"Sylvia, are you ready?" Aless asked from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, just give me five more minutes." I replied in a loud voice.

"Alright, I'll be downstairs. Mum and dad had already left." he informed and I heard his footsteps walking away.

I took a deep breath in and looked at the dress that was laid on my bed. It was a navy blue colored dress made of a glittery fabric which had a plunging v neckline and thin shoulder straps to hold the dress up.

My mother designed it especially for me for today's events. Said, she wanted her daughter to shine bright.

I chuckled quietly and slipped the dress on, careful not to mess my styled to perfection bun as Cara called it, and ran a hand to flatten it.

Slipping my feet through the silver strapped heels, I got up and stomped my each of my foot twice to make sure my heels were strapped correctly.

Picking up my small clutch, I checked my makeup in the mirror one last time before pursing my blood red lips and walking out. I was already fifteen minutes late. Aless will kill me.

"I'm done, Aless." I announced as I descended the stairs.

However, my foot stopped mid-air as I was on the last foot of the staircase.

"Aless?" I called looking at him.

"He got a call from Victoria. Had to go so now I'm your ride." he answered instead.

I gulped and looked down before taking the last step, "You don't have to. Henry will drive me." I said dismissing him.

Henry was one of the drivers.

As I passed him, he grabbed me by the forearm and stopped me, "Stop being difficult."

"I am not. I am simply telling you to not wait for me. I'll go by myself. Besides, where is your date?" I questioned looking directly in his eyes.

I could lie to myself and say I wasn't jealous as soon as those words left my mouth.

A muscle in his jaw twitched and his grip tightened, "When will you stop acting like a child?" he gritted out.

"When you grow the fuck up." I answered in a heartbeat.

It's like a switch flipped inside of him and he grabbed me by the throat and turned me around, my back colliding with his chest, as his warm breath fanned my the back of my neck.

"You watch who you're talking to, piccola raggazza." he threatened and squeezed my throat lightly.

"Or what?" I tested.

In the next second, his hand left my throat and cupped the back of my neck instead, before pushing me down so that I was in a bending position.

I gasped as he fisted my dress and dragged it up my body until it pooled around my waist, revealing my lace blue thong. I felt his breathing become ragged as he stopped for a few moments before landing a harsh slap on my left ass cheek. The sound of smacking bouncing off the walls of the living room.

I hissed and gasped in pain as he smacked it twice on the same spot and did the same to the right one. His rings, which I am sure left marks, adding more to the stinging pain. A thin layer of tears gathered in my eyes as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Releasing my dress, he straightened me before turning me around to face him. My face was red and breathing, erratic as I looked at him in somewhat shock and hurt.

His face remained stoic and eyes were stormy as he gazed down at me like he didn't just spank me less than a minute ago.

"Pain is all you've ever given me." I whispered to him.

My sentimental ass didn't just say that.

A part of me hoped he didn't hear but the other part hoped he did and would respond.

"Do you want me to kiss it better?" he mocked.

How could he act so nonchalant was beyond me.

I scoffed and stepped closer to him, my chest pressing flush against his, "It will take a lot of kissing then, Adrian Aksel Knight. The pain is immense and it's not just my ass that hurts." I retorted.

His hard composure faltered before he quickly masked it again but not quick enough for me to not notice.

Eyes darting to my lips, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth and kept them there longer than necessary.

Tingles erupted where his warm, soft lips lay almost melting my insides but I gently pushed him away to avoid something we both knew we wouldn't regret but will hurt other people around us.

His eyes screamed longing and desperation as he kept his intent gaze fixed on my face. I suddenly felt very exposed and vulnerable under his scrutiny. My subconscious was screaming at me to just be daring enough to step forward and embrace him, kiss him like crazy and tell him how much I have missed him.

I ignored it.

What was this between us anyways? We acted like a couple yet we weren't even close enough to be called friends at the moment.

He spanked me and I didn't react much. Hell, he could fuck me and I'd still let him go for another round.

There was something seriously wrong with us.

Instead, I fixed his red tie that had gotten a little messed up and dusted the imaginary dust off of his shoulders. He was wearing a navy blue suit and looked absolutely hot and handsome in it.

Scratch that, he looked hot and handsome in whatever he wore.

"We should leave before your bipolar ass decides to flip again." I said and smiled sweetly at the end.

His gaze became hard and he pinched my chin between his thumb and forefinger after taking a threatening step in my direction, "I demand respect from everyone, family or not, you will not talk to me in such manner. Fix your childish attitude or I will be more than glad to do that for you, little girl." he warned.

Was it wrong that all the while I wanted to kiss him like a mad woman?

Goddammit.

"Stop." I managed to whisper.

My nose caught a whiff of his lemon scented cologne for a split second before he pulled away. His eyes doing a once over of my body and darkening in the process.

"I shall do whatsoever I please." I spoke and walked out knowing fully well he'd follow.

And he did.

His Mercedes-Benz was parked outside and he opened the passenger side door for me to sit inside before rounding the car to take his place in the driver's seat.

Igniting the engine, we hit the road. It was six forty two and the show was to start at exact seven.

Good thing that the venue wasn't much far, only a ten minutes drive away from where we lived.

The car ride was uncomfortably silent and when we reached there, I didn't wait for him him to open the door for me and got out. A minute later, I heard him give his keys to the valet and his hand latched onto my wrist.

"You look absolutely stunning, Sylvia." he whispered in my ear and kissed the shell of it.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach at, both, his compliment and close proximity. He was bending down to my height, but not much since I was wearing heels, and his thumb was caressing the back of my hand in a soothing manner.

My lips parted but no sound came out. I kept staring ahead at the wooden double doors guarded by two guards at either sides of it yet felt utterly overwhelmed on the inside.

The whole world could compliment me but I'd only truly believe if it was coming from Adrian.

I nodded meekly and he extended his hand to me but I politely declined, "I can't. We can't. Selena's inside and I can't risk her doubting us for nothing. She doesn't deserve that."

At least one of us should be happy.

I felt him stiffen beside me but he remained quiet and so we walked inside maintaining a fair distance.

What happened should be forgotten.

Like always.

The guards opened the door for us and we entered the grand hall. The center was a long walking glass ramp illuminated by blue lights matching the interior.

I spotted mom talking with zia Xenia near the backstage so I made my way there without looking back.

"Gosh, I really am a good designer, ain't I?" Mom gasped dramatically looking me up and down.

I rolled my eyes playfully at her and kissed her cheek, "Thanks mom." I said and turned to hug zia Xenia.

"Good to see you, child. You don't come around anymore." she spoke with a sad look in her eyes.

I gave her a small smile and replied, "Us ladies can catch up next weekend? What's say?" I ask.

She nods happily and they both disappear backstage. I sighed and turned around only to bump in a wall.

"Ouch." I hissed rubbing my nose.

Definitely not a wall.

I looked up with a scowl and gasped to see who was standing in front me.

"Ryan?!"