The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

On the other side of town, Vivienne sat contentedly in the car, having just polished off a luscious strawberry cheesecake that Percival had brought her.

With a full belly, she finally remembered the matter at hand.

“So, you mentioned you had a crucial video conference tonight. What’s got you swinging by all of a sudden?” Vivienne leaned in, eyeing Percival curiously.

Percival, driving with his usual cool demeanor, cleared his throat. “That conference is nothing compared to you.”

“I never told you where I was heading today,” Vivienne said with a teasing smile, though Percival felt a chill run down his spine at her grin.

Exhaling softly, Percival eased the car to a stop in front of a bustling steakhouse, turned to Vivienne, and said, “I got a call from Kenneth about you being at Elite University, so I thought I’d check on you.”

Vivienne rubbed her temples, somewhat exasperated. “Aaron’s just a kid. Why are you always so concerned with him?”

Percival parked the car and looked at her, “I simply can’t stand any man coveting you, even if that man is just a boy.”

Vivienne gazed at Percival. She had always heard that a man in jealousy was at his most handsome, but she had not expected it to be this striking! Could it be that because the man was Percival, he appeared so irresistibly dashing?

He was so handsome, and she loved it!

Percival playfully tapped Vivienne’s nose. “Let’s go have your favorite beef stew.”

Vivienne wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a firm kiss on his lips before cheerily hopping out of the car.

The kiss left Percival breathless, wishing for another.

Vivienne thought to herself, “Opportunities like this don’t come often!”

As they sat down to the bubbling hot pot, Vivienne devoured the meal with gusto.

“Mr. Wolf, I’ll be heading to Mara’s place tomorrow to treat her injury. Wait for my signal,” she said, gobbling down a piece of tripe.

Percival, ever so composed, wiped a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth and said, “Understood.”

Vivienne’s lips curled into a sly smile; she was eager to see what was really going on.

apartment door, only to be greeted

you doing here?” She

“Vivienne, I’m here to fix the computer for

Mara called out, “Vivienne? Come in. I’m

brows rose inquisitively. A

it’s not what you think,

for the

spilled some soy milk during breakfast, so I went to rinse off. Please don’t misunderstand,” Mara explained with a

Aaron and made her way straight to Mara. “Did you touch your

was something between Vivienne and Aaron, and Vivienne

Aaron and then turned to Vivienne, “No,

in the bedroom?” Vivienne asked,

felt the drop in temperature and grew uneasy. Every time Vivienne was upset in his presence,

for me. Thanks for your help,” Mara said sweetly, adjusting her towel before giving Aaron a reassuring

awkwardly, avoiding Vivienne’s

Mara address Aaron so familiarly sent a

grabbed her medical kit and

to change in the bedroom. Where do

red. “I…

laughed softly. “I’ll go

and sat on the bed.

at her, then looked away.

Aaron were close. I

faint smile playing on her

simply naive, but she had

to Mara’s face, Vivienne asked, “Did you drink

Mara blinked in confusion.

scar. “Trying to light up the whole forest with your green glow,

are you talking about? What forest?”

Mara’s scar, Mara screamed in pain. “What are you doing? It

things. “Beauty comes at

was being forcibly molded back together, a tormenting blend of pain and itchiness as if countless ants crawled

to my face? I agreed to let

for Mara’s reaction, and casually played a game of Tetris on her phone while sending a message