UNDER HIS INFLUENCE : CHAPTER 71 – 80
CHAPTER 77 & 78
･✷FIRST KISS✷
A clash echoed through the hall as one of the artists dropped her glass of wine.
Every artists jaw dropped, and their eyes widened in shock.
Tatiana was no exception; her entire body froze at Cassius’s actions. His lips were on hers, one arm possessively holding her waist close, while the other rested on her face.
His lips moved slowly as his tongue slid out, forcing her mouth to open for him. As if under a spell, Tatiana found herself closing her eyes and opening her mouth to respond.
The only sound she could hear was her fast-beating heart and the sound of their lips moving against each other. Her mind went haywire.
She slid her arms around his neck, wrapping them tightly, while he pulled her waist closer. A light, soft moan escaped her throat.
As they broke the kiss, Tatiana noticed the smirk on his lips, and then she realized they were still in the King’s hall. She had responded to the kiss in front of everyone.
One of the artists choked on her saliva and began to cough.
Her face turned red as she wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She immediately wrapped her arms around Cassius and buried her face in his chest. So cute.
“Oh my God,” she mumbled, feeling the stares of everyone.
“What are you doing?” she heard him ask, his chest vibrating from the thickness of his voice. She buried her face further as if she wanted to disappear into him.
“What did you make me do, Cash?” she mumbled softly. He gently ruffled her hair and chuckled.
“You look so cute when you’re embarrassed. I wanted them to know you’re their Queen.”
Tatiana blushed but immediately contorted her face into an upset expression. She looked up to him “You could have warned me.”
“I like surprising you. Your reactions are just too cute,” he whispered, and she bit her lip.
Breaking the hug, she faced the artists surrounding her with a shocked look.
“Hi everyone… I’m Tatiana King,” she introduced herself.
“Wow,” one of them chuckled. “No way.”
“Wow,” Brandon muttered, leaning on a table for support. “I almost died.”
“So, President King is Dylan’s father—your mysterious lover?” one of them asked, and Tatiana nodded.
“Aww,” many of them chorused, and Tatiana bit her lower lip harder.
“Enough with the stares; let the party continue,” Cassius snapped his fingers, and the elegant slow music returned.
“Dance with me,” Cassius offered his hand to Tatiana, and she slowly accepted. He drew her close, placing one hand on her waist.
The tiny strand of hair that fell to one side of his face made him look incredibly charming.
“I’m not good at dancing,” Tatiana chuckled, trying to balance herself.
“I’ll teach you, just follow my lead,” he whispered, intertwining his second hand with hers. He swayed her around, and Tatiana gasped but found herself in his arms again.
“Trust me,” he said, and she chuckled.
He made her stand again and began to move, guiding her with every step.
They glided across the floor, their feet moving in rhythm. The awkwardness Tatiana felt before began to fade, replaced by a sense of grace and fluidity she never knew she possessed.
“Way to go, little Rebel, you’re a natural,” he locked his gaze with hers and kissed her knuckle gently.
Her heart fluttered. How could this man be so romantic? How lucky she felt!
Both were oblivious to the stares of others. Some even wished they were Tatiana. No one had ever seen this side of Mr. King before!
Who would have thought this man was a king of romance?
Jolene, who was grinning from ear to ear, suddenly remembered Jaxon. She saw him drinking and pressing his phone, seemingly unbothered by what was going on.
‘Why is he acting different all of a sudden?’ she thought.
Deep down, she wondered what it would feel like to dance with Jaxon…
Jolene’s eyes widened at the thought. Her hands went to her cheeks. Was she falling for him already? How could a thought like that pop into her mind?
UNDER HIS INFLUENCE : CHAPTER 71 – 80
Jaxon stopped fiddling with his phone when Hudson and Indigo stepped out. They both stopped talking when they spotted him.
“Cool,” Jaxon smiled and took a sip of his drink.
“Jax, you okay?” Hudson stepped forward.
“I’m fine. What?” Jaxon asked, his voice betraying him, sounding rough.
“You don’t look okay. You drink whenever you’re mad at something,” Hudson said.
“Hmm… thanks for knowing me. I need some time alone,” he said as he stood up and walked past them, the bottle of alcohol still in his hand.
“Will he be okay?” Indigo asked Hudson.
“He will. He is terrible at hiding things. He’ll come around,” Hudson smiled and led her back to the hall. Both were shocked to see Cassius and Tatiana dancing.
“He let everyone know,” Hudson observed, glancing at Indigo, who briefly showed a flash of anger and disbelief on her face, though it was just for a moment.
“Wow, this is unexpected,” Indigo smiled, though it seemed forced. “It’s lovely… And…”
Hudson watched her take a deep breath, his expression shifting.
“Dee,” he called, and she looked at him. An unexpected question left his lips.
“Do you still love Cassius?” he asked, and her lips parted.
No response.
Hudson slowly released her, disappointment and disbelief flashing in his gaze.
“Huds. Huds, no… no, I don’t love Cass anymore. I want you… I…”
“I need some time alone,” he said, his heart and chest clashing together as he slowly left the hall. Indigo rushed to follow.
