Ch. 221..230
Chapter 221
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Silver Flake airport, Paris. Local time is 13:00pm (GMT +2) and the temperature is mostly cloudy. Feels like 60.80°F/16°C. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened, until the captain turns off the FASTEN SEAT BELT sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and it is safe for you to move about. Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted during the flight. If you require deplaning assistance, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. A crew member will assist you.
On behalf of Bentley continental aircraft, Airlines and the crew would like to thank you for joining us on this trip, and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice stay."
Soon, Talia had led Jephthah outside the airport with their things being pushed in a large trolley by Jephthah.
"I instructed Ann to meet us here so she could pick us up." She murmured as she narrowed her eyes, searching through the crowd for a familiar person.
Ann was the personal assistant manager, who happened to be HER personal assistant.
"You wouldn’t be able to see her properly with those dark shades you’re putting on." Jephthah pointed out.
"There are about a million people here, and I don’t doubt that half the crowd wouldn’t want to start a massacre when I take it off." She explained while rolling her eyes, but they widened on seeing the familiar purple colored bob hair cut in the crowd.
She knew Ann usually wore that when she in disguise, because if she didn’t, everyone would recognize her as Talya’s personal assistant and start asking questions.
Ann turned, and Jephthah cringed on seeing a young woman wearing huge sunglasses that shielded half her face. Where do they find these type of sunglasses?!
As she approached them, Talya stretched out her arms and she leaped into them.
"Do you know how long I’ve waited to return into your comforting arms again. I’ve f**king missed you, you brat! And It’s not like we even get in touch very often. It’s like when you leave Paris, boom!, you suddenly disappear, or maybe you start a new life or something."
She talked really fact due to anxiety and over excitement, and didn’t even notice Jephthah who was scrutinizing her from behind, wondering how she could say so many words under three seconds.
"Ann? Give me my breathing space. I’ve also missed you too. More than you have, but you don’t see me rapping about it."
Ann pouted. For a nineteen year old, it was hard to tell she was older than Talia.
"You left me all alone with Grumpy Max, and he even turned worse than a monster when you were supposed to arrive a week ago and didn’t, I got your suite ready and everything, I even... "
"Ann. Let’s get into the car and leave before people start getting suspicious, and my legs are completely jet lagged. You can tell me all about Max later." Talia sighed as she held her aching head, but just as Ann made to pull out her car keys, Talia suddenly turned and grabbed Jephthah’s arm.
"Oh. I forgot to mention. My boyfriend decided to tag along with me. He’ll be staying with me in my suite though," She turned to Jephthah. "Jephthah this is Annabelle, my personal assistant and bestie. Ann, this is Jephthah... my boyfriend."
Ann was visibly drooling over him. How was this guy’s face structure and everything perfect. From his thick locks of brown hair, down to his f**king hot jawline, he looked like a prince.
And those violet eyes...
"Ann." Talia snapped.
Ann suddenly snapped out of her daydream and wiped the wide of her lips to ensure she wasn’t actually drooling before turning to the pair.
Talia had a dark look on her face mixed with amusement in her eyes, while Jephthah looked flushed.
"Oh... I’m sorry. My bad," She tried chuckling. "It’s just that you’re so gorgeous and sexy like chocolate ice-cream and I’m already daydreaming about you."
Talia rolled her eyes. Ann will be Ann.
"Do you perhaps have a twin who’s single and ready to mingle?"
"Well... " He tried to find his voice, clearly not used to meeting a girl who was as straightforward and honest as she was. He liked her already and found her amusing than all other girls who would secretly admire him behind Talia’s back and make moves on him. "I have a twin, but he’s definitely not ready to mingle, at least not more than a night."
Ann’s lower lips dropped as she understood what he meant.
Talia chuckled before turning serious.
"Get the car keys and let’s get out of here before you think of doing anything else to my boyfriend."
*
The place was lively as Ann kept showing Jephthah around Paris as they drove down to Talia’s suite while Talia had her head on Jephthah’s shoulder as she slept while his arms was wrapped around her waist.
".... And that’s the popular la Tour Eiffel, ranks high on the list of places to visit in France and is the most-visited tourist attraction in the world."
Jephthah’s eyes grew wide with awe as he stared out.
"I’ve seen it many times in pictures, but I’ve never seen It in real life before.... wait, I see people up there. People actually climb that thing?"
Ann heartily chuckled.
"Yeah... that’s the best part... they take pictures and do other fun stuffs. Most proposals even happen there You said you’re here on a vacation. Maybe while Talia is busy with work, we can head there together."
"Are you asking my boyfriend on a date to the most romantic place in France?" Talia suddenly mumbled in her sleep, a frown on her face.
Ann nervously chuckled and Jephthah fondly ran his hands through her hair with a smile.
"Sorry. I just keep forgetting he’s your boyfriend because... " Suddenly her eyes grew wide and the two couples almost flew out the car from the back as she hit the brakes and the car screeched to an abrupt halt.
Luckily, they were riding on an empty estate road heading to the hotel, so no vehicle was passing by at that time.
"You have a boyfriend?!"
Chapter 222
Talia was completely in disbelief when she had told Ann that she had a boyfriend, and she had acted normally after that, like having a boyfriend while you were a Golden Elite Model was totally legal.
She assumed Ann was waiting for the right time to ask her about it since she felt Jephthah might not know, but how wrong she was!
She had forgotten about it and only remembered it just now.
Oh Gosh! What was she planning to do now?
"I told you like a few minutes ago." Talia reminded her, finally being forced to sit up and glare at her.
Ann’s huge eyes scanned them from behind her sunglasses, moving from Talia to Jephthah and back.
"We’re heading to your suite. Did you forget that... especially when you decided to bring him to Paris." Ann said worriedly.
"What is she talking about?" Jephthah innocently asked.
"Nothing," Talia replied as she gave Ann a knowing look which only they shared. "She’s talking about nothing."
Ann suddenly chuckled nervously as she turned to Jephthah who had suspicion exuding from his narrowed eyes.
"I was just reminding her that her modelling agency doesn’t allow anyone to live with their models."
It was also a rule, but it was better telling him this, than the other. Talia was not ready to let him know it yet until they’ve settled in.
"Oh." He turned to Talia. "It’s okay then. I wouldn’t want to complicate you. I’ll just stay in a hotel where... "
"No. We’ll figure out a way to do this."
"Do what?"
"Sneak you inside."
The othe two stared at her in disbelief.
"Talia. It’s okay ..."
"I don’t want to stay I’m the suite without you. I’m not going to see you for 11 months. I have to make this stay count."
Ann rolled her eyes as she resumed driving.
When did Talia turn to such a baby?
"Where’s Bubblegum?" Talia asked of her dog.
"She’s at the vet. I’ll get her when you’ve settled in."
"Okay then," Talia sighed, silently bracing herself as she spotted the name of the hotel from afar. GOLDEN ELITES SUITES AND APARTMENTS. "We’re here."
*
"What do you mean you’re giving me the suite on the East wing? I’ve been staying in the West wing side of the hotel for years." Talia complained with a dark expression.
The hotel manager who had been called down by the receptionist had a nervous look as he was berated by one of the top models who had returned and wanted to claim her rightful position in the hotel.
"I’m sorry Talya, but Maddy Belle already occupied the East wing a week ago."
Maddy Belle.
Talia’s eyes darkened. Her dark rival in Golden Elite agency, also a model.
Well, she couldn’t throw any further tantrums. It was her fault for coming a week late, and she was sure Maddy Belle wanted to start up a scene by intentionally taking her position.
If she did start reacting, she might implicate Jephthah. The receptionist and manager found it suspicious that she had her own personal guard who was going to be bringing her stuffs into her suite already, and she had to lead him up to her suite quickly or they might start asking more questions.
Ann returned to the reception.
"She refused to move. She said she came in here first, so she could take any suite which pleases her." She explained.
"Of course she did." Talia gritted her teeth before turning to Jephthah. They communicated a million messages with their eyes before he silently began pushing a trolley of their things behind her.
The trolley had a gold inscription of Golden Elite which was the sign of two female models carved at the side, standing back to back with their attires, curled around them, the G.E sign in-between them.
This was their logo.
"I swear to God, If I get my hands on Beatrice, she will suffer hell from me. Can you believe her slamming the door to my face. I was obviously talking to the model In the room and not her." Ann fumed.
