010 - Forbidden desires.
April was absolutely correct because once Arette began reading the book, there was no turning back. She started reading around noon, but it was already the middle of the night. Despite telling herself, "Just one more page, and then I'll go to sleep," she knew it was a complete lie. She hadn't slept, and the sun was about to rise.
The book's author skillfully kept readers hooked, and Arette couldn't tear herself away. "No, no, no, that can't be true!" Arette gasped as a major plot twist unfolded in the novel. She paused for a few seconds to process the revelation.
"This doesn't make sense! How can they be siblings?" Arette mumbled to herself but continued reading. Despite enjoying the romance between the male and female leads, she couldn't ignore the forbidden truth: the male lead's best friend was the female lead's elder brother.
Even Arette understood that the bro code generally forbade dating a friend's sister. However, the male lead found himself deeply in love with his best friend's sister, and Arette dreaded the moment he would realize it.
Arette was engrossed in a book, momentarily forgetting her captivity under Dominic. It was the happiest she had felt in the past week, despite being locked up by him.
It got to a point where Arette couldn't keep her eyes open anymore, she closed the book and kept it in the first drawer of her nightstand where she kept other books and allowed herself to slip into a deep slumber.
It wasn't up to two hours, and Arette was woken up by Mrs. Wolfe, "Miss Arette, it time to get ready for the day," Arette groaned as she hasn't had much sleep yet and she just wanted to sleep until her heart's content before going back to reading.
"It's not like I'll be able to leave this room anyway. What day am I exactly getting ready for?" That was what Arette's mind first came up with, but instead, she said, "Okay," groggily, before gathering all her strength, and got up.
At 7 o'clock in the morning, a time when sleep usually becomes sweeter for those who've stayed up all night, Arette was led to the bathroom with her eyes half-closed. Her toothbrush was placed in her hand.
She forced herself to keep her eyes open as she stood before the mirror, lazily brushing her teeth while the two attendants who typically prepared her morning baths went about their usual tasks.
Arette caught sight of her eyelids—once swollen and black from the beatings inflicted by Dominic's men—now fading back to her normal skin tone. Most of her bruises were already healing, and the cuts were closing up. Yet, her mind would forever bear the scars of her ordeal.
After brushing her teeth, she got undressed and submerged her body into the warm, lavender scented water. The routine was pretty much the same everyday. She got bathed and dressed by the robotic maids that only wear one facial expression and she returned to the room, spotting April behind Mrs. Wolfe.
The two exchanged glances and they couldn't help but let out a subtle smile. Mrs. Wolfe and the bathroom attendants departed, leaving Arette alone with April and another girl whose name remained a mystery.
Arette pointed at the girl. "Umm, you…" she hesitated, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Sabrina," came the reply, earning a nod of recognition from Arette. "Thank you for your assistance, Sabrina, but only April is needed. You may leave." With a slight bow, Sabrina exited the room, leaving Arette to face the day ahead.
Arette's excitement bubbled over as she rushed to April, her hands clasping April's with joy. "The book you gave me, 'Forbidden Desires,' was soooo good," Arette exclaimed, elongating the word to emphasize her enthusiasm.
April smiled knowingly. "Of course it is. I knew you'd enjoy it. Have you finished reading it?" she asked, guiding Arette toward a bubblegum pink chaise lounge chair. Arette settled onto the plush velvet, sinking into its softness. The room glowed with morning light, delicate lace curtains framing the window.
Despite her reluctance to rise early, Arette found comfort in April's company.
"Oh," Arette replied, her eyes alight with the story, "I'm at the part where Ethan discovers that Marie is Lois's younger sister." As if on cue, April placed a Dutch Baby pancake on a delicate porcelain plate before her—a golden, slightly crispy edge encircling the puffed center. A sprinkle of powdered sugar adorned it like magical fairy dust.
"Thank you, April," Arette said, her voice gentle.
"You haven't seen anything yet. The last two chapters are insane," April dipped her head, a smile playing on her lips.
"Oh my god, I can't take this suspense anymore. GIVE ME SPOILERS ALREADY!!!" Arette cut into the pancake, the knife gliding through tender layers. She savored the custardy interior and caramelized edges.
"Well," April began, her gaze still on Arette, "Maria will find out she's pregnant, and her brother will discover it in the process. He'll force Ethan's name out of her mouth. Lois will create a ruckus at Ethan's workplace, beating the shit out of him for knocking up his sister. It was MESSY," April's expression softened. She leaned forward, hands folded neatly, "but it's worth reading and entertaining."
Arette nodded, her fork tracing patterns on the plate. "It is very entertaining; I barely slept all night. You should have some pancakes too," Arette suggested, but April shook her head.
"Mrs. Wolfe will end my life if she finds out I ate your food or even dared to touch your plates other than when I'm serving," April said, warily.
"But Mrs. Wolfe isn't here; she'll never know. We can eat, and that will restore the energy you'll need to explain the ending of 'Forbidden Desires' to me. I might have a heart attack if I try to finish reading it without knowing how it ends," Arette said, handing a fork to April.
Hesitantly, April dug into the food and took a bite. The pancake melted in April's mouth, and she let out a muffled thank you before swallowing.
"So after Lois beat the shit out of Ethan, he also went back home and smack Maria a couple of times before chasing her out of he house," April explained.
"Lois is cruel! I mean, is it a crime to fall in love?! So what if Ethan impregnated his sister, he loves Maria and that was why they were able to get to that point. If Lois hadn't been such an ass, Ethan would have come clean about liking Maria and wouldn't get to such level," Arette complained.
"I know, right?! Like I get I can understand the part of him beating Ethan up a little bit but how could smack his own sister?? And she was pregnant too, like who does that?!" April exclaimed.
"Do you know who would do that?" Arette questioned, suspiciously.
"Who?" April asked.
"Dominic Ferrari," Arette whispered. April's hands instinctively flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock. Deep down, she knew it was true.
The two girls burst into laughter, but their joy was short-lived when Dominic abruptly entered the room. Arette and April's hearts raced at the speed of light as Dominic advanced further into the room, closing the distance between them.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone