Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO

Arwen's gaze remained darkened even after she disconnected the call. But the moment she heard Aiden's concerned voice from the side, her expression eased.

Turning to him, she blinked and then shook her head. "Someone irrelevant. Don't mind it. Let's watch the movie."

She then picked up the remote and resumed the video. Then, scooting over, she got back into his arms, making it wrap around her frame once again.

Aiden stared at her for a long moment, waiting for her expression to change, but when he truly saw her disregard whoever appeared at her office, he didn't think it was worth more thought than he had already given it.

They spent the rest of the afternoon watching a movie and having a good time together. Arwen remained meticulous throughout. Even though they enjoyed and played, she never forgot to check on his temperature from time to time. She even made sure that he takes his medicines on time so that the fever doesn't recur.

And it didn't.

At night, she gave the brief of his condition to Jason, who reassured her back that Aiden had gotten better.

"Are you sure, Dr. Clark? You won't come and check him yourself?" she asked when, over the call itself, Jason approved of Aiden's condition.

Jason's laugh came through the line before his voice. "No need. I believe in you, Arwen. Aiden is doing fine. Just make sure he sure that he takes complete rest for at least two more days. He needs it the most."

Arwen turned to look back at Aiden, who was half lying on the bed, staring at her as if asking how much longer she was going to be on the call. She didn't mind his gaze. Keeping her eyes on him, she spoke over the call, "Don't worry, Dr. Clark. I have arranged it for him already. He won't be stepping out of the home until he fully recovers."

Jason hummed with confidence on the other end of the call. "Since you are the one saying it, I wouldn't doubt it. Otherwise, keeping the Demon King back and away from work is next to impossible."

A soft but proud smile curled her lips up, then, exchanging a few more words with Jason, she disconnected the call.

"You have recovered well," she said to Aiden, removing the phone from her ears and walking to him. "You just need to take proper rest, which you would be taking anyway, wouldn't you?"

Aiden's brows held slight creases. "You aren't giving me many options."

Arwen blinked at his choice of words before nodding, agreeing with any hint of shame. "True. I am not," she said, taking it as a compliment. "You have either way take rest at home because I am not going to agree to anything else."

"Then yes, I am going to go as per your arrangement," Aiden nodded as if giving in to his fate.

She wanted to laugh at his pretentious attitude, but not wanting to give him any chance to make her agree to anything else, she held it in and nodded. "Great. You made the right choice."

She then leaned in and helped him adjust the duvet. "Now, it's time for you to get a good sleep. Come on, lie down. Once you do, I will switch off the light."

Aiden didn't refute. And soon they both went to sleep.

————

The next day,

After breakfast, Arwen was getting ready in front of the mirror, but she couldn't focus. The gaze that was staring at her through the mirror was too disruptive.

She would close her eyes and open them again, trying her best to focus, but it wouldn't simply work.

In the end, not able to take it anymore. She kept the comb back on the dresser and turned to look back the man who held the calm on his face but not in his behaviour.

Knitting his brows at him, she walked to the couch and stood right in front of him.

Staring down at him, she made him look up at her. She didn't speak immediately, and that made Aiden arch his brow at her.

"Is there anything?" he asked as if he didn't know. His voice was smooth, composed —too composed.

Arwen almost narrowed her gaze at the audacity of the question, but she caught herself. Instead, she smiled. Sweetly. Dangerously.

She wanted to narrow her gaze at his question, but knowing better, she instead pulled her lips into a smile. Then, leaning down a little, she closed the distance they shared.

Her heartbeat picked up —quick and fluttering like wings against a cage — but she didn't let it show on her face.

Aiden didn't move. He didn't speak. He didn't flinch. He just watched her, his gaze locked on hers with focused intensity, as if waiting to see what card she was about to play.

And then she played it.

Her lips pressed against his —as she kissed him.

Softly, at first. Sweet and slow, like the tiptoe of the morning sunlight brushing over still water —her usual style.

But then —she deepened it. The kiss turned warm, then heated as she let her fingers slide into his hair and tilt his face towards her. It was a kiss with a purpose. With persuasion.

Aiden wanted to see how far she could go. He wanted to test her limit. But how could he when she acts like this? Feeling his control slipping away, he couldn't hold back any longer.

Responding to her, his one hand moved to grip the armrest while the other went to her waist. His calm has cracked —he kissed her back, pulling her slightly closer, yet still waiting for the catch.

And sure enough, Arwen pulled away just before things could spiral out of control. Her lips were flushed, her breath uneven, but her eyes sparkled with triumph.

"Now, with that received, I think you can wait at home for a few hours," she asked, blinking innocently as though she had given him everything he needed to agree.

"I will be back before you even realize that I was gone."

Aiden's eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, Arwen pointed. "You no longer hold the option to refuse anymore. You took the bribe, and once taken, the favour needs to be awarded."

A bribe.

Aiden wanted to laugh at that. But holding his chuckle back, he stood up and walked towards her.

Arwen couldn't read his plans. She instinctively took a step back. But before she could move away, his arms reached out to wrap around her waist, pulling her to himself.

"You —!"

"If this is the bribe, Moon, make sure to offer it every day. I don't mind agreeing to give up the world, if this is the reward I receive in exchange for it."

She swallowed visibly, not knowing how to react. How did the situation turn out to be like this?

She stared at him, blinking. And as if he read thoughts well in her eyes, his lips tugged up in a knowing smirk.

Wasn't she the one who started it? She meant to tease him, making him agree. How the hell did it turn out to be the other way around instead?