Beatrice was Maddy Belle’s personal assistant.
"I don’t know what’s up with those two. They’re forgetting we’re in the same modelling agency. We can only act as competitors at work, but what’s wrong with being friends outside." Talia furiously wondered outloud. .
"Golden Elite let you guys stay here?" Jephthah noted as he stared around in awe. Paris was a beautiful place, why haven’t he thought of coming here... oh wait. He has never even thought of a vacation in his life.
John would have loved this place.
"Yes. We all have our suites, and our rents are being taken care of by them, which includes our meals and other expenses in the hotel. Any expenses spent outside the hotel is on us." Talia explained before they finally arrived at her suite.
Jephthah has seen luxury all his life. He even lived in a mansion bigger than her suite, but standing in the living room, staring around the small compartment, he felt that this place could put several mansions to shame.
From the furnitures, down to the paintings and statues used for decorations, everything was just too expensive to touch. Even he felt cautious around the place.
(The theme of the room was a light blue mixed with navy blue color. )
But he sure he would enjoy spending his vacation here, though he felt Talia was taking a lot of risk sneaking him inside.
He just hoped there wasn’t any rules which she has to break for him again. He might not be able to handle it and just go stay in another hotel.
Talia and Ann obviously needed their privacy, so he decided to call John and his father in the living room. After Alpha Kris must have confirmed that he and Talia had a safe flight, he urged him to have fun. A weird word which Jephthah was not accustomed to.
"I’ll try to dad." Jephthah nervously said, feeling a bit anxious when he heard the word ’fun."
"By fun, I mean going out there and doing things that would make you happy. It’s just one month, remember? Make your best out of it."
"Sure thing dad." He sighed.
After, he called John.
"Twin, do you realize it’s your first night in Paris with Talia .You guys are literally going to be alone in a luxurious suite at night."
"You’ve said this like a hundred times. I know that already. We’re also going to be alone at night in Paris for many days to come. So?"
John rolled his eyes.
"I can’t tell if you’re dense, or you don’t just have a c*CK."
Jephthah rolled his eyes.
"Talia and I aren’t doing anything till I’ve marked her. Besides, October’s just in three days. Her birthday’s on the 3rd."
"You don’t have to have s*x to enjoy the night. You could let her give you a blowjob or do it the other way round... or you could share the bathtub together and have a romantic time or even cuddle while watching porn. For goddess’s sake, she’s your girlfriend not your suite mate, you idiot!"
Chapter 223
Talia finally stepped out of the bathroom after taking off her wig. She had changed into shorts and a big T-shirt, face bare of any make up, her hair knotted into a messy bun.
"Well, have you told Max?" Ann persistently asked where she sat on the comfy queen-sized bed as she watched Talia unpack.
Max Akwa was their Manager who represented Talia in the Golden Elites Modelling agency. Though he was generally grumpy and bad tempered, he usually had a soft side for the two women.
"I haven’t." Talia breathed out, exasperated.
Ann’s eyes grew wide.
"Talia.... "
"Look, I haven’t even..." She paused before she skidded over to the bedroom door to spy on Jephthah. He was on a call, and though his face was beet red, he was busy and wouldn’t even eavesdrop. "I haven’t even told Jephthah." She returned to the room to continue unpacking.
"I could see that." Ann sacarstically remarked.
"... And I don’t think I’m ready to tell Max till I do tell Jephthah, because I know Max is not you. Max will definitely throw a fit and he WILL do it in my suite and Jephthah would start asking questions... " Talia dropped to the bed and held her head with a sigh.
She looked so stressed and tired.
Ann came up behind her and fondly held her shoulder.
"You know he could just stay in another hotel... "
"I don’t want that. What if he sees some pretty girl there, What if he sees more than one, what if they hold bikini parties there every Saturday, what if.. "
"What If. What if. Don’t you trust him?"
"I do, but I don’t trust the girls." Talia sighed outloud again. "Look, I need to get unpacked and settled before anything else. I haven’t had a proper sleep for days and I don’t remember the last time I ate home-made food and now I miss Aunt Stacey’s cooking." She cried without tears, dropping her head onto Ann’s lap.
Ann was bewirlded as she naturally stroked her hair, staring down at her friend’s head in shock.
"Why are you acting so depressed and exhausted? Who’s Aunt Stacey? And why haven’t you been eating properly, you know the specific body weight required in Golden Elites, you can’t go past that."
"If Golden Elites finds out about Jephthah, they’ll terminate the contract and my reputation would be ruined for life when other modeling agencies learn that Golden Elites fired me. And Max will kill me. I don’t want them to find out about Jephthah, but I also don’t want him to stay away from me."
"Girl, you’re confused... " Ann gave her a look before suggesting. "Okay... why not let him stay with me in my apartment. He can act as my boyfriend and you can see him each time you use the excuse of coming to visit your personal assistant."
"You think I’ll let Jephthah live with you even on my death bed?" Talia sat up with narrowed eyes. "And you just want to spend more time with him, don’t you?"
Ann tried to hold up an indifferent expression, but it fell into a hole of misery just like her expression.
"How did you get someone so hot to be your boyfriend? Where do you find these guys? Are they even humans? I mean... come on Talia... you’ve got to know if he has a cousin or... how about that twin of his? I wouldn’t mind a one night stand with... "
"Ann." Talia called warningly, partly because she didn’t want Ann to associate with someone like John who would add her to his unending list of accomplishments and break her heart.
Ann was sweet, jovial, gave off Nancy’s vibes, and was nice, straightforward and creepily honest. She was beautiful too. Extremely gorgeous. It was a mystery why she wasn’t part of the Golden Elites models, probably because she didn’t enjoy the attention and popularity.
But everyone in existence had a flaw in their not-so-perfect life.
Ann trusted people. A lot. You could say she was gullible. Especially to guys.
That personality of hers got her heart broken several times. The last guy was the last straw. He was abusive. Physically, emotionally and mentally. Even when he cheated, Ann would always forgive his flimsy excuses and apologizes. Ann was obsessed with him.
If Talia and Max hadn’t barged into the toxic relationship, Ann would have broken down completely. After that, she strictly warned Ann to always inform her on who she wants to date.
She couldn’t just date anyone because he’s hot or he was nice the first time they met.
This was real life and not some fantasy world where you expect a happy ending so soon and easily with the love of your life. Real life was cruel and if weren’t strong, you’re f**ked.
"Okay... " Ann finally got up. "I’ll be back tomorrow morning to brush you up on your new schedules for work this week."
"Bubblegum." Talia reminded her.
"I’ll bring her too. But I must tell you, we’ve grown quite attached over the months, she mind not want to.. "
Talia threw a pillow in her direction.
"Get me my f**king dog, Ann."
Ann quickly stepped to the side to avoid getting hit, but as she she turned, her eyes widened and her breathing stoped when she saw Jephthah standing there, holding the pillow.
"How long were you standing there?" She breathless asked, holding her chest.
"I just walked in... " He honestly replied.
"Oh.. well... um... " She grew embarassed under his innocent probing gaze that acted like a Lazer aimed towards her heart. "I’ll leave now. Bye Guys!" With that, she dashed off, and an awkward silence settled in the room as the two stared at each other.
Talia kneeling on the bed, Jephthah standing at the door, holding the pillow.
Because of John, staring at Talia became a problem, because he began to imagine lewd scenes of them together.
"What?" Talia suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Your face... It’s like you just tasted a lemon. What are thinking about?"
"N- Nothing." He walked in and absentmindedly dropped the pillow aside, not realizing he was standing before Talia.
"You unpacked my things?" He was touched.
"Yeah... I figured you might be too tired from the flight and everything."
"You looked exhausted too. You could have called me to help." He landed a hand on her head and smoothened out her hair with a worried expression, stunning Talia, suddenly reminding her of their position.
"You were busy... were you talking to John? F**k, I haven’t called the girls either."
"You can do that later... Now you need some rest. You don’t have anything else to do today, right?"
"No. You?" She asked, knowing fully well what his answer will be.
"Nothing I can think of right now." He replied and she smirked.
Chapter 224
"Have you had a bath?" Jephthah asked.
"Not yet. Just washed my face. Why do you ask?" She was making the bed while he sat on the comfy couch in the room, picking at something invisible on his knee with a flushed face.
"I want to take a bath." He replied, not glancing up once.
"Okay... the bathroom’s free." She chuckled at his cuteness.
