Chapter 5: We Are Fated

*Mia* Krell's kiss that night was even more intense than in the office. I was held in his arms like a leaf swaying in a storm, unable to breathe in his ferocious kiss storm. His tongue wrapped around mine, sucking hard. He teased me with the tip of his tongue from time to time. He didn't let go until it was numb. The intimate sounds of our mouths intertwining filled the narrow space. I was a little shy and regretted taking the initiative to approach. The poodle was still whimpering in my arms, which made me blush even more. Seeming to notice my lack of concentration, he punished me by biting the tip of my tongue with his teeth. The tip of my originally numb tongue felt pain and pulled me back from my thoughts. His tongue began to stir in my mouth again, setting off waves. "Ugh..." I groaned emotionally. I recalled what Sofia told me about him. Sofia said that he was powerful and noble, from a completely different world from me, but he was currently infatuated with my mouth. We were so close, and touching so intimately. Suddenly, I felt a chill down my spine. He lifted my shirt! "Ah!" I exclaimed. In any case, this was not a suitable place to do anything further, and I was unprepared. I pushed him away and pressed my hand against his hard muscles. Sensing my resistance and panic, the poodle also cried out and resisted Krell's actions toward me. However, Krell completely ignored it. He held my hands in one hand and raised them above my head to the wall. His tongue was still squeezing the air in my mouth and licking my lips. Without the restraint of my hand, the poodle was able to land. It was biting at his pants, trying to pull him away from me. "I'll let you off today." Just as I thought Krell would go further, he let go of me, his voice a little hoarse from suppressing his arousal. I finally said goodbye to him at the shelter, and we both agreed that we were no longer in the right state of mind to be near each other. However, as I walked alone towards my home, I regretted my decision. I walked down the cramped and damp alley. From time to time, I could hear the rustling of rats in the trash can in the corner, but there were more in the dark. "Knock, knock, knock." My heart was pounding like a drum, ready to jump out of my chest at any moment. The sense of being spied on followed me like a shadow. I felt countless dark hands reaching out from the darkness, trying to pull me into the unknown. I subconsciously quickened my pace and hugged my arms, but I still felt that creepy feeling which was as pervasive as the night wind. My hearing was infinitely magnified. I heard the scuff of the stalker's shoe behind me, like a viper hissing its tongue. I didn't dare look back, and I forced myself not to. As if I could hide from the stalker behind me by doing so, I could deceive myself that I was safe, that I could walk safely through this alley. However, the devil in the dark finally reached out its tentacles. I heard footsteps behind me getting closer, heavier, and clearer. "Mia, my dear daughter!" The greasy, wretched voice rang out, and a hand came to rest on my shoulder. This feeling stiffened me on the spot. I turned around and met a terrifying old face that filled my eyes. His eyes were bloodshot and wide as if they were about to burst out of their sockets. His nostrils were flared. One could see the current excitement on his face. His jaw was slack, leaving his mouth open in an unnatural shape, and his black teeth hung twisted on his gums. It's my foster father! The person I hated most in the world! Memories of the past roiled in me. I remembered his hand on my thigh, trying to lift my skirt. I remembered waking up in the middle of the night with him leaning over my bed, sniffing at my feet. I remembered that he was going to tie me up and strip me naked... The memories terrified me. I didn't dare look at the man in front of me. "Do you want to come home with me, my dear daughter?" His hand moved to my arm. He exerted his strength, trying to pull me away. "No, no, I won't go with you. Don't do this!" I shouted and begged desperately, hoping he would let go of me. However, it was useless. After more than ten years of living together, I had long understood that he had no kindness or sympathy towards me. I started to call for help. I should call someone, but who could save me? Krell! Instinctively, the name popped up in my mind. I desperately flipped through contacts on my phone. Krell. Krell. Krell. Found it! I clicked on Krell's number. With only a push of the dial button, I'd be out of this crisis. My fingers moved quickly. The number had already been dialed. I was about to be saved! However, the phone was suddenly out of my hand. It was held in my foster