Chapter Forty Two

Stephen intentionally neglected her. He didn't give her a chance to speak either. During the drive home. he always looked tough and cold, like a messenger from hell. "So... Can you pull over?" Brielle said weakly. She needed time to gather her strength. The oppressive atmosphere was keeping her from the normally stoic composure that fitted her rank as a colonel.

Stephen finally turned to look at her, but his cold eyes only made her squirm even more. All of a sudden, her nose felt stuffy. She bit her lip and tore at the corner of her mouth. If she weren't worried about her reputation in the military, she wouldn't be in his car right now.

"Something's up." While Brielle already gave up hope on getting his attention, she heard a few words quietly drift past her ears. The car slowly pulled over. "Give me some money." Brielle reached out her fair hand in front of Stephen as if he was supposed to offer something. She felt embarrassed that she brought Ariel to the store without even taking her wallet along. Now things were awkward.

Stephen pulled out his wallet in confusion and passed it to her. Why did she suddenly start asking him for money? 'Quite unusual,' Stephen thought. 'She's not trying to calm me down, she asking for cash.' It was a good way to change the topic, he admitted to himself.

Brielle opened the wallet. This guy has so many cards, but there are no bills.' It seemed that he always paid with cards. Things like cash were inconsequential to him. "Um... You don't have any money!" Brielle said reluctantly. She furrowed her brows, hoping that the shops would take the cards.

"Woman -- are you speaking to me? When have I ever been broke? Anyone of the cards here can buy you an entire department store." Stephen's heartless voice grew closer. he immediately grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace. her tender lips found his as well. This kiss was not smooth. It was more like biting with anger.

"Hm..." Brielle opened her eyes wide, trying her hardest to get away, but in return, he just held her more forcefully. Stephen channeled his anger into this deep kiss. It was for all her distrust in the past, for her dinner date with some other man when he was the one who concerned about her. He bit on her lips hard. His tongue pushed past her teeth as she groaned in pain. A ferocious wave of heat violently robbed her weakened breath.

"Hmm... Hurts..." When he harshly bit on the tip of her tongue again, Brielle chastised his savagery with her eyes wide open. "Now you know it hurts! Tell me, why did you leave without a word? Why didn't you trust me?" Stephen began breathing even more rapidly. he tried to suppress the feelings that she brought out of him.

"I..." Brielle looked up at him. Her pink lips were swollen because of his bites. her tender face was blushing red. Seeing her like this, Stephen moved to kiss her again, but this time without the earlier violence. Instead, he was gently suckling her sweet scent.

The dazed Brielle was feeling a warmth building in her body. It was not until his hand suddenly reached into her underwear and onto her breast that she abruptly realized her situation. "Don't ..." She grabbed his hand in a panic and looked outside the car. She was relieved when she found out that no one noticed them.

Stephen helped her smooth out the clothes he rushed, feeling slightly amused. he then swiped her hair behind her back and held her face in his hands. Her eyes could not escape his. "In your opinion, am I such a bastard who's not worth your trust? Huh?" After the intense kissing, Stephen was not angry anymore, but it didn't mean that he calmed down entirely.

Brielle was forced to look Stephen in the eye. She did not understand what he meant. Could she be wrong? Could it be that nothing was going on between Stephen and the girl? But she saw it with her own eyes.

"She is a pretty girl and a suitable match for you." Brielle felt as if her heart were bleeding with pain. "Brielle, are you trying to piss me off? Cause if you are, then you've done it. I need to teach you a lesson." Stephen tightened his grasp on Brielle, holding her chin gently, his deep eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

"I..." Looking at Stephen's fierce expression, Brielle was scared. Her tongue was knotted and she could not utter a single word. "Say it! Huh? Who is a suitable match for me?" Stephen's handsome face turned very angry. 'Brielle, I don't care if you love me or not, but you shouldn't have pushed me away. Did my promises seem so ridiculous to you? Didn't they arouse any passion in your heart?'

"Stephen, let go of me. You were the one who broke our rules. I told you to stay away from other women in the first place, but you held her in your arms for such a long time." Brielle shook off his hands, looking exasperated. 'He's not the only one with a temper! I have a temper, too!' Stephen was taken aback, but instead of feeling angry, he was somehow amused. he stroked her lips, pursed in anger.

"So you were jealous? Stephen smiled temptingly, casting amorous glances at Brielle. "Humph! I wasn't jealous at all. I just didn't want to interrupt you -- you were so intimate with each other." 'Yes, she was jealous. but she would never reveal it to him.'

"Oh, dear! You're so cute. She's only my friend's sister. Not even worth your jealousy." Stephen teasingly patted her on the head. Her jealously only proved that she still cared about him. "Um..." Brielle was quite speechless. Why did he always embarrass her? "Cat got your tongue? Why aren't you saying anything?" His anger gone, he began tapping the steering wheel rhythmically with his slim fingers. Brielle rolled her eyes: Yes, the cat has my tongue. 'A big, amorous cat in art,' she thought.

