Kiss Me Not

Cedric nodded. "For all I know he could be the one responsible for my kidnapping too. I believe it's a personal vendetta because that man was someone close to my mother, he was her childhood friend, almost a brother. My father is still searching for him but that man is like a ghost.

Now, with my father's approval, I've been retracing the events from the beginning, hoping I will find something that could reveal some details that had been previously overlooked. I can feel my father's grief and burden about that incident. 

He keeps it from me because he doesn't want me to end up like him. He said, every night he is still not at peace knowing justice has not yet been served for my mother's death. He is right because when I found out about it, I felt the same rage and the urge to look for that animal and give him the punishment he deserves. 

He is lucky to have lived this long without paying for his sins. That man is powerful enough to keep himself hidden. He calculated and planned everything precisely. Just look at the updates on my own investigation, it's a personal vendetta against my family."

Brione sighed. She held Cedric's hand and gently squeezed it.

"Sorry, our talk escalated so that you had to recall that incident," she whispered. She was just curious about his birthday as she wanted to buy him something with enough preparation and yet… The coincidence was just too much.

"You should definitely look at your butt just to make sure. Also, check your motor skills," Brione shyly suggested, making Cedric laugh.

"I can help you check the motor skills but there's no way I will look at my butt. If you want you can look at it for me." Cedric uttered.

Brione stared at him in disbelief and said, "Can I?"

"Well, you need to have the right over me if you want to look at it. You see, my naked body is not available for free. Only my wife is allowed to see me naked. You, my dear, only have access to a few parts of my body and my ass is not among them."

Brione's face reddened at Cedric's bold words. She could not believe that she was even considering his nonsense. Her face crumpled as she whispered, "I'd rather finish my lunch than listen to your perverted thoughts."

Cedric laughed, enjoying her blushing face. Then he added, "Ask me something else. I will give you as much as I remember. I like it when you ask me things like you want to know me more. I feel happy, Sweetheart."

"How about me? How much do you know about me?" Brione asked.

"Everything. Why don't you ask and I will answer your questions for you." Cedric challenged, making Brione lift her eyebrows.

"My favorite color?" Brione asked.

"Green."

"Favorite movies?"

"Horror, romance and thriller genres"

"Favorite ice cream?"

"Caramel and chocolate, even in cakes and desserts. Anything with caramel and chocolate."

"You're such a stalker!" Brione scoffed.

Cedric laughed and said, "I told you. I'm more than an avid fan. I know more than anyone else does."

"Huh? Like what?"

"The small mole on your nipple?" Cedric teased.

Brione's eyes widened as she scolded, "Stop that, you pervert!"

Cedric laughed and candidly added, "I actually know how many moles you have all over your…"

"I said stop or I'll go back and won't come with you!" Brione threatened with a deep red face. Cedric quickly sealed his lips but he could not wipe the mischievous grin from his face.

"Why are you still shy with me? Ah! You do know that I will take every opportunity I can get to take advantage of you, Sweetheart. You can't escape me. You're trapped with me," Cedric seductively whispered in her ear.

"I can still escape, okay, so if you don't stop teasing me I will reall…'' before she could finish her sentence, Cedric's lips suddenly dived on hers, giving her no room for further discussion.

Brione could only complain silently because her body always betrayed her so what was the sense of struggling when she loved his kisses so much? Because she was deprived of his kisses, so right now she could actually kiss him and have a blast doing it.

Cedric successfully silenced her with his intoxicating kisses and Brione unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck to cling to him. She wondered why Cedric's lips felt so good on hers. They were so soft and luscious, really addicting.

"Let's finish our lunch first, the plane will land soon," Cedric whispered on her lips before letting her go.

The two of them finished their lunch. Soon the plane landed and Cedric held her hand tightly as they disembarked the plane.

Outside, many bodyguards waited to guide them to the official state car. The security was really strict.

"Your Highness, the boutique is clear and safe to enter." reported one of the security personnel.

"You mean the boutique where we are going?" Brione whispered.

"Yeah, since we are not in disguise, we will be the only customers when we arrive." Cedric informed her and Brione nodded in acknowledgment. They went inside the boutique holding each other's hands. The manager of the boutique assisted her in buying things she wanted for Cedric and his family.

Cedric insisted on accompanying her but she asked him to wait on the couch. She smiled when she saw some cute matching items for couples but she was not sure what to buy.

"Miss, uhm. Sorry if it's a bit rude, but are you Miss Brione Yu?" the manager stuttered. Brione smiled at her and nodded in assent.

"Oh my God! I knew it. Sorry… Uhm, I'm just a huge fan! Is it okay if I take a picture with you?" Brione nodded and posed for a selfie. She looked at the manager and timidly asked, "I don't know what to buy for him. I mean, for His Highness. I want to give him something…"

"Hmm, how about something like this?" the manager presented an item for her approval and Brione nodded bashfully. 

"Please wrap it so he won't see" Brione commented and quickly gave her card to the manager. It was not her first time buying a gift for a man because she often bought gifts for her brother and Gavin. But this was the first time she had bought something like this.