Chapter 3 A Drunken Encounter

• “Sir?” The chauffeur paled as he wiped the sweat from his brow and stared at the open, empty road.
• He thought he had seen a white dash of a figure mere seconds ago and in his moment of panic, he slammed the brakes to bring the car to an emergency halt. Now that the screech of the tyres had faded and there was nothing but the pitter-patter of rain, he began to wonder what had happened. Was I imagining things? Was it some kind of paranormal activity?
• Ivan had never been so terrified in his entire life.
• As his body trembled, he warily peeked into the rearview mirror and saw that the man in the backseat had his eyes closed.
• “Get down from the car and see what it is,” the man muttered darkly, his eyes snapping open and narrowing into dangerous slits. His thin lips curved into an icy sneer and a stormy look flashed across his handsome features.
• Ivan wasted no time barreling out of the car. He was in such a hurry that he did not even think about opening the umbrella.
• What greeted him outside was the gut-wrenching sight of a barely-dressed woman, who lay haphazardly in front of the car. Upon seeing that there was no blood pooling beneath her, he was left uncertain as to whether he had run her down in the first place.
• His forehead was damp with rainwater and sweat and he reached up to wipe his brows hastily before turning to report to his boss, “Sir, it’s a woman.”
• “Hmm?” Liam was in a terrible mood and when he turned to give Ivan a pointed look, the latter could see the storm clouds in his eyes.
• “She may have fainted,” Ivan explained feebly, breaking into cold sweat. His shirt was damply glued to him as he stood stiffly and he dared not move a muscle.
• “Bring her into the car,” Liam finally responded but impassively after a long pause.
• Ivan felt the tension drain out of him when he heard that and he hurried over to where the woman lay on the road. He was cautious as he lifted Eris into his arms and after a moment of thought, he asked Liam anxiously, “Sir, the woman’s unconscious. How should we...”
• Liam coldly eyed the woman in Ivan’s arms. In the glow of the headlights, he could see that she was pale and the sheer nightdress she wore was soaked to reveal the pinkish protuberances in front of her chest.
• He frowned and barked impatiently, “Put her on the backseat.”
• As soon as the words left his mouth, he was surprised at himself for even giving such instructions. He was indifferent as he turned to face the other way, not wanting to let his gaze linger on Ivan or Eris for a second longer.
• Ivan, on the other hand, kept his eyes straight ahead as he carefully settled Eris into the backseat and he peered at his boss’ expression as he did so. His heart thumped so wildly that he thought it might fly out of his chest.
• Once again, the silence in the car stifled and the air around them thickened ominously.
• Eris frowned. She was already soaked to the bone and instinctively curled into herself when the cold breeze from the vehicle’s air conditioner blew against her. As she trembled with the effort to keep warm, a series of weak moans escaped from her.
• She had a subtle and pleasant scent, one which intermingled with the unmistakable whiff of alcohol. Liam couldn’t help but gaze down at her in interest.
• All the color had drained out of her otherwise pretty and delicate face. Judging from how red and swollen her eyes were, he deduced that she had been crying beforehand. Her long eyelashes brushed the skin just below her eyes, casting pale shadows on her alabaster skin.
• Her red lips were parted slightly and she looked like she was muttering something under her breath.
• His gaze darkened at the sight and it was as though storm clouds were gathering in his eyes. He felt an inexplicable surge of frustration rise through him as he took in the woman before him.
• The car was presently and steadily cruising forward. Ivan forced himself to ignore the scene that was reflected in the rearview mirror; he was worried that if he glanced at it, he might tear his boss apart out of rage.
• “Mark...” Eris’ voice was husky as it broke the suffocating silence in the car. She was cold, and instinctively began to gravitate toward the heat source closest to her. Before long, her icy hands crept along Liam’s thigh and began to caress it.
• As though relishing the warmth that seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt, she inched closer and pressed herself against him.
• She was soaked through and bare beneath her flimsy nightdress. He drew in a sharp breath when he felt the softness of her mounds pressing against his torso and in that moment, he almost lost all self-restraint.