ii

J O L I E N

Malio's lips, after all this time finally feeling mine again, completely unbalanced my world.

When his tongue pushed into my mouth demandingly, desperately looking for mine, even the last clear thought passed. All that remained was a fog of lust, desire and the irrepressible feeling of wanting to be close to him.

I moaned into the kiss as the cold metal of his rings brushed the glowing skin of my inner thigh.

When he broke the kiss to look into my eyes, his breath hitched. "Why did you lie?" I whispered again. My voice was shaking and I was fighting the urge to slide his hand, still resting on my inner thigh, to where I needed it most.

The thought that I'd want to sleep with Malio now, right there, right down the door from his birthday party, terrifies me. He made me throw my principles, my morals and my values overboard, over and over again, without hesitation.

"You have to go," he said, panting, the blue of his eyes still glinting dangerously dark. I knew his self-control was hanging by a thread.

"Why did you lie?" I whisper again. "To protect you," he finally admitted what I should have heard long before. "I'd rather be in a dark world without you and know that you're okay than..." "You don't have to protect me. I just want to be with you. By your side. Don't destroy it because you think." "You don't deserve it." I interrupted him.

For a second he just looked at me. "Malio, I can rely on myself..." His lips swallowed the rest of the sentence. He kissed me like he had never kissed before. Full of longing.

Again, his hand pushed further up, came menacingly close to my hot middle. I reached out to discover him. I didn't care where we were. who was in there. Only the here and now mattered. Just him and me.

“I am very happy to welcome you!", the voice of Mr. Dakarias broke the silence. And a lot louder than usual. He must have sneaked onto the podium to give a speech.

Malio tensed instantly, breaking straight out of the kiss and staring at me with wide eyes. There was panic in them - an expression rarely seen on his face.

Why did his father have to give this speech now?

"You have to go. Now.", he pointed to a small path. "It leads directly to the main entrance. I'll tell you everything later. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.", he whirled around when his father's voice sounded again. "Today is a bigger day for my son."

Malio hesitated, cursed under his breath and then kissed me lightly on the lips. Without turning around again, he disappeared through the door he had pulled me out of a few minutes ago.

I looked after him in irritation, unsure if I could just walk away. After all, serving was my punishment for whatever personal feud that La Cruel asshole must have been waging against me.

Now that the heat that Malio had triggered in me was slowly giving way to reality, the cold also crept through the thin dress.

Although Malio had told me to go down the path right now, I changed my mind. I quickly slipped through the door and walked the few steps to the foyer. I couldn't just run off like that if all my stuff was still here.

Malio was now standing next to his father on the small dais in the middle of the foyer. This public display was absolutely not for me. In his place, I would have run away long ago.

A small smile curled my lips as I saw him smooth down the shirt I was about to rip off a few seconds ago.

I carefully weaved my way through the guests, who were glued to Dakarias-san's every word.

Who could blame them? This man had a presence in his voice that made you hang on his every word and absorb every word like a sponge.

As I was almost out of the foyer and about to slip unobtrusively into the hallway, a firm grip gripped my wrist and held me back. "You're getting paid to bring drinks to the guests and not to stand around like a fool," a female voice hissed, pushing a loaded tray into my hands. I looked back and forth between the tray and her dark eyes, taken aback.

In front of me was the brunette beauty who was in the group around Enrico earlier and had been having a great time. Hard to believe she found him interesting, or even funny.

She glared at me angrily. "Sorry, I'm on a break..." "My brother will tell you when you're going to take a break!" She interrupted me angrily.

Oh crap Brothers? Was that that ass's sister? That explained the unfriendliness, which clearly ran in the family.

She gave me one last condescending look from head to toe, turned on the heel of her red Louboutins, and flipped her long brown hair casually in my face.

Wow - super personable.

But even before I could go to the nearby round table to put the heavy tray down on it, the two people I least wanted to meet strode towards me.

Alex and Enrico.

Could the evening get any worse?

"Where are you going?" asked Alex, who was visibly drunk. Before I could even reply, Enrico La Cruel pulled me off the table, preventing me from placing the swaying tray on it. For a moment, I feared that Mr to blast Dakaria's speech, but I got lucky and kept it kind of balanced on the palm of my hand.

"Today I have something else to announce besides my son's nineteenth birthday, which I'm incredibly proud of." Mr. Dakarias paused for a moment, nodding at a short, plump, bald man who was happily nibbling on a fat , brown cigar which he held between his thumb and forefinger.

The steam rose and filled the room in a matter of seconds with the sweet tobacco smell, which slowly but surely turned my stomach.

“No, today there is also something else to announce!", Mr. Dakarias paused again, pleased about the tense expressions that were now all on him.

