Waiting For This Day 1

Selina was about to escape the hotel with her father after their dinner and exciting moments together when Damien approached her, requesting that she follow him at his boss's demand. The intense curiosity about why he wanted to see her made her accept without hesitation.

She thought that she could use this opportunity to have a proper, casual conversation with him.

She was eager to find out if he was still the same cold yet gentle man she had been waiting for him over three years. Had time softened his reserve or reinforced it?

As the car pulled up in the spacious vicinity, Selina stepped out of the back seat into the dark atmosphere. The cool breeze swept past her skin, wrapping her in uncertainty about Mr. Zane's intention to see her alone in an unfamiliar place.

She could barely see anything around her, but it felt lonely and quiet.

When she spotted Damien heading into the mansion's grand entrance, Selina quickened her pace to follow him. They both stepped inside the house, illuminated by the chandelier above, which showcased the mansion's sophisticated and intricate design.

Still trailing behind Damien, Selina ascended the staircase, her heels clicking against the tiled stairs. They arrived in front of a partially open door.

"Mr. Zane is waiting for you," Damien said, gesturing toward the room.

Selina's heart skipped a beat as nervousness crept in.

To confirm her understanding, Selina asked, "You mean he is in there waiting for me, not in the living room?"

"Yes, Miss Selina. You can't keep him waiting any longer," Damien replied before walking away.

Selina glanced back and noticed Damien exiting the lonely mansion. She never expected to meet the same man she had been secretly crushing on in such a private setting. A rush of wild and naughty thoughts began to tease her mind, prompting her to shake her head.

No! Don't get ahead of yourself, Selina! She was reprimanding herself.

Taking a deep, calming breath, Selina knocked on the door and pushed it open with a soft creak, entering into the sweet scents of the room, which smelled like lavender mixed with alcohol. The neat tiles beneath her heels echoed her presence as she cautiously advanced into the spacious, furnished room.

Zane didn't move at first, as if he had missed her presence. He stood before the transparent window, his hands sliding into his pockets.

She wondered what view outside captivated him. His tall frame appeared striking, with his perfect, well-built physique visible to her gaze.

She envisioned his broad chest and abs, imagining how flawless and sexy they must feel. She felt her body wanting to clash with his, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat and absorbing the heat emanating from him.

Her fingers tingled with anticipation, and a soft giggle escaped her lips as her cheeks flushed red at the thought of his intoxicating scent.

"You're here," Zane's cold voice cut through the air, interrupting her fantasy.

"Yes, Mr. Zane! I'm here," Selina responded instinctively.

Silence fell between them, heavy with the embarrassment that hung in the air, accompanied by Zane's incredulous raised eyebrow directed at her.

A subtle, forced grin settled on her lips as she glanced away, feeling her self-consciousness and pride shatter, leaving her feeling ashamed and exposed under his intense gaze.

He hadn't noticed her reactions, had he?

"Are you all right?" Zane asked, eyeing her closely, and Selina nodded sheepishly. The hunger in her eyes from earlier was now replaced with embarrassment.

"Yes, I'm okay," Selina managed to say, trying to maintain her composure. "You were enjoying the night view, and I didn't want to interrupt you."

"I see. Your consideration for my serenity left you drooling," Zane pointed out, gesturing at the corner of her lips, which sent Selina's eyes widening in shock.

Letting out an awkward chuckle, she wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. "I can't be drooling while I'm awake. It was... It was...just a slip from the drink I had earlier," she stuttered, meeting his skeptical gaze.

How could she let her infatuation make her seem foolish?

The drooling! He should have pretended not to see it! That was too embarrassing; she scolded herself internally.

Zane wondered if this innocent girl was falling for his perfect physique. He doubted she was one of those bold-pervert girls who expertly undressed handsome men in their imagination.

With his curious eyes still fixed on her awkward response, Zane noticed her reddened cheeks, which he found surprisingly adorable, like a cute child.

His gaze dropped to her dress, and he noticed the stain was still there. "My invitation did put you into a humiliating situation earlier. I hope you're not dwelling in it?"

"No, I'm not dwelling in it," Selina answered as she shook her head with a slight smile.

