Chapter 9 9

"Are you a monster or something ?"

"Are you a monster or something ?"

Seth couldn't help but smirk as he remembered what the woman following him had said earlier.

"What the hell is she thinking?"

He shook his head, talking to himself, trying hard to resist the temptation to glance at her.

They had just arrived at his large house. As soon as the car entered the gate, he could see the mixed astonishment and curiosity on Isabel Vergara's face.

Seth couldn't really blame her, especially since he had taken her to a different house the previous day.

Seth had so many properties, and the condo where he first accommodated Isabel Vergara was just one of many.

When they reached the main living room, Seth suddenly stopped walking, feeling a momentary irritation when something bumped into his back a few seconds later.

"Seriously, how clumsy could this woman be?"

He asked himself in frustration, trying to calm down. But his annoyance returned when he turned around to face her, only to be met with her grimacing face as she slowly massaged her nose-though not particularly pointed, it still suited her small and beautiful face.

"Does it hurt?"

Seth snapped, smirking when she gave him nothing but a slow nod.

"That's what you get when you don't look around while walking. If you're not careful, you'll end up getting hit by a bus. You need to pay attention to every little thing around you, Isabel."

He said without emotion, making the woman quickly force a smile.

"C-can you just call me Izzy instead?"

She asked shyly, causing Seth to frown.

"What's wrong with Isabel Vergara? I like calling people by their actual names. I never settle for nicknames or whatever pet names exist-it's more civil and professional."

Seth explained at length, his frown deepening when the woman grimaced even more.

"What?"

He asked gruffly.

"N-nothing, it's just... that was such a long answer when yes or no would've sufficed..."

Isabel said, shaking her head.

"And your answer was completely unrelated to what I asked earlier. Did I even ask for your reasoning?"

She retorted playfully, making Seth sigh as he watched her scratch the back of her head before flashing a sweet smile.

"Cute..."

"No... Sht! Where the hell did that come from? Get it together, Seth!"*

He mentally scolded himself before quickly looking away.

"O-oh, right... I guess I'm dumb to talk to as well. Sorry... It's just that your house is so beautiful, so big, and so clean. Even the bathrooms here are probably bigger and cleaner than my entire room back home... And also-"

She rambled while scanning the entire house, even sniffing the air before smiling again.

"It even smells rich... Is this your house?"

She added, making Seth sigh and roll his eyes.

"No, this isn't my house. I'm just the gardener here."

He deadpanned. Seth thought she would be offended by his sarcasm, but he was wrong-especially when she responded-

"Oh wow! Fancy. A gardener wearing a suit and tie? Now I'm even more excited to meet the actual owner-maybe they dress like royalty or something!"

Seth grimaced at her answer and replied irritably.

"You're such a smartass."

"And you're so grumpy... Also, why did you even bring me here if you're just going to argue with me? If that's the case, I should've just stayed at the hospital. I'd rather argue with my uncle and my best friend instead."

She said with a pout.

She had a point-why did he suddenly decide to meet this woman when he had driven her away so coldly the last time?

Seth let out a deep breath when he realized that even he didn't know the answer to that question.

"Fine, I don't mean to be rude, but woman, you need to shut up... You're chattier than mall promoters or call center agents who never run out of calls."

"Oh... S-sorry. It's just how I am... B-besides, I feel shy around you because of what happened the other night and because you helped my mom. Also, I feel like my heart is going to explode from nervousness whenever I'm near you, so I just can't stop talking..."

Seth rolled his eyes again at her long-winded explanation.

"How's your mother?"

He suddenly asked, and the woman's face instantly brightened.

"M-my mom is doing fine. She's still a bit weak, but the doctor said that's normal. She just needs a few more weeks or months to fully recover. That's all thanks to you! She even wants to meet you... B-but..."

For some reason, Seth felt an unfamiliar concern when her cheerful face suddenly turned somber.

A part of him wanted to close the distance and hold her close, to give her the comfort she needed, yet another part of him told him to back off, reminding him that he had no business doing so.

"But what?"

Despite his conflicting emotions, Seth forced himself to keep a neutral expression-after all, that was what he did best, acting as if he had no heart or care.

A moment later, he felt an inexplicable frustration with himself when the urge to comfort her grew stronger, especially when he saw her force a smile while her eyes reflected exhaustion and sadness.

"But what, Isabel?"

He asked again.

"B-but... I don't know how long I can keep hiding the truth from my mom about where the money really came from. I lied and said it was from a charity. I didn't want to lie, and I feel guilty, but I had no choice... Especially since I know I can't tell them what I did to get that money."

She explained, her voice laced with sorrow as she looked away bitterly.

"That money is not a joke. It's a huge amount, and no charity would be willing to give you that much in one night. It is wrong to lie, but I can't judge you. Knowing how you came to my condo and offered me sex, I know this is serious. If it will make you feel a little better, just think of it as a loan-except I don't want the same amount of money in return."

Seth said seriously, keeping his eyes fixed on her beautiful face.

A moment later, his gaze traveled down her neck, then to her full chest, and finally to her small waist, which was concealed by her old, loose T-shirt.

Seth felt the monster within him stir, especially as his eyes drifted lower to the part of her body hidden beneath her faded jeans.

"I-I don't have the money to pay you back yet, if that's why you brought me here, sir Seth..."

She said hesitantly, making Seth smirk.

"A deal is a deal, Isabel Vergara-one and a half million in exchange for one night with me..."