This man loved the grand entrance. Enjoyed it to the last second. He was a total narcissist.

I was just about to leave when Enrico came up close behind me, cupped my hips and whispered in my ear, "You're going to watch this, my dear Jolien. And I'll stand here and watch you do it." His words sent a chill down my spine, but that was nothing compared to the words that came out of Mr. Dakarias' mouth now and my world into a deep, insurmountable one darkness emerged.

“Today I can also announce the engagement of my son. The engagement to the beautiful Solea La Cruel. Dear, please come to me and your fiancé."

The shock that ran through my limbs pushed all the air out of my lungs. All life out of my body.

As if through a veil, I noticed how the brown-haired woman, who had just made an announcement to me, stepped onto the pedestal. So graceful and delicate, it's like she's been doing just that all day. strutting around.

“Look closely, Jolien. And stop throwing yourself at him, I've seen you and I won't let you sabotage this marriage."

Soela La Cruel. A woman with everything right. She was beautiful! So beautiful that it takes your breath away. I already hated everything about this woman. Because everything, just everything, was pure perfection.

Soela walked up to Mr. Dakarias, shook his hand, smiled and returned his warm hug, and then floated like an elf towards Malio, who held out a hand to her.

She grabbed it and the smile on her perfectly made-up red lips grew even wider, while my hatred towards her increased a little more.

When she stood on tiptoe to blow a kiss on the corner of Malio's mouth, the tray slipped from me.

With a loud bang it hit the smoothly polished marble floor and the champagne glasses on it shattered into thousands of small crystals, just like my heart did at that moment.

M A L I O

The fake smile on my lips froze the second I looked at the person who had dropped the tray.

Fuck. That could not be true?

The clinking of the broken glasses drew the guests' full attention to the shocked Jolien, who looked in.

Why hadn't she just left? Why did she have to be here now of all times and see all this?

My initial good mood, which was clearly due to her and our kiss, seemed to have evaporated. Nipped in the bud.

Her eyes met mine, just a millisecond. But it was enough to feel her pain. Blushing, she stormed out of the foyer.

Damned! I had to go after her. Just had to. Even if it would make things a lot worse.

Soela's grip on my arm tightened, as if to indicate where I belonged from today. "Don't you dare, Malio!" I heard her whisper. But it was easy to shake off her arm. "Malio!" she hissed, but it was too late, I had already started to move.

The crowd parted in two of its own accord, making it easier for me to get to the door, but before I could reach it, Enrico stood in front of me. He was either very brave or pretty stupid to stand in my way now.

"What are you up to?" he asked aggressively. I knew that tone. Confident and menacing. Something that at that moment provoked me to the breaking point.

"Get out of my way, Enrico!" "You want to leave your fiancé for something like that? Think again, Malio. You don't want to make a mistake, do you?" Enrico looked at me challengingly and added: "For such a bitch." The laughter on his ugly face widened even more - provoking me even more. Way more than was healthy for me.

"Why was she here?" I rumbled, not caring that every pair of eyes was on us. Everyone was anxiously awaiting what would happen next. That's just the way we were pass us.

Meanwhile, a raging anger raged inside me. I knew it was too late. That I had advanced too far to be able to hold back now.

In a fraction of a second my forearm pressed against Enrico's throat to push him against the wall with a jerk. "You're a dead man," I yelled furiously while Soela's panicked screams filled the room. But I didn't care. Everything, I didn't care at that moment.

While I pinned Enrico to the wall and squeezed the air out of his lungs, I fished in my trouser pocket for the jackknife. "Keep your hands off her, Enrico. I warn you"

"Malio!" My father's admonishing voice cut through Soela's screams.

"M-Malio, I got it." Enrico stuttered. His eyes were on the blade, which was just millimeters from his face. I finally had him where he belonged. In the position of a victim.

"BB-Please don't." Was the last thing that escaped his lips before he twisted them in pain.

I didn't even have to apply much pressure as the sharp blade made a long and deep gash across his cheek. His screams of pain echoed off the walls. Got into my bones, but didn't quell my inner anger for a second. Didn't calm the storm that was raging inside me.

The blood flowed down my forearm, which was still on his neck. Dropped onto the perfectly polished marble floor with a soft "pop".

"Malio!", my father's voice penetrated my consciousness more and more weakly. Everything seemed to fade out.

Undeterred, I let the knife wander further over Enrico's face. Bit by bit down the right cheek. I stopped in front of his mouth and looked back into his fearful eyes. "How many eyes do you actually need as a teacher?"

The expression on Enrico's face took on a whole new level of panic when he obviously understood what I meant by that. "Malio, please. I..." He begged me, which made me laugh out loud.