“Hudson, listen. It’s not what you think. Please wait!” Indigo called out, and Hudson suddenly stopped to look at her.
Her chest heaved from her small chase after him. She shook her head. “It’s not what you think, please.”
“Then what, Dee? Then what? I thought you said you were over him!” he almost yelled, watching her swallow nervously.
Christ, he was almost losing his cool.
“I… I don’t know what happened when I saw them, okay? I honestly don’t know what happened. I just felt something strike me; I don’t know what it is…”
“Do you love me?” he cut in, and Indigo paused.
She hesitated. His heart clenched as realization slowly hit him. They hadn’t exchanged the words “I love you.” Right now, he felt stupid.
“Huds,” she stepped forward.
“Don’t.” His voice cracked, and she stopped. “Fuck! This was the reason why I avoided you, Dee. Did you just use my feelings to get over Cash? I can’t believe you. I just can’t!”
“Huds, please.”
“I thought we had something, Dee. Do you know how long I’ve been craving to have you, and yet you took advantage of it? You’ve been in love with Cash since you were twelve. I was fucking jealous the whole time, but I never showed it. I tried to be with other girls, but all I could think of was you, Dee. Why in the world would you do this? I fucking wish we had remained friends. Geez!”
“Hudson, please stay calm,” she was crying, and he saw how her body trembled with each word he threw at her.
“Don’t say that. Fuck, it’s my fault, though. I know it’s not easy to just get over someone you’ve loved for years. Just… Sigh… I gotta go,” Hudson swept his brown hair back and headed for his car.
He’d tell Cassius he was feeling sick or something, and that was why he left.
___
UNDER HIS INFLUENCE : CHAPTER 71 – 80
Jolene pressed her lips together, wondering what she was doing. She noticed how Jaxon behaved strangely toward Hudson and left for the garden at the back of the hall. And now, she was going to him.
Jolene found Jaxon drinking under a tree. He seemed to sense her presence and looked at her, his expression unreadable. He was wearing a black shirt with a few buttons undone and black pants.
“Hey,” his voice slurred as he returned his gaze to the sky, taking a sip from his drink.
Jolene approached him slowly and stood by his side.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Is cutie worried about me?” he mumbled.
“I don’t like people who drink,” she said, and Jaxon looked at her. She couldn’t fathom the look on his face, but what he did next shocked her.
He threw the bottle away.
“I only drink when I’m upset,” he explained.
“Upset about what?”
“The world.”
“Does it involve big boss?” Jolene asked, and he smirked.
“Are you a detective?”
“My father and I used to play detective when I was young,” she shrugged, a small smile on her face as she watched the man look away.
“Hmm.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what made you upset? I’m a good listener,” Jolene found herself feeling free around him despite his cold aura.
He mumbled, his eyes fixed on the sky. “I told you, it’s the world. And right now, I need a drink.”
“You don’t have to drink to distract yourself or to think. You can find something else.”
He looked at her and asked, “Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe singing. I play music in my bedroom and sing along while jumping on my bed, even though my voice is terrible,” Jolene chuckled, and the man smiled a little.
It seemed her talk was working.
“I have something in mind.” Jaxon took a step closer to her, and her breath hitched. He leaned forward. “Are you gonna help me?”
His voice sounded different, somewhat seductive.
Shit, Jolene, did you just call him seductive?
“Help with what?”
“To help me think. How forgetful of you, cutie,” he smiled.
“Alright, I’ll help…” Her words were cut short by his action.
One moment she was standing beside him, and the next, he had pinned her to the tree. His face was inches from hers, and his hands trapped her between his muscular frame and the large tree.
Jolene felt her heart skip a beat. Her temperature rose, and her mind was in disarray. Why does Jaxon make her feel this way?
“You didn’t answer my question. I meant the one at your house.”
Of course, she remembered. How could she forget the most shocking moment of her life, where one of the hottest actors in the world asked her for a kiss?
“Is… that what’s going… to… help you… think?” She stuttered, her voice barely audible and her heart beating like a drum in her ears.
“It would be an incredible help. So yes or no?” His voice sounded impatient, his gaze falling to her lips and back to her eyes.
He was incredibly handsome in the dark with his messy hair. His lips were inviting, and her crazy heart screamed the word “Yes!” until the word actually fell from her lips.
“Yes,” she whispered, immediately shutting her eyes and pressing her lips together, waiting for his next move. When nothing happened, she opened her eyes and found him staring.
“I can’t kiss you while you’re hiding those lips of yours,” he whispered.
“I…” she paused and looked down, her face flushing. “I’ve never kissed anyone before.”
She heard him chuckle, and he gently held her chin. Before she could breathe, he pressed his lips against hers. Jolene’s eyes went wide, her mind going haywire. Her lips quivered.
He broke the kiss. “Relax, Jo,” he whispered and returned his lips to hers, this time moving his lips gently.
Jolene closed her eyes, her body relaxing. She felt a strange wave of sensation, one she had never felt before. If she were to describe it, it was amazing.
