Chapter 21

Michael shot Benjamin a sideways glance, clearly annoyed by what he just said.

"I'll say it again, the only reason I helped Isabella was out of pity and because it's my basic duty as a husband," Michael stressed, dead serious.

Benjamin raised his hands in mock surrender and nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You did it to save face for the family. Can't have the heir bullying his future wife, right?"

Michael snorted, kind of agreeing with Benjamin.

Benjamin chuckled and shook his head. Then he spotted a stunning woman walking their way, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"So, if you're not into Isabella, what about this beauty?" Benjamin teased Michael.

Michael frowned, looking at Pearl as she approached, clearly puzzled. "Who is she? She looks kinda familiar."

"That's Pearl from the Brown Family, one of the big four. Also, she's the girlfriend Mason picked out for you," Benjamin's grin widened.

Pearl walked up, extending her hand with a charming smile. "You must be Michael! I've heard so much about you. I've always admired you. I'm Pearl."

Michael didn't shake her hand. He gave her a quick glance, and the look in her eyes made him uneasy. He'd seen that greedy look before in women who saw him as a stepping stone.

Pearl felt awkward when Michael didn't shake her hand and looked to Benjamin for help.

Benjamin sighed, reached out, and shook Pearl's hand. "Ms. Brown, nice to meet you. We've had a bit too much to drink tonight and are heading home. Let's catch up another day." He smiled and started to pull Michael away.

Pearl smirked, but then she noticed Michael stopping and turning back to look at her.

Just when Pearl thought Michael was interested, his cold voice cut through the air. "I don't like others meddling in my marriage. Not even my father has that right," he said, walking away without a backward glance, leaving Pearl standing there, pale-faced.

"And you say you're not into Isabella? You didn't even give a beauty like Pearl a chance," Benjamin teased.

"I'll say it again, I just don't like others meddling in my marriage," Michael shot back coldly and walked off.

Benjamin shrugged. "Let's see how long you can keep denying it."

Meanwhile, at Isabella's place.

Isabella lay in bed, unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Michael's mischievous smile. Whenever she was about to drift off, she'd dream of him kissing her.

"Damn it, another sleepless night?" Isabella sat up, frustrated, running her hands through her hair.

She got out of bed to get a glass of water. As she passed through the living room, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Who the heck would come knocking at 3 am? Isabella had a bad feeling. Ever since she got kidnapped, she had some serious trauma. She quickly grabbed a kitchen knife and stared at the door, her heart racing.

"Who's out there? I'm warning you, leave now or I'll call the cops!" Isabella's hand was shaking as she held the knife, shouting loudly to scare off whoever was outside.

The knocking stopped, and Isabella felt a bit of relief.

Then she heard Michael's voice from outside. "Isabella, open up, it's me."

Isabella was stunned but didn't drop the knife. She cautiously looked through the peephole and saw a flushed Michael standing there.

She quickly put the knife away and opened the door. Michael practically fell into her arms.

"Oh my God, how much did you drink? You reek of alcohol!" Isabella helped him inside and shut the door.

"You're lucky you didn't pass out on the street. If some thugs found you, they'd have dragged you off," she muttered, half to herself, as she threw Michael onto the bed.

She looked at the drunken Michael, grabbed a towel from the bathroom, and started wiping his face.

"Thirsty," Michael mumbled.

Isabella quickly got a glass of water and helped him drink.

Michael gulped it down, his Adam's apple bobbing, then flopped back onto the bed.

Isabella kept wiping his face, her eyes lingering on his throat. Tiny beads of water sparkled like diamonds, tracing a path from the corner of his mouth, making him look oddly vulnerable.

Her heart pounded wildly. There was something different about Michael tonight.

Suddenly, Michael grabbed her wrist, his eyes half-open, and in a mesmerized voice, he said, "Don't go!" He smiled and pulled her into his arms.

Isabella was startled. She felt his warmth and heard her own heartbeat pounding in her chest. Her body warmed up, and her breath quickened.

Then, his alcohol-scented mouth kissed hers.

Isabella's eyes widened as Michael's tongue found its way into her mouth, searching for hers. She couldn't control her wildly beating heart anymore and pushed him away forcefully.

"Sorry, I'm not ready yet." Blushing, Isabella jumped off the bed and rushed into the bathroom.

Leaning against the bathroom door, she breathed heavily, her heart pounding like it was about to burst.

"Oh my God, what am I doing? We're just in a contract marriage, and kissing is already too much. Are we really going further tonight?" she whispered, with her hand over her heart.

After staying in the bathroom for over ten minutes, Isabella finally calmed down. When she came out, she found Michael already asleep.

"I hope Michael won't remember any of this when he wakes up," she chuckled to herself and helped him take off his clothes.