DESIRE AND LUST
Desire And Lust – Chapter 53&54
{°° Forbidden Desire °°}
©Lana
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
🌺 ᴮᵃᶜᵏᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ‘ᵀᴴᴱ ᶜᴬˢᵀᴸᴱ’ ᴮʸ ᶜʰʳⁱˢ ᴳʳᵉʸ 🌺
Joyce and Ana stepped inside the salon.
The place smelled like fresh shampoo and lavender oil.
Joyce slid into the seat next to her, pulling off her scarf dramatically. “Girl, today we’re going to get your hair done like a goddess. Paris won’t know what hit it.”
Ana laughed. “Joyce, we’re not even in Paris yet.”
“Yeah, but you will be very soon.And when Charlie sees you stepping out looking like a whole dream? I just want to see his face.”
Ana shook her head with a small smile. “You’re so dramatic.”
“You love it,” Joyce teased, then glanced at Ana in the mirror. “By the way, when are you going to tell Charlie that his sister always harass you?”
Ana’s smile faded a little. “No. I can’t do that this is between me and her, I don’t need to run to Mr Kings every time you know “
“you have to”Joyce said. “I don’t trust her. She’s always throwing shade like it’s her job. And what’s with Fatima always following her around?”
“I don’t know,” Ana murmured. “Honestly, I don’t understand what their problem is. I haven’t done anything to them.”
Joyce scoffed. “You exist. That’s enough for some people to feel threatened. Especially when their favorite person starts acting different around you.”
Ana looked away for a moment. “You think that’s really it?”
“Charlie’s not subtle,” Joyce said, raising an eyebrow. “He treats you differently. Everyone sees it,even the ones pretending not to.”
Ana didn’t reply. The stylist began combing through her hair gently.
Joyce leaned back in her seat. “Anyway, forget them. Let’s get you glowing, because in 48 hours, you’ll be landing in Paris, and you, my friend, are going to turn heads.”
Ana smiled softly. “I just hope the work trip goes smoothly. That’s all I want.”
Joyce grinned. “Work trip. Sure.”
They both laughed.
****
After doing their hair and nails, Anna and Joyce walked out of the salon, chatting and laughing.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Joyce said, giving Anna a quick hug.
“Are you coming to the airport with me?” Anna asked.
“Of course. I need to see you off properly before you disappear with Mr. King,” Joyce teased with a wink.
Anna laughed. “You better show up on time.”
Joyce kissed her cheek. “I got you. Now go rest, babe. This week’s going to be hectic.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Anna said, rolling her eyes.
“I’m just being honest. You’ll thank me later,” Joyce smirked.
Anna shook her head and walked to her car. She glanced at her phone, then smiled while admiring her freshly done nails. “Perfect,” she whispered.
She drove home, the sun dipping low in the sky.
When she walked through the front door, the familiar scent of home greeted her.
“Mom, I’m back!” she called.
Her mother stepped out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. “Hey, baby. You look beautiful. How was the salon?”
“It was really nice. I feel fresh,” Anna replied, giving her a quick hug.
“Is Alvin here?” Anna asked as she walked into the kitchen with her mom.
Her mother nodded, stirring a pot on the stove. “He’s in his room, probably glued to his screen again.”
Anna chuckled, dropping her bag onto the counter. “Of course. Typical Alvin.”
As if on cue, Alvin’s voice echoed from down the hallway. “I heard that!”
Anna smirked. “Then come say hi, you little ghost.”
A moment later, Alvin appeared in the doorway, still wearing his hoodie and socks, phone in hand. “I was letting you settle in.”
“Sure,” Anna said, walking over and giving him a side hug. “You missed me?”
“Obviously,” Alvin replied with a grin. “The house is way too quiet without you bossing people around.”
Their mom shook her head with a smile. “You two never change.”
Anna leaned against the counter. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning, so you better soak up all this energy while you can.”
Alvin raised a brow. “Don’t worry. I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet.”
Anna tossed a dish towel at him, laughing. “Whatever, brat.”
Their mom smiled warmly. “Alright, come eat. You both need it.”
“When are you coming back?” her mom asked
“Well, I don’t know yet. Once the event is over, I’ll return,” Anna replied, placing her bag on the counter.
“Wow, that’s long,” Alvin said.
“It’s not that long, just for the event. As soon as it’s done, I’ll be back,” she explained.
