Irresistible

RIX’s P.O.V.

My hands feel the heat coursing through my body.

I tried my best to resist this feeling, but I couldn't do it!

DAMN IT!

The heat in my cheeks indicates that I'm blushing, again.

Am I fluttered again? Or is it something else?

I shouldn't let him think he deserves this kind of response.

Because he doesn't, he really doesn't.

Shaking my head, I gently pushed him away from me.

I feel so awkward whenever I'm around him, and it’s difficult to hide it.

I’m too obvious

But it doesn't matter right now.

"Come on, you're hurt. Let me try to help you, at least," Apollo said, attempting to touch my hands again. But I quickly evaded his touch.

You’re not allowed, or I will feel the strange electricity again.

There was a moment of silence.

I couldn't help but look at him and try to decipher his current reaction.

He was looking away, trying to understand what I might be thinking.

"Please, Apollo, stop doing this. This is just a scratch! You have your company in the city. You don't have to leave it just to win me back," I pleaded.

He searched for the right words to reply, but he couldn't find them.

Instead, he reached out and made contact with me, using his touch to convey his emotions.

As much as I wanted to push him away to avoid his touch, the desire within my body was impossible to ignore.

Taking a deep breath, I allowed the contact to continue.

"I didn't leave it just to show off to you," he finally spoke, his voice filled with sincerity.

Before he could continue explaining things to me about the company, I interrupted and stopped him from talking.

"Stop," I said firmly, standing up and continuing to prepare breakfast. "Instead of wasting your time here, try to spend some time with your sisters and brother. Compensate with them. Since you've already taken a break from your company, why not bond with your siblings?"

Apollo didn't respond. He also didn't try to put his ripped t-shirt back on.

After a while, Apollo spoke up. "Is there someone else in your heart? Is there another reason why you're treating me like trash right now?"

Gloom is evident in his face.

I started cooking, but I couldn't deny feeling distracted.

If I were to answer all his questions, I might unintentionally reveal all the reasons I had before I left him.

So, I tried my best to keep my lips sealed, zipping them from left to right, locking them, and throwing away the key.

I thought Apollo's words would leave me alone with a silent answer to his questions. But he wasn't giving up.

He closed the stove and forcefully made me face him. We were inches away from each other.

I couldn't help but take deep breaths as we drew closer.

All the intimate feelings I had for him came rushing back.

"Don't tell me this is all about Harold. You told me it wasn't real when I saw you guys kissing, but what is this? Why are you still in contact with that dumbass? And he’s even sleeping in your hut whenever he wants?" His voice cracked.

I felt the need to answer because I could sense his world crumbling. However, this was exactly how he made me feel years ago.

Apollo never allowed me to explain my side. He simply let his own opinions dictate whatever he believed was right in his mind.

If a person has already decided to judge someone, then why ask for an explanation?

It's pointless.

There's no use in asking your significant other if you've already made up your mind about the kind of person they are...

I forcefully pushed Apollo away.

"Can't you see I'm busy here, Apollo? Can't you see I'm doing my an important thing rather than talking to you? Don't you feel the need to go away? I have a child to feed," I exclaimed, struggling to push his hands away as he persisted in asking me.

Because of his persistence, I can’t help shouting for help— although it’s unnecessary.

Harold attend to my shout.

He intervened, coming closer and covering me from Apollo. "What's happening here?" he asked in his baritone voice.

"Harold, I don't need you here right now. This is about husband and wife issues, and I think you're not involved," Apollo calmly stated.

"Send them away, Harold. I don't need someone like him," I pleaded.

Instead of listening to me, Apollo yelled, "No, I'm not going away! Tell me the truth is, is he my child? The boy you're calling Donny or Adonis, is he mine, Beatrix?"

Before I could respond, Harold interrupted, "He wasn't yours, Adonis is mine."

Without a second thought, Apollo punched Harold in the face, his anger boiling over. "It's not you I'm asking! Stop sticking your nose into other people's lives!"

Harold stood up, examining his face for any deep cuts or bruises that I possibly got from Apollo, luckily finding none.

"I will go for now because I know it's suffocating for you to see me. But I won't give up because I know that Adonis is mine. If you keep lying to my face, I don't have a choice but to ask for a DNA test with my child," Apollo declared, his footsteps heavy as he walked away.

He gave me a last glance before continuing to go away.

