Percival's words hung heavy in the air as he caught sight of Vivienne's sparkling eyes, realizing he might have said something he should not have.
The little minx was clearly looking forward to it.
With a sly grin, Vivienne stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Percival's neck, calling him harsh while pressing her lips to his.
One kiss, no more, no less!
Vivienne was the epitome of a shrewd businesswoman. She adhered to contracts religiously, taking the concept of fair dealing to the next level.
Her reputation was that of a fair and honest trader!
With a single arm, Percival caught Vivienne's waist, pinning her down onto the couch.
His potent presence filled the office, his broad palms gripping Vivienne's slender waist as his other hand braced against the couch, his face inching ever closer.
Vivienne, still clasping Percival's neck with interlocked fingers, arched her back. She curled her lips into a mischievous smile, her gaze lingering on Percival's hormone-charged face for a few seconds.
Suddenly, she pushed forcefully against the back of his head, pulling him down with all her might.
Foreplay seemed rather unnecessary.
Their lips intertwined, a maelstrom of intimacy slowly cascading down like a waterfall, weaving into streams of passion.
The hand Percival had on the couch flexed, his fingers, pale as leeks, straining to contain the desires that bubbled from deep within.
This was the office.
Beyond the door were countless employees.
He must not give in to impulse.
Control, control!
But the struggle only made his kisses sweeter, as if dipped in honey, unable to leave the blossoming fields.
The sudden ring of the cell phone went ignored by the pair, lost in each other's entanglement.
Once, twice, the persistent ring finally irked the frustrated Percival.
Without a glance, he snatched up the phone and barked, "Talk!"
The voice on the other end paused, then whimpered with a tinge of hurt, "Percival, why are you angry? Did I upset you?"
Only then did Percival glance at the caller ID—it was Isolde.
His tone softened, "No, Isolde, I just didn’t notice it was you. I'm sorry. What's so important that you called so many times?"
Vivienne sat up; the office was quiet enough that she could hear Isolde's cries clearly.
After some cajoling from Percival, Isolde's sobs settled, and she slowly revealed her reason for calling.
"Percival, Mom took Mara to see a doctor, but they said her face... it can't be fixed. Mara's locked herself in her room crying, and Mom looks so worried."
Cecilia had found the best plastic surgeon for Mara, but the poison from Keco, coupled with the long-unhealed infection, left the scars beyond repair.
Mara, who had harbored hope, was devastated by the grim prognosis, especially since she had already been the talk of the school.
Other schools had their beauty rankings, but Elite University had started a cruel joke with a 'Buffoon Ranking,' and Mara topped it without competition!
Now, learning her face was beyond saving, Mara had shut herself away, with Cecilia keeping vigil all night to no avail.
Currently, Cecilia was in a frenzy, begging Mara to open the door.
Percival frowned; he knew Mara would not settle down so easily.
"Tell mom to let Mara be."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Million-Dollar Heart