“Hmm, I see. Can you go and see Auntie Maggie while you’re there?” her mom asked.
Anna paused, frowning. “No, Mom. I’m not going to her house.”
Her mom sighed. “Anna, she really wants to see you. She says you’ve never visited since your dad passed. She missed you guys.”
“I said no, Mom. I don’t want to see Auntie Maggie. If she wants to see us, she can come to New York. I’m not visiting her in Paris. Period.”
Her mother let out a long sigh. “I understand, Anna… but this thing of holding on to resentment because of your father’s mistake it’s not healthy.”
“Mom, I don’t hate anyone. But Auntie Maggie never liked us. Now suddenly she wants us to come eat at her house? Why now?”
“I agree with Anna,” Alvin chimed in. “Auntie Maggie never liked us. Why does she care now?”.
Their mom sighed again, defeated. “Okay, I won’t force you. Do what feels right. But if you change your mind, it’s okay to visit her. Just go and enjoy your trip, okay?”
She gently placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder. Anna nodded, then turned to Alvin.
“You’re going with the driver to college tomorrow,” she said.
“No, I’ll drive myself. I’ll take your car,” Alvin replied.
Anna narrowed her eyes. “No, Alvin. You’re not driving my car.”
“Come on, Anna! Why not? I’ll be careful,” he whined.
She rolled her eyes. “No, Alvin. Mom will drive you. Not you. Got it?”
She was still talking when her phone pinged , She picked it up and looked at the message, her heart pounding and breath catching as she read Mr. Kings’s text.
It was brief, just,
“See you tomorrow, Mrs. Evans,” with no other words.
That simple message made Ana’s heart race even faster.
Oh gosh, she was really crazy.
Her mother noticed the change in her and asked gently, “Are you okay?”
Clearing her throat and pressing her lips together, she lied softly, “Yes, I am. Just a message from Joyce,” as she looked down and slipped the phone back into her handbag.
“Okay, guys, I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I’m going to sleep now I have a long day ahead,” she said, kissing her mom’s cheek.
“You should bring me something back,” Alvin teased.
“Sure, little bro,” Anna replied with a smile, then walked to her room.
****
The next day, at the airport…
Joyce and Anna gave each other a warm hug.
“When are you going to come?”Anna asked softly.
“I’m coming,”Joyce replied. “I’ll follow you later, but I can’t go now. I’ll come when it’s time for the event, I’ll be ready by then.”
They pulled back from the hug. Anna nodded, then glanced over to where Mr. King and Allison were standing.
Anna smiled softly as she lowered her voice. “I’m so nervous about going. You know we’ll be in a private jet… alone. No one else is coming with us.”
Joyce grinned.
“That’s perfect! You’ll finally have some privacy. Maybe you’ll talk… or maybe you’ll do other things, you know.”
Anna rolled her eyes.
“That’s all you ever think about, Joyce.”
“I know, I know,”Joyce laughed. “I’ll see you there. Please make sure you don’t get bored without me.”
“Did you book the hotel rooms?” Anna asked.
“Yeah, I did” Joyce replied.
“Are you girls done?” Alison aasked, walking up to them.
His hand moved to Joyce’s waist, resting there protectively almost as if claiming her in public.
“Yeah, we’re done,” Joyce smiled.
She looked at Mr. Kings
“Charlie, please take care of my friend. Don’t be your usual mean boss.”
Mr. Kings glanced briefly at Joyce, then let his gaze linger on Anna.
“I’ll take care of her,” he said, smirking. “But no promises.”
His eyes found Anna’s again, making her blush as she looked down.
“Oh my God, you guys are beautiful”Joyce teased.
Ana roll her eyes and walk to Alison and gave him a hug.
Mr. Kings’s jaw tightened slightly .
Watching Alison and Ana embrace stirred something possessive in him.
He liked Alison but right now he hated that he got to hug Ana like that..
Mr. King cleared his throat as Ana and Alison pulled out of the hug.
Alison looked at him with a smirk.
“You don’t have to be jealous today. She’s like a sister to me,” Alison said teasingly smirk.
Mr. King narrowed his eyes slightly. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Well, it’s written all over your face that you are jealous,” Joyce chimed in with a smirk.
“Whatever. You people talk nonsense,” Mr. King muttered, brushing past their comments.
Then he turned to Ana.
“Ms. Evans, I think we should leave now. Our flight attendants are waiting.”
