Tempting the Beast (English)

HANNAH ERA RAMOS

My hand was handcuffed to the chair while inside the police interrogation room. Because I intercepted Apollo at his house and was caught by the security guard of his Subdivision. They didn't feel sorry for a girl like me. I'm just afraid of growing old alone so I'm the one flirting.

"Do you know Mister Bustamante is filing a case against you?" The police said.

I didn't pay attention to what it said. "Brother, don't you have first aid there? My hand is hurting."

"That's your fault. You're trespassing." He answered.

"My arms are already hurt and I was blamed for everything. God have mercy, why do bald people like you so unkind to me?"

"When I get caught. I'll shoot you."

I felt a little nervous about what my brother said, so I didn't speak until the door opened and Apollo entered. It's just a white t-shirt and black pants. He looked at me intently and I gave him a sweet smile.

"You can go." Apollo coldly promised the police. Right, out! You are under the bridge.

The policeman who was with me came out and Apollo sat down at the table in front of me. He crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

My face lit up when he faced me. "Hi, love-love. Miss me?"

When the two guards left, I immediately gave Apollo a sweet smile.

"Hi, Apollo-of my eyes!" I was stunned by his eyes again. "Was my harana okay earlier? Did you touch me?"

It raised an eyebrow. "Touched?"

"Yes. Touched, I mean, Touched!" I explained.

He smirked. My heart drowned. "You made my neighbours cry. My sleep was disturbed because of your imperfect and manly voice. How can I be touched by that?"

"Come closer to me, I'll touch you."

"Hannah..." He took a deep breath. "How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from me?"

"You've crushed, smashed, and destroyed my heart with your cruelty. Why don't you want me? I'm beautiful. I'm the perfect female specimen. I have a brilliant mind and I'm hot as hell! I'm the greatest creation He ever made!" I pretended to be hurt.

I couldn't focus my eyes on his face because of the perfect man in front of me. "I've heard that many times, Hannah."

Is that so? I have a confession. I was determined to get Apollo. He was the only one who messed with my system. He's the only one who makes my heart beat faster. "I'll make you fall in love with me, Apollo."

"Make me fall?" He sat down and his eyes narrowed. "I doubt that. Very much."

I raised an eyebrow at him. He underestimated my ability. "And when I do?"

"I will marry you," he said seriously.

I swallowed. "A-and when n-not?"

He shrugged. "Then stay away from me. You will let me live in peace."

"What's peace in your words exactly?"

"The one without you. The one I can't see you." Ouch!

I bit my bottom lip. I wondered if I had an advantage in this match.

"Want to back out, Hannah?"

"Me? No! Deal!"

"Deal."

"Let's seal it with a kiss! Come on!" I pouted my lips.

He smiled foolishly then stood up. I thought he would let me go. Disappointed, he turned and walked towards the door.

I panicked. "He-hey! Wait! Where are you going? Let me go first."

He stopped and looked at me. He raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why should I let you go? You still have a case, right?"

"W-What?! Uh, you--- Ouch!" I pulled my handcuffed hand so I felt the pain again. I groaned.

"Why, what happened?" I saw Apollo kneeling in front of me and looking at my wrist.

"M-My hand hurts."

He clicked his tongue and that's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. "You hurt yourself because you moved harshly. The handcuffs get tighter when you move m-"

His eyes widened because of what I did. He also stood up and walked away. I smacked him on the lips! On the lips! I'm going to die! It's okay now!

I screamed in excitement. "One more!"

"Damn." He mumbled. "This is harassment."

"No, it's not. You're a concern for my well-being. You love me now, don't you?" I spoke.

His eyes went cold. "Imagine if we switched places, Hannah. If I attack you, I'll be behind bars right now. Let that sink in."

Without saying a word, he turned and marched out.

"Apollo! Baby! My loves! Don't leave me here!" I called him several times but he closed the door violently.

Only a few minutes later, the guards who brought me here entered. They let me go. When I left the office, I didn't see Apollo anymore. Wasteful! I must have abused it! I would have made the most of it!

The case has also been withdrawn from me. It turns out that we had our first kiss here! So, memorable.

They called me a taxi to take. I thanked them before getting into the taxi. I touched my lips and explained what happened earlier.

"Get ready, my love. You will marry me too." I said to myself with determination.

I closed the door of my apartment and then threw myself on the sofa. Apollo will marry me when he falls for me!

I can do this! Of course! I'm so lovable! Wait, Apol said there was no deadline-

I lost my thoughts when my phone rang loudly. I dug into my bag and took out the phone!

I screamed when I saw Apollo's name! I even jumped up and down on the sofa with so much excitement. That was the first text I received from Apollo. Because since I confessed, he has always talked to the assistant secretary.

I opened it and read it.

