Arresting My Love

Great Glory Hotel.

The corridor on the 13th floor of the VIP area.

Virginia Carson was looking around with a small bag. There were rooms on both sides of the corridor, but none of them was her target.

What she was looking for was a men's toilet.

Yes, men's.

Her hands trembled as they held the bag.

In the darkness, a figure popped out of a room. That scared Virginia into taking a step back.

It was a woman, and her face was covered in tears. Her delicate makeup had been messed up.

Standing right before the room, Virginia was surprised to find that it was a men's toilet.

Inside it was a man facing the door sideways.

"Kent Lopez, remember, I did so because of you! It's all your fault!" After saying that in a broken voice, the woman covered her face and ran away.

The man turned around expressionlessly and walked into the third stall.

Virginia's heart did a flip. After a moment of hesitation, she entered the toilet and whispered to herself, "Oh my god, he didn't tell me he had a girlfriend on WeChat."

She came to the stall and pushed open the door with a creak. The next second, she looked into a pair of deep black eyes and felt chilly from her feet to her head. Subconsciously, she swallowed.

She was scared and also amazed.

She stood numbly on the spot, and her eyes locked on his face.

He was sitting on the toilet lid with his legs wide opened and a cigarette between his fingers. He raised his head and met her eyes.

Under the fluorescent light, her skin looked as white and soft as snow. There was a slight flush on her face with light makeup, making her comely and adorable.

Her petite figure was wrapped in a loose neutral T-shirt, revealing her pretty collarbones.

He narrowed his eyes coldly without showing any politeness.

"Looking for a man in the male toilet?"

His deep voice, just like a cello piece, irritated her fragile eardrums. She couldn't help rubbing her ears to stop his voice from making her tremble.

"I came here for you. I've brought things." She didn't forget her purpose and handed her bag to him.

The man stuck the cigarette between his lips and took the bag over.

Impatiently, he opened it and took out the things inside.

They were a copy of the ID card, a household register, and a medical report.

He bit the cigarette lightly as he scanned three items again and again.

Virginia felt it hard to restrain herself from looking at his delicate facial features, including his manly brows furrowing slightly, his sexy lips holding the cigarette, and his deep eyes under the light.

It was her first time to see such a masculine and handsome man as him.

While she was in a trance, he put the things back into the bag.

Noticing his movement, she said hurriedly, "If you are satisfied with me, we can get married now..."

Before she could finish her words, she was suddenly dragged into the stall.

In this tiny space, her back was flattened against the wooden board as he cornered her with his arms and stared at her.

A dangerous aura was exuded from him. "You want to marry me? Do you know who I am?"

Virginia had never been so close to a man. She bit her pink lip nervously and stammered pitifully, "We, we've talked on WeChat, haven't we? I give you money and you... marry me. You've promised me! You can't go back on your words!"

It was not easy to find a man who was willing to marry her and looked so handsome. How could she let go of him easily?

Thinking of something, she fumbled out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and almost tore it as she unfolded it clumsily.

"Look, one million yuan. As long as you marry me, this is yours then!"

The man took it over and had a glance at it before tearing it in two.

She was stunned and tried to stop him. But just then, he pressed even closer to her.

"I don't want money. I want... your body."

He played tricks on her with deep malice and interest in his eyes.

As he had expected, she fell into silence.

He revealed a triumphant smile and straightened up slowly.

But then, his wrist was grabbed by a soft hand.

He looked down at her hand and then up to her face.

Her eyes were moist as her hand moved up to his chest through his shirt.

It was unskillful but tempting.

He narrowed his eyes fiercely.

"I... I can do it. As long as you marry me, my... my body is then yours."

To achieve her aim, she was willing to pay one million yuan which was an astronomical figure to her. Compared with that, her body was penniless and could certainly be sacrificed.

Suddenly, the bulb above them sizzled and then went out, plunging everything into darkness.

"Bitch." The man squeezed her chin maliciously.

"Are you women all bitches?" He rubbed her chin teasingly. "You can sacrifice everything to a man when necessary but kick him away when he becomes useless. You're all the same."

"You... you've promised me." Virginia blinked her eyes quickly in the darkness to force her tears back. But even so, she failed to hide her choking voice.