"No I mean... " He suddenly glanced up and that’s when Talia turned. "I want us to."
She stopped breathing for a second and her eyes slightly widened before she discovered her throat had run dry of any saliva. She swallowed.
"Want us to...?"
"Shower together." He replied without missing a best nor breaking eye contact, but when she said nothing but stared back at him, he suddenly got up, his face, red.
"Um.. y- you don’t have to really. I’m sorry I even asked. I shouldn’t have suggested that.. "
"Are you embarassed to see my body?" She teased him.
"N- No. That’s not what I mean."
"Then I’ll take a bath with you Jephthah." She seductively replied, biting the corner of her lower lip while giving him a look over.
*
As Jephthah ran his hand through the water in the bathtub, he added some soap and nice scenting oils, watching it bubble up, spreading a nice rose scent all over the bathroom.
Suddenly Talia, poked her head in, and when Jephthah saw her, his grip loosened and the bottle of soap dropped into bathtub.
He swore as he dug inside, for it.
Talia giggled.
"I’ll take over from here while you undress okay?" She asked, smiling when he sighed, having pulled out the bottle of soap which had released half its content into the bathtub.
"Okay... I’m sorry about the soap. I’ll.."
She walked in, giving him a view of the transparent, thin robe she had around the bikini she wore inside.
He blushed and turned away, but she acted indifferently, and rather than tease him, she sat at the side of the bathtub to let the water run properly.
"It’s okay. The hotel supplies them every week, so you don’t have to feel sorry, Jephthah."
Jephthah just nodded, swallowing when his eyes met with her thighs which were slightly parted. Talia suddenly glanced up, and when their eyes met, he quickly ran out of the room.
"When did I become such a pervert. Ah... It’s all John’s fault." He berated himself as he took off his clothes in the walk-in-wardrobe.
Soon, he stepped out with a towel hanging low on his waist, unable to realize just how attractive he was, more bothered about how he was going to react to seeing Talia.
*
Once Talia wrapped the towel around her chest, low enough to show a generous amount of her cleavage while short so that it hung around her thighs, she sat at the lip of the bathtub again, waiting for Jephthah.
She took a picture and sent it to the girls’ group chat. While Jephthah had prepared the bath, she had done a video chat with them all, encountering her journey to Paris.
(Note: ’*’ this implies ’emoji used’)
Talia- Taking a bath with Jephthah in five minutes. Let’s see how it turns out! *tomatoe* *blushing*
Liliana- Oh My goodness!!! I’m guessing you suggested it? *Smirk*
Talia- Lol. He did. I know. I’m surprised as you guys are *Laughing emoji*
Where are the others? Come on. No one else is online for me to gloat to? *pitiful emoji*
Liliana- *smirk* Shameless. Everyone’s obviously busy with their partners. Word of advice, use lotion before sitting.
Talia- We’re not doing ’it’ yet *rolls eyes*
Liliana- *shocked* You guys haven’t had s*x??
Nancy- Nah. She said Jephthah said something about marking her first.
Liliana- Awwwwwwnnnnnn *hearts*
Talia- Nancy... Where have you been??? And I don’t suppose you’re home? *curious*
Liliana- She went to check out something with Koan and Raiden, Wonder what’s taking them long *smirks*
Suddenly Jephthah entered, and Talia’s jaw dropped on seeing him, running her eyes from his sexy jawline accentuating down to his muscular contours further down to a perfect V-shaped torso which the towel highlighted perfectly by hanging low off his waist.
Talia- Guys... see you later. The time has come. *tittering* *wink*
Naomi- What’s going on?
Brittany- *Curious* ???
Talia- Seriously? You guys are active online now?? *Sad* *crying* *rolls eyes*
With that, she sighed outloud and went offline, keeping her phone aside.
"Was that work?" He asked, wondering why she sighed like she was in distress.
"No... Just chatting with the girls. Hey, do you guys perhaps have your own group chat. Like you, Raiden, Daniel, Koan and... "
Jephthah gave her a look.
"No." He replied with a stoic expression.
"Tsk. You’re not fun." Suddenly she gets up and catwalks towards him, swaying her hips slowly and sensually, smirking when he instinctively moves back.
"What? I won’t bite you Jephthah." She laughed, clearly enjoying this.
"I’m sorry." He blushed as he replied again, wondering he stepped back.
"Soo... " She inched close to him before placing a hand flat against his chest, dragging it down to his tones abs. "Are we just going to stand here or are we going to take a romantic bath together."
He grabbed her wrist, panting slightly, feeling his breath seize when her hand went down, lower, lower ..
"Um... I’ll get in first." He whispered, avoiding her gaze.
"Okay." She murmurs before stepping back, her eyes not leaving him.
She giggled when he glared at her and meekly turned away while he took off his towel, hanging it on the towel rack before slipping into the bathtub, sighing softly when the warm sensation spread around his body.
"Can I look now?" She asked with a knowing smile.
"Get in." He said, nodding.
"I’m taking my towel off now, and you don’t have to close your eyes like we’re some high school students doing something wrong. We’re dating for f*ck’s sake."
As he sat there waiting, he turned red when she slowly began to peel the towel off her body, holding her gaze in his eyes.
"N- No. Wait... " He yelled out, closing his eyes.
She froze.
"Yes?"
"Um... " He fumbled with his words.
"Jephthah if you didn’t want to do this, you should just say so." She pretended to be mad and was already leaving the bathroom to wait her turn.
"Talia. Wait... "
She froze, face to the exit, but a knowing smirk crawled up her lips before she turned, exuding innocence with a pouty lip.
"What?"
"Just get In... please."
"I’ll have to take off my towel, you know?" She reminded him, slowly walking towards the bathtub, stopping so that her knees were brushing against the side of the bathtub.
"I know." He breathed.
With a naughty smirk, she didn’t bother peeling it off her body, she let it drop.
Chapter 225
Feeling his stomach tighten, followed by his throat running dry, he moved back, burning as he felt her sit, her back to him in the bathtub, before peeling his eyes open.
Moaning slightly, not realizing just how much effect she had on him, she held onto the side of the bathtub, a pleased smile on her face as a calm, warm sensation from the bath spread around her body.
"This feels so good." She moaned again before bringing her hands in to cup some water, playing with the surface.
Mute, speechless, he hadn’t said a word since, just sitting there, realizing what he had gotten himself into. If she moved back a little, she’d probably feel the brutal punishment he was suffering from the waist down, and yet he held back, restraining himself.
A glint flashed in his eyes, and it took all his willpower to suppress his wolf, Jeremy. He didn’t seem to be happy, so he decided to test its limit by pushing Jephthah.
Talia gasped with widened eyes when Jephthah suddenly moved her close, her back leaning against his chest, so that she could feel...
"Jephthah." She gasped again. He was so big!
Jephthah swore as he closed his eyes, forcing his wolf back in, into his inner mind. It was difficult and extremely painful, but he was willing to. If he let Jeremy take control completely, Talia might die.
Jeremy was never like this.
Uncontrollable.
Rebellious.
He wasn’t.
But after the incident, he just went out of control.
Talia’s heart raced as she heard his heart pound into her ears, almost shattering her eardrums, and she was suddenly aware he was struggling.
"Jephthah... stop holding back." She enunciated each word patiently, looking over her shoulders, at him.
"I have to. I don’t want to hurt you.. him.. I don’t want him to hurt you." His words were strained yet his arms suddenly dropped to wrap them around her waist and her face flushed on feeling his big length stroking her from behind.
"He won’t. Jephthah I know you won’t hurt me. The same goes for your wolf too. I promised. We promised each other we wouldn’t have s*x until my birthday, and I’m going to live up to that promise, but we’re dating Jephthah and there are limits which are permitted for us to cross especially when we’re alone" She sighed worriedly when she felt his jaw rest against the crook of her neck, his thich hair nuzzling the side of her face.
"You don’t know Jeremy. He’s got no restraints Talia." He whispered into her ear, and she suddenly grabbed his arms secured around her waist and pulled it off before dropping them to his sides.
Without a word, water splashing to the ground, she turned so that she was kneeling between his legs, his face already sandwiched between her two hands before she crashed her lips against his, kissing him hard, subtle and passionately.
Jephthah’s eyes grew, apparently not expecting it, but In seconds, he was moving rhythmically to her angled head, carefully pushing his hands forward to cup it around her waist, bringing her close so her knees went astride his knees, straddling him.
