MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

Crystal looked Eric in the eyes and said, "You have put me in a tight space, and my anxiety is through the roof. I cannot make a big decision in this environment. It would be best if you let me go. If you do, I will return in three days with my answer. Then, regardless of what I decide, I will stay for a month.

"You w-want to- l-leave…." Eric was taken aback. The thought of letting her go had never been a part of his plan. "How can I trust you to c -come back...?"

"You have Carlos," she replied, "and your arm is long. I know that if I crossed you, nobody in my life would be safe, and Noah would never get the antidote. If you let me go, I would have to return. You must see that…."

Eric's brow furrowed. "Crystal, no one has ever tried my patience or vexed me the way that you do. Do you know that?"

"I know it," Crystal replied meekly. "Will you let me go?"

"Besides thinking, what will you be doing while you are gone?" Eric asked.

"I will set my affairs in order," Crystal replied. "I cannot just disappear without a word. People will worry, and they will come looking for me."

"If you do not come back, I will kill Carlos. I will slit his throat myself, but his blood will be on your hands. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Crystal replied. "I will return." She glanced at the clock. By now, Nathan would have received word from the driver, and there was no doubt in her mind that he was on his way. "I need to go now."

"Why are you so anxious?"

"I have an appointment with Nathan. He will be suspicious if I don't return on time."

A thought occurred to Eric, and he frowned. He said, "Once you tell Nathan your plans, he is unlikely to let you leave..."

Crystal smirked and said, "He may try to keep me in, but I know how to get my way. Look at today, for example. There is no way that he would have approved of me meeting up with his mother."

"Okay." Eric nodded. "I believe you. You may go if that is what you need to do."

"Thank you." Crystal took out her mobile phone and asked her driver to pick her up.

Then, as she put it away, Eric put his hand on her shoulder, and she asked him if there was a problem?

"It's cold outside," he replied. "Put on my jacket. I will see you out."

"Don't bother. I don't want him to see you."

"That won't be a problem," Eric explained.

"My driver will take you where you want to go, so you may as well cancel your car."

"Alright." Crystal knew that it was pointless to argue, so she did as he said. "But what about the antidote... for Noah...?"

"Paul has it. I will bring it to you tomorrow."

"Do you know where I live?"

"Of course, I do." Eric laughed. "I know everything about you."

A chill ran down Crystal's back. That's creepy - she thought. "Alright," she said. "Tomorrow it is."

As she began to walk towards the door, Eric stopped her. "Where's my goodbye kiss?" Crystal smiled, gave him a kiss on his cheek, and hurried off in the direction of the car. The cold air hit her in the face, and a grin appeared on her face. Eric still had her in his grasp, but at that moment, she felt completely free. She looked back at the zoo and sighed. If it were not for Carlos and Noah, there is no way that she would even think about returning.

****

Crystal had the driver drop her off at the mall. She knew that she was about to upset Nathan, and she thought that a gift might pacify him. She had barely stepped out of the car, though, when her phone rang. When she saw that it was Nathan who was calling, her heart sank. With trembling hands, she accepted the call and brought it to the side of her head. "H- Hello..." she stuttered.

"Are you carrying a small black backpack?" Nathan asked.

She was. Crystal looked around, but she saw no one. The parking lot was nearly deserted.

"Are you wearing a blue jacket and black boots?" Nathan asked.

She was. "Can you see me?" Crystal began to feel scared. "Where are you?"

"Take a guess?"

"Stop playing around," Crystal cried. "Are you in the mall's parking lot? I don't see you!"

The line went dead, and Crystal began to look around frantically.

Suddenly, the entrance to the mall opened, and Nathan emerged. He had a wicked grin on his face, and several bodyguards walked behind him. Not knowing what else to do, she walked towards him, and they met in the middle of the lot.

"What are you here for?" Nathan asked.

"I wanted to buy you a gift," Crystal replied. Nathan's eyes lit up. "What were you going to get me?"

"I was thinking about gloves," Crystal replied, "I didn't know if you preferred black or brown, so it is a good thing that you are here!" 

Nathan thought about it for a moment, and then he smiled. "Can I have them both?" 

Crystal chuckled. He is like a kid in a candy store - she thought. But then her face turned white. "I'm sorry," she said, "But I don't have enough money for two pairs."

"Where is your card?" Nathan took out his wallet.

"I forgot to bring it."

Nathan rubbed her head. He" Boop'd" her! nose and said, "You are so cute. Anyway, it is the thought that counts, right? I will pay for the gloves, but they can still be a gift from you."

When Nathan brought the gloves to the counter, the clerk took one look at him, and her eyes lit up. It was the first time that she had seen a man with such a charming silhouette.

Crystal cleared her throat and said, "Wrap it up for us, please."

The clerk started to wrap the gloves, but Nathan stopped her.. He turned to Crystal and said, "Darling, please put them on for me."