As Apollo left, I took a deep breath, feeling a pang of guilt lingering in my chest due to his last expression. Despite Harold's random questions about what happened earlier and what Apollo did to me, I remained silent, my eyes fixed on the door where I last saw Apollo.

—

Later, I found myself having dinner with Charis and Harley.

Harold had decided to come tonight and stay for a week, as I mentioned earlier. Harold had a habit of visiting and staying for a day or week, depending on his mood.

"Do you think I'm still on the right track?" I murmured, looking at Charis.

Charis and Harley exchanged glances, and it was Harley who responded, "Just follow what your heart tells you."

Charis nodded, as if she agreed with Harley.

"What do you mean, follow what my heart wants? What if I don't even know what I want specifically? I'm not enjoying seeing Apollo suffer. It makes me feel like I'm the villain."

Harold asked, "What's preventing you from seeking revenge on him?"

I replied, "Seeking revenge is not part of my plan. Right now, all I want is to live peacefully with Adonis. What bothers me is that I made him believe that Harold was the father of my child."

Harold chuckled. "You know, that was the best thing you ever did for me! Pretending that I could be the father of the child, even though it was only meant to hurt him. Well, the real question here is, did it hurt him?"

I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Guys, I asked you all those questions because I was considering giving him another chance—another chance to talk and explain his sides."

Harley scoffed, furied. "What the fuck, Beatrix? Why do you always make a fool of yourself?! It ends here and now. Don't make any more stupid decisions in your life!"

Charis slammed the table. "Why are you so concerned about Apollo's return and Beatrix's decision, Harley?"

It's as if I will be the reason for an upcoming fight between the two of them.

Maybe I should leave now.

I always try to avoid getting involved in their arguments as much as possible. It might seem like Charis is becoming toxic and poisoning the relationship instead of nurturing it to grow.

But honestly, it's not her fault to feel that way.

Harley loves me with all his heart, even after his marriage to Charis. He still has this connection with me and he still cares for me.

Harold followed me.

Adonis was already sleeping, and he was the first one, along with Yuna, to finish eating.

"Why are you leaving the party so early?" asked Harold.

"What do you mean, the party? It was just dinner."

He chuckled. "Of course, it was just dinner, but after they started arguing over petty things, I think it deserves to be called a party."

He's actually quite clever. I can't help but feel my lips curling upward.

"You're right."

Harold continued to talk about things concerning me.

But even though I tried hard to listen, my mind isn't working properly right now. It feels like it's floating in mid-air, like a fool dancing to the whims of the wind.

"So, what do you think about that plan?"

"Huh?"

As I tried to get back on track from where I lost him earlier, I realized I had no idea what he was talking about anymore.

"Oh, really? I'm so worried about him."

"Don't bring that up, Harold."

"It's been years, and you're still fixated on Apollo! What is it about him that you can't forget?"

"Stop asking, just stop."

"How can I stop? I've been trying to court you for almost four years now. But the moment you see him, you lose yourself!"

I felt my sanity slipping. "If only I could control my heart, I would. I would choose to love you instead."

Harold fell silent.

A staring contest ensued between Harold and me.

Both of us were at a loss for words.

Suddenly, someone appeared before my eyes.

Someone I never expected and had prayed would show up.

"Mr. Cartier..."

"Even in this place, you continue to be the villain in my life."

I didn't respond. I tried to process everything that had transpired today.

Was his father here for me? Or was it something else?

I didn't leave my previous life in another small town for him to ruin it again.

Instead of engaging with the negativity, I stood up and began to walk away.

But Harold wasn't one to give up.

I heard him. He started to converse with Mr. Cartier.

It seemed like Mr. Cartier was planning to follow me, but Harold stopped him.

"If you want to start a big mess, I'll deal with you later, Harold. But right now, I don't need you and your foolish gestures,” said Mr. Cartier.

I heard footsteps approaching me.

Maybe Harold failed.

Instead of running away, I just look behind me.

I was right; it was Mr. Cartier. "What else do you want me to do for you, Miss, other than getting wet from your bodyguards?" He cleared his throat and adjusted his posture as he stood before me. "I honestly needed you to talk to me. My son told me you gave me a grandson."

I felt the need to disrespect and stepped on Mr. Cartier’s face, so I laughed. "Why is he claiming that Adonis is his son? He isn't. Adonis is my child with another father."

Especially because that's what he wanted to hear from me.

I wanted to end the speculations and let them ponder what he desired to hear.

