Xylia didn’t expect what happened next.
Just moments ago, Aciel had been standing in front of her, demanding answers with that dark and intense expression on his face.
She already knew he was frustrated by her refusal to speak.
But she never expected him to suddenly lean forward and kiss her.
The kiss caught her completely off guard.
It was her first kiss.
And instead of pushing him away immediately like she should have—
Xylia froze.
Aciel’s lips moved gently against hers, almost as if he was testing her reaction.
He originally expected her to resist him, maybe even slap him for crossing the line.
But she didn’t.
And that only made him want her more.
For days, Xylia had occupied his thoughts without mercy.
He kept wondering what her lips would feel like.
What her touch would be like.
What kind of expression she would make if he finally kissed her.
Aciel hated the effect she had on him.
But at the same time— he wanted her.
Badly.
He had kissed countless women before.
But Xylia was different.
Her lips were unbelievably soft, and the faint sweetness of her breath reminded him of candy—innocent and addictive at the same time.
When she still didn’t pull away, Aciel wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
The softness of her body nearly destroyed the little self-control he had left.
Eventually, he slowly pulled away from the kiss, though his forehead remained pressed against hers.
Xylia’s heart was beating wildly.
She was certain Aciel could hear it.
But somehow— she no longer cared.
“Are you still not going to tell me?” Aciel asked in a rough voice.
“Aciel… please.”
“I’m not letting you go until you answer me.”
His voice lowered dangerously.
“And trust me… I can take this much further.”
Xylia’s breath hitched.
“T-That’s harassment,” she whispered weakly.
Aciel almost laughed softly at how sweet her voice sounded.
It only made him want to kiss her again.
“I don’t think we can call it harassment,” he murmured near her lips, “when you kissed me back.”
Xylia instantly blushed.
Because he was right.
She couldn’t deny it.
No matter how shocked she was earlier, she still responded to him.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked shakily.
“You don’t even like me.”
Aciel’s grip around her waist tightened slightly.
“I hate you because you’re a liar,” he admitted bluntly.
Then his silver eyes darkened.
“But I still want you.”
Xylia frowned in confusion.
“W-What?”
Without warning, Aciel stepped even closer.
Xylia gasped softly when she felt the obvious tension between them.
“Can you feel what you’re doing to me?” he asked hoarsely.
“Yes…”
Aciel shut his eyes briefly in frustration.
“I hate how much you affect me,” he admitted quietly.
“You’re driving me insane.”
Then he looked directly into her eyes again.
“And I don’t want another person touching you.”
His voice turned cold once more.
“So tell me the truth. Who hurt you?”
Xylia finally realized Aciel would never let the issue go.
And honestly— part of her no longer wanted to keep fighting him.
“I’ll tell you,” she whispered softly.
Aciel frowned slightly.
“Then talk.”
“But not here.”
“Why?”
Xylia glanced nervously toward the door.
“Someone might hear us.”
Aciel clicked his tongue in annoyance, but he understood her point.
They were still inside the university.
Anyone could walk in at any moment.
Then suddenly, Aciel looked at her seriously.
“Come with me.”
Xylia blinked in confusion.
“W-Where?”
“Outside these walls,” he answered casually.
“We’re skipping classes.”
Xylia froze.
She had never broken university rules before.
Never skipped classes.
Never openly disobeyed her parents or professors.
So naturally, she hesitated.
Slowly, she looked into Aciel’s eyes again.
And for the first time— she noticed something strange.
The hatred she usually saw there was gone.
After several long seconds, Xylia finally nodded nervously.
“O-Okay.”
Then her expression turned worried.
“But my bodyguards are outside.”
Aciel smirked faintly before pulling out his phone.
He quickly dialed someone.
“Pick me up outside the student council room,” he ordered coldly.
“I’m with someone.”
His eyes shifted toward Xylia.
“Her guards are outside too. Handle it.”
After a few minutes, someone knocked on the door.
“Young Master, everything’s clear.”
Xylia blinked while staring at Aciel in disbelief.
Honestly, he looked unfairly attractive standing there.
And Aciel clearly noticed her reaction.
His eyes darkened again.
Without warning, he suddenly pulled her closer and kissed her once more.
This kiss was shorter— but far more intense.
Xylia could feel the aggression hidden beneath his control. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
By the time he finally pulled away, she was already breathless.
“Let’s go,” Aciel said casually before grabbing her hand.
He led her outside where Colt was already waiting near the car.
The bodyguard glanced briefly at Xylia but wisely chose not to ask questions.
Still, he clearly recognized the famous Antonov heiress immediately.
“Give me the keys,” Aciel ordered.
“I’m driving.”
“But Young Master,” Colt said carefully, “if your father finds out—”
Aciel’s expression instantly darkened.
“Colt,” he interrupted coldly, “who’s your master?”
Colt straightened immediately.
“You are, sir.”
“Good,” Aciel replied.
“Then don’t tell my father.”
Xylia quietly listened to their conversation while Aciel guided her toward the passenger seat.
Just as he was about to close the door— someone suddenly called out his name.
“Aciel!”
Xylia immediately recognized the voices.
His friends.
Panicking slightly, she instinctively tried to hide herself.
But Aciel leaned down toward her first and calmly fastened her seatbelt.
“Relax,” he whispered softly.
“Don’t worry about them.”
Then he closed the car door and turned around.
Aciel leaned casually against the vehicle as Simon, Chris, and Leiam approached them.
“Aciel, are you seriously skipping class again?” Simon complained.
“And now you’re dragging some poor girl with you? Who’s the unlucky—”
He suddenly stopped talking.
Because he finally saw who was sitting inside the car.
Chris and Leiam exchanged shocked looks before staring at Aciel in disbelief.
Simon immediately frowned.
“Aciel,” he said seriously, “leave her out of your games.”
His expression darkened slightly.
“She’s too nice for this.”
Aciel frowned.
It was rare for Simon to openly oppose him.
“You know I never listen to anyone,” Aciel answered calmly.
“Even you.”
Then he gestured toward the car.
“But I’ll let her decide herself.”
Aciel knocked lightly against the window.
Xylia slowly lowered it.
Simon immediately gave her a gentle smile that made him look more like a Korean actor than the son of a Mafia family.
“Xylia,” Simon said carefully, “if Aciel forced you to come with him, just tell us.”
Then he sighed.
“I apologize on his behalf. He can be very persistent sometimes.”
Xylia unconsciously glanced toward Aciel.
He wasn’t looking at her.
And somehow— she realized he genuinely intended to let her decide freely.
“Come on,” Simon continued gently.
“It’s okay to reject him.”