Though the atmosphere turned intense, especially since their s*xes were brushing against each other every second, the room turned heavy with their ragged breathings, none wanted to pull away, fighting for dominance, eyes squeezed shut in concentration.
"Mm." Talia moaned softly when she felt his fingers brush against her a*s. It was all so exciting because he was usually shy when they made out, his hands constantly around her waist... he has never touched her there before.
Feeling pleased, she inclined her waist close, pulling away for a nano-second to breath while he hissed when her outer folds brushed against his length, standing rock hard before taking his lips with hers again, this time slipping her tongue inside, wrapping her arms around his neck, inching her tongue close until it met with his in a firy connection.
"Ah!" She abruptly moaned again when she felt his fingers slowly rub her as*hole down there, lubricating it with the water. She reflexively bucked against him while he made small circulations around.
Soon, she pulled away, just an inch away from his lips as she felt his finger slowly make its way inside.
Lips parted wide, gasping for air, her grip around his neck tightened and she moaned softly, squeezing her eyes half-shut.
Jephthah used his chance to lean down, meeting her right ni*ples with his mouth before enclosing his lips around it, slowly driving his finger in and out of her a*shole.
"F- F*CK." She shakily whispered as she moaned, biting down on her lower lip before slowly grinding against him, pumping back and forth, holding onto his hair with one hand curled in a fist, urging him to continue.
Jephthah groaned, moving to her left nipples, biting softly against it, sucking hard before moving the other hand to grab tightly onto her a*s, Increasing his pace by adding another finger.
"Sh*t." He swore unreasonably when Talia grabbed his c*CK with the other hand and began stroking it up and down, quickly, hurriedly, almost like they were doing something wrong and wanted to be finished as soon as possible.
Sighing, she felt him pull away and lean against the bathtub, head thrown back, hands grabbing onto the sides as she stroked him harder.
Panting slightly, she moved back, kneeling before him, still stroking, her thumb moving to brush the tip once in a while.
"Look at me." She ordered him, and though it took him some time, he did manage to meet her gaze, and there was a standstill silence as the two panted in harmonium, the lewd sound of her hand stroking him filling the room.
Jephthah felt this night could never be any better until he glanced down to meet his woman’s eyes as she had ordered him to.
She was bent over him, eyes leveled to his, looking like the most seductive siren he had ever seen.
Siren.
A beautiful water creature. That was excatly how she looked right down. Minus the tail of course.
Her dark long hair was down, shielding her nipples from his view, cupping her face, throwing a dark shade to her eyes as she studied him.
Her waist was arched down, a view of her round shaped a*s, up in the air distracting him from her eyes for a few seconds before glanced down to see her hand cupped around his c*CK, easily moving it up and down his length, brushing his tip with her thumb once in a while, leaning down to squeeze his balls and smirk when he groaned.
It was like he was floating on air... and for a second he imagined her mouth around his c*CK rather than her hand, taking him in and as drove in back and forth the way he moved his finger In and out of her a*shole.
Yup. He was officially a pervert thanks to John. He’d kill him when he get back. It’s Alright.
*
"Here." He quickly rounded her up on the bed where she sat, head and back against the bed headrest, the AC turned on, full blast, windows closed, the T.V blaring with unfamiliar sounds of a comedy In the living room across.
"Jephthah." She felt he was doing too much, but inside, she was bubbling with happiness and pride. "I just can’t move my hands a bit. I’m not dying." She protested, but willing accepted the glass of water, tilting her back as she drank everything with his help. After that, he turned and kept it aside before returning to hold her hands in his, genuinely worried and scared.
What If she never does use her hands because of him again??? Her career would be ruined and he would never forgive himself!
"I’m sorry... " He looked so cute and innocent, you wouldn’t believe he had f**ked her asshole just a few minutes ago.
"I’m still going to do it again." She implied.
"No. No. No. I don’t want to paralyze your hand this time." He blushed, but he looked serious. "You have to rest now. You start work tomorrow, you know?"
"So... you mean... you don’t want me to stroke your c*CK any longer." She stuck out her lower lip and gave him a pitiful look.
"No. That’s not what I meant... I mean... Of course you can... no wait.. I mean.. " He suddenly blushed when he realized she was teasing him into admitting something embrassing again.
She laughed before cupping his cheek.
"You’re so cute Jephthah." With that, she reached up to kiss him before pulling away with her teeth closed over his lip, pulling his lower lip along with her before letting it go, sitting back to give him an innocent look.
"We have one more hour left before my bedtime" She seductively whispered, raking her eyes over him.
"What’s wrong with sleeping by 7:00pm.’ He replied, avoiding her gaze.
She pouted before hitting him.
"You’re really no fun." Clicking her tongue, she turned away from him before slipping into the blankets to sleep.
He hid a smile and crawled towards her on the bed.
Feeling him get close, Talia hid a smile before closing her eyes, pretending she was asleep already. She heard the lights click, blanketing the room in darkness when she opened her eyes.
"Good night Talia." Jephthah whispered, before slipping his legs into the blankets, wrapping his arms around her waist, smiling broadly when the presumed woman who was already asleep, leaned into his embrace.
Chapter 226
Pit Pat
Small footsteps were seen moving quickly, shuffling across the floor before crouching down.
Beep Beep.
Tiny fingers moved across the phone, dialling a number. As soon as the name ’Uncle Kris’ popped up, he pressed his thumb over it and waited, breathing fugutively as it rang.
Suddenly he felt a shadow looming over him where he crouched behind the kitchen door. In shock, the phone dropped to the ground with a clatter, and he pressed his back to the wall with widened eyes, staring up at the figure.
"Hello? Theresa?" Alpha Kris’s voice boomed over the phone. He sounded drowsy. It was 3:00am in the morning after all.
Jephthah swallowed, turning mute as he watched her bend to the ground, keeping her eyes leveled with his.
"Hey Uncle." She called sweetly, bringing the phone to her ear, the expression on her face clearly saying otherwise. It was twisted and horrifying.
"Theresa," The man groaned, tired. "You do realize it’s 3. In. the. Morning. Right?"
"I’m Sorry... It was a mistake. I think my cheek dialed you when I slept over my phone." She giggled sweetly, mirth in her eyes as she stared impulsively at Jephthah as if daring him to make a single noise.
"Okay... How’s Jephthah. I wonder why he hasn’t come for a visit in a while now. Is he okay?"
"He’s never been better." She sneered as she replied.
Once the call was over, she suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the neck. Jephthah choked, but he dare not touch her, only staring upwards, panting hard.
"Tsk. Tsk. How naughty of you... " She cooed, a mad glint in her eyes. "Did you think you could succeed? Mm?"
She dropped her hand, smoothening out his shirt before fondly holding his cheek.
Horror stricken eyes met hers as her smile broadened.
"I’ll have to punish you now."
*
"John! Dad!" Jephthah gasped as he sat up abruptly, startling the woman lying next to him.
His chest rose and fell as he swiftly threw the blankets off his body. before crawling off the bed.
"Jephthah?" Talia scrunched up her face in confusion, but when he starts to head out of the room, she jumped off the bed, to the ground before running forward to wrap her arms around his waist from behind.
"Jephthah stop." Her voice was shaky, but she was serious, her grip about his waist very tight.
Jephthah froze under her voice, his feet which was raised in the air to push him forward, dropping back to the ground.
His eyes spammed over the floor before settling it on the small arms wrapped around his waist.
For a few seconds, he felt some sense of peace overcome him as he stood there in her embrace.
"Talia." He whispered, shutting his eyes .
Honestly, he had forgotten he was miles away from home, and that he couldn’t just crawl into John’s bed with him when he had dreams like this.
He was in a suite in Paris.
With Talia.
He couldn’t help it. Just like other night, tears suddenly spilled down his cheeks, trailing to his jaw.
Talia moved to stand Infront of him before hugging him again, this time not from behind, but her arms were wrapped around his waist still, her head to his chest, hearing his heart pound.
"It’s Okay... It’s Okay Jephthah. I’m here for you... It’s Okay. " She shakily whispered soothingly, sighing softly when he wrapped his arms around her.
She was bewildered at the turn out of events. Whatever just happened, was not normal. She. wanted to ask him what his dream was about, but she decided it wouldn’t be a right time to.
"I’m Sorry." He mumbled as they stayed in that position after a while, eyes still closed.
