Hardy’s Pov-
I found myself standing by my wine cellar, gazing out the window from my room. Attempting to maintain composure after Joanne’s explosive outburst just moments before Theo’s unexpected entrance.
“Got the car where you want it” He said.
I nodded.
“Okay.. I’ll be out in th-
“Are you mad?” I interrupted him.
“What?” Theo sounded confused.
I took a sip from the glass of wine in my hand and breathed out a sigh.
“Mad about what?” He added.
I scoffed.
“Don’t play clueless Theo . I know you’re mad about earlier and how I want you to stay away from Joanne”
“If that’s what you want me to do then it’s something I should do and nothing to be mad about” I couldn’t see him but I could tell he had pulled his annoying calm shrug.
“Okay drop the bullshit” I turned to him.
“Do you actually like her do you really want her?”
Theo raked his hand through his hair and looked away.
“I don’t know…” He sighed.
I nodded
“That pretty much answered my question”
He clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing with her.
“Well you can leave now” I sighed.
He was already halfway towards the door when he stopped and turned back to me.
“But… Are you okay?” He asked.
I scoffed, “Why wouldn’t I be”
“Earlier… when Joanne said that. The look on your face…”
“Don’t play that with me” I shook my head.
“I’m not asking as someone who works for you, Hardy. I’m asking as a friend”
” A friend?” I pressed and he shrugged.
“Don’t get quirky”
“Look Hardy… it’s okay to just say you’re not okay. We both saw how you looked when Joanne commented on hanging herself.”
“Theo I really don’t see how that comment should affect me” I scoffed.
Theo sighed.
“You really want me to say it?”
I shot him a piercing stare, causing him to quickly avert his gaze.
Finally, he reached the door, relief flooding through him as his hand grasped the door knob.
Anticipating his departure as he prepares to open the door.
He paused, tilting his head gently to the side.
“And think about what Joanne said. Maybe you should try to be a little nicer to her, you don’t want her to actually act on her own words, now do you? You wouldn’t be able to stand seeing the same scene twice”
And with that Theodore left my room.
I tightly gripped the glass of wine, feeling the anger welling up inside me. Without warning, the glass slipped from my hand, soaring through the air before shattering against the wall. Fragments of glass scattered across the room, while the crimson wine seeped into the fibers of my revered bear fur rug.
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Theodore was quite bizarre.
Seemingly composed and collected, yet prone to letting his words wander freely when he wants.
What on earth was he babbling about?
I wouldn’t want Joanne to act on her own words? And I wouldn’t be able to stand the same scene twice?
He’s laughably unbelievable.
I would like to see Joanne act on her own words.
Believing she can intimidate me with such shallow words was truly foolish. And I must say, I would absolutely relish the opportunity to witness her attempt. She possesses a captivating allure, and I have a preference for women who display toughness.
Perhaps if Lisa had made an effort to resist, there might have been a chance… I never could have imagined being in the place I am today.
–
The night was still young when I barged Into Joanne’s room to see her sitting besides Trinity, all dolled up and ready to go to bed.
She looked like she was having a good time with Trinity. The fact that she and Trinity got along well.
Lisa always talked about how she liked Trinity but at the same time has an unsettling feeling about her.
Well it was a good thing she and Joanne were getting along.
Not that I care.
Joanne’s sharp eyes glowered at me the moment she took in my presence.
“A little knock wouldn’t have hurt” I heard her mumble under her breath.
I turned to Trinity.
“Leave us” I ordered.
Immediately Trinity picked up her dress and minced her way out of the room.
Joanne’s brows knitted in a frown, her dark hair looks wet and some strands glued to her face.
Not sure why that should be a bother to me.
She ambulated away gently on her bed.
“What?” She scoffed.
I inhaled a sharp breath
“You’re one fiesty lady. aren’t you?”
Her face suddenly crimsoned with fury.
“I am a pregnant woman being held hostage in a stranger’s home and the baby isn’t even mine, try being in my shoes Hardy”
“Every man reaps what they sow.. Enough with your pity party words” I seethed.
She gaped, like I just told a lie.
“Correct me if I’m wrong?” I scoffed.
The only reason I was here was to give her more insights about the white Aleo-house. I never intended to get on her bad side, but she wasjust making this worse.
“You are nothing but garbage Hardy, and you are going to rot in hell… Even if Bailey did owe you like you presumed, whatever she owed you, it won’t be right for her to go through the same shits I am currently going through” She spat.
“Well congrats, because I’m already in hell.”
She scoffed.
I was getting on her bad side. She was getting on mine.
This is just great. We’re going to kill each other with our words then.
She wanted it this way.
“I hope you never find love Hardy, and even if you do. I hope you lose it… Again”
I stiffened, as her word put me in complete chokehold.
She was still talking but somehow I could not hear her, as her voice sounded so faint. The only thing I could hear was the sound of my heartbeat and it was really loud and unsettling.
She hopes I never find love and even when I do she hopes I lose it. Again!
This shouldn’t have any effect on me. Joanne’s just angry, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about… and even if she does I do not want to f-
Her voice suddenly pulled me back to life.
“…. I don’t care about your words anymore… calling me garbage and a nobody. Because at the end of the day you’re just a miserable lonely man and I am a woman still full of life and yes, you would still shudder in your pants if I strip right now, despite calling me garbage”
I gawked at her. Trying to ponder all she just said.
But the only lingering words were her last one.
“Really?” I arched a brow and took a massive step towards her.
“Let’s see then. If I would really shudder in my pants If you strip naked in front of me… right here right now… let’s see who the real garbage is”
“You’re unbelievable” She suddenly got on her feet.
Without trying to put up a fight, Joanne agreed.
“Fine”
“I’ll take off all my clothes, and trust me I know it when men beg for women just with their eyes” she scoffed.
I scoffed back. “Try me. You’re nothing”
The words seemed to put her on the edge. Which got her stripping of her clothes immediately.
She was wearing a silk golden robe and nothing underneath it.
As she slowly took off the robe, I slowly got a sight of her thin body.
I tried to stay as expressionless as ever . Didn’t get to try too hard.
It’s been ages since I got turned on by a woman. When Lisa left, she really took a lot with her.
Joanne’s pale skin remained a little saturated under the room’s bright light, giving me more insights on what I needed to see.
From her round and tight looking breasts, perking out her hard crimson nipple. To her stomach where you can notice her tiny baby bump if you stare too hard.
As my eyes trailed down to the lower part of her body. She immediately yanked both sides of her robe to cover her body again.
“Got lost?” She scoffed.
“Don’t flatter yourself” I chuckled shaking my head.
I took a step forward and aggressively flicked lint off the robe again, ripping it at the process.
She gasped.
“What the hell are you doing?”
.
…*