I need a proper way to sort this matter. I have to understand what's happening with Jake, including the kind of people he hangs out with lately and all the places he visits. I want to understand him better, but how? I'm so afraid to push him farther away but the talk between us has to happen by all means.

Back in my room, I just strip and climb on the bed. Lights off at last, I grab my phone and lay on my back, thinking of Adrian Castle when I least expect it. His face, his body—his full image overwhelms my mind though he's not an average man with great looks like many others.

But is he average, though?

I roll my eyes and smile. Yeah, he's not average. He's... well, he's something else that I shouldn't be thinking of too much about. We're only business, and nothing more. I should bear this in mind, always, if I don't wanna get hurt.

As I go through my phone I find a text from him. Wow.

*Goodnight, Arabella. Clear your schedule for tomorrow evening, unless it's a matter of life and death.

A laugh leaves my lips. That's more like him—a double-edged blade that's capable of cutting anyhow you hold it.

I type back my reply: Well, I've got a lot going on in my schedule, but I'll try my best, Sir.

It takes just a minute to get his response. How wonderful! Has he been waiting?

*Good. Now sleep! It's an order.

"Yeah, right." I giggle while picturing him so close.

Is he smiling? How rare and beautiful!

Well, the same order comes to you, Sir! Sleep and stop working!

His phone call sits me up on my butt. I sit straight, eyes awake at the screen. What is this, God? Why is my heart beating so fast when it's just a call like any other?

A phone in my ear, I clear my throat and mutter, "Hello."

"Did you just order me to sleep, Arabella?" he replies deeply, his voice aristocratic and so sure.

I bite my lip, for defying this man is as exciting as how scary he may be. But well, he's a work in progress. I still believe he's both soft and hard—just like a coconut.

"I–I think everyone needs to sleep now if they have a busy day tomorrow, right? Or what? Does the Dominant feel offended when his submissive orders him to do some things for his own good?" I ask softly—too softly, I might add.

Yeah, I'm playing with fire.

"His submissive?" He simply parrots my statement. My irises rotate in confusion. "You just said that, Arabella." He sounds exuberant.

"Why? Does it do things to you?" I ask boldly, curious.

A gentle, amused laugh hits my ear.

"More than doing things to me, it makes me think of that beautiful round ass of yours and how well it would feel to spank it if you keep doing what you're doing right now," he says simply.

Heat runs through me, highly enticed by his words alone. My thick thighs compress against each other as I control the undeniable arousal. Damn this man!

But what the fuck is this? Since when do I fantasize about being spanked in the ass, huh? No, he's playing with my head and nothing more.

"Um, I think we should sleep now. I'll see you... tomorrow? I mean, why do you want to see me again?" I splutter without a course, hardly understanding what I'm saying.

"You'll know when you arrive. Again, have a lovely night, Arabella, and don't think too much of what happened today," he states calmly, but it's hard to forsake the imperial undertone of his voice.

It's just there. Always there.

"Hmm," I hum with a nod. "Good night, Adr—" What? I quickly contrive, "Mister Castle. Sorry."

Silence prevails. I don't know whether he appreciates being addressed by his first name or not—as a Dominant he is.

"That's why we should work on changing your safeword, Arabella. It's not a clever one if you're going to use my first name now," he finally says, turning my eyes wide.

He's not mad, is he? My lips stretch into a smile.

"Does that mean you..." My voice trails off as I wait for him to catch up.

"You can call me Adrian. I'm not an old man to be called Mister Castle all the time now, am I?"

I stifle a laugh.

"Okay. Goodnight, Adrian," I say happily.

"Tomorrow, Arabella. Be good." He hangs up, leaving butterflies in my stomach.

"Adrian," I murmur his name, and warmth spreads in my body.

___

It's a new day, a very early morning as I finish cooking breakfast. I set the table as quickly and then rush into Isla's room to help her get ready for school.

"Not out yet?" I yell while doing her bed, thanking the heavens that I still have at least one hour to pull this morning ritual and go to college.

"Ta-da! I'm all ready!" Isla appears from the bathroom with a big grin, already dressed up in her cute little dress and sandals.

"Aww, my baby sister is ready all by herself!" I give her credit. She smiles proudly. "Now let's do your hair. How about I give you a tight bun like the ballerina you are?"

"Yay!" she acquiesces and our morning begins splendidly.

Jake, Isla, and I sit down for breakfast but I spend most of the moment studying them. I have no appetite this morning, and only questions fill my head on how I'm going to make sure they both grow up into better versions of themselves.

If anything bad happens to either of them I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle it.

"Why aren't you eating, Ara?" Isla asks and Jake glances at me at last.

He doesn't utter a word, however.

"Well... Now I am." I take the French toast and sausage from the tray. While pouring myself a mango juice I tell Jake, "I'm going to keep that bag. And also, whatever you hear from the neighbors is not necessarily true; you should be smart enough to understand that some people do love to gossip whether you give them a valid reason to gossip or not."

Jake lifts his implacable eyes without actually raising his face. "Do you think I only hear and don't see? I'm not dumb," he retorts.

My chest tightens. What exactly has he seen?

"Then you should have asked instead of judging to conclusions without knowing," I say, for I'm positive he's either seen me brought home by Mario in that fancy Mercedes Benz, or me walking into The Imperial Hotel for one of my appointments with Mister Castle.

Besides, I don't have any other rendezvous with any other man aside from Adrian Castle. I never had.

"And if you think working at night is something immoral, then you'll have to forgive, dear brother, because for me it's just a job that pays me fair and square. You're entitled to your own opinion but I won't tolerate disrespect. Never." My jaw clamps but I choose to remain calm by taking a deep breath. "And also, I'm not involved in anything illegal, but I wonder if it's also the case with you or not." I give him a stern look, praying inside that I'm very wrong.

He swallows tightly, his knuckles white from clenching his fists too tightly. Yes, he's hiding something. I know him well enough to see the fear and anxiety.

"Please stop, Jake. It's not too late and you don't have to do it. I'm here and I'll always take care of your needs until you are capable of standing on your own, I promise," I plead desperately, hoping to get through his head and make him understand that he's not obligated to do anything an adult should do.

But he keeps quiet, his face too blank to enlighten his thoughts.

"Ara, what's the meaning of illegal?" Isla breaks the silence.

We both look at her, and I'm suddenly flustered. Way to go, Mrs. Inspector Gadget! I nearly laugh.

"Well, illegal means something that shouldn't be done. So both you and your brother should never do anything illegal or else you'll be captured by the police and I'll die if that happens," I utter gently yet bluntly.

Isla frowns nervously. "I'll never do illegal things, Ara. And don't die, I love you."

" love you, too, sweetie." Smiling, I reach for her little hand and give it a tight squeeze.

Just protect them, God. My life will be meaningless without them.

"I'm full. Thanks," Jake states after two or three minutes. "Are you done, Isla?" He looks at her plate that's almost empty.

"Um-yeah. Where is my lunchbox, Ara?" Isla quizzes.

"No lunchbox today, Your Highness. I'll give you money for lunch." I stand to do as much, but my heart is still heavy for Jake.

I need to do something about him.

___________________

A/N: Yo, we're back! Happy New Year. Thank you for sticking around despite the odds.