She smiled, leaning close into his embrace.
"I love you Jephthah.. you know that, right?"
His eyes opened for a while and he stared into space before shutting them slowly.
"I know."
The rest of the night was spent with Jephthah’s head on her bossom as she cuddled him to sleep.
Few minutes after he slept off, she stared down at his face with a worried expression when he starts fidgeting, muttering words she couldn’t comprehend.
"Shhhhh. Shhhh" She soothingly said as she brushed his creased brows, something her mother was fond of doing when she was stuck in a nightmare.
"Please... D- Don’t... N.. No. Please." He said in a small painful voice, and her heart yearned and ached for him, but she could only sooth him.
How come she never noticed this?
However, his next word, caused a sudden chill to settle in her body, her fingers pausing over his brows.
"... Theresa."
She stopped entirely before glancing back down his face to see his creased brows had cleared and he was sleeping peacefully against her bossom, his arms wrapped around her waist.
Her eyes darkened.
Who the f**k was Theresa?
*
As Talia put on some mascara, her attention to the mirror right Infront of her, Jephthah arrived from the kitcen, a cup of coffee in his hands.
He was still in his night wear while Talia was fully dressed in a stylish, body hugging, black, leather, jumpsuit.
"Thanks Babe." Talia said, not glancing away from the mirror as he set it down beside her, careful not to get the mascara on her upper eyelid. That was so frustrating.
"So you said something about a dog living here yesterday?" Jephthah asked, leaning back to stare at her reflection, admiring her full focus as she applied the mascara.
He was blessed with a beautiful woman from the goddess. He was so lucky to have her all to himself.
"Yeah. Her name is Bubblegum. She’s a sweetheart. You’ll love her... not more than me of course."
He smiled.
"Why haven’t I seen her before?"
"Oh." She kept the mascara aside before grabbing her lipgloss, already opening the top. "Royce is allergic to dogs... I think he’s scared of them tho, and Brittany is not a fan of dogs."
"She hates dogs?" Jephthah was surprised.
Talia laughed. "No. More like she’s scared of them. I wouldn’t take my chances with bubblegum, especially where there are rogues around." She met his gaze fixed intently on her lips as she puckered them up to apply a generous quantity of lipgloss.
"What?" She asked, amused.
Jephthah flushed as he averted her gaze.
"N- Nothing."
"Do you want to kiss me?" She bluntly asked.
His eyes widened before he raised his hands like a criminal caught in the act.
"No... I... "
"You don’t?" She stuck out her lower lip and blinked up at him from the reflection.
"I do.. I mean... No.. wait... It’s just... " He flushed when he realized she was teasing him again.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Closing the lipgloss, she reached out for her hair band, intending to put her hair up; into a pony tail.
"I think that’s breakfast." She replied, pulling up her hair while staring at her reflection.
Breakfast was usually rolled in by a trolley for the guests at Golden Elites at their door steps.
"I’ll get the door then." Jephthah replied, and it hadn’t yet occured to Talia that the worker might spread news about a cute guy with a disheveled hair and slept-in clothes walking around in her suite.
Not until his hand had already closed around the doorknob to open it.
"Jephthah wai.... "
It was too late.
Chapter 227
Standing at the door step was an all-round drop-dead gorgeous woman. She was short, clearly on paar with inches above his waist, but she was older than she looked.
Her rare-colored red hair was neatly pulled back from her face with a scrunchie, not a strand astray, giving him a view of her docile, innocent features.
The first thing that caught his eyes were ℎ𝑒𝑟 eyes. They were huge, round and blue, reminding him of a beautiful water mermaid. Her nose was really small and cute and her lips were heart shaped and petite.
Her outfit comprised of a large hoodie, almost swallowing her entire size, and large cargo shorts that stopped at her knees.
New edition Nike sneakers were on her feet, and the only accessory she had on was a simple locket around her neck.
A back was slung around her neck and shoulder.
"Uh.. Hey?" He started when she didn’t say a word and just kept staring at him.
Talia ran to the door, breathless, but a sigh of relief left her lips when she saw who it was.
"Ann." She sighed causally.
Jephthah’s eyes widened.
"Ann? Ann from yesterday... night?"
"That’s me... " She smiled. "Good morning guys!!!"
"Come in and shut the door." Talia said as she went back to doing her hair while Ann obediently shut the door after stepping in.
"You look so much different from yesterday... " Jephthah said, still staring at her in shock and awe.
The girl’s laugh was melodious and pleasant to listen to.
"What’s different about me now. Am I prettier? Hotter? Am I... "
"I can’t believe you’re trying to flirt with my boyfriend. It’s too early for that now, Ann." Talia sacarstically said from the bedroom.
"It’s not flirting." Ann retorted with a pout, but she smiled at Jephthah who politely smiled back.
"Where’s Bubblegum?" Talia asked as she returned to the living room, not noticing the glint of desire and genuine love that flashed In Jephthah’s eyes as he sized her up.
It was almost as if everything in the room, including Ann was blurred, except her.
"Oh. We’ll pick her up on the way." Ann waved her hand as she replied.
There was another knock at the door as Talia sat on the space beside Jephthah on the couch, putting on her leather boots.
"I’ll get it." Ann said to no one in particular, and after a few minutes, she returned, rolling a trolley into a room with arrays of all-you-can-eat breakfast on it.
There were croissants, croquet Madame, french scrambled eggs, slightly burnt just the way Talia liked it, french toast, brioche, Tartine, buckwheat creepes and beignet. And a huge jug of orange juice.
The three sat down to eat.
It was a routine for Ann when Talia was around. She’d skip breakfast to come to the hotel early so she and Talia would eat breakfast together before heading to work.
"I wonder how you’d eat this much If Jephthah and I weren’t here to help. I can only imagine how much they’d put in if they knew you were sharing a suite with... " Ann’s voice trailed off when she caught Talia’s eyes from across the table.
Jephthah noticed the eye contact.
"Of course they know I’m here. They saw me move her things into her suite yesterday."
Talia forced a smile.
"Of course they did. Don’t mind Ann. She’s just saying things. Ann... what did I tell you about eating too much burnt up scrambled eggs?" She chuckled nervously.
"You didn’t tell him?" Ann mouthed to her as Jephthah resumed eating.
"Not yet." Talia mouthed back and Ann gave her a disapproving gaze with a raised brow.
"I will." Talia mouthed again and Ann just rolled her eyes before stuffing a forkful of scrambled eggs into her mouth.
Minutes later, after reapplying more lipgloss, Talia was ready to head out the door with Ann by her side when she wrapped her hands around Jephthah’s neck.
"I really feel so guilty for leaving you all alone here today." Talia mumbled, giving him a pitiful look.
"It’s okay. I’ll be here waiting till you get back You have to go to work right?" He asked.
"Which is in the next fifty minutes, so let’s wrap this up." Ann said, glancing down to her watch. If they were late, Max would kill her.
"Okay" Talia turned back to Jephthah. "Kiss me."
Jephthah blushed, especially when he felt Ann’s gaze on them.
"Oh My God!!! He’s so cute." Ann shrieked like a high school girl, shocked that a guy could actually be so vunerable and sweet like him.
Jephthah weighed two things.
This would be the last time he’d kiss her till hours later when she had to come back from work, and he couldn’t risk waiting so long for it. He’d miss her to death.
But Ann was there watching...
With his face flushed like a tomatoe, he went in and stole her lips, capturing It into his mouth, surprising Talia who expected a simple peck, but sure... She was absolutely fine with this.
Inclining her head, toes to the ground, she deepened the kiss, tugging on his tongue, sucking and biting down on it, Jephthah resisting the urge to cup her a*s.
Times like this, he wished they was alone.
Seconds later, they pulled back, and the two couldn’t stop smiling like love struck people, until Ann spoke up.
"Yeah... so you two are done throwing dog poop at my face. Can we go now?" She turned to Talia as the couple laughed.
Talia wanted to say something, but she grabbed her wrist and began opening the door.
"I’ve got a lipgloss in my bag you can use." Ann said, and with that, she pulled her away
"Bye Jephthah!" She waved before the door shut close, leaving Jephthah in the silence.
As he stood there, hand waving in the air, he felt some sense of aloneness creep up his body, followed by dread.
He snapped out of it, before turning away from the door, heading inside.
*
Talia was in her Limousine, on her phone while Ann gave her driver instructions to the first place they were heading to for her photoshoot.
