I stared at my reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh. I was having second thoughts about whether I made the right choice, but in reality, I didn't have much of a choice from the beginning. What I couldn't understand was why Alex wanted to get to know me.

He's known for dating younger women, and now I'm one of them. Based on what I've heard, if the person they were referring to was indeed Alex, his ex-wife wanted him back. Maybe he wanted to make his wife jealous or vice versa?

I sighed again. I didn't really care about all of that drama; I just wanted this to be over. If his ex-wife was crazy, that's not my problem. All I cared about was fulfilling the contract without any complications.

I left the comfort room and headed to the parking area. It was only now that I noticed it was getting dark. We had been inside with Alex for hours, and it seemed like the mall was about to close.

When I reached the parking area, I spotted Alex's car with its lights still on. I smiled, thinking he might be waiting for me, so I walked straight to his car.

I peeked inside the car, but I didn't see Alex. I decided to check around the vehicle, and as I did, I came across a red car parked next to Alex's.

"Ughh. Faster, babe~" I froze in my tracks as I heard a woman's moans coming from inside the red car. The car was rocking as if something magical was happening inside. I was taken aback and immediately stepped back.

Why were they doing this here? Don't they have a place? Is car intimacy a thing now? "You're here after all," someone's voice.

"Damn it!" I jumped as Alex suddenly appeared behind me, and I couldn't help but curse when startled. I usually don't swear, but when I'm surprised, my mouth gets ahead of me.

"You seem pretty loud. What are you doing here?" He asked, trying to peek behind me, so I quickly covered his view and pulled him closer to his car.

"N-nothing, let's go. Don't look if you don't want to taste my punch," I quickly replied to prevent him from looking again. I didn't want him to get any ideas.

"Wow, why so aggressive all of a sudden? Now you've got me curious," he said, starting to step closer, so I pulled him again to hide, fearing what he might think.

"Trust me, you don't want to see," I said, making sure he wouldn't peek again. Who would have thought we'd stumble upon this scene in a parking lot?

"Wait, is that Oliver? Is he still doing that?" Alex seemed unfazed, as if it was a normal sight for him. I knew Oliver too; he was the notorious actor who rented the entire bar last weekend and happened to be Shena's number one crush.

Alex was about to approach, but I pulled him back and opened the car door. "Alex, I'm hungry. Can we go now?" I pleaded, pretending to be hungry even though I wasn't. Despite the man's attention being on someone else, he still opened the driver's seat and bowed his head to get in.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked me as he started the car. I let out a sigh of relief. I really thought he might go over there. The man had just finished his business with the woman; I wouldn't be surprised if he caught something, like HIV.

We were about to leave the parking area when the rain suddenly poured, accompanied by lightning.

"Where should we eat now that it's raining?" I asked, looking out the window at the heavy rain.

"Maybe we can eat at my house? It's not far from here. We can order food online."

I was curious about where Alex lived, especially considering his wealth, so I agreed to go to his house.

We sought refuge from the pouring rain and found ourselves in his luxurious penthouse high above the city. As we entered, my eyes widened in amazement. The penthouse blended modern design with lavish comfort, and floor-to-ceiling windows displayed the city lights against the gray backdrop of rain.

"Wow! Your house is beautiful. Wishful thinking!" I exclaimed and walked towards the large balcony.

"I'm glad you like it," I heard him say.

I walked deeper into the room, my eyes taking in the stylish furniture and elegant decorations. A grand piano stood against one wall, showcasing artistic sophistication, and cozy seating areas seemed to call out for relaxation.

I couldn't close my mouth when I saw the view outside. "It's so beautiful; can I live here? Just kidding," I said with a laugh.

"You can; I'm the only one living here."

He answered without hesitation. I just sighed because he agreed so quickly.

I scratched my head. "Just kidding, Alex. I'm just overwhelmed." I looked at the piano. "You know how to play the piano?" I couldn't help but ask.