father's hand. In the next moment he slammed it to the ground. With a bang, the phone shattered into pieces. "What? Do you want to call for help? Don't even think about it. You're mine tonight, baby girl." His mouth was next to my ear. He continued to move down, trying to kiss my neck. "Help! Someone help me!" I shouted desperately, hoping that someone could hear what was going on here. "Stop shouting. I've walked around. There's no one here! Just enjoy it in peace." He laughed triumphantly, starting to unbutton my shirt. I struggled violently to escape. "Let her go!" The voice was not loud, but it was very powerful. "Who's the busybody!" my foster father shouted impatiently. "I told you to let go of her, or you won't be able to walk out of this alley." The newcomer's voice was very pleasant, like a summer breeze. His threatening words were also extremely pleasant. "Help... help me." I took the opportunity to break free from my foster father's restraints before I grabbed the man's sleeve. The man held his hand back on mine, trying to soothe me. "Give her to me!" My foster father roared and rushed toward the person. With a beautiful sidekick, he knocked my foster father down. "Do you know him?" the man asked me, rubbing his hand against my face. "My..." I choked. "foster father." "Has he always treated you like this?" the man asked. "I..." Large tears rolled down my face. I whimpered and couldn't speak. I could only nod in response. "Beast!" The man cursed in a low voice and punched at my foster father. An hour later. Looking at the magnificent villa and then at the man, I regretted it. I had been so impulsive to follow him here. "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Simon." He smiled and extended his right hand to me. "Mia." I shake his hand. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked, wondering why he would bring a newly met stranger to his house? "Oh, Mia, don't misunderstand," Simon explained to me. "I don't mean any harm. Since your foster father is following you this time, your home won't be safe anymore. No one has lived in this house. You can stay here for the time being." He pushed the door open for me, and I saw the environment of the house. It was many times larger than my dilapidated rental. There was a red fluffy carpet on the ground, tall wine shelves by the door, and crystal chandeliers glowing with warm lights. Such a magnificent house. Simon took me to each of the rooms one by one. The bedroom had a comfortable bed and floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a huge bathtub in the bathroom. I imagined that it must be very comfortable to soak in it. In the study, there were many portraits and books about the moon goddess, our most respected deity. Moon goddess... Moon goddess... I walked past the bookshelves one by one, flitting and caressing lifelike portraits and old books. These were all very sweet. Simon pulled out a chair for me to sit down across from him at the desk. "From now on, this is your home, Mia." His voice was gentle and pleasant, like a spring breeze flowing through my ears. I felt my heart soften into a pool of warm spring water. "What did you say? This is... my home?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Yes, you'll be living here from now on. You're being followed by your foster father. He knows where you were going. It's no longer safe there. Stay here, Mia," Simon explained patiently. His gentleness reassured me. Yeah, I definitely couldn't go back to the rented place, and I wouldn't be able to find a suitable house anytime soon. After all, I didn't have any money now. Staying here seemed to be my only choice. But... why? Why did he give me so much help the first time he met me? "How can I repay you?" Although he was very charming, I knew that there was no such thing as a free meal in this world. Why was he treating me so well? "Don't worry, just stay here. I think we're fated." Simon's tone was very relaxed. He was trying to ease my tension. "Huh?" I was stunned and didn't know how to answer. "Why are you so cute?" He pinched my cheek with an indulgent smile on his face. "Aren't you going to sleep?" he asked suddenly. "It's late." He pulled me to the bedroom before he took off my shoes and gestured for me to lie down on the bed. I lay down obediently while he sat by the bed and guarded me. "Close your eyes and sleep. I'm always here." His hand covered my eyelids. Even if I couldn't see it, I could imagine his gentle eyes looking at me. There were only a few lights on in the house and only a little yellow light. Outside the window, the wind stirred the treetops, and the branches swayed with it, casting dappled shadows in the moonlight. The house was quiet. The only sound was our breathing.