From: APOLL-Of-my-eyes

I forgot to mention it. Make me fall in a month. Good night. And please, have a nightmare.

APOLLO BUSTAMANTE

"What do you plan to do with him?" My friend Kiel said while continuing to lift the barbell. I removed the earphones from my ear before answering.

"Nothing," I said nothing and continued running on the treadmill.

In just a few days more, Tallia and Zander will be coming home from their honeymoon. I'm sure I'll be able to get away from Hannah. I wasn't serious when I told Hannah that I would give her a chance to make me fall in love with her. No. I want to prove to her that her decision to like me was wrong. I want her to know that love, at first sight, doesn't exist. Hannah falls in love quickly and that's not healthy.

"Oh, come on! That's boring." He laughed and that made me more annoyed.

I turned off the treadmill and sat on the bench. I took my towel from the bag and put it on my neck. I shrugged. "I don't bed virgins."

"Dude, you don't bed anyone at all! You're so dedicated to Jade Tallia." Kiel lowered his hand and sat on the other bench. A female staff member came there and handed out a towel. He winked at her after taking the towel. "Many women want you but you chose the married chick."

"I fell in love with her personality." I sighed and threw my head back.

"Why don't you give the energetic chick that's been following you for days now?"

"She's my brother's best friend."

"Oh, like in porn movies? Great! Great!" I wanted to strangle him because of his rude words.

I raised my middle finger and he just laughed.

Our conversation was interrupted when my cell phone rang. I quickly took it out of the bag and checked who the caller was.

It's Home.

"Hello, Mom." I greeted her.

"I want a family lunch. Today. Gregory Restaurant. Noon. Be on time," she says authoritatively.

I touched my forehead. When my mom wants a family dinner, we always end up in a marriage interview! "Mom, I can't. Zander left me a lot of work."

"Oh, i-is that so? I... I'm going to cry. I've cooked so much and you come home?" I'm used to this. Mama always makes this drama. She made me rush out of the house twice because of her crying and, in the end, I was tied to a chair just to face the woman who was one of his candidates to be my wife.

"'Mom, your trick won't work anymore.'

"Honey! Why're you crying?! Who're you talking to?" I heard Papa's voice. She asked for help since I no longer believed her.

"Your son! H-He loves his work more than we! Oh, God. Our firstborn doesn't want us to be with him anymore." I tightly pressed my lips together. "It's a waste if we do not eat all of my caldareta and Menudo."

"Okay, mom. I'm going. Just... just stop acting, okay?"

"Acting? I wasn't acting---"

Before the conversation went too long, I pressed the end call. I took my bag and turned it away. I sent a text to Hannah that I'll be absent due to a family emergency and she just replied with a "got it baby" and a heart beside it. I let out a frustrated sigh because the woman did not draw a line between work and personal feelings.

She acts like a spoiled kid, unlike Tallia, who knows when to act mature and when she's not.

I showered and got dressed. When I came out, Kiel was facing the gym manager. He was talking, more like flirting, but the female manager showed no interest in him. Poor Kiel.

I parked my car in front of the restaurant and locked it before leaving. I immediately saw where my family was sitting. I just sighed when I noticed that he had a woman with him. The woman had her back to me, but as I got closer, it became familiar.

My face darkened when I finally figured out who she was. "What are you doing here?"

"Lunch?" A broad smile on her lips.

I did not hide my irritation with her. "This is supposed to be a family dinner. Why are you here?"

"Hannah's my best friend. She's family." Adonis said coldly as he browsed on his cellphone.

Her smile sweetened. "I am family."

Since Adonis went to college, I've known Hannah. I see her with Adonis in the photos. At first, I thought she was Adonis' girlfriend, but she wasn't. Hannah only met me when I attended the board meeting with her for the first time. Worst, she fell in love with me right away.

This little pest!

"Don't be so rude to Hannah, Apollo." Mama smiled sweetly at Hannah. Hannah gave a thumbs up in return.

I stayed silent until we finished having lunch. Fortunately, Mama didn't notice the sharp looks I was giving Hannah. I was so mad that she was entering my private space without my consent.

Ah, maybe this is my fault too. Because I gave this kid a chance to make me fall.

"Excuse me. I have to go, it's past lunch," she said goodbye.

"Apollo, why don't you take her?" Mom promised.

"Sure. Shall we?" This is my chance to talk with her.

It walked ahead of me as if it knew where my car was parked. She was about to take a wrong turn when I called her. "Hannah, not that way."

"Sorry, I thought you were bringing the Ranger."

I sighed. I'm not shocked that she heard about my cars. "I underestimated your stalking abilities."

"Because I'm always waiting for you in the Basement Parking."

"So, you have a car."

"Nope. I use Grab."

"Then why are-" I stopped after I realized. "Are you sure you're just a secretary?"

She laughed. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe you're a former serial killer, and you had plastic surgery to look like that."