"As you wish..." After a second of silence, he lowered his head to bite her lips mercilessly.

She hummed and tasted the rust. It was her blood.

She closed her eyes quietly, letting the man invade her body.

Pressed against the wall, her back ached under his violent movements. Finally, tears flowed down her face.

"Be lighter... please." She put her hands weakly on his strong chest in silent resistance.

But soon, her slender wrists were grabbed by his big hand and lifted up to her head.

Seeing her watery eyes and red cheeks, he softened his movement slightly. But his voice was still vicious.

"If you want to achieve your aim, I advise you not to reject my invasion. You have no right to say 'no'!"

Despite her disheveled look, he suddenly carried her in his arms and walked out of the toilet.

As they went through the long corridor, Virginia buried her head against the man's warm chest.

Some hotel employees looked at the two with curiosity as they walked past. But on seeing the man's cold face, they lowered their heads and left hurriedly.

Several minutes later, Virginia heard a door open.

Then, she was thrown onto a soft bed.

He held her head with a hand and slowly undressed her with the other.

Her skin was warm while her heart was cold.

She guessed he was feeling the same.

Was the woman running away with tears his girlfriend? Did he agree to marry her because he was betrayed by his girlfriend?

If so, he was as pitiful as her.

Thinking about this, she suddenly became active to respond to him.

Her lips brushed against his cheek and came to his ear, blowing her warm breaths.

"You're my first man."

As she said that, a soft flower finally bore a mature fruit. With fragrance, it danced gorgeously in the wind, facing the test of a coming rainstorm.

She couldn't stop it and didn't want to stop it. She bit her lower lip tightly and clawed his back with her well-manicured nails.

The flower was carried away by a gust and fell on a roaring wave. However it struggled, it was slapped into pieces.

Gradually, the sea calmed down. The warm water cuddled the flower gently.

The night of rainstorm seemed not that intolerable. There was merely a distance of time from hell to heaven.

The man's soft kisses fell onto her collarbones.

His charming voice echoed in her cochleae, gentle, and not angry anymore.

He said, "You're also my first woman."

Virginia smiled, for a reason she also didn't know.

She lifted her head slightly and kissed on his lips.

As time crawled by, the bed wobbled lightly. Slowly, the moon fell and the sun rose.

Sunlight flooded through the French window on the messy white sheet.

A corner of the sheet was thrown back as a man jumped out of the bed naked.

He went to the bathroom to take a shower and walked out naked again.

His gaze fell on the sleeping woman on the bed.

Even when she was asleep, her brows were tightly furrowed. Seeing that, the man also frowned involuntarily.

He looked around and found a familiar bag on the nightstand.

His eyes flickered.

"I just planned to... I should have controlled myself." The man murmured self-mockingly. He shook his head and put on a handmade customized suit prepared last night.

Then, he put the small bag on the nightstand into his briefcase.

Naturally, he put his hand into a pocket for his wallet.

The suit molded to his body. But it was to show such a perfect fit and to create a carefree night that he didn't take anything with him.

Embarrassment flickered on his cold face. He looked at the woman with a trace of awkwardness in his eyes.

When it was almost noon, Virginia woke up stiffly. Her head spun dizzily as soon as she sat up

She was in a daze for a long while.

Finally, she noticed the bruises on her fair arms.

The pain on her body also reminded her of what had happened last night.

How long had she slept?

Where was that man?

...

Fifteen minutes later, the door of the room was swung open.

Virginia stormed out in a huff. Anger and grievance were written clearly on her comely face.

She didn't notice that, when she slapped the door, a small white piece of paper floated down to behind it.

"Did I pay to be a prostitute? How dare he steal my wallet? And where is my household register? Ahhhhhh! I'm freaked out!"

Frantically, she cursed the man as she bore the pain and headed for the elevator

After a while...

She went out of the hotel and glared at the building against the dazzling sunlight.

Stubbornly, she forced her tears back.

"Asshole, don't let me see you again, or I'll paralyze you!"

She cursed and took a step away. Just then, someone chased up behind her.

"Wait! Lady, wait!"

Virginia looked over her shoulder curiously. It was a female employee of the hotel.

She panted and stuffed a blue velvet square box into Virginia's hand. "Thank God! Mr. Lopez asked me to give you this. He said it's a surprise."