A moan escaped her lips as he held and pulled her waist closer. She quickly learned his movements and began to return the kiss. She melt into his embrace, wanting more.
Jaxon’s thumb stroked her cheek as he deepened the kiss. Jolene felt his tongue push into her mouth, and she allowed him to explore it.
A jolt of electricity washed over her as their tongues touched. He took the kiss to another level, teaching her how to use her tongue.
When she learned, the kiss turned passionate. Jolene gripped his shirt, pulling him closer as their lips burned against each other.
She let out a soft moan.
As they broke apart for air, Jolene’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Jaxon’s gaze. His thumb caressed her swollen, wet, and pink lips.
“Not bad, cutie,” he smirked.
UNDER HIS INFLUENCE : CHAPTER 71 – 80
[PARK]
“How about this one?” Tatiana asked Jolene, who seemed to have dozed off.
“Jojo?” Tatiana called, and Jolene’s head snapped toward her.
“Hm?” Jolene’s face turned red as she realized she’d been dozing off, replaying her kiss with Jaxon from the night before.
She remembered how she had curled up in her bed, thinking about it for hours!
Last night felt like a fairytale. She had kissed a famous actor. Not just any actor, but Mr. King’s cousin. She wondered what Tatiana would think about it.
Tatiana chuckled. “I guess Jaxon already made a move, then.”
“Huh?”
“You’re as transparent as glass. Was it your first kiss?” Tatiana chuckled.
“H… how did you know?” Jolene’s face turned even redder.
Tatiana grinned. “I’m your sister from another mother,” she said, and Jolene felt the words strike her. “So how was it?”
Jolene swallowed at Tatiana’s words. She averted her gaze and looked at Dylan, who was playing on the slide.
“I’ve always wondered what my first kiss would be like. It was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about it. My heart won’t stop racing…” Jolene pointed to her chest. “I think I might have a heart attack.”
“You might want to get used to it because you’ll experience it a lot from now on,” Tatiana said, picking up the teddy bear.
It was the weekend, a day she loved taking Dylan to his favorite place—the park.
Cassius had traveled that morning to meet a business partner. Tatiana wanted to go with him, but Cassius refused. She had to meet a director for a new movie project.
“Is that how you feel around Big Boss?” Jolene asked.
“I feel like I’m in heaven around him. He’s just too perfect. Aren’t we lucky?” Tatiana raised a brow.
“You’re already missing Big Boss?” Jolene asked.
“Very much,” Tatiana chuckled, but her smile dropped, and her brows furrowed when she noticed a strange female figure dressed in black emerging from behind the slide. Her face covered
Her alertness struck immediately, and she ran toward Dylan, but the strange lady got to Dylan first and immediately placed a knife against his neck.
Tatiana stopped in her tracks and raised her hands, a sign of surrender.
Her heart was racing!
The two bodyguards around them started to move closer, but the lady yelled.
“Don’t you fucking come close, or I’ll spill this little cutie’s blood on the goddamn floor!” she screamed, and the guards paused.
“Mummy!” Dylan exclaimed in fear.
Tatiana felt her world shatter as the lady slowly pressed the knife against Dylan’s neck.
“Stop!! I don’t know you, but for fuck’s sake, don’t hurt my kid!” Tatiana was trembling.
Jolene, on the other hand, secretly reached for her phone.
“Don’t do something stupid, bitch!” the lady yelled at Jolene, and she stopped and raised her hands as well.
Tatiana recognized the voice.
“You’re the one who came to the mansion.”
“Nice talent, Tatiana. You recognized me,” the lady chuckled. “Wow, you must really love your child.”
“What parent wouldn’t love their child?” Tatiana asked.
“Someone like your father?” the girl responded.
Her father? Could this girl be a victim of her father’s disgusting human trafficking operation?
“Mummy, I’m scared!” Dylan cried out.
“If you want to talk to me, let’s talk, but let my innocent child go,” Tatiana pleaded, but threat and anger laced in her voice.
“I’m not stupid, Tatiana. You’re a vengeful woman, just the way you were described. I know the moment I let go of this child, I’m screwed.”
“No, you’re not. I’ll listen to you, I promise,” Tatiana said. “I don’t know if you’re a victim of my father, but I’ll help, okay? Please don’t hurt my boy.”
It seemed Tatiana’s words struck a nerve with the lady, whose nostrils flared with anger.
“So you knew who your father was. You fucking knew what your father is doing. Do you know how many lives are in misery, and yet you did nothing? Like hell, you’ve got people. I don’t know who the father of this child is, but I heard he is powerful. You said that yourself during your interview… so why? Fuck you, you don’t deserve happiness!” she spat.
One thing Tatiana knew was that the lady was not in her right mind.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Tatiana pleaded, hoping she would listen.
“Sorry my ass,” the lady whispered, and Tatiana saw something flash in her eyes.
The lady looked down at Dylan
“Well it’s not a bad idea if Mr. Wallington loses his grandson” She raised the knife, bringing it down.
Dylan screamed and Tatiana’s voice followed.
“Noo!!!!”
UNDER HIS INFLUENCE : CHAPTER 71 – 80
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