Chapter 16: There is no choice Angel

"Daddy, do not talk to Mommy like that." Seren jumped to her mother's defense, bringing joyful tears to her eyes.

'I knew she was my daughter,' Winter sobbed in her heart as she adored her young soldier.

Kalix gazed at his daughter with bewilderment. Seren expressed her anger to him for the first time since they met.

He wasn't complaining, but he didn't anticipate her shielding her mother from him.

"S-star I'm not upset with Mommy. I am merely concerned." Kalix attempted to rationalize his behavior, which worked on her to some extent and caused her to relax.

Winter, too, realized the situation and butted in. "Star, Daddy is not being rude," she added, coaxing her daughter further.

Seren looked at her parents and hummed. She dropped her cute, outraged attitude and returned to sitting on her father's lap.

Winter looked at Kalix, implying a later conversation, and he nodded.

The trio then walked to the dining table to eat dinner. Keeping their daughter in mind, none of them discussed any disagreements and finished their dinner on a positive note.

Rubbing her eyes, Seren remarked, "Daddy, I'm sleepy."

As drowsiness set in, Winter watched her daughter rest her head on Kalix's chest and shut her eyes.

"Let me put her to bed," Winter insisted.

Kalix consented, and she carried Seren to their bedroom. After tucking her into bed, she returned only to find Kalix waiting for her.

Winter paused outside the room, her gaze drawn to his authoritative posture as he sat on the couch. Her stomach churned in an unusual way as his gaze never left her.

Winter stepped forward, only to see him pat the seat next to him on the couch. Even though it was a poor idea, her body obeyed him more than her intellect did. However, as soon as she bent to sit, Kalix grabbed her wrist and drew her toward him, compelling her to sit on his lap.

"Aeee..."

Winter was startled by the sudden encounter and shot him wide eyes before wiggling under his hands.

"What the hell, Kalix! Let me go." Winter whined, fighting to break free only to fail to fight a man twice her size.

"First, explain why you applied for jobs elsewhere but not with my company," he said, making her hesitate for a second. Her eyes softened with astonishment.

His hot breath fluttered over her skin as Kalix leaned nearer to her, sending her head spinning irrationally.

She was not accustomed to defending herself, particularly in front of strangers. But, knowing the man was serious about his previous remark, she decided to speak.

"I resigned from my previous job," she mumbled, lowering her gaze to his lips.

Winter felt her heart spring out of her mouth as soon as she saw him move his lips to speak.

"So you decided to stay back?" he inquired, his tone amazed, and she nodded absently, without diverting her gaze from his luscious lips.

Winter remembered how seductive his lips were, and being near to him brought those long-buried urges to the surface. Her Adam's apple moved unknowingly as she peered hopefully at his lips, her need growing with each passing second.

Kalix, on the other hand, noted her stillness despite being responsive, and the corners of his lips twisted into a smug smile.

His mind raced as ideas flowed through, and he placed his hand under her chin, forcing her to stare into his eyes.

Winter's eyelashes twitched in response to his intense look, and her lips quivered at the thought of stealing a kiss from him.

Something was definitely happening to her. This man was so fascinating that, despite her attempts to challenge him, she was irresistibly drawn to him.

Deep within, she questioned whether she had made the correct decision in giving him the opportunity to court her, for as far as she knew, she was already on her knees even without any chasing.

"Then why not stay back at my place and work for me?" Kalix inquired, seizing the opportunity to capitalize on her stupor.

His charisma utterly captivated Winter, but as soon as he said those words, the bubble burst and she snapped out.

"No," she said, causing him to grimace.

Kalix believed he had complete control over everything, so he decided to entice Winter into accepting his offer. She abruptly rejected him despite his thorough presentation.

In response, Kalix released his hold on her waist, allowing her to take a seat in the far corner of the couch.

'This man is deadly,' she muttered, running her fingers across her lips.

Kalix scooted up to her, leaving her mouth open and smiling.

"Why? Why don't you want to work together with me?" He questioned, coming closer to her until their faces were only a few inches apart.

Winter had no idea what was wrong with this man, but then she remembered her earlier statements and mentally scolded herself.

'You should not have agreed, Winter. This man is on the move to sweep you off your feet.'

Winter breath clung to the idea of their closeness, which moved her heart. She wanted to keep her distance, but this man was not in the mood to do so.

In an effort to calm her nerves, Winter blinked her eyes and looked at him with a steady gaze before stuttering."My choice"

Kalix smirked, reaching to tuck the loose hair from her face before bringing it to nest beneath her chin. "Walang choice, Angel (There is no choice, Angel). I don't let my woman work for anyone else," he replied, prompting her brows to furrow in anger.

"And who says I'm your woman? I have not even accepted your proposal, nor have I allowed anyone to decide for me. Winter firmly stated, "I'll decide where I'll work and for whom."

She was never under anyone's control. She made her own decisions and was not required to follow anyone's orders.

Quick as a flash, Kalix pounded her against the armrest, his intense proximity threatening to pull her off her guard.

"And I don't take a no as an answer." His eyes glisten with a hint of darkness, prompting her to swallow the lump in her throat.

Winter had already seen a hint of coldness, but before she could react, a smile stretched across his lips and then he said…

"Try applying anywhere; in the end, you will work with me," he remarked, perplexing her with his claim.

She blinked several times to get her thoughts straight, and when she did, she saw that something was looming as a threat to her confidence.