He glanced at the piano and smirked while looking back at me. He was leaning against the door, seemingly amused by my reaction. I felt embarrassed.

"Yes, I learned to play it when I was young. Do you want me to teach you?"

He walked towards me, stood beside me, and together we gazed at the rain-soaked city below. I was captivated by the stark contrast between the cozy warmth within the penthouse and the elements outside.

"Next time, if you have free time. You seem like a busy person."

I saw in my peripheral vision that he was staring at me. I felt uneasy and debated whether to turn to face him.

"I can always make time for you, though." I turned to him. His look felt like it was delving into my soul, a hint of affection sparkling in his eyes.

"Why do I feel like you're flirting with me?"

He raised an eyebrow at my statement. I bit my lip at the sudden opening of my mouth. I didn't want things to be awkward between us. Can't my mouth take a break too?

His deep chuckle filled my stomach with butterflies. Even when he laughs, this guy looks handsome. He wet his lips before looking at me again. I couldn't help but swallow.

"Well, Isabella, I always have been. You're just catching on."

"Ha?"

He tousled my hair and went back inside.

"I don't know about you, but all this rain has me craving some comfort food. How about we order something to eat?"

He approached the living room, and I followed suit.

"Comfort food sounds perfect right now. What's on the menu?" I replied casually, as if this were my usual hangout spot.

Alex walked over to a sleek console and pressed a button. A panel slid open, revealing a state-of-the-art entertainment system and a built-in touch screen for ordering.

He smiled as he glanced back at me. "The options are endless. Chinese, Italian, Thai, burgers, sushi... take your pick."

I took a moment to think. "Let's go with the spicy food. Anything spicy is fine. Wait, do you like spicy?"

"You know, you have a way of making even the simplest things feel special." I glanced at him, feeling a faint blush on my cheeks. I cleared my throat, trying to suppress my flustered response.

"Well, I do have a talent for finding joy in the little things," I replied casually, offering a smile.

With our food order placed, I turned my attention to the vast collection of movies displayed on a large screen.

I pointed at it and looked back at him. "Movie time?"

He nodded and walked over to me. "Absolutely. I've got quite the selection here. From classics to new releases, we've got options." He knelt in front of the large screen, grabbed the remote, and turned on the massive display.

"Any hidden guilty pleasures tucked away here, Mr. Billionaire?" I teased, a mischievous glint in my eyes as I admired the exquisite design of his living room.

He laughed in response, his smile reflecting my playful tone. "Guilty pleasures? Let's just say I have a special corner for romantic comedies and action-packed blockbusters."

I teased him further by raising an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of my lips. "Romantic comedies, huh? Who would've thought?"

Alex's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Even a playboy billionaire needs a little escape from reality now and then."

As we waited for our order to arrive, we walked over to the couch and found comfortable spots to sit. I settled in and grabbed a nearby cushion, hugging it to my chest with a smile on my lips.

"This is perfect. Rain outside, the cozy haven in here, and delicious food on its way," I said, eagerly awaiting the show to start.

"Couldn't agree more. And who knows, we might just stumble upon a romantic comedy that even you can't resist."

I pretended to consider it. "Well, if it's a challenge, consider it accepted."

As we waited, our body language spoke volumes. My legs were curled beneath me, and I held the cushion close, creating a protective barrier around myself. My eyes occasionally flicked towards Alex.

Alex leaned back into the couch, his posture relaxed yet attentive. His gaze lingered on me, his grin softening into a gentle smile as our eyes accidentally met.

My heart raced when he once again lowered his gaze to my lips. I wanted to avoid it, but there was something I couldn't quite understand that made me want to reciprocate. I wanted to slap some sense into myself and remind myself that I was just here to finish the contract, nothing else. But here I was, thinking otherwise.

"Isabela," he called my name, and I felt nervous as he continued to gaze at me, particularly at my lips, licking his own.

