DESIRE AND LUST
Desire And Lust – Chapter 41&42
{°° Forbidden Desire °°}
©Lana
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🌺 ᴮᵃᶜᵏᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ’ᶜʰᵃˢⁱⁿ’ᴮʸ ᶜʰʳⁱˢ ᴳʳᵉʸ 🌺
The music drifted from the garden speakers, a soft rhythm pulsing in the background.
Laughter and conversation filled the air, but Mr. King stood still, isolated in the crowd, his eyes tracking Ana as she disappeared into the house.
He grabbed a glass of whiskey from a passing waiter and downed it in one go.
***
Inside, Ana leaned against the bathroom sink, gripping the edge as if it could hold her together. Her chest rose and fell with every shaky breath. Her reflection stared back at her, calm on the outside, chaos within.
She shut her eyes.
This is getting out of control.
Moments later, Joyce entered, holding her heels in one hand. “Hey,,are you okay?”
Ana nodded without looking. “I just needed a moment.”
Joyce raised a brow. “I saw you two talking… looked intense.”
Ana didn’t reply.
Joyce sighed. “Look, I’m not trying to get involved, but if you care about him,,tell him. Before it’s too late.”
Ana met her gaze in the mirror. “It’s not about caring, Joyce. It’s about survival.”
Joyce nodded. “But will you be okay?” she asked.
“I’ll be fine. It’s better to end this now than later,” Ana replied.
“I know what you’re saying makes sense… but Ana, will you really be able to handle it? You work for him, you’ll see him every day. How sure are you that you’ll just watch him without feeling anything?” Joyce asked as she walked closer.
She looked at Ana through the mirror. “Look at you. I’m not trying to interrogate you, but you already look bothered… stressed about this. Ana, you love him — it’s written all over you. This isn’t just something small. What you feel for him is big. Just admit it and open up to him. Let him see how much you love him… how much you crave him.”
Ana swallowed hard.
Was she already in love with him?
No. That can’t be.
“I don’t feel anything for him, Joyce,” Ana said.
Joyce raised an eyebrow. “Ana, are you trying to convince me or yourself? Because I’m not stupid. You *do* love him. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be this affected.”
She sighed. “He walks around unbothered, while you’re here falling apart. It’s written all over your face—you love him. You might not want to admit it, but it’s the truth. And the sooner you accept it, the better. Maybe… maybe you should even tell him.”
Ana cut in sharply, “And if I do, Joyce, what then? What is he going to say? He’s my boss. He has rules. You heard what he told his sister,,he’d *never* break those rules for anyone. Do you honestly think he’d accept it if I told him I love him?”
She shook her head, frustration building. “And don’t forget—he has a girlfriend. A *fucking* girlfriend, Joyce. For goodness’ sake, this whole thing… it’s just bitter.”
“I don’t want to throw myself at him. Because I *know* he’ll never love me back. I’m just… something he uses for s+x. That’s it. And maybe… maybe he just wants to use me to get back at someone.”
She swallowed hard. “That’s all it ever was—pleasuring each other and nothing more.”
“And I don’t think Charlie feels like that,” Joyce said gently.
“If he did, he wouldn’t care the way he does. I know him, Ana. He’s not that cold.”
Ana shook her head. “He’s not the man I thought he was, Joyce. I don’t think I know him at all.”
“This thing… love—what is it, really?” she added bitterly.
“I need to stay away from him before I get hurt all over again. It’s only been a few days since I broke up with Milton… and now look at me. Falling. Throwing myself at someone else.”
Joyce stepped closer. “Ana, it’s not like that. Love doesn’t follow a schedule. It just happens. It doesn’t care how or when. If you’re falling for him, it doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t make you cheap. It just means you’re human. Don’t punish yourself for having feelings.”
Ana looked down, her voice quieter. “No… I’m not in love with Mr. King. I can’t be. That’s impossible.”
But if that was true… why did her heart ache every time he walked away? Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?
“No, Joyce. Let’s not talk about this,” Ana said quickly. “Let’s just go. I’m sure Yolanda is waiting for us downstairs.”
Joyce hesitated. “Ana—”
“No,” Ana cut in firmly.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m fine. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with him in the first place. I knew this would ruin me. And now… I already feel like it has.”
