Cruel Love

Chapter 5

The intense stare of Zane was making Aria's heart beat a frantic tattoo against her ribs. "Pack something good for a fifteen-year-old girl," he'd commanded earlier, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. Now, with his arms folded across that impressive chest, he seemed to vibrate with an unspoken energy, a caged lion in a silk shirt. His broad shoulders strained against the fabric of his suit, and every few seconds, he shifted his weight, the glint of a gold watch the only sound interrupting the midday lull.

Confusion clouded Aria's mind. How could she possibly choose a gift for a stranger, especially a girl on the verge of puberty? Panic gnawed at her.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, she reached for the last compartment in the display case. Nestled inside was her most treasured wish, a delicate necklace with a pink flower pendant. "You are Beautiful" was inscribed in a swirling script on the back. Whenever Aria laid eyes on that delicate necklace displayed in the shop, a fragile wish would erupt within her heart. She couldn't help but imagine someone gifting her such a beautiful piece, the mere thought igniting a flicker of longing within her soul. Yet, the reality remained harsh and unyielding. Buying the necklace was simply out of the question for the impoverished girl. With her meager wage barely covering her expenses, indulging in such luxuries was a distant dream, out of her reach. Perhaps, Aria thought, a little beauty wouldn't hurt whoever received it.

Taking a deep breath, she presented the wrapped box. "Your gift is ready, sir," her voice barely a whisper. "It's sixty dollars," she said, pushing the bag towards him. A flicker of amusement danced in Zane's eyes as she mentioned the price. A hint of a smile played on his lips. Didn't everyone recognize him? Zane Vincent, the country's most eligible bachelor and ruthless business tycoon plastered across every financial journal and gossip rag? Yet, here stood this girl, oblivious, treating him like...well, just another customer. The realization held a strange trance.

He peeled a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet, the crispness contrasting with the warmth that flooded his hand as he reached for the gift bag. Their fingers brushed, a fleeting contact, yet it sent a jolt through Zane that left him breathless. His gaze snapped to Aria, expecting to see the same flicker of surprise, but her eyes were wide with a different kind of confusion.

Flustered, Aria pulled her hand back, the money falling into her palm. A blush bloomed across her cheeks, the heat radiating down her neck. This unfamiliar sensation, a tingling warmth that spread through her like wildfire, left her speechless. What was happening to her?

Zane cleared his throat, the sound rough in the sudden silence. "Keep the change," he murmured, his voice a touch huskier than usual. The encounter had rattled him more than he cared to admit. With a final, lingering glance at her that seemed to burn itself into his memory, he turned and strode towards the door. He couldn't explain the pull he felt towards this girl.

As soon as Zane left the shop, Aria sank onto the nearest stool and let out a steady breath, her heart still racing from their brief interaction.

"Hey, what was Zane Vincent doing in our shop?" Catherine exclaimed, entering the shop. She looked visibly stunned by the encounter.

"Who?" Aria asked, her confusion evident.

Catherine's eyes widened. "Zane Vincent, silly! The owner of this mall, the ridiculously handsome billionaire I told you all about? Have you forgotten already?"

"Oh my God, he was Zane Vincent," Aria gasped, realization dawning on her. How could she have been so oblivious? Not only had she treated the most powerful man in the city like a regular customer, but she'd even dared to ask him for money! The embarrassment was almost too much to bear.

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The rhythmic thrum of the car engine did little to soothe the storm brewing inside Zane. Though his body was hurtling him toward home, his thoughts were consumed by the memory of the blue-eyed girl he had encountered earlier. He cursed himself for not gathering more information about her, including her name. Suddenly, an intrusive thought invaded his mind, envisioning her in a state of bliss beneath him.

"No, no... I shouldn't be thinking like that. She looks so young, probably just a couple of years older than Hannah," he scolded himself, attempting to shake off the inappropriate images flashing in his mind. But the allure of her creamy white skin persisted, tempting him with its imagined softness.

"How lovely it would feel to caress her skin," the thought tantalized him, fueling his inner turmoil.

"Damn," he muttered, frustrated by his inability to control his thoughts. He desperately wanted to banish such inappropriate fantasies from his mind, especially in broad daylight.

Before long, he felt an uncomfortable tightness in his pants, a physical reminder of his unwelcome arousal.

"f**k," he cursed under his breath, his agitation mounting.

"Did you say something, Sir?" his secretary inquired, noticing his distress through the rearview mirror.

"Turn on the AC," Zane nearly snapped, his tone terse with frustration.

"The AC is already on, and the weather is quite pleasant today," his secretary thought, puzzled by Zane's sudden agitation. Nevertheless, he obediently adjusted the temperature lower, hoping to alleviate his discomfort.

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Hannah's eyes were glued to the TV, her smile wide as the familiar faces of BTS danced across the screen. The infectious energy of their music filled the room, her body swaying unconsciously to the rhythm. A knock on the door startled her, the vibrant world on screen momentarily replaced by the reality of her bedroom.

"Come in," she called out, her voice laced with a hint of surprise.

The door creaked open, revealing Zane, her older brother. A mischievous glint sparkled in his hazel eyes, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Hey, Princess," Zane greeted, his voice warm and teasing. Hannah loved that nickname, a secret title bestowed upon her by Zane years ago. It was a reminder of the unique bond they shared. Zane spoiled her rotten, but more importantly, he cherished her with the unwavering love of a father.

"Zane!" she exclaimed, her smile widening even further. The sight of her favorite brother ignited a spark of contentment within her.

"What are you watching, Princess?" Zane inquired, amusement dancing in his voice. He knew exactly what was on the screen. The vibrant colors and catchy music were a dead giveaway.

"A-uh... nothing," Hannah stammered, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Caught red-handed enjoying her favorite K-pop group, she felt a pang of self-consciousness. With a flick of the remote, the TV screen flickered to black, the playful energy of the music replaced by an awkward silence.

Zane's smile softened at his sister's flustered reaction. He knew how much BTS meant to her, the joy and inspiration they brought into her life. He wouldn't tease her about it, not really.

"So," Zane began, his voice gentle, "I have a gift for my favorite princess."

The mention of a gift sent a jolt of excitement through Hannah. Her eyes widened, and a bounce returned to her step. "Really? What is it? Where is it?" she peppered him with questions, her voice filled with anticipation.

Zane chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Hmmm, let's see," he said, pulling a small, wrapped box from behind his back. "Here it is. Maybe the princess can guess first what's inside?"

"Give it to me," Hannah demanded, reaching out to snatch the gift from Zane's grasp.

"Not so easily, princess," Zane teased, playfully pulling the gift just out of her reach, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"ZANE," Hannah protested, her impatience growing as she became increasingly desperate to lay claim to her precious gift.

"Haha, here it is, princess," Zane spoke warmly, handing the gift back to Hannah. With eager anticipation, Hannah quickly opened it and delicately retrieved the necklace. As her eyes fell upon the piece of jewelry, they glistened with tears of joy. The words inscribed on the necklace brought a radiant smile to her face.

"Thank you, Brother, it's so pretty," she said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude as she tightly embraced him.

Zane couldn't help but think of the blue-eyed girl who had unknowingly inspired this heartfelt gesture. It was all thanks to her that he was able to bring a genuine smile to his little sister's face.