Virginia was puzzled.

The employee ran back into the hotel. Virginia wanted to catch up, but she suddenly thought of something and held the box tightly in her hand. Then, she turned around and left.

With grief for losing both money and virginity, she went back to the college by bus.

The deep tiredness appeared in her eyes and her heart.

A dazzlingly red Audi was parked near the college gate. She paused as she recognized it. After a deep breath, she straightened up and walked over.

She knocked on the car window and revealed a decent smile.

The window was wound down. Sitting on the driver's seat was a rich woman with light makeup and obvious disgust.

She had an impatient glance at Virginia and looked away. "It seems you haven't thought you're smart enough to escape. I have a thousand ways to drive you out of the college and City A if you don't obey me."

"Mom, where can I go alone? The Baker's is my home and you are my family."

Sofia Reed's face and her tone softened.

Although she still didn't want to look at Virginia, she showed a smile. "That's my good daughter! Don't forget to get the marriage license with Wilson. I have to go now. Love you. Bye!"

"Bye." Virginia waved her hand mechanically and watched the red Audi slowly drive away.

The next second, she rushed to a dustbin and vomited with both hands on her belly.

It was so disgusting. Every second spent with the Bakers made her feel exceptionally disgusted.

To get one million yuan, she had sold the bracelet, which she had been wearing and might be the only evidence to find her birth parents. But the check had been torn by that evil man.

She had even lost her precious virginity. What should an empty-handed woman do to stop this catastrophe?

"Smile brings luck, so don't cry." A pair of clean hands came into her sight with a clean blue checkered handkerchief.

Warmth came from her ears to her heart. With a trace of laughter, the low hoarse voice was as gentle and pleasant as spring sunlight.

Before she turned around to see the person, her lips had curved up slightly on her bitter face.

Virginia took the handkerchief and wiped away the tears that fell down her face. When she looked at the source of the warm voice, a smile had climbed on her face.

"I'm not a crybaby anymore. I'm not crying."

Unconsciously, she pouted her lips and became girly in front of her childhood friend.

"Really?" Liam Grayson stretched out his slender finger and brushed her tender cheek softly.

When she blushed, he drew back his hand and blinked. Humorously, he said, "No tears. Seems I misunderstood you. What should I do to make you forgive me?"

"I..."

When she wanted to ask for some dessert, she noticed something on his left.

A black spot approached from the distance. Before the figure came near, a lively voice was heard.

"Liam is going too far! He left me waiting outside his classroom and met you alone! Are we a trio or not?"

The woman thumped Liam's chest with her small fist and got a helpless look from him.

The delicate atmosphere was interrupted and replaced by great joyfulness.

Liam didn't say anything.

Crystal Taylor was just like a little sparrow chattering happily.

Suddenly, she had a look at her watch and exclaimed, "Oh no! I'm going to be late for work!"

She walked over and made a smacker on Virginia's cheek.

"You have not only Liam when you meet trouble. Do you hear me? Don't keep everything all to yourself." She stroked Virginia's hair and then ran fast away.

Virginia shook her head as she watched Crystal leave and entered the campus with Liam.

"Her fiery temper is really a headache." Seeing her helpless expression, Liam also revealed a wry smile.

She blinked, tilted her head, and nudged him. "She's a perfect match for you, isn't she? She's lively and you're quiet, so you won't feel bored being together."

The three of them had been a trio since they were little, and Crystal was always the one to enliven the atmosphere. Where she was, where there was laughter. It was as if her laughter could defend against all the pain.

"Alas!" Liam sighed and had a glance at Virginia. "That's impossible. We're just ordinary friends. Besides..."

He paused and gazed at her with his bright eyes. "I've found someone I like."

She was more than surprised. "Who is she? Why don't I know?"

Puzzled, she said, "That's strange. We're always together. Except for Crystal, you're not close to any other girls."

He stroked her hair, and his laughter was as bright as sunshine. "Haha, you won't guess it right. I'll tell you one day."

Being held in suspense, she felt itching to know more. Eyes flickering with curiosity, she asked, "Do you like her very much?"

As he looked at her, she stretched out three fingers to her head. "I promise, this is the last question?"