"Give me a moment. I'll just be back..." Brielle got out of the cat without finishing the sentence and trotted towards the bakery down the street. Stephen wondered where she was headed, as it possible that she would run away from him.

Brielle began to select some cakes and beverages after she confirmed that she could pay the bill by card. She picked out several pieces of mousse cakes, a cup of coffee, and a carton of milk. When Brielle reached back at the car, loaded with the supplies, she beckoned Stephen to open the front door.

Stephen glanced at her with a strange look. he was genuinely surprised that she had not run away. "Here, take this. And now, I will drive." Brielle ordered him while stuffing all the things she had bought, and his wallet, in his hands.

"What are you doing?" Stephen frowned, reluctantly taking the stuff while getting out of the driving seat. "I've brought you food, I am sure that you have not had dinner yet," replied Brielle raising her perfect eyebrows.

Stephen flashed his trademark grin and innocently asked, "My love, are you worrying about me? And how did you know that I had not had my dinner yet?"

"If you had your dinner, you wouldn't be so angry," Brielle complained while getting in the car. She reckoned that Stephen had immediately rushed to the military district while still talking to Ariel on the phone. And then he had waited there for three hours, during which he had not eaten anything as there was nothing there to eat.

Stephen looked at her shopping and was surprised to see the cakes. he selected one and took a dainty little bite. Although he was not a big fan of matcha mousse cakes, he found that he could tolerate this one. "Do you like it? Ariel loves this flavor, so I thought you'd find it good too." Brielle expectantly looked at Stephen and her normal icy look melted.

"Hmmm...I like it. here, try it for yourself." Stephen said putting the cake to her lips and signaling her to open her mouth. Brielle blushed. She felt awkward as Stephen has already bitten the cake. It would be like an indirect kiss! She did not like cakes but still took a bite when Stephen encouraged her with his eyes.

Stephen had done this on purpose as he thought that the frustrated look on her face broke her icy demeanor making her seem more alive. Brielle was able to drive smoothly even in the densely populated city center. Her adept driving skills impressed him.

Satisfied that she could handle his beloved car well, he leaned back in the seat and studied her with his deep eyes. he found Brielle deep eyes. he found Brielle attractive and charming. She could maintain proper distance without being ruthless. At this moment, he found himself fall in love with the serenity she brought. Simply sitting beside her gave him a sense of relief.

The flickering lights in downtown and the intoxicating scene at night were appealing. Shortly, the luxurious Range Rover gently pulled into the temporary parking lot inside the villa and parked smoothly in one go. Brielle turned to look at Stephen. His eyes were closed. She could not be sure if he was sleeping or had just closed his eyes. She had noticed him staring at her during the drive but didn't dare to respond to his eyes.

"Are we home?" Stephen opened his eyes when he felt that Brielle was unsure of what to do next. "Hmm... Are you tired?" Brielle frowned as she asked him. "Nah, I was just sorting out things in my head," Stephen replied smiling at her concern. he had been thinking about her relationship with Adam. It was obvious that Adam liked her very much. But what about her? Did she have the same feelings towards him? If so, then why had she accepted his request in the first place?

Brielle looked at him but then got out of the car without saying a word. She was not interested in what was going on in his mind. And it was also not her decision to be made. She had to admit that her recklessness and failure to analyze the reliability of the matter had caused the misunderstanding. But she firmly believed that she was not at fault as no one would have thought differently in the situation.

Stephen was confused about her behavior. She had suddenly turned cold and unapproachable, when just a second before, she had been gentle and concerned about him. Stephen sighed and got out of the car. Sometimes women changed their moods faster than one could turn the pages of a book! Before he had a chance to react, Brielle had already run inside the villa.

Stephen speechlessly shook his head wondering why she was so afraid of being alone with him. It was not as if he would eat her alive! "Mrs. Chu, welcome back." The stewardess greeted Brielle the moment she stepped in, wondering why she was walking so fast. Was someone chasing her?

"Your young master is on his way. Please prepare some food for him." Brielle knew that Stephen had eaten only a small piece of cake and a cup of coffee, without touching the milk. "Yes, Mrs. Chu. I will immediately go and get some food." Stephen said as he entered the villa. he felt good knowing that Brielle was concerned about him.

"You are lying. When did I get angry with you?" Avoiding direct conflicts with him and being gentle were the best ways to calm him down. Stephen was satisfied with her actions. he took her into his arms. She squirmed and got out of his arms. Why did Stephen like to hugs so much! He did not mind the maids watching their intimate interactions but she did!

"I need to check whether Ariel has slept or not." She said quickly running to the stairs. Stephen followed her steps and headed to his room to take a shower. It was the first thing he needed to do whenever he got back home, to keep his mind sane.