Talia was calling someone.
"Hey." She finally said after the phone rang for a while and she placed it to her ear.
"Talia?" John yawned.
"You’re still in bed?" She asked In disbelief.
"I have a month vacation before I start work at my father’s company, and you don’t see me travelling to some fancy country. I have to live the moment in this hell hole pack." He mumbled grumpily.
"Maybe If you had a girlfriend who lives abroad, you could have spent your vacation there." She teased him a little.
"Gee. Thanks. Remind me to remind myself to add that in my list-of-things-to-tell-talia-to-shut-up-about."
She rolled her eyes before her gaze fell on Ann who was talking to the driver.
The image of Ann and John didn’t look right at all.
"So... why did you call?" He asked when she hadn’t said anything for a few seconds.
She blinked, snapping herself back to reality.
"Um.. yeah.. I wanted to ask you something. Just between us, okay?"
"Sure." His eyes turned to horizontal slits. "What’s that?"
"Who’s Theresa?"
Chapter 228
There was a rumble on the other side of the line, causing her brows to furrow.
"What’s going on?"
"Nothing," He gruffly replied. He was getting up to lean back against bed’s headboard. "Give me a second."
With that, he turned to tap the girl laying next to him on the bed. She was naked and was barely covered with the blankets.
"Um... What is it?" She groaned, her eyes cracking open very slowly.
Talia rolled her eyes over the phone as she waited, obviously hearing what was going on.
"Get the f**k out of my room. I don’t run a charity home here. It’s already 8:00am." He tapped her furiously, brows furrowed in frustration and disgust.
That’s how it’s always been.
He’d flirt with you and entice you into bed with him, but once you fall for his antics and roll around in the sheets with him, that was it. He’s done with you.
The girl groggily got up, holding onto her head.
"I’m on the phone. I don’t want to see you around when I’m finished with this call, get it?" He turned away from her while she solemnly crawled off the bed, fuming silently.
"Are you done or do you have to chase another girl off your bed?"
He smirked.
"It’s just no one. I was in no mood for a threesome."
"Good. Because you’re only going to get one mate. You better get used to f**king just one." She rolled her eyes.
John rolled his eyes too.
"Where did you hear that name?"
"Theresa?"
"Yes."
"Answer the question first. You know her, don’t you?"
"I can’t just tell you anything about her. First of all, tell me how you came across the name, and I can help you out."
Talia clicked her tongue as she told him what ensued between she and Jephthah last night when he had the nightmare.
"Sh*t... " He rolled over the bed, opened the drawer with a jerk, not minding the woman who left the room after dressing up before opening the piece of paper he had obtained.
"I forgot to tell you about that."
"About what?"
"Jephthah usually have nightmares like that... sometimes he wakes up breathless like his head was submerged under water for a long time. You should buy an **** or a **** for him at a pharmacy. He should take one every two days before going to bed and... "
Her eyes grew wide.
"I don’t understand. Is Jephthah sick? What’s wrong with him, and how does this have anything to do with Theresa?"
John stared upwards, raking his hand through his hair, thinking of a way to tell her this without exposing too much. Jephthah made him promise she wouldn’t hear this from anyone other than him, and he didn’t want to break it.
"Look, I didn’t want to tell you this, but I think it’s time you ask Jephthah about her."
Talia’s eyes settled on a particular building outside before they drove past it, but her mind was travelling to so many places, internally berating herself with questions she didn’t have answers to.
"But.... "
"Jephthah has PTSD. I think it’s time you ask him about it."
Beeep
The call ended and Talia sat there, staring into space for so long that it was Ann’s voice which snapped her back into reality.
"We’re here!!"
Talia’s eyes finally moved and rose to see the spectacular, beautiful architectural design of a glass skyscraper standing tall and intimidating amongst another buildings around.
It didn’t faze her much though, but it wasn’t like she could even think again as she stepped out of the car with the help of her driver.
Ann walker beside her while she drew the shawl she had around her face properly, hiding her features from the public eyes until they got into the building where she could be free since there was security outside.
"So your first photoshoot is in the next one hour. I’ll take you to the dressing room and the wardrobe set will be rolled in in 30, so you have enough time to relax and stretch... maybe do some yoga." Ann added cheerfully as they made their way upstairs, but when she noticed Talia hadn’t said a word, she nudged her.
"Huh?" Talia snapped out of her thoughts again. "Huh... Did you say anything?"
Ann frowned.
"You haven’t heard a thing I’ve been saying for the past ten minutes, have you?"
Talia rubbed her head slightly.
"I’m just... "
"Tired? Stressed?" Talia gasped as Ann reached up on her toes to feel her forehead. "How do you feel? Nauseous? Tell me? Do you need food? Some medicine? A massage? We have thirty minutes before you dress up, and there’s a spa where ..."
Talia raised a hand, motioning for her to stop.
"I’m fine... Really. I just... " She lowered her voice into her whisper. "I want to ask you about something."
Ann scanned her with her eyes, her gaze pausing to glare at her stoamch before raising to meet hers.
"Your not .. pregnant, are you?"
Talia turned red.
"Shut up, Ann. No."
"Well, let’s get to the dressing room where we can have our privacy."
"Privacy to do what?" A sneering voice sounded from far and the two women stiffened on seeing who approached them.
Large b**bs threatening to spill out from the crop top she had on, cleavage slightly bouncing from low V-neck, Wide hips stretching the sides of her mini skirt to the fartherst ends, Maddy Belle was capable of putting several models to shame.
She had these cat eyes that gave her sneering look a more intimidating view when she was snobbish.
You couldn’t tell if they were green or blue. They were a perfect blend. Her nose was long and straight... rumors had it that she did a plastic surgery to get her perfect nose, and her lips were well... just like any typical one you’d see on a model’s face. Hair was black and cut short to her neck.
She had it all. Beauty, fame, the look, everything.
But Talia was still No. #1. Though she wasn’t as curvaceous as Maddy Belle was, her face and hair was evident enough that Maddy Belle couldn’t match up to her even in a million years.
Thus, that began the silent rival between both models. In Maddy’s case, she was obviously jealous of Talia’s fame and status and wanted to be the top, but In Talia’s case, she wondered why they never got along.
Obviously, she was a nice person, but if she had a problem with Maddy Belle, it goes as to show how much Maddy Belle hates her.
Ann sneered and looked away like she spotted an unpleasant, dead rat.
"Where’s your minion?" Talia folded her arms. "Let me guess... She couldn’t stand your awful personality and ran away?"
Maddy smirked, fuming silently in anger, yet she managed to curl her beautiful lips into an evil smirk.
"Oh you mean Beatrice? She just went to book a dressing room here. She could never run away from me because we don’t have any problems" She began circling Talia, sizing her up with a sneer now. "The only ones who do are the jealous ones."
"Jealous." Talia exchanged glances with Ann, and the two women stiffled a chuckle. "Who’s jealous of who?"
"How do you like your new suite Talia" Maddy finally stood, toe to toe with her, bearing a fake concerned look. "I hope you’re not too angry. I mean.... I thought you weren’t ever returning to Paris, so I thought I’d stay in your old suite meant for the top model in Golden Elites.."
Talia forced a smile.
"It’s okay. I love my new suite."
"Well, see you around darling." She drawled before turning to walk away, swaying her hips seductively.
"Sl*t." Ann rolled her eyes angrily.
"Why are we having our photoshoot together in the first place even. She’ll obviously do something to sabotage me." Talia groaned, having recountering times when Golden Elites paired them up to Photoshoot at their designated studios.
"Keep an optimistic mind Talia and just think about anything else but her." Ann sighed as she said, opening the door leading to the dressing room.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" She asked, sitting on the couch while Talia sat on the arm chair facing the mirror where expensive makeup and skin care products were laid out carefully on the drawer table.
"Right." Without turning, Talia picked up an eyeliner and began playing around with it between her fingers to ease the tension.
"What’s PTSD?"
Ann glanced up from her phone.
"Huh? Who has PTSD?"
Talia rolled her eyes.
"That doesn’t matter. I just need to know everything about it. Is it like an illness or.... "
"My mum had PTSD." Ann mentioned before she began narrating everything she knew about it to Talia who listened with a solemn, serious expression.
"PTSD .. is not an illness. It’s like a disorder. It means Post-traumatic stress disorder."