So quickly the arrogant guy turned into a heap of misery. He's even begging me. Begged for mercy. How low could you actually sink?

"MALIO!" Again, it was my father's voice that made me sigh in exasperation. "What are you waiting for? Stop him!" I could have sworn there was a hint of concern in his voice for the first time - which was something entirely new. Something I liked.

As if my father's command had roused the surrounding men from their trance, they rushed forward. Seconds later, arms wrapped around my chest to pull me off that asshole in one go.

Gave that motherfucker his 100% vision—for now, at least.

Soela swept past me. The face wet with tears. "Was this necessary? It's our engagement!" she yelled at me, pressing a napkin over her brother's wound to stop the bleeding.

The scar would run all over his right cheek and would always remind him who was in charge here!

I was breathing heavily. Still staring at that bastard gasping and clutching his sister's arm. Ridiculous.

"What was that supposed to mean? When I give you orders, you obey. Do you understand, Malio? I won't tolerate that kind of behavior," my father said menacingly while his hand came down hard on my shoulder. She shook it off with a snort of disdain. "Fuck you."

I angrily grabbed the bottle of whiskey that was on one of the surrounding tables and yelled: "Fuck you all!" I let my eyes wander back and forth between my father and Enrico and, without another word, set off in the basement.

Let's see if I can't get that new asshole down there to talk.

J O L I E N

I hurried back to the room where I had changed and carelessly gathered up my belongings. All I could think about was just getting out of this house. I couldn't stand these four walls with their sick residents for another second.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks. How could I be so stupid? And now I cried because of him too...

I snorted derisively. Found myself disgusting for the self pity I was sinking into. For the anger I felt towards this woman – who actually couldn't help it. For all the feelings that Malio triggered in me.

"Jolien?" I jumped, startled. "Rash?" I eyed the young man who was standing in front of me and had absolutely nothing to do with the person I once knew. His amiable features were hard. The dark hair shorter. Eyes tired and empty.

He nodded and entered the room. "What are you doing here?" he asked confused, pulling his jacket on. My eyes were fixed on the white shirt, which was sprinkled with small red stains. "Is that blood?" I pointed to the shirt, which was now hidden behind the jacket, but whose stains were still very present in my mind's eye.

"You don't have to care. he asked instead. "I had to wait tables here." "Why?" Rash raised an eyebrow while I shrugged. A smile tugged at his thin lips and his dark eyes rested on my face for a moment. "Are you causing trouble again?" he asked, almost amused.

I nodded and said with a grin, "Be glad you left the Academy. You wouldn't like the new teacher." "You could be right about that. But tell me, Jolien, does Malio know you're here?" Just saying his name brought tears to my eyes.

I took a deep breath and blinked her away. Tried to think of something great. bunny babies. kittens. The small, fat Blue shot through my head. Then came the picture of Malio as he used to tease him...

Damned. Why did my thoughts always have to go to this guy? Even if I tried to think of something else.

"I think so. "So you know?" I laughed bitterly. But even as a joke, it still sounded awful. "So you know?" "Yes, Rash. Imagine if I was there. On this beautiful engagement!" I really hoped he caught the sarcasm in my voice at those words.

"Maybe you should talk to him." Rash said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He seemed so lost in this huge house. So out of place got a lot to say to him, trust me Rash. What the heck is that prick thinking?

"Yes? What exactly is Soela? And more importantly, what do you have to tell me?" came a deep voice from the hallway.

Crap.

Malio appeared in the doorway, firmly pushing Rash aside with one hand. "Leave us alone, Rash," he said quietly while taking a long pull from the whiskey bottle. "No, Rash. You can overhear what a huge asshole Malio is. "Jolien!" Malio whispered admonishingly.

Maybe I was tired of myself or had a keen sense of overconfidence - but I liked the idea of provoking him.

"No, Malio. Nothing with Jolien. I can't believe you wanted to fuck me just before you got engaged. When were you going to tell me about your fiancee? Did you think I was dumb enough to stall as an affair?" I glared at him angrily.

Rash took a step back, obviously wanting to get away quietly. But it didn't work that way. "Rash! You stay!" "Rash, go!" Malio's voice was calm, which wasn't a good thing. "Jolien, calm down." Malio turned back to me and tried to grab my hand. I slapped it aside bravely.

That he wanted to touch me at all. Did he even notice anything? Was his ego so big that he thought he could get away with anything?

"Calm down?" I yelled hysterically. I successfully thwarted his renewed attempt to grab my hand. "Don't touch me with your jerk paws! You must have fallen off the changing table as a baby if you think you can get away with it. You lousy little..."