"Because he is. Why are you keeping my grandchild a secret from me?" he exclaimed.

"There's no reason for me to keep your grandchild from you. But what is there to keep?" I asked nonchalantly.

Apollo's father was growing sick of my reasoning.

He exclaimed, "I need you to talk to me right now in private. If you continue to refuse my offer, I'm afraid I might have to force you."

Instead of getting bothered, I just looked at him from head to toe, then smirked. "Do you think we care about you? I'm not even scared of a single strand of your hair. Even if you're a businessman in the city, you're just a normal citizen here."

I turned my back on him and started to walk away.

He continued to utter nonsense statements, asking me to come back and talk to him.

Mr. Cartier was causing a scene, but I didn't want to engage with him because I didn't want it to tarnish my name.

I had already made a name for myself in the city where I had been living for four years.

Giving Mr. Cartier a chance to ruin it would be like picking up a stone and hitting myself in the head.

Before I continued walking further away from him, I stopped and turned my body, fixing my gaze upon him.

All of his shouting came to a halt, as they waited for my next words.

I looked at him from head to toe, giving him a look of disgust.

"Remember this day, Mr. Cartier. Maybe the next time I see you, you'll be the one begging me for money. It will be your turn to try and claim my son as your fucking grandson."

In my mind, I knew I would never let him consider Adonis as his grandson, even though he was the real one.

I turned my back and walked away, never wanting to face him again.

—

It's morning now.

"You're so brave. How can you say that to a businessman who is famous in my city?" Harold remarked.

I simply nodded in response, as I had no energy left to engage in a verbal exchange.

Charis chimed in, "Yeah, she's right. Living here alone in this rural city has made her stronger and braver than ever."

Although Harley was still chewing his food, he responded, "Charis, you know our friend. She's always been brave and strong, no matter who she's facing. Being an employee doesn't mean she has to please her employer."

Charis glanced at Harley, her brows furrowing in confusion. "You guys should stop arguing about jealousy. Someone told me once that it's the worst emotion to feel. It's natural to feel jealous, but it's the most useless and nonsensical emotion. It not only pushes away the love of your life but also poisons your relationship."

I continued eating my food, trying to savor and enjoy it.

Just as I was about to take another bite, someone barged in again.

"Apollo," I murmured, feeling my heart race.

Why is it that whenever Apollo shows up, I can't help but feel flustered? My heart beats uncontrollably fast, overpowering my day.

"You again?" Harold said in his tired voice.

"Are you okay?" Apollo asked gently as he finally met my eyes.

I could feel my cheeks turning red...

"Why are you asking me as if I were some kind of child that you should take care of?"

Now he's come inside without even asking for permission to enter my house.

No one asks for permission to trespass...

"I know what you're worried about... where is Adonis?" I asked.

Harley, who was now furious, chimed in, "Bro, I don't think you're getting the message. Beatrix told you to stop bothering her. Do you understand English?"

Charis stood up as well. "You guys need to stop interfering in Beatrix and Apollo's life. They have their own decisions to make. Let her decide what she wants to do with Apollo."

That made my heart flutter.

I opened my mouth and was about to hug her, but then Adonis appeared.

"Hey, Mom!" he said, standing behind Apollo. "Did you know this guy is really good at making up stories? Don't get mad at me... I just wanted to go outside in the middle of the night."

I was shocked. "What are you talking about, going outside in the middle of the night?"

Apollo cleared his throat. "I didn't want to talk about this so soon because I wanted to ask you more about what my father told you, but since you're already here, it's time for you to know that I snuck out with Adonis last night..."

My mouth hung open.

"Are you trying to fool me? I saw you sleeping soundly last night!"

I grabbed Adonis' shirt and positioned him behind me.

"That's why I wanted to apologize to you. We were planning to sneak out the moment you appeared in the room, so I told him to pretend to be asleep when you saw us..."

I didn't wait for him to speak again. I just stared at his face intensely.

I heard a commotion in the background that encouraged me to do what I needed to do the moment I saw Apollo.

My hands were trembling, ready to punch anyone...

"Get out and leave my life."

There was a long pause.

I kept my gaze fixed on him. He blinked rapidly, and his eyes turned reddish. Was he about to cry?

"I told you I'm not going to do that."

"Well, do whatever you want, Apollo. It's your life, and it means nothing to me. I've already made my decision. Leave me alone. I’M DONE!”