Talia felt her grip tighten on the eye liner. she didn’t know why but she guessed it was out of reflex.
"... It’s a mental health problem you develop after experiencing traumatic events."
"T- Traumatic events??" Talia stuttered, her eyes widening. "Traumatic events like what?"
"Like... Um... my mum for instance, It was due to a childbirth experience when she lost her baby who was supposed to be my second brother..."
Talia leaned in close
"Ann, why didn’t you tell me this before? You had a brother." There was genuine sadness in her eyes as she stared at Ann.
"Yeah," Solemn, she shrugged her shoulders. "He only lasted an hour after childbirth though. My mother hasn’t been the same since. She would have recurring events that was similar to it, nightmares, anger issues; flaring up at any slightest thing, or sometimes she just preferred keeping to herself... "
"Nightmares... " Talia mumbled, also noting down the part about ’Keeping to herself’.
Was John serious about this?
"What other traumatic events can trigger PTSD."
"Most cases are usually sexual or physical assault..." Ann casually replied but she gasped, snapping her head up when she heard the eyeliner snap in Talia’s grip.
Chapter 229
"Here. Black and Unsweetened like you wanted it." Ann rushed to her side before handing her the mug of hot coffee which she got in a cafe just a few metres away from the industry.
Three make up artists simultaneously backed away as Talia reached out for the mug to take a sip.
"Thank you." She sighed, dropping it on the dresser table before staring into the mirror with a lost look in her eyes.
Ann worriedly shook her head as she sat back with her phone. Why was Talia behaving so strangely today, and what was with those questions about PTSD?
She was about to head out for her second photoshoot which was also her last for the day, and Ann noticed something had been off about her after their discussion about PTSD.
Even when Maddy Belle ’accidentally’ stepped on her, probably aiming for her to throw a tantrum, Talia hadn’t even noticed and had just walked past her.
Soon, the make up artists left the room while Talia turned to Ann.
"You look amazing." Ann gave her two thumbs up as she said with a big smile, intended to make her smile.
Today, the models were going to be modelling in Italian suit by one of the top famous Italian fashion designer in the world.
Make-up was black themed, nude, and light, and the wig was a very short bob hair cut, the ends lower than the chin.
Talia was gorgeous, simply too beautiful to only stare at, but alas, the smile to top off the entire outfit was missing on her face. She looked like a sad, drenched puppy.
"Talia... " Ann’s brows creased. "I’m your best friend, and I know something’s bothering you. It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me, but for the sake of your reputation, if you take this face outside, everyone’s definitely going to know something’s wrong with you."
Suddenly the door burst open and a young man no less than twenty-two years walked inside, holding a puppy by a leash.
He had a creamy chocolate skin, hair cut very short to the head (You could say he was bald), and the tattoos on his body were visible on his arm and neck since the arm of his shirt was rolled up to his elbows.
His designer Rolex watch and shoes were visibly expensive, and his dark smoky charcoal colored eyes held pensiveness within as he glared at the two women with pursed lips, his thick brows knotted into a frown.
He was always grumpy.
"Bubblegum!" Talia yelled, and opened her arms wide.
The man’s eyes widened as the puppy escaped from its leash hold, hopping into Talia’s arms to shower her wet kisses with its tongue while Talia giggled like a little girl.
"Now I have to call in the make up artists again. Aw my Goodness. Max, this wasn’t a good time." Ann glared at the man who brushed past her, the earring on his left ear glinting under the lights in the room.
"If that’s the thank you I get from driving all the way to the vet to get this furball of destruction, then I’m making dog stew tonight."
Talia glared at him in horror, cuddling her puppy who yelped at Max with a small bark. It looked like she understood what the grumpy man who forced her into a leash said.
"You haven’t changed a bit, have you Max?"
"Nope. Don’t plan on it either" He rubbed his hand while smiling down at her. "How’s my favorite star girl doing?"
Ann rolled her eyes.
"Well, my eardrums don’t work properly anymore because someone almost made me deaf last week ago."
"You missed a week here, and you know how strict Golden Elites is. Of course I had to be lenient with you, and I know you can hear perfectly fine."
Talia rolled her eyes as she lowered her gaze to pet her dog while Ann called in the make up artists again.
"Anyway. I plan on heading to a Chinese restaurant and bringing it to your suite later in the evening to celebrate the beginning of another successfully contracted year. What do you say?" He turned to Talia while he checked the time.
Talia and Ann exchanged glances, and it was like the two girls knew who each other was thinking about at that moment.
What about Jephthah?
"What have you two done?" Max suddenly snapped.
"Huh?"
"When you two exchange secret glances like that it means you’re planning on doing something or you already have" He suddenly sighed and held his forehead. "Jesus Christ. Don’t tell me you already have."
"Why would you say that? Of course not. We can celebrate tonight, but... not in my suite."
A frown etched on his face, he asked.
"And why?"
"I just urmm... got here, and I think it’s preferable if we go to some restaurant or a five star eatery to... "
"I’m buying the Chinese food with my money, I decide where we’ll eat it. Besides, someone," Saying that he glared at Ann before turning to Talia. "Might use the chance to get you alcohol."
"It was one time." Ann said with an exasperated sigh.
The make up artists began filing in, and one girl stepped back on seeing the puppy.
"What’s that thing?!"
"’That thing’ is My dog. Do you have a problem?" Talia’s gaze darkened slightly as she stared at her.
"I’m Sorry," she shook her head. "I.. I don’t... I’m allergic to dogs."
"Uh-huh." Max said, clearly knowing she was lying. It was hard for people to admit they were scared of puppies, so they’d just stick with the fact that they were allergic .
"I guess we’ll see you later Max." Ann said when Max had grabbed onto the leash to lead Bubblegum out.
"Sure, oh yeah... we have a meeting by tomorrow. It’s an All managers and assistant meeting. Schedule it by 7:00am and don’t forget to remind me."
She saluted.
"Sure thing. Boss."
Max rolled his eyes and stepped out, missing the gaze of awe and desire on the young girls’ faces as he walked past them, the girls snapping back to reality when they realized what they were here to do.
*
"Miss Talya?"
Talya and Ann looked up from where Talya was signing her name in the Golden Elites registeration book in the reception office.
It was proof that she had returned to the hotel. This was for security reasons, Incase one of the models was missing from the hotel.
The manager of the hotel was standing there.
"Yes Mr. Pedo?"
"Ehem," The man cleared his throat. "We were wondering why your personal guard had to share a suite with you and not stay in the quarters meant for guards."
Talia felt her feet turn cold and her throat dry up as she thought of what to say.
"It’s my decision to make, and the suite clearly has many rooms; enough space for my privacy. Is there a problem Mr. Pedo?"
"But you’re violating... "
"What? Is there a rule that states a personal guard can’t stay in the same suite with the model. I’m popular after all and thus a prey to several assassin who would want me dead."
"Miss, I can assure you that... "
"... that your security is remarkably functional 24/7? Last year, August 27th. Miss Elizabeth was murdered, found lying dead in her own blood a day later. And where was she killed Mr. Pedo? In this same hotel, in her room."
Mr. Pedo discreetly glanced around in fear.
No one aside some models knew Miss Elizabeth’s death occurred in this hotel or they’d have lost alot of people here.
"Miss Talya, what we’re saying is he’s a man and you’re a woman and... "
Talia glared at him, trying to keep a straight face.
"And???"
"Okay... you win Miss Talya... we’ll let your personal guard live in the suite, but we must ensure he has a room of his own."
Talia finally smirked.
"Of course. That won’t be a problem."
*
Ann and Talia were in the lobby.
"I’ll see you by 20:00pm. I’ve got to take a looooong shower." Ann said after they shared a hug. "Say hi to your man for me."
Talia waved with a smile, but it dropped to a sad one when Ann finally left.
She dragged her heavy feet upstairs before pushing her door open after inserting the key and opening it. Closing it behind her, she leaned back to rest against it, her eyes locking with Jephthah’s who was sitting on the couch typing something on his laptop.
"I’ve missed you." She whispered and without a word, she climbed over him, straddling him on the couch before hugging him, smiling into his shoulder when he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Me too." He shyly admits.
"Did you get the pizza I sent up to the room this afternoon?" Talia asked, stroking his back.
"Yeah. How was work today?"
Talia shrugged.
"Fine I guess."
"You don’t look okay. What happened?" He leaned back to look at her.