"Yes." He nodded firmly, and his eyes locked with hers. "I like her very much."

"Oh..." Meeting his serious eyes, she suddenly became nervous and looked away with a slight blush.

As they walked forward, their shoulders touched from time to time. A sense of intimacy welled up in their hearts.

Virginia was not used to such an atmosphere and changed the topic hurriedly. "Do you know any part-time job that I can do? I have some spare time to do one more."

Liam looked at her with worry.

Since she was 18, she had never used a cent of that family. However rich her adoptive parents were, she had to earn her tuition and daily expenses by doing part-time jobs. That made him feel very sympathetic.

"Yes. Crystal is working at an auction house. Several days ago, she told me her boss was still hiring people. If you want to go there, I can call her now."

Then, he called Crystal right away. After asking a few questions, he hung up the phone. "It's okay. I'll take you there this afternoon."

"Great. This way, I can have a new sum of income and be closer to my goal." When Virginia jumped up to cheer, the pain on her thighs made her face pucker. But soon, she resumed calmness on her face.

Liam frowned in confusion. "I've been wondering why you want to save money to go to City E?"

There was a long distance between City E and City A. It would cost a lot of money for the round-trip air ticket as well as some extra expenses.

He didn't believe that she merely wanted to travel but had a certain purpose.

She lowered her head silently to evade his gaze. Feeling his hand on her head, she nerved herself to look up at him.

Meeting his caring eyes, she hemmed and hawed and couldn't say anything definite. "It's nothing particular. I, I just feel a little depressed in this city and want to leave here. It's said City E is very beautiful, so I think I may like it."

Liam knew that was not the truth, but he didn't keep asking. He held her hand firmly and said, "I see. But remember, no matter where you go, you're not alone. You have me... and Crystal."

"I know."

She smiled brightly at him. They chatted as they headed for the dormitories.

Embarrassment dissipated, but warmth remained.

Back in the dorm, Virginia found no one there.

After she closed the door, exhaustion replaced joy on her face.

With a whine, she collapsed on the bed and covered her eyes with an arm. Then, she put her hand into a pocket and took out the blue velvet box.

"You stole my wallet and tore off my check! If you don't return them to me next time, I'll sell your ring!"

The box was slowly opened, showing a delicate diamond ring.

The ring was silvery white with a little blue, looking gorgeous.

She couldn't help putting the ring on her finger and appreciated it. Suddenly, she thought of the weeping woman. "Is the ring actually prepared for that woman?"

She gazed at the ring for a long while before she shook her head and put the thought behind. Then, she rose and wanted to pull the ring out.

"Emmm..."

After a dozen seconds, a wail resounded through the female dormitory.

"Oh my god, it's stuck! Have I become fatter?"

Virginia was so anxious that she stamped her foot, holding a weird posture. She gritted her teeth and tried hard to pull out the ring, but in vain.

"Why did I wear the ring? What should I do? My pawn! My one million yuan! My lovely wallet!"

She had never thought about taking the ring. She just wanted to threaten that man with it and get her money and wallet back. She was not a greedy person, but now...

Having tried all possible ways, she finally slumped onto the bed. The ring was still on her finger, which drove her so crazy that she thumped the bed.

"Boohoo..."

Desperately, she wanted her one million yuan and wallet back. The physical and mental exhaustion slowly made her close her eyes and fall dead asleep.

It was then four o'clock in the afternoon.

Virginia and Liam went to the auction house where Crystal worked. When entering inside, she was dragged by Crystal somewhat anxiously.

"Hurry up to change your clothes. Today's auction is very important, because quite a few big shots will come here. You must follow me after a while. Understand?"

Seeing Crystal's serious face, Virginia nodded immediately. She looked back at the door for Liam and wanted to ask him to go back first.

But just then, she saw a familiar tall figure.

The man was escorted in by a panoply of people. His assistant was holding an auction brochure and saying something to him.

Feeling a gaze, the man looked up with a frown and met her surprised and angry eyes.

It was her?

After he seated himself on a front seat, his assistant John pointed at an item on the brochure and said, "Mr. Lopez, I think this bracelet is very suitable as your mother's present gift."

The man looked at the bracelet on the brochure. "It looks nice. Bid for it after a while."