With a single movement, Malio grabbed my wrists, spun me around, and kicked the door shut in Rash's face, then pinned me roughly against the wood of the closed door. A gasp escaped my lips. It all happened so quickly that there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. "I've told you a thousand times not to talk to me like that, Jolien." He growled angrily.

Actually, I knew that it would be better not to provoke him any further, just leave it and go. But even though I was aware of all this, I didn't do it. "I'm not interested in that!" "But it should be!" The whiskey bottle clattered to the floor as he pressed his hands to the door. It was the same spectacle as a few minutes ago. Only this time there was no passion between us, but anger. An unbridled rage just waiting to erupt.

"You don't scare me, Malio. You're an ass, a whore..." "Careful Jolien." His hand slipped around my neck. "I remind you that earlier you were almost begging for me to fuck you. You wanted my cock inside you," he whispered so close to my lips I could have sworn he was going to kiss me any second . I gasped again as he squeezed. Not hard, but hard enough to turn anger into lust in one fell swoop.

I hated my body, hated how I reacted to him.

"Let me explain." Malio almost begged while loosening his grip on my neck, which didn't lessen the fire inside me for a second.

I was really freaked out that this turned me on. That he still turned me on. Even now that all I really wanted to do was kill him...

"Explain?" I laughed out loud. A reaction that Malio obviously hadn't expected - because the anger in his eyes subsided for a moment and he looked at me in irritation.

Was he serious? To explain? What was there to explain?

"I think what I saw and heard was clear enough. Save your lies for your fiancee when you confess all your affairs to her. Since you obviously don't take loyalty that seriously!" I hissed angrily. Yes, I must have lost my mind. Otherwise, I couldn't explain the anger and the resulting words. Nothing of what I said still made sense, but I didn't care.

I fought the lust, the desire, but most of all the anger raging inside me like a hurricane, trying desperately not to let any of those feelings get the better of me. Any option would be my downfall. "Jolien. What are you talking about? affairs? What do you think of me?" Malio's hands wrapped around my face. "Don't touch me, Malio!" I hissed angrily.

That the anger won the inner struggle in that moment was probably the reason for what followed - because when he still made no move to take his hands off my face, I just hit him. I punched Malio square in the face.

The blow had obviously hit him completely unexpectedly, otherwise I couldn't explain the stumbling back. Certainly, he had to take a lot of harder hits many times.

He clutched his bleeding nose. "Are you crazy Jolien? Is this how we settle our arguments?" The initial astonishment, which had appeared immediately after the hit on Malio's face, was now reflected again in anger.

"I said..." I straightened the fabric of the maid's suit. "...don't touch me." I returned his gaze confidently.

"If you don't listen to me, you'll have to face the consequences. That's life, malio. You can't strut around and do whatever you want and indiscriminately hurt other people's feelings and still think you can get away with it." I talked myself into a real rage. To my own surprise, he didn't interrupt me once. He let me finish until he finally said something that made it even more absurd, "I know. You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out that way." "So it's true?" For an infinitely long time he didn't say anything. Just looked at me with those ice-blue eyes that held a deep sadness.

Even the smallest part of me that had somehow still hoped it was a misunderstanding gave up. let him go

With the words "It's okay - I think it's better if I go," I gathered up my things that had been strewn all over the floor. "It's not what you think." Malio made one last move , desperate attempt to stop me. I met his gaze again. For seconds. Then I finally turned away and opened the door. "I wish you to be happy."

"How is this supposed to work if you're not a part of my life," he replied softly, making me stop again. "Please Jolien. I beg you, stay."

But I could not. I couldn't look into those eyes for a second longer. Not knowing for a second longer that I wouldn't get him back. Never.

I slipped silently past Rash, who was still standing in front of the door, pacing impatiently. His lowered eyes rose and he asked immediately worried: "Everything okay?"

I opened my mouth wanting to lie. Just say everything is fine. But I wasn't able to do that either. I just couldn't find the strength to tell this lie anymore. I was exhausted. Empty.

I shook my head in silence, feeling tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn't even have the strength to hold her back.

"But Jolie. He loves..." "Don't Rash. Don't say anything." I cut him off because I just couldn't take any more lies. Had reached the point where I would collapse on the spot at the next lie.

I wiped my tear-stained cheeks and pulled him into a hug, whispering, "Take care of him. please rash And take care of yourself too!"

I was certain that today would be the last day I saw the inside of the Dakarias' manor. There was no more hope.

Although I actually wanted to go home, I didn't. I drove around for hours just listening to loud music. Surrendered to my heartbreak.

I ignored the ringing of my cell phone. I also ignored the countless messages from Silia.

Something I would regret for a very long time in retrospect.