"Then what do you want me to do? Starve?" I said, sarcasm slipping into my voice.
"It's not like you get to decide how I live my life. I don't have a bunch of career options laid out for me like you do. This is the only job I know—because, unlike you, I wasn't born rich."
I let his harsh words slide—for now. After all, I owed him tonight. He did get into a fight with Jude's group because of me.
"At least get a decent job!" he snapped angrily.
I shot him a glare. "Excuse me? For your information, this is a decent job. It just so happens that some people think it's okay to disrespect someone who's working honestly—just because of where they work."
"Then just quit your job!" Rome fired back, his voice sharp and irritated.
I stared at him in disbelief. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?! Did I hear that right? Or did you seriously just tell me—someone who's barely scraping by, whose only skill is serving drinks in a bar—to just throw everything away like it's that easy?"
"Then work for me!" he said, his tone dead serious.
"W-What..?"
But he just stared at me seriously.
"H-haha.. A-are you seriously telling me to work for you?!" I snapped, my voice rising with anger.
"And what job exactly? To be your mistress again?!"
My words hit hard—I could tell by the way Rome suddenly froze, stunned into silence.
"…"
"You know what, Rome?" I continued, my voice trembling with emotion. "Just because you defended me earlier from those guys who disrespected me doesn't mean I can just forget everything that happened between us. It doesn't work like that."
I took a shaky breath, trying to keep my temper under control.
"The truth is, I don't want to see you again. I don't even want to be in the same place as you. But I'm putting up with it tonight… only because I promised your friend I'd stay with you, just in case you did something reckless."
My fists clenched at my sides as I turned my back to him.
"So do me a favor and don't talk to me, okay?!"
I didn't leave—despite how badly I wanted to—because I gave my word. I was going to stick it out, even if being around him felt like walking on glass.
"Heh… You've grown bold, haven't you?"
I heard him say behind me, his voice low and amused.
I barely had time to react before I heard his footsteps quickly approaching. I turned around—and the next second, he was already in front of me.
He grabbed me by the arm and pushed me firmly against the wall, the impact making me gasp.
Before I could fully register what was happening, his hand came up to cup my cheek—and then his lips were on mine.
Time seemed to stop.
Just as I regained my senses and began to push him away, I felt his other hand press harder against my waist, pulling me closer.
Then his lips hovered dangerously close to mine again, his breath brushing against my skin...
I stared at him, refusing to let him see even a hint of fear in me despite his grip.
I froze for a moment as his hold tightened. I instinctively began struggling to break free. But before I could escape, his eyes dropped to my lips—and in one swift move, he pressed his lips against mine.
Everything slowed as I raised my hand with all my strength.
Smack!
I slapped him hard across the face, my hand flying immediately to my lips where he had kissed me. I glared at him, fury burning in my eyes.
"You disgusting bastard!"
I shoved him away and began punching his chest with both fists, trembling with rage.
I hit him again and again, pounding his chest, but it was like striking a wall—his body didn't flinch. And yet, Rome just stood there, his expression unreadable, silently enduring every blow.
"Fuck you! You dumbass! Son of a bitch! You animal! You filthy whore! I hate you so much!" I screamed, hurling curse after curse at him with every ounce of anger I had.
However, he grabbed my face again, both hands firm against my cheeks. I barely had time to react before his lips crashed onto mine once more, stealing another kiss.
Shocked, I staggered back, my hands flying to my mouth as I stared at him in disbelief.
"Mmm… still as sweet and delicious as ever ." he murmured, his gaze dark and heavy with desire as he slowly ran his tongue across his lower lip.
"You… you disgusting creep!" I shouted, rage boiling in my chest. "You're even worse than Jude, you damn pervert!"
Smack!
This time, the slap landed even harder, snapping his face violently to the side.
"Who's Jude?" he asked, his voice cold and flat.
"Who else? That guy you just beat up earlier!"
His eyes darkened, his stare turning sharp and icy.
"Don't compare me to that dog," he said, low and tight. "That bastard doesn't even have the right to touch you."
"Oh, and you do?!" I shouted. "You just touched me, you dumbass! You're worse than him!"
Smack!
I slapped him hard again. His head turned slightly from the impact, and just as he looked back at me—I suddenly froze.
There was blood.
A thin line of red was forming on his cheek—the same one scraped up from the fight earlier. I must've reopened the wound.
Rome stilled too, maybe just realizing something was trickling down his face.
He wiped at his cheek with his fingers, then stared down at the blood smeared on his hand.
"Y-You're... bleeding..." I stammered, guilt bubbling up even though I was still angry. I didn't know what to do next.
Should I hit him again for kissing me without asking?
Or… should I take care of the wound I caused?
"Ugh!" I groaned, tugging at my hair as I turned away in frustration.
Of course, I ended up doing the only thing I could.
I sighed, heavy and annoyed, and stormed off to the comfort room inside the VIP suite. There was always a first-aid kit here. Once I found it, I came back and marched over to him, still glaring.
"Sit!" I said, rolling my eyes at him.
He blinked, confused.
"I said sit! Are you deaf or something!?"
"I'm not a dog." he muttered, clearly annoyed.
I shot him a look that could kill. "Idiot! I'm trying to treat your bleeding face, okay? Stop being so damn stubborn and just sit down already!"
Muttering something under his breath, he finally did.