"You want to put me in jail!" I wanted to smile but I managed to stop myself.

"It's been a long time."

My car was hot, so before we got in, I let it cool down. I walked to the side of the passenger seat to approach Hannah. I noticed the reddening of her cheeks when she saw me close to her. It looked like the sun was shining so I stopped in front of her so I could cover the sun.

She bit her lip and twirled the strand of her hair. "Um, Apollo..."

"Let's end this game, shall we?" I said.

"B-But what you said, I'll make you fall in a month." I wanted to slap myself because of the tears. She grabbed my polo sleeve. God, I can smell her perfume.

"I'm just playing with you. I thought I could handle it, but I can't." I continued. I need to do this so that she will stay away from me. "You got even worse when I gave you a chance!"

She looked away and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She bit her bottom lip to stop it from shaking.

"Look." I touched her chin to turn her attention to me. "I'm not your dream man, okay? You will only suffer when you're with me."

"No. Promise."

"What you're feeling is not love, Hannah. It's just infatuation."

"No, I felt it. It's love." She tightened her grip on my sleeves.

"It's not!" I couldn't stop raising my voice.

"You're wrong! I feel it, I'm not that shallow!" She wrapped her arms around me. I can feel her boobs pressing on my damn chest! I pulled back and removed the arms around my neck.

"I don't need your love. It's too pure and too innocent."

"I'm twenty-six," She snapped. "Don't treat me like a kid. I'm a grown woman, making a grown-up decision! So, don't tell me what to do or what to feel!"

I sighed and opened the passenger door. She entered there even sobbing. We haven't even had a long argument. She's already crying. She is so immature. I can't take it. Our whole trip was quiet, in part I felt guilty because of the cause of her crying.

When I stopped in front of the entrance of the building, she left without a word. Her shoulders slumped and she bowed. I sighed again before finally leaving.

The next day, Hannah was not there when I entered the office. It's my last day as CEO, and now she's gone when we have so much to do. My assistant secretary is going back and forth to photocopy and fax various documents. I know Hannah is upset because of what I said, but at least be professional.

I was currently reading one of the contracts when I smelled that familiar scent. Finally, she came too.

"You're late." I looked coldly while not looking at her. My office door closed. From my peripheral vision, she stood in front of my table. She didn't speak but just stood in front of me.

My lips parted when I saw her appearance. She's wearing a pencil-cut black skirt and the top is a putting blouse and I can almost see the bra when the sun shines. Now that I had a better view, I realized Hannah was even hotter than I'd thought. Tall but with the figure of a centrefold. Tiny hips, big tits, and the roundest, perkiest ass I'd ever seen. My mouth watered just from looking at her.

"Need something, sir?" Her eyes flashed. I drew in a calming breath, collecting myself, all the while noticing just how freaking hot the woman in front of me was. Along with those vibrant brown eyes and amazing dark hair, she had delicate features that included a cute upturned nose, high cheekbones and sexy pink lips.

My face remains expressionless. "Yes. Bring me coffee."

HANNAH

I approached him and placed my hand on his table so that our faces were closed.

"Anything else, sir?" I said seductively.

"Yes," he always stays on guard.

I reached for his necktie and played with it. "Tell me what it is and I'll get rid of it immediately."

"Get rid of yourself, please." He said coldly and took back his necktie. He handed me the flash drive. "Email the files to Ong Industries."

I grabbed the flash drive and turned around. I was irritated by what he said. I almost fell asleep in the salon, but it's still not enough?! After office hours, I left early. I sulked at him. He doesn't know how to appreciate my looking good.

I invited Freya and Adonis to a bar- they are my college friends.

"How's your courtship going?" he asked.

"Here, there are no improvements," I said as I stirred my juice with a straw. "Maybe, I need a tool for violence."

"Force? Are you going to tie him up? Where? Can I watch?"

I closed my mouth when I saw a familiar figure. It looks like Apollo but with a girl. I quickly stood up from my seat. "Wait. It's Apollo."

"Where is it?"

I left Freya and looked to see where that person had gone. My feet took me to the dark side of the bar. It almost broke my heart to see him kissing the girl while she was pressed against the wall.

"Apollo?"

I grabbed his shoulder and stopped what he was doing. The woman was still hugging his shoulder. His eyes widened when he saw me.

"What are you doing here?"

I shuddered. We have a deal, as-hole! It's good that my tears are shallow. I cry easily.

"How dare you! I thought you were working. Is that woman the reason why you left your son and me? You are a useless father." I honed my acting skills to be more convincing.

He moved away from the woman and finally faced me. His eyebrows met. "What are you saying?"

I looked at the woman who was now confused by what was happening. "Miss, do you know that you have a wife and you are destroying a family?"

