Chapter 33: 33 - Hurt Ego (1.76k words)
3rd person POV
Curtis observed how easily Vick had integrated himself between both Rosa's and Nivi's harem members, making him a bit jealous. If he knew how to do that, he would be able to make Yaya open up to him a bit more, too.
"How did Yaya open up to you?" Curtis clicked his tongue as Vick laid his head on Yaya's lap to get the best view of her. Why did he not think of doing this sooner?
Vick dodged a quick jab meant for his neck and plucked a grape from the bunch Yaya was holding. "You can't imagine the extent I went to just to be included in her world."
He continued to share, leisurely savoring the grape's sweetness, all while keeping a tender look fixed on Yaya, who continued to snack indifferently, "There were moments when I wanted to give up like others, but I found myself unable to leave her. Wealth, attention and love from countless females ─ I've had it all. Yet, none of it could compare to experiencing life by Yaya's side─"
Yaya shoved a grape into Vick's mouth. "You'll choke on your own words if you keep blabbering so much," she said.
Vick bit onto her finger lightly, "That's what I plan to do; choke up on your sweet juices as soon as we get back."
Yaya ignored Vick's lustful words. Instead, she offered a grape to Curtis before taking one for herself. With deliberate intent, she licked the spot where Curtis had touched the grape to make Vick lose his calmness.
Curtis watched Vick's face darken as he commented, "Yaya said I'm her favorite male," he said with a smirk. He knew that he wasn't her favorite person, but he liked Yaya's little lies, which she told just to spite at Vick and Muir.
Vick snorted, hiding his true emotions, "In your dreams, buddy, in your dreams."
"Are you going to fight?" Yaya asked as if talking about the weather, "Because if you are, please don't hold back."
Vick looked up at Yaya, her upper face shadowed by her hood, but the bonfire's glow lit her up, making her look even more stunning in the playful dance of light and shadow, "You really like getting roughed up, don't you?"
"Maybe," She replied, playfully.
"..." Vick turned around to face her stomach, hiding his face. Past memories flooded his mind-their first kiss, her sinful tongue, her heavenly moans, and the way she bit him that made him see stars.
"Why are you hiding?" She asked, her voice amused, as she stroked his hair sensually, "Does it embarrass you that you like getting dominated?"
Vick didn't respond. He liked dominating her, but he also liked submitting to her. He was a greedy person and wanted both, but Yaya didn't let him. The only thing he could do was to enjoy the ride and hope that the destination was as amazing as the trip.
Curtis had once asked Vick if he was always loyal to Yaya, and Vick had replied with: She has never given me a reason not to be.
Having joined that man in his travels, Vick had met tons of incredible women, so he was pretty much unfazed by someone like Nivi. He never sought to form a bond with any female. He could satisfy his carnal desires on his own, so he didn't bother.
She was supposed to be as old as him. In his mind, he was already picturing a sheltered royal princess, likely pampered and shielded from the outside world, unlike himself.
He didn't understand why her father would want an admiral like him to act like her newly assigned servant, but he did...for fun, secretly planning to turn the tables and turn her into his little obedient girl instead.
Her words from the past still rang in his ears, 'You are not a slave, not to me and not to anyone else. You are free, and if you want to be my slave, you have to earn it.'
That sentence made his blood boil. He was used to people bowing to his feet, praising him, sucking up to him, kissing his ass. And then, there was this entitled girl who did not even acknowledge his existence. At least treat him like a servant, whether in a good or bad way, but not like an air particle.
It was as if she was saying, 'You are not worth my attention, work for it.'
His ego was hurt, and his pride was damaged to the core whenever she was close. Her entitled attitude pissed him so much that he couldn't even form a single word, let alone think of something clever.
Her selective silence wasn't the only thing that got on his nerves; she didn't waste time talking to just anyone, and at that time, he was just anyone.