Her voice cracked as she covered her mouth, trying to hold back tears.
Joyce pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay, Ana. I’ve got you. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. Just know that.”
Ana nodded slowly, wiping her face. “Please… Joyce .. Let’s not talk about Mr Kings. Let’s just enjoy the night.”
She took a deep breath, fixed her makeup, and looked at herself in the mirror before following Joyce downstairs.
Inside the ballroom, Yolanda spotted them and waved excitedly. “Ana! You look stunning! That dress was made for you.”
Ana smiled softly. “Thank you. It really is beautiful… all thanks to you.”
“Alright, everyone!” Yolanda clapped her hands. “It’s time to cut the cake! My night might’ve started rough, but I’m glad we’re all here.”
Just then, Mr. Thompson appeared at the side, smiling proudly.
**
***
The music shifted to a softer rhythm, Yolanda and her father cut the towering cake, laughter echoing through the hall. Cheers erupted, champagne flutes clinked, and waiters moved swiftly through the crowd with slices of cake and glasses of bubbly.
Soon after, the band began playing a classic romantic tune.
The lights dimmed slightly, casting a golden hue across the ballroom floor.
“Alright, everyone!” Yolanda called out with a wide grin.
“Time to dance!”
Ana smiled politely, sipping her champagne,until a familiar voice spoke beside her.
“May I have this dance?” Austin Thompson stood there, hand outstretched and smiling confidently.
Ana blinked. “Oh,Austin. Sure.”
She took his hand, letting him lead her to the center of the dance floor.
He was charming, smooth, and effortlessly charismatic.
As they moved in sync, she found herself relaxing,at least for a moment.
But across the room, a pair of cold eyes followed her every step.
Mr. Kings stood at the far end of the hall, a glass of whiskey in his hand, untouched.
His jaw was tight, his grip on the glass even tighter as he watched Ana dance with Austin.
She was smiling.
Laughing.
Spinning under Austin’s hand with ease.
He couldn’t hear the conversation,,but he didn’t need to.
The way Austin leaned close, the way Ana’s hand lingered a moment too long on his shoulder,,it lit something in his chest.
Something hot.
And bitter.
He took a slow sip of whiskey, never breaking his gaze.
Joyce noticed.
She nudged his arm. “You look like you’re about to shatter that glass.”
Mr Kings didn’t respond. His eyes remained fixed on the dance floor.
On Ana.
“Careful, Mr. Kings” Joyce muttered. “You’re staring at her like you own her.”
“She’s my assistant,” he replied coolly, taking another drink.
“She’s not your possession.”
“I never said she was.”
But his voice was clipped. Controlled. And dangerously quiet.
Ana twirled gracefully in Austin’s arms.
“You always look this pretty?” Austin asked, his hand resting lightly at Ana’s waist as they swayed to the slow rhythm.
Ana rolled her eyes. “Are you trying to flirt with me, Mr. Thompson?”
“Maybe,” he shrugged with a crooked grin. “But can you blame me?”
“Don’t try,” she warned, tilting her head. “I don’t do flirty. Especially not with you.”
Austin chuckled. “Ouch. Cold as ever, Ana. But I like that. Keeps things interesting.”
Ana smirked. “I’m not being cold. I just don’t like people pretending they’re charming when they’re not.”
“Well, I wasn’t pretending,” he said, leaning in slightly. “And it wouldn’t be a crime if I did flirt. You’re the most stunning woman here tonight.”
Ana’s cousin, not far off, overheard and let out a sharp laugh. “You’re crazy.”
Ana turned to Austin. “You couldn’t have me, even if you wanted to.”
“Maybe not,” he said smoothly. “But is there someone who already does—without even trying?”
The question caught Ana off guard. Her lips parted slightly, then pressed back into a tight line before she forced a small smile.
“No. There’s no one,” she replied, eyes flicking to the far side of the ballroom.
“I’m my own woman. I stay like this because men are… complicated.”
Austin raised an eyebrow. “A woman like you needs someone who can handle her.”
Ana snorted. “You? Please.”
He twirled her around once, then pulled her gently back into place.
“I was being serious earlier,” Austin said after a beat. “There’s something I need to get off my chest. I trust you.”