"I-I'm so sorry. He told me he was single!" Wow! This woman is easy to believe. I covered my mouth when his palm flew to Apollo's cheek.

He was about to leave when Apollo grabbed his arm. "Wait, Shara."

He slapped Apollo again. "My name is Sharmaine, asshole!"

The woman finally left. Apollo looked at me intently. He firmly held both my arms. I winced in pain.

"Do you know what you have done?!"

"It's your fault. We have a deal! You're annoying! How can I make you fall if you're flirting with other girls?!" I said annoyed.

"I'm a man with needs!" he roared.

"And you think I can't give you what you asked for? I can!"

"Prove it."

I looked around. Although it was dark in this part, there were still many people. I swallowed and looked back at Apollo. "H-Here?"

I heard him sigh. He rubbed his thumb and forefinger in his eyes because of the irritation. He walked away but I followed him until we got to the front of his car.

"Don't wear that dress again."

I looked at my clothes. "Why? Isn't it appropriate? Don't you like it?"

He didn't say a word.

"Isn't this what the girls you like to wear?"

"You're different, Hannah."

I bit my lower lip. "Is it because you won't like me even if I wear something like that?"

He sighed. "Let's stop this. It'll only hurt you."

"I'm already hurting, Apollo. But I won't give up on you." I said determinedly.

"That's enough, Hannah."

I shook his head and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I do not want to give up."

"You're not doing it right."

"I don't mind."

"Stay away from me, please."

I shook my head. My throat almost hurt from holding back my tears. "Don't say that, Apollo. I love you so much."

He tried to keep me away from his body. "You're just making yourself look stupid."

"No matter what you say, I won't let you go."

"Hannah..."

"Love only me, Apollo. I will not leave you. I promise. I will not hurt you. I will love you completely. I will give you everything."

"I don't need anything. All I need is the person I love."

Those words pierced my heart. I moved away from him. "She can't love you, Apollo! She won't!"

He looked away. "Go home, Hannah."

My eyes blurred. "Alright, I'm going to take a taxi. I'm sorry because I sent away the woman you were supposed to be with today. I just can't accept that you can touch the women you. Even with the tip of your finger, I don't want to touch you. Bye. Be careful when you go home."

Turned quickly so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes. When I'm done with all the tears, I'll be fine tomorrow. I won't give up easily because only Apollo has ever loved me like this. I went to the side of the road to hail a taxi. I almost jumped when a black car pulled up in front of me and the passenger seat door opened.

Apollo looked up. There was no expression on his face. "Get in."

"No. Thank you."

"Get. In. Don't make me say it twice." He said emphatically.

I got in and he drove the car. I just looked outside so it wouldn't notice the swelling in my eye. I turned to him when something stuck to my arm. He handed me a box of tissues, which I immediately accepted.

"Thank you," I said sparingly. After I fixed myself, I looked at Apollo. "Since you gave me a tissue, I'll forgive you."

He smirked. "Extraordinary."

"Apollo, let's have a date tomorrow."

"I have a lot to do," he said, without looking at me.

"How about dinner?"

"I have a dinner meeting with Yang Enterprises."

"Eh, the next day? That's your day off." I'm sorry.

"That's the only day you can't pest me, and you're taking that away from me." He promised frankly.

"Alright, don't do it."

"Good thinking." He stopped the car in front of the building. "We're here. Get out."

"Be careful going home. I'll still love you." I said and closed the car door.

I smiled until I entered my condo. I didn't notice that my cellphone had been ringing. I took it out of my bag and checked who the caller was. When I saw that it was Mama, I immediately answered.

"Mama, you called?"

"Resign from your job." Wow.

I sat on the sofa. "Why would I?"

"Your Papa's sick."

"I'm not a doctor, Mom." I love my family but my mom has a habit of telling me my father's sick to make me fly home.

"Honestly, he wanted you to manage our business. Come home now. Please, Hannah."

"But, 'Ma, I'm still seducing your son-in-law to be."

"This is what you need to do. Listen, mark him before you leave."

My Mom is very supportive. "Okay, fine. I'll do that tomorrow. I'll surrender mg virginity-"

"No! Are you nuts?! That's not what I meant! Mark him, I mean, give him a hickey or something." I almost put my cell phone away because of the loudness of her voice.

"A hickey? Is that effective? Well, what about when it hurts?"

"Uh, In some circumstances. When he fought back, tie it up."

I smiled. "Okay. I'll be home in two days."

"Good night, Hannah."

"Good night, Mom. I love you. Tell Papa that I love him as well."

When I hung up, I immediately looked for Freya's number and called it. He graduated in pharmacy, so I know he knows a lot about medicine.

"Hannah! Where are you? I can't find you so we're going home," she greeted.

"I'm back home don't worry. I just want to ask if you know of any sleeping pills. Good quality. I'm willing to pay any amount."