He had been angry, resentful, and frustrated. It felt like she was daring him to fight for her love as if he was ever interested in it in the first place. It ignited a fury within him, prompting him to do everything to make her regret her arrogance.
Yet, in the end, it was him who ended up burned.
Thorough the years, they were no longer the same people they were when they first met, but his hurt ego held onto the same anger, hoping to find a way to pay her back, maybe even take revenge.
He pushed away the growing feeling of attraction, calling it lust.
And instead, kept taking advantage of the only thing that she cared about, the only thing that would mak her lose control, the only thing that would turn her into a homicidal maniac, and the only thing that would make her beg him, make her kiss him, make her touch herself for him, make her lose her dignity before him.
He felt it was worth it, even if it meant going behind her father's back and facing possible punishment.
He thought she would submit after a few more times, but she didn't. Instead, she did the complete opposite.
She continued to carry herself with an unyielding pride as if the hidden beast inside of her did not exist at all, 'Why should I prove myself to you when you can't even see my worth? Go and get yourself someone who is worthy of you, or get a mirror.'
Like always, he would feel so angry by her words, but his heart would also melt at the same time. It was such an insult and yet such a compliment.
And then, before he could even say anything, she cut him out of her world.
With her absence, his body felt like it was being stabbed, his head felt like it was being cracked open, his throat was dry, and his heart was numb. He had a hard time falling asleep, and even when he did, he'd wake up panting from a nightmare, her cold face haunting him.
Her presence could change you without changing you, which was both terrifying and mesmerizing. It was like she was giving you wings, and taking away your shackles, but you couldn't fly until you let yourself fall.
He didn't understand it then, but he understood it now.
'You no longer have to earn anything. I will give you my everything, because I've seen your worth. I will be your queen, not your whore, and you will be my king, not my pimp.'
She didn't say it herself, probably afraid it would only feed his ego, but it was the depth in her silent gaze...and the demeanor that spoke more than any words could that made him realize how blind he was this whole time.
All along, her efforts were to connect with Vick, not Vick's ego.
She didn't give false hopes. She didn't promise a rose garden. She told him that she would make him her slave if he put in some effort, a slave of love. And she was right. She did.
Her arrogance combined with her wise words and her dangerous beauty, were a deadly combination. It made his blood boil, made his heart soft, and his cock rise.
Her mean attitude was like a whip, harsh and cruel, but it also had the ability to heal and comfort.
She could make you feel like the king of the world, and she could make you feel like a worthless piece of shit.
She was a demon that could drag you through hell and then bring you back and wash your wounds.
She was the most dangerous yet the safest person Vick knew ─ a being of both destruction and creation.
"Precious, sometimes I hate you so much I can't breathe."
"Good," she replied, "I like my males hot and bothered."
Curtis stifled a chuckle, rubbing his cheek against hers through the cloak, not forgetting to show a bit of himself to avoid getting hit, "Yaya, you are so cute."
Vick took a deep breath, giving her an annoyed side glance. Her voice was like silk and honey. Her tone was low, sensual, and teasing, and the look in her eyes was predatory.
She had a dangerous glint in her eyes, and her lips were curled into a mischievous smirk.
Curtis nudged Vick with his tail, "I think you broke him, Yaya."
She chuckled, "I don't think he will mind."
Vick swallowed a few times, his mouth suddenly dry, and his heart beat loudly in his chest, "You're evil."
She laughed again, her eyes sparkling.
"You're so fucking evil," Vick whispered.
"Yeah, I heard you." She smiled, her smile so wicked, so seductive, and yet so honest and genuine, "Give it a few hours, and I'll have you screaming it since you seem to keep forgetting."
Vick wrapped his arm around her waist, burying his face against her stomach, no longer ignoring his overflowing feelings, realizing he was doomed - completely, utterly, and totally screwed.
She hadn't talked to him in years, and all he could think about was how it was better to be tortured by a playful devil than a cruel angel.