She raised a brow, mildly intrigued. “Alright. Go on.”
He lowered his voice. “I’m in a mess. There’s this girl… my cousin.”
Ana’s eyes widened. “Your what?”
“Keep your voice down,” Austin said quickly.
“Yeah, she’s my cousin. But we fell for each other. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. She’s pregnant now. And I love her, Ana. I love her more than anything. But my grandfather—Mr. Thompson—he’d lose it if he ever found out.”
Ana blinked, stunned. “Austin… that’s a lot.”
“I know,” he sighed. “It’s messed up. But it’s real. And I don’t know what to do.”
Ana shook her head slowly. “I’ve never heard anything like this. It’s… shocking. But if it’s real love, you’ll have to face it. Hiding will only make it worse.”
Austin nodded, then glanced at her with narrowed eyes. “Funny, coming from you.”
“What?”
“You’re hiding too. There’s someone you love, but you’re running from it. Hiding behind rules and fear. But it’s written all over your face, Ana.”
Her breath caught.
She turned her head slightly, gaze drifting to the edge of the ballroom—where Mr Kings stood, glass of whiskey in hand, eyes locked on her.
She quickly looked away.
Austin gave a knowing smile. “See?”
“I’m not hiding,” Ana said, her voice low but firm.
Austin gave a slight smirk. “Yeah… we all say that. I say the same too. That I’m not hiding. But the truth is, you don’t know you’re hiding until someone shows you the mirror.”
He looked away for a second, then back at her with raw honesty in his eyes.
“Sometimes you have to ask yourself,,is this person worth losing everything for? And for me… she is. If my grandfather disowns me, if my family hates me,,hell, if the whole world turns its back,I’d still choose her. Because I fucking love her.”
Ana stared at him, stunned by the intensity in his voice. She could feel it—he meant every word.
Meanwhile, across the ballroom, Mr. Kings was gripping his glass of whiskey so tightly his knuckles turned white.
The sight of Ana smiling, dancing, being touched by another man—it made his blood boil.
“F+k ,” he muttered, slamming the glass down on a nearby table.
Without thinking, he stormed toward them.
Before Ana could react, Mr. Kings grabbed her hand and yanked her away from Austin.
“Hey! What are you—” she began, but before she could finish, he swept her into his arms and carried her out of the ballroom.
“Charlie, put me down!” she shouted, hitting his chest. “What the hell are you doing?! Put me down now!”
But he didn’t stop. Not until they were outside the house, near the car.
Antonio, who had been on his phone nearby, looked up in shock. His brows lifted, but when he saw Mr. Kings’ expression, he stepped aside silently.
Mr. Kings placed Ana on her feet roughly. She stumbled slightly, her dress shifting as she tried to steady herself.
“What the hell was that?!” she shouted, her chest heaving.
He stared at her, eyes burning with rage.
“You let him touch you like that?” he asked, voice low and dangerous
“Do you even know what you’re doing, Ana?”
“You don’t get to do this!” she snapped, her voice full of fury. “You don’t get to embarrass me like this, in front of everyone!”
He didn’t respond.
Instead, he crushed his mouth against hers, kissing her hard, rough, biting her lower lip, .
She shoved him back and slapped him across the face.
A sharp silence followed.
Mr. Kings blinked, then slowly turned his head back toward her, jaw clenched, fury radiating from his body.
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you ever raise your fucking hand to me again.”
Ana’s breath hitched. She could see it now—the man in front of her wasn’t just her boss or her lover.
There was something darker beneath.
“I’m not someone you can treat like a game,” he growled, stepping closer.
“You don’t walk away from me. Do you understand, Ana?”
She held her ground, though her legs trembled. “You’re scaring me.”
Before he could answer, Joyce came running up. “Charlie!”
“Stay out of this, Joyce,” he snapped without even turning his head.
“What are you doing?! You dragged her out here like some possession!”
“I said,” Mr. Kings turned to her, voice rising, “stay the f+k out of this!”
Joyce recoiled but didn’t back away.
“I’m not getting in that car,” Ana said, her voice shaking now.
He glared at her. “Get in the f+king car, Ana. Don’t make me say it again.”
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