She walked past the low table that contained an alcohol bottle, drinking in half, as she was striding towards him. When she approached him, her small figure halted beside his towering frame as she gazed out of the window.

She noticed there was no enchantment outside, except darkness that clouded every corner of the mansion grounds.

"At least I was able to meet him after eight months, and I had fun with him. Thank you," she added, allowing herself to be entangled in the intoxicating scent of the alcohol around him.

She barely remembered the previous incident because the time she spent with her father had filled that void.

Zane wasn't surprised by Selina's words because, during his background check on Hudson, he had almost missed that Hudson had another daughter apart from Clarissa. She was the outcast and estranged daughter of the Everett.

If not, he sees them share a heartfelt moment in the pub at night several times. He almost mistook Hudson to be her sugar daddy until he heard her call him Father.

"It seems you owe me a favor for reuniting you and your father," said Zane.

Selina slowly drifted her attention from the scenario and stared at him in disbelief. "How did you know it was my father I'm referring to?" She asked with a hint of unease simmering beneath her voice.

"I see," Zane muttered while his intense eyes locked onto her confused gaze. "Do you think if the world doesn't recognize you as Hudson's daughter, you can escape the doom that awaits you for being his blood?" his voice dripped with unwavering grudge and foreboding.

Selina's eyes moved sideways in shock and bewilderment about what he meant. "I'm not hiding being my father's daughter. I'm only forbidden to mention my connections with him," she replied.

She noticed her reply constricted his expression, and she wasn't able to discern the intense mixed emotions that lay beneath his icy gaze, looking menacing.

Zane let out a disdainful snort while he took a calculating step closer to her, and she retreated. "It's intriguing and hellish to have Hudson's daughter tonight to taste my retribution," he declared.

He never expected Selina to be that monster daughter, and right now, his thoughts were disoriented to do so many ungodly things to her. One that will be her nightmare.

Selina gulped down dry as she felt a lump in her throat. Her heart drummed loudly against her chest, reaching her ears at the sudden menacing air clouding him.

"Wh.at…retribution…are you talking about?" Selina stammered, still retreating, and Zane continued to catch up with her pace.

With his lips curved in a slight sneer, Zane uttered. "You don't understand how desperate I've been waiting for this day… to torture you as you will cry and beg for my mercy relentlessly."

"But I haven't wronged you either for me to be tortured by you." She attempted to sound confident in an unsettling atmosphere and only prayed he wouldn't hurt her.

"As long as your father wronged me, so did you. It will hurt a lot receiving his retribution," Zane remarked with disdain dripping in his voice.

"What wrong did he do for me to pay for something I'm not certain of?" Selina inquired.

"Disrobe," he commanded, his words landing like a bombshell.

Selina's eyes fluttered open, stunned.

Selina froze, blinking blankly as if she had misheard him. As his command still lingered around her, she realised she had never misheard him.

"Seriously, Mr. Zane? Why would I undress in front of you? I'm not doing that!" Her voice, defiant but laced with uncertainty, only seemed to provoke him further.

She quickly turned, hoping to escape. Her fingers brushed the doorknob, but before she could make her move, his grip tightened around her wrist, pulling her back with unyielding force.

Selina's back collided with the wall as her breath hitched, holding his unyielding stare. The proximity was intense, and his heat engulfed her, causing her pulse to quicken.

"Let go of me, Mr. Zane. I'm not ready for whatever you want to do with me," she rasped, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had longed for a passionate moment with him, but just not like this.

His cold eyes pierced through her. There was no hint of desire, only something dark and unforgiving, a threat that lingered in the air between them.

Zane lifted her chin, his gaze heavy with intent, coaxing her to meet his eyes. "You don't need to be read, or in the mood to feel how hellish this will be."

Selina clutched her fist at the side, feeling a lump form in her throat. She knew there was no escape tonight, no defiance that could change this.

His eyes burned with something she couldn't comprehend, but knew she couldn't fall prey to it. She needed to tame that because this was her first time.

What could she do? Think, Selina.

Her thoughts scrambled as his eyes continued to search hers, unreadable and impatient for her to carry out his demand

Then, an idea struck her after a brief research. It felt absurd, but in the chaos of the moment, she clung to it, hoping it might work.