He glanced at Alison. “Make sure everything is arranged. I don’t want any delays or surprises when we return.”
“Got it,”Alison nodded.
He and Alison bumped shoulders briefly a casual goodbye.
Joyce leaned in and kissed Anna’s cheek.
“Take care of yourself, okay? I’ll see you on Sunday. Maybe Saturday if I can, but definitely Sunday night.”
Anna smiled and nodded before following behind Mr. King toward the private jet.
She looked back once to wave at Joyce before stepping inside.
Once onboard, the atmosphere shifted.
Mr. King didn’t speak much. He slipped his phone into his pocket, his expression unreadable.
His face was stone cold, as if a switch had flipped the moment they were alone.
Ana swallowed hard, unsure if she should break the silence or enjoy the strange tension crackling in the air.
Just the two of them.
In a private jet.
Flying to Paris.
It was kind of… exciting.
After takeoff, Mr. Kings finally broke the silence.
“You can rest if you’re tired,” he said, not looking at her, eyes fixed out the window.
*“Thanks,” Anna replied softly, biting her lip.
But sleep wasn’t what her mind was wandering to.
Not with him just a few feet away…
And that silence between them getting heavier by the second
**
Anna shifted in her seat, pretending to get comfortable, but her eyes kept stealing glances at Mr. Kings.
He sat across from her, legs crossed, one hand resting casually on his thigh, the other scrolling on his phone.
The way his jaw clenched slightly as he read… it annoyed her how attractive he looked doing absolutely nothing.
She sighed and leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
“You’re doing that thing again,”his voice cut through the silence.
“What thing?” she opened one eye.
“Staring at me and pretending you’re not.”
She scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He finally looked up, smirking. “Oh, I don’t have to. You do it for me.”
Anna grabbed the blanket on her seat and tossed it at him, hitting him square in the chest.
“Childish,”he muttered, grabbing the blanket and tossing it back, but she caught it mid-air.
“You’re the one picking fights on a flight. Shouldn’t we be relaxing?”
“You started it.”
His tone was calm, but his eyes burned into hers with playful heat.
The jet hit a light patch of turbulence, making Anna jolt slightly.
She instinctively grabbed the armrest.
Mr. Kings raised a brow.
“Scared of a little shake?”
“Not scared. Just… caught off guard.”
He leaned slightly forward.
“You’re always so composed in front of others. But now, it’s just me and you, Ms. Evans. So which one is the real you?”
She met his gaze, steady this time.
“Maybe you’ll find out in Paris.”
His smirk deepened. “Challenge accepted.”
He looked down at her, eyes lingering just a second too long.
“Let’s get this over with,”he said, though his voice lacked conviction.
“Or… let’s not rush anything,” she whispered with a sly smile.
Mr. King chuckled under his breath.
“I have a house in Paris,” Mr. King said after some time.
“So… we’re going to your house?” Anna asked, raising a brow.
Mr. King smirked. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that, baby doll?”
Anna hesitated for a second but then shook her head. “No, I don’t. I just thought we were staying at a hotel. I thought we booked rooms.”
“I cancelled the reservation,” he replied casually. “I have a house why would I stay in a hotel? We’ll go straight there and wait for the event.”
Anna nodded, but her thoughts were racing. So… she was going to be in his house. Alone. With him. What exactly would be happening there?
Mr. King glanced sideways at her and smirked again. “Are you scared?”
Anna quickly shook her head. “No! Just… I don’t know what to expect.”
He chuckled, clearly amused. “Relax. I’m not going to eat you up.”
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Unless, of course, you *want* me to. Then I won’t hold back.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “You’re full of yourself. Keep dreaming.”
Mr. King shrugged with a smug grin, just as the flight attendants came over the intercom too announce their arrival at the Paris airport.
“We are here now baby doll” Mr Kings said
Ana nodded, they stepped off the plane, the cool Paris breeze hit their faces. Anna pulled her coat tighter around her, trailing a step behind Mr. King as they descended the jet stairs. A sleek black car was already waiting on the tarmac, but just before they reached it, Mr. King stopped in his tracks.
“Charlie?” a voice called out.
Mr. King’s body stiffened slightly.
Anna peeked from behind him and saw a tall man in a designer coat approaching with a woman clinging to his arm , elegant, confident, and unmistakably beautiful.
Anna noticed how Mr. King’s jaw clenched.