"Why? Do you have something to say?" I tried not to stammer, but I was still taken aback.

He moved closer to me, his gaze locked on my face. Our faces were now as close as tomatoes. His thumb brushed against my cheek, and the warmth of his palm added to my blushing.

"W-what are you doing?" I started to ask, but my eyes widened when he suddenly kissed me. I had thought he would mention something about my face, but even though I expected it, I was still shocked by his actions.

Our lips met gently, and he pulled away. I was left dumbfounded, my eyes fixed on him.

"You just—" I began.

"Earlier, I wanted to kiss you. I'm sorry, but I did try to stop myself. Are you mad?" I blinked and couldn't believe what had just happened.

"You just stole my first kiss, Alex," I said, emphasizing the point. Instead of apologizing, he simply grinned at me.

"Really? I am your first kiss?" He seemed quite pleased. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone a first kiss. You think it's not a big deal to me?" Honestly, I didn't regret it. He was a good-looking guy, after all, but that wasn't the issue here. He just kissed me without warning.

"Should I have asked you first?" he innocently asked. I scoffed.

"Obviously! I mean, no!" I quickly corrected myself and moved away, but he closed the distance, intentionally trapping me in his arms so I wouldn't move again.

And there went my heart, acting up again.

"Can I kiss you again?" I couldn't respond. I just stared at him, feeling tempted.

Our faces were inches apart when a sudden buzz interrupted us. I pushed him away and quickly stood up. "O-our order is here."

He opened the door himself, giving me a moment to mentally scold myself. I was acting so flirtatious. This wasn't who I was born to be. What about his ex-wife? She's an ex, right? But even so, this wasn't right.

After getting our order, we ate in silence while continuing to watch the movie. Thankfully, it seemed like we had both momentarily forgotten what had happened earlier. My anxiety from earlier had skyrocketed, fearing that something inappropriate might occur between us. I couldn't help but let my mind wander, especially since it was just the two of us here.

I settled into the large bedroom of his penthouse. I was staying in the guest room, and I had no idea how many rooms were in this place, but it was quite spacious. I changed into comfortable pajamas, and the only thing I was concerned about was when I'd finally be able to close my eyes, as I had been awake for hours.

The rain outside had grown softer, and the cold atmosphere made me want to sleep, but being in an unfamiliar place, I couldn't fall asleep right away.

I decided to leave the room and grabbed a glass of water. I wanted to drink milk, but I felt too embarrassed to open the refrigerator. I still had some pride left in me.

As I made my way back to the bedroom, I accidentally stepped on what felt like a piece of paper. I picked it up and opened it. It was an old photograph, maybe just a few years old. The faces were familiar—Alex and two other people, one of them a child around four years old, a girl I didn't quite recognize. Maybe she was Alex's ex-wife, but I wasn't sure.

If his ex-wife was in this picture, it meant that the child was theirs. I couldn't help but clutch the picture tightly.

Why hadn't Alex mentioned this to me? Where could this child be now? As time passed, I found myself becoming more and more curious about Alex's life, but I didn't want to ask him about it because I had no right.

"You're still awake?" I quickly hid the picture in the pocket of my sleepwear. Luckily, it had pockets. I scratched my neck and forced a smile. Wait, why was he shirtless?

"Y-yeah, just got some water. Go ahead," I stammered and hurried back into the room. I put a hand on my chest, not because of the picture I had taken, but because of Alex's well-built body. Even in the cold room, I felt like I was sweating as I thought about his physique.

Alone in my room, I flopped onto the bed, burying my face in the pillows. My heart was still racing, and I let out an embarrassed groan. Who would have thought that a simple encounter with a half-naked Alex would have such an effect on me? I scolded myself for being so lustful.

As I lay there, my thoughts gradually became blurry, and before I knew it, I was consumed by sleep. But before that happened, I couldn't help but replay what had occurred earlier in my mind.