose to work behind the desk and built his own company. Cassiel Holdings was built. Why'd you asked? Did he offer you a contract?" After all her seriousness, she giggled in the end.

"No. I feel like he's holding something, a deal, I don't know."

"Krew never had a relationship in years. The last time he had, I knew it was college days. Unlike my brother Kai, his relationships are quite known to the public, you know that. I think you should ask Krew himself. I'm sure he has no reasons to lie."

"Thanks."

"So, you two never had sex in days?"

Oh, god. Not again. Anna happened to ask me if I was in a relationship with Krew. "No. Why? Did you expect me and your brother would--you know?"

"Are you kidding me? I was expecting it on the first day."

Oh, god. Kill me now. I shut my eyes close. "Silly. Doesn't it feel awkward to talk about your brother's sex life?"

"Nope. They're grownups, and it's normal to have sex as long as they're responsible."

"I guess so. I never had siblings, so how would I know?" I rolled my eyes while I felt like Krystyn had an ear-to-ear smile.

"Good for you because if you have one Selik in your family, you're doomed, girl." She laughed.

"Thank you for telling me and for your honesty."

"Go ahead, girl. Talk to your man."

"God, this is weird."

She laughed again. "You made it weird, silly."

***

I stayed the whole morning in my room. I played guitar and sang. I wished Krew was here as my audience, but he never followed me to explain what the fuss was all about. But then, it was my fault that I didn't even give him a chance to explain. Now, my sexual life in this house was over. I had to wait to be out of here to get a man to blow my brains out.

I soft knock stopped me from playing. I grinned like an idiot that it finally came to his senses to give it another try. Then to my disappointment, it wasn't him.

"Aaren?" My eyes grew wide.

"We have a lesson today. Did it slip in your mind?"

I gave him a guilty look. "Kinda. Give me a minute to change. I'll be down in a minute."

"Sure. Take your time." I sighed in dismay as soon as he left.

We started our lesson as soon as I finished running on a treadmill. We practiced what I learned last week. Though I still managed to forget some tricks, in due time, I could master them.

"Focus, River. What I taught you are like dance steps. It needs physical strength, energy, and concentration so that you won't miss a step."

"Sorry." I blew a huge breath. "Let's try it again.”

We wrapped up the session with the eighth self-defense move, and I was physically exhausted while he looked like he didn't even sweat.

"That's all for today. Hope to see you next weekend if you're still here." He smiled at me.

My brows knitted. "What made you think I wouldn't be here next weekend?" Uh, Krew must have told him. "Never mind. Thanks for today. Appreciate your patience." I grabbed the towel from the floor and wiped my sweat off. "Do you wanna stay for lunch?"

"No."

"Why not? I thought you and Krew are closed," I pried, and it was clear I was fishing for some information about Krew's extracurricular activities.

"We knew each other for a few years, but he's a private person, and nothing's happened in here is gonna come out, or I lost my job." The way he said it, it felt like something or someone was threatening him, o he probably signed a non-disclosure.

"How so?"

"Look, River. I don't wanna mess with Krew. If you wanna know something, ask directly to the source. Krew may haven't talked a lot about his life, but he's a good guy. Trust me, you should know the reason by now why you're here." My brows knotted further in confusion. What's that supposed to mean?

"I don't understand."

"I think you're smart enough to understand-"

"I think that's enough!" Someone roared behind me that made me jump.

"I'll leave you two alone." Aaren gave me a tight smile. "See you next week, man."

"Thanks for today." My voice barely came out, and I felt like my entire physique just shivered.

I wanted to face Krew, but my body had just turned into stone. All I could hear was Aaren's footsteps fading as he walked out of the mini gym.

"Go to your room and pack your things up. The driver is already waiting for you in the living room. You're leaving today."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