"Nothing... just..." She suddenly pouted, avoiding Jephthah’s eyes. "Jephthah?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we... have s*x now?"
Jephthah blinked at her for a full second.
"No."
"But... "
"Talia. No. I love you, but this can wait."
"Why? Why don’t you want to?"
"I’m waiting for the perfect moment and that’s literally In two days."
"But it doesn’t matter. Does it? Are you scared?" At that last question, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously, waiting for an answer, waiting for a reaction, but Jephthah suddenly pushed her off him so that she was sitting next to him before getting up and heading for the room.
Talia just sat there with a blank expression.
It was all part of her plan. She knew if she asked Jephthah about his disorder, he might not want to talk about it, but for now, she had to find out if her fears were actually true.
Was Jephthah really abused sexually as a child?
She needed to see signs...
Climbing off the chair, she got inside her room to see him standing beside the bed with a lost look in his eyes, raking his hand through his hair as he paced about.
"Jephthah.... "
Before she knew it, he grabbed her by the waist, pulled her in; close to his chest before slamming his lips down on hers.
Chapter 230
Talia abruptly pulled away, flushed, almost out of breath as she kept her distance, her eyes leveled up to meet with his.
She could see so many emotions swirling around in his eyes. Longing, rage, fury, desire, sadness.
"I promised I wouldn’t touch you until your birthday."
"All’s left is a blowjob," She suddenly yelled, startling him. "You’ve eaten me out. W- we’ve kissed... we’ve bathed together. Jephthah we’ve done pretty much everything. What’s there not to... "
"Talia, where the hell is this even coming from?" He demanded.
’Nothing. I can only see the emotions he’s holding back, but I can’t still see signs of fear’
Talia said to herself as she scrutinized him for so long that she couldn’t answer, confirming his fears that she may have gone mad.
"Don’t you think we’re true mates?"
"Of course I do... this is completely unrelated. Something’s making you act like this. Spill."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You mean, something has to trigger me to ask for s*x?" Eyes darkening, she moved close to him, but froze when Jephthah stepped back and shielded his face like she had thrown something at him.
And there... right then was when she saw what she wanted to see in his eyes.
Fear.
But the way she felt wasn’t how she expected to. She wanted to comfort him at that moment and make him open up to her, but at that moment, seeing how he backed away from her caused something to snap inside of her.
He was scared of her.
She felt furious now as she turned away, heading for the bathroom before slamming the door shut behind her.
Jephthah glanced up, a confused frown on his face.
This has to officially be their weirdest fight ever.
Sighing, he tugged at his hair.
In a way she was right. But why wasn’t he willing to open up to her... to take things to the next level with her so willingly. Why did he always hold back?
The rest of the evening was silent. Talia stepped out from the room hours later and sat across him on the couch, on her phone, while Jephthah just sat there, on his laptop.
However, when she sat down there wearing his T-shirt which stopped way waaay above her knees, he found it really difficult to focus on what he was doing.
And that was the ONLY thing he was sure she had on, coupled with the fact that her hair was up in a messy bun, Jephthah almost drooled
It was like a plate of ice cream was laid out Infront of him and he couldn’t even have a taste.
He was angry. Angry that Talia had started all of this, angry for making her feel terrible, and angry she wasn’t acting clingy and perverted like she usually did. He f**king loved that side of her.
The silence was heart breaking.
It was a few minutes before eight, when Talia spoke up, just when Jephthah was thinking about apologizing to her.
"I want to order ice-cream. Chocolate or Strawberry?"
Chocolate and strawberry were his favorites. It was hard to pick between the two, so she asked him.
"Chocolate." He replied after a few seconds of contemplating, feeling his insides light up a bit when he realized Talia wasn’t so mad at him like he thought.
But there still this cute frown on her face, and her eyes hadn’t moved from the screen of her device the entire time.
As she ordered for ice-cream while he pretended to nonchalantly type something on his laptop, he thought of an idea to make up with her.
Talia brushed a shaky hand across her hair as she went over to take the ice cream at the door.
How did she feel?
She knew it was her fault that they weren’t talking, and she hated herself for giving him the silent treatment when she should be coaxing him to give in and tell her everything, but that look of fear in his eyes directed at her broke her heart into a million pieces as several thoughts ravaged though her mind.
Who was this Theresa?
Was she young like she was?
Was Jephthah lying when he said 𝑠ℎ𝑒 was the first girl he’s dated?
Where was she now?
Was Jephthah even as innocent as he appeared?
Why wasn’t he willing to have s*x with her?
Had he probably done ’it’ with the Theresa, and maybe after a couple traumatizing events with her, he wasn’t willing to do it with another woman?
Was he Inlove with Theresa?
But she had known him all her life, and he hasn’t mentioned anyone like that?
But Jephthah was really quiet and always kept to himself, maybe he didn’t just tell her?
Talia didn’t even pay heed to the staff who handed her the bucket of ice cream even as she went in and closed the door in her face.
"Did you order chocolate too?" Jephthah asked, wondering why there was only one bucket of ice-cream.
"Yeah. I figured we could just have the same thing." She sat next to him and Jephthah’s heart did a flip on scenting his shampoo in her bair.
Of all the expensive shampoos in the hotel, she chose to use mine and wear my shirt from yesterday?
It this wasn’t capable of turning him on, then he didn’t know what.
"Here." She meekly handed him a spoon, snapping him out of his thoughts of eating an ice-cream. Talia flavored ice cream.
’When did I start having thoughts like this!!!’
He berated himself as he gripped the spoon in his hand, watching her take the lid off the bucket.
’Ahh yes. When I had a twin called John. Tsk. I wonder how that meat head is doing.’
"Do you like it?" Talia asked, and he could note the gruffness in her voice. Forcing himself not to chuckle, he nodded, pushing another spoon of ice cream into his mouth.
If this was her way of apologizing, then she really sucked at it.
She was both feisty and cute as she furiously dug her ice cream spoon into the bucket before stuffing a piled up spoon into her mouth and swallowing like it was a pill.
For a full minute, he kept staring at her face, his spoon paused over the bucket as he scrutinized her features, his eyes dropping down to her lips which was moving slowly.
Talia didn’t feel his gaze on her, not until after a second when she had just put a spoon of ice cream into her mouth.
Glancing up with a small frown, she asked.
"What? Do I have ice cream on my face?"
Jephthah chuckled, and Talia suddenly gasped when he dipped his finger into the bucket, grabbed a handful of ice cream and smeared it over her nose, down to her lips which dripped down her jaw.
"Jephthah!" She gasped again, but suddenly he pulled her close by grabbing the back of her head fondly before crashing his lips against hers, eating her up like she was the most delicious flavored ice cream in the whole world.
Moaning softly, she reached up to tug on his shirt, not minding her spoon falling off her grip to drop onto the rug as she deepened the kiss.
Soon, like he wanted, she was straddling him on the couch, the ice cream left open on the table before them, his spoon stuck inside.
Lewd kissing noises filled the living room, and slurping ones when he reached up to kiss and bite her nose with his mouth, trailing it back to her lips.
Sighing, she dragged her lips down to kiss his neck, biting and sucking softly against his skin with half closed eyes as she felt his arms feel down her back all the way to her curved a*s.
In Jephthah’s hands, it was like cupping the perfect size in his hold, plump and soft. His hands kneaded it and his fingers dug in, his heart flipping when he realized she really wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
Just when Talia had a hand down, ready to undo his zipper to stroke him, there was a knock on the door.
"Sh*t." Talia cursed as she pulled back, not realizing Jephthah wasn’t even bothered about the door but just staring at her.
Her hair had been let down, and her slightly swollen lips were damn attractive in his eyes, luring him to bite it again. Her eyes were hazy, almost like she has just woken up from a nap, and her arms were still braced against his naked chest which she had buttoned down to his stomach.
While he? He still had her naked a*s in his grip, watching her with awe and desire.
"Did you remember inviting someone over? Maybe it’s Ann."
Talia shook her head.
"Uh... I’ll check who’s at the door" With that, she climbed off him and they exchanged knowing glances as she helped him zip up and button his clothes.
"Hold that thought for later." She winked as she went away while he picked up the ice cream and spoons and headed to the kitchen with them.
Absentmindedly, she just flipped the door open, but the expression on her face turned to one of horror on seeing who stood at the door.
Max Akwa holding several Chinese food bags and Ann, bubblegum in her arms.