Payback Time
~ Alicia ~
“Hey, Alicia. How about we talk later on, eh?” Bryan’s voice reached my ears, his words laced with an undertone that sparked my curiosity. “I’ve got a few things to ask you.” As his hand came into contact with my back, giving an unexpected spank, my surprise was obvious. I turned to face him, my gaze filled with a mixture of astonishment and shock. Lucian’s expression remained carefully composed, a deadly glint in his eyes that threatened but didn’t spark.
With a nod, I acknowledged Bryan’s suggestion. My mind was spinning with questions. What could he possibly want to talk about? His actions were bewildering, and I found myself grappling with comprehension. The sensation of the spank lingered, my mind struggling to grasp the audacity of his actions. As I started to take my leave, his unexpected move played over in my mind.
Then, as if a surge of determination had taken hold of me, I paused and snapped my fingers. “Payback time!” The words escaped my lips before I could stop them. A fire ignited within me, fueled by the desire to turn the tables. Bryan’s audacity had triggered something within me, a spark of resolve to seize control of the situation. The feelings I once held for him were long gone, replaced by a sense of empowerment. If he believed he could exert dominance over me, he had another thing coming.
I was well aware that the stakes were higher now, the dynamics between the three of us shifting in unexpected ways. The flicker of emotion I thought I saw in Lucian’s eyes only added to the intrigue. Yet, at that moment, I was determined. I would play along with whatever game Bryan was attempting to initiate. After all, if he wanted to dance, I was ready to lead.
~ Lucian ~
I sat there at the dining table, my thoughts spinning in a cloud of confusion. The events that had just happened left me confused and uncertain. Why did Alicia seem so unbothered by Bryan’s actions? Why did she not react with the outrage I had expected? And more confusing still, why did it seem as if she almost welcomed it? The image of her expression played on repeat in my mind, a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve. My own reaction, or lack thereof, was a mystery even to me. Why didn’t I do something? Why did I allow Bryan’s boldness to go unchecked? The questions swirled, a storm within me that I struggled to understand.
“Lucian! Lucian!” Bryan’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I blinked, momentarily startled. His words reached me, and I refocused on the conversation at hand. “I was asking if we could go on a picnic sometime. You, Ena, Alicia, and myself – just the four of us.”
The suggestion hung in the air, and I grunted in response, my throat clearing as I struggled to find my voice. The request itself was inconsequential, yet my mind remained preoccupied with the events that had transpired earlier. I could feel a weariness creeping over me, an exhaustion that went beyond physical fatigue. My need for rest was undeniable, a desire to escape from the maelstrom of thoughts that seemed to imprison me.
“I need rest, Bryan,” I finally managed, my voice firm as I rose from my seat. “We can discuss any other matters when I am well rested.” The truth was, I needed a break from the turmoil in my mind. The image of Bryan’s audacious action continued to replay, an unwelcome specter that haunted my thoughts. It was as if my mind was determined to hold onto that moment, to dissect it, and analyze the implications that seemed to ripple through our interactions.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
With a shake of my head, I tried to clear the image away, to focus on the task at hand – retiring to my room for the respite I desperately needed. I walked away from the dining room, each step carrying me further from the unsettling scene. As I entered my room, I allowed myself a moment to close my eyes, to shut out the external world and the complex emotions that seemed to have taken root within me.
~ Bryan~
I watched as Lucian rose from his seat and departed for his chambers, a triumphant smile gracing my lips. The exchange at the dining table had gone exactly as I had planned, and the aftermath played out like a satisfying script. The look of confusion and disbelief on Lucian’s face when I dared to spank Alicia had been priceless. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, the thrill of my audacious action sending a rush of exhilaration through me. It was a risk I had taken, one that had paid off in ways I hadn’t expected.
As I stood there, a satisfied grin appeared at the corners of my mouth. Fate had brought me back to the Palace, back to the heart of my past and the web of connections that still held strong. Alicia’s presence was a twist of fate that I hadn’t anticipated, a chance to finally interact with her on a personal level. I had admired her from a distance for far too long, and now, circumstances had granted me the opportunity I had yearned for.
I reflected on the days when I could only observe her from afar, the longing to speak with her gnawing at me. Now, with the Palace as my stage and the dynamics between us shifting, I was determined not to squander this chance. The element of surprise had worked in my favor, and it had evoked emotions in Lucian that I couldn’t help but savor. This was my moment, my entry into a world that had eluded me before.
With a sense of satisfaction, I walked back to my seat, my thoughts consumed by the unfolding events.
~ Lucian ~
I paced restlessly within the walls of my room, the look on my face reflecting the turmoil within me. My thoughts were dominated by Alicia, a new and unsettling presence that seemed to have invaded my mind. It was a recent event, and I couldn’t help but relate it to the events that had transpired earlier. The audacity of Bryan’s actions, Alicia’s reaction – they were all etched into my mind, and I could not help but become enraged.