Chapter 7: Devy

In the previous life, my boyfriend Tim Prats distanced himself from me after the rumors came out. When I was disowned by my family and went to ask for his help, he refused and broke up with me right away which I admit doubled my resentment. I was angry and clung to him like a clingy ex but was humiliated even more when my brother used means to have Tim spend a hot night with him. Out of guilt, and probably budding love (who knows), Tim became lovers with him and protected my 'innocent' brother from my 'claws'. My 'friends', seeing the tables have turned, ignored me and rode on my brother's coattails, all the while stomping on me just to please him and preventing me to rise up and save myself.

It was a very miserable life. I have my share of wrong doings since I'm not perfect but I don't think I deserve that kind of treatment. Thankfully, I had this chance. Thankfully I lived and went back in time.

As for this soon-to-be ex-boyfriend... "Why are you calling me?" I asked, pressing the record call button.

"I... I think we need space." He started.

"Yeah," I nodded. I want a space as wide as the Milky Way.

"Our love won't work if you don't let me help you, and instead use those means to prove yourself."

"Yeah," I agreed, uninterested in his monolog.

"You don't even trust me, it's best if we break up and live our lives. Maybe you'll find someone better than me." He continued.

"Yeah!" I energetically answered this time. Man, this is the only right thing he mentioned.

His patience must have run low by now, "I'm serious, Devy. Don't come running to me in the future now. You're on your own. Besides, how could you hurt your family who were only trying to protect you."

Heh. So this is the reason. My brother ran to him instead. "Yeah," I answer listlessly again. "I won't look for you, don't worry. And oh, tell my brother who's right beside you that the court approved the cases I've filed against those who tried to slander me and I also tipped the police about his underground gambling den early this morning. He might want to check if the place's still running."

I heard a glass breaking from the other side, like a cup accidentally falling. My mood got better and I cut the call right away, not forgetting to block the unfamiliar number for mental health and safety purposes.

I laughed like crazy after doing that and rolled on the bed, skillfully wrapping myself in a cocoon of blankets. "Hah! Can't breathe! How do I free myself?"

Just then, a knock came on the door. I didn't react and waited for the person to speak, but no one did. The knock came again and I sighed when I still couldn't pull myself out of my own mess. All the hairs on my body stood to end when the knockings stopped but the sound of a key being inserted on the keyhole echoed in the silent atmosphere.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

My eyes watered and I almost cried when the door really opened. My heart did pound so fast that I don't know if it cured or worsened my bradycardia, and I sweated a lot of cold sweats.

The door opened slowly and the familiar build of a man in a suit entered the dimly lit room. He was carrying a traveling suitcase in one hand while the other's holding a paper bag which must contain food for the mouthwatering aroma traveled all the way to the pitiful me.

"Are you asleep?" He softly asked, putting his things down gently on the table. He removed his suit and tie, placed them neatly on the chair and walked up to the bed.

Then he laughed.

"You!" I was already crying.

He was still laughing, helplessly trying to undo the cocoon blankets on me. I was rolled here and there, sobbing. I was so damn scared a burglar or a pervert may have gotten in and I couldn't even protect myself. It's good that it was Reese, but does he have to act like a thief? He could've yelled to notify me, and how the heck did he get the key?

Ah, billionaires.

When he was done unwrapping the Devy-gift he then wrapped me in his arms. "Why are you crying? Were you scared? Who told you to leave without telling me about it? Do you think a simple note you left would assure me?" He slapped my butt lightly making me flinch. "Look, if I hadn't come to see you, would you be able to unwrap yourself from that pile? Hm? Still going away without a word?" He slapped my butt again, this time with a little force making me cry out.

"I'm sorry," I cried.

"I asked you," his big hand fell on my butt again, a little harder.

"No, I won't do it again. I'll tell you when I leave." I stopped his arm trying to spank me again, "I'll be good."

He hummed, hands massaging the backside he just spanked. "Tell me what you want to do in the future, alright? My money and power is not just for show. I can help you if you ask me. I can even go with you if I am free. Just tell me so I'll know where you are. Like now, you keep putting yourself in danger. You don't even think about what might happen if it wasn't me outside the door."

"I'm sorry, Reese." I hung my arms around his neck, face buried in his chest. "Forgive me?" I looked up at him pitifully.

"What else can I do but forgive you?" He sighed, burying his face on my neck and biting it lightly. This time I could even feel a slight tremor in his body, making me confused as to why he seemed to care about my little escape. "Naughty baby. I'll really spank you if I find you in harms way again. Get it?" I nodded obediently. "Now tell me, why and how did you manage to wrap yourself like that?"

I was silent for a while, thinking about whether to finally tell him about my problems. I'm a little afraid that he'll be like Tim as well, gradually distancing himself from me once he realized I wasn't worth it.

But... In my previous life, he knew about my scandals. He knew more than this one scandal I am currently facing. Yet he still reached out to me. He wanted to help me and even sent people to try and help me. Won't that automatically mean he'll be able to accept me right here and now? And besides, I have a gut feeling that this man fell in love with me. Any way you look at it, all those actions can only be done when deep feelings are involved. I don't think it was gratitude, it can only be affection.

The question is... when? Have we met before? Even now, in this life, when I first met him. His constant display of affection and care overflows no matter how hard he tries to suppress it.

For now I'll trust my gut and come clean. All the other problems that may arise, I'll work on it when the time comes.

"I was happy," I started. He raised his head and stared at me deeply. "My boyfriend called-Ah!" My eyes watered when another smack hit my butt, this time with real force. I stared at his darkening eyes and felt suffocated as it held me down along with his tightening embrace. Still, I continued, "He called to break up with me."

The suffocating aura I felt emanated all of a sudden, but he still held me tight. "You were happy?" He asked, eyes shining.

"I am. I was rolling on the bed for a long time and didn't notice I was already stuck. I only found out just before you knocked."

His naughty hands started massaging my stinging butt, and I softly moaned. He stopped, breathing deeply. "Why? Why are you so happy?" He asked again.

"He's not a good man. When I was faced with a dilemma he distanced himself and didn't want to be involved, not even wanting to help. Now that I know his true self, I'm glad that he initiated severing ties with me because I no longer want him to be in my life." I explained simply, waiting for his reaction.

He smiled gently, making me think the dominant man earlier was just a figment of my imagination. "My baby did great. You don't need a man like that. You don't need anyone else, you have me."

I giggled, "I know. Would you like to listen to my recording?" I opened the recording app and clicked the newest one. Our call earlier played and he laughed with me when it ended. "How was it? Did I do well?"

He chuckled, pushing me down the bed making me lie on my back before climbing on top of me like a predator stalking his prey. I swallowed the non-existent lump in my throat and readily embraced him when he finally laid on top of me.

"My baby did so well I want to reward him..." He whispered breathing down gently on my neck. "What does my baby want? Hm?" He asked, lips skimming down my throat making me shiver.

I gasped and held him tight. "Anything."

His dark eyes met mine and finally gave in. His lips captured mine heatedly and I tried my best to keep up with his rhythm. By this time I was sure that the man does have feelings for me. As for when it started and how, I knew it may have been way back then that even I forgot about it.

The kiss entangled both of us longer than normal, and heated my abnormally cold physique. I moaned and warned him not to leave any marks when he started nipping on my shoulders.

"But I have to give my baby some strawberries."

I flushed even more upon hearing that. I shyly lifted up my shirt and invited him in, "Leave it where no one will see. I have a shoot tomorrow."

The fire in his eyes burned even more and he wasted no time diving in, making me regret my shameless offer when I woke up the next morning with a swollen breast.