CHAPTER 91: HE DOESN’T BITE

Footsteps echoed from the staircase, a steady rhythm that caused both Julie and Ava to instinctively glance upward.

The sound grew louder until Roman and Azazel emerged, descending the stairs side by side — Roman’s movements composed and effortless, while Azazel’s steps carried his usual mix of confidence and mischief.

"Welcome," Roman said as he reached the bottom, his tall figure settling onto one of the cushioned chairs directly across from the girls.

"Hello," Azazel added with a smirk curving at the corner of his lips, his tone light but laced with an unspoken edge.

"Thank you. Good afternoon," Ava greeted politely, her voice calm and respectful as she offered a small nod to both of them.

"Good afternoon to you too," Roman responded, his tone no longer wrapped in the usual businesslike detachment.

There was a noticeable shift — a certain warmth now coloring his voice, and the softness in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Julie.

All because Ava was someone Julie loved.

And anyone Julie loved, Roman was willing to like too.

But before the moment could settle, Azazel leaned forward slightly, his elbow resting lazily on the armrest, and his eyes — sharp and gleaming — fixed directly on Ava.

"So, you’re the girl who wants to challenge me," he said suddenly, his voice carrying the weight of playful accusation.

Ava blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

The silence in the room thickened just a little as Julie and Roman both raised their brows in quiet surprise.

"Excuse me?" Ava asked, her tone calm but wary, unsure whether he was teasing or testing her.

Azazel tilted his head with exaggerated slowness, as if mildly offended she didn’t already know.

"Don’t you know?" he replied coolly, his smirk still in place but his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

Ava leaned back just a little, head tilting in return, meeting his gaze with curiosity instead of fear.

"Let me know," she said, her tone even but slightly edged with amusement, not one to back down easily.

Azazel’s eyes darkened playfully, and he leaned forward a fraction more, resting his fingertips together as if delivering a secret.

"Earlier upstairs," he said slowly, "I kept hearing the two of you—" his gaze flicked to Julie and back, "—bursting into laughter. Again and again."

His voice dropped lower, mock-serious, lips twitching like he was trying to keep a straight face.

"And I’ll have you know, I’m the only one who’s allowed to make her laugh that much."

Julie let out a quiet gasp of disbelief, her eyes wide as she gave Azazel a warning look, while Ava blinked at him, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.

Azazel, on the other hand, held her stare with unwavering intensity, his tone light but his expression entirely serious — or at least serious enough to make Ava’s stomach twist with uncertainty.

Was he joking? Testing her? Claiming territory?

She couldn’t quite tell.

But either way... it was clear Azazel Thompson was not a boy easily ignored.

---

"What is he saying, Julie?" Ava asked nervously, swallowing hard. Her voice was low, almost uncertain, and her fingers fidgeted slightly in her lap.

Roman sat quietly to the side, watching the interaction with an unreadable expression.

He exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, still saying nothing — but his eyes were now fixed on Azazel, his interest sharpened.

Julie, noticing the nervousness clouding Ava’s usually bright face, turned to Azazel.

She suspected this was just one of his usual antics, but Ava clearly didn’t understand his sense of humor yet.

"We laughed, yes," Julie said, giving him a knowing look. "But that’s not a challenge to you. You’ll always be my darling brother." She ended the sentence with a playful wink.

Roman, who had remained silent throughout, blinked in surprise at her choice of words.

’Darling brother,’ huh? he mused inwardly, his gaze shifting to Julie. Then what does that make me? Darling husband? No, that’s too bland. I need something better. Something just for me...

But Ava, still unsure and thinking she might have offended someone, suddenly reached for her bag in a fluster.

"Julie, I’ll go now. Thank you," she said quickly, her voice tight.

She stood and gave a polite bow of her head to Roman — but didn’t even spare Azazel a glance, treating him like he was made of air.

Then, to everyone’s astonishment, she turned on her heel and bolted toward the door.

"Ava, wait—! Don’t leave like that! Stop!" Julie shouted after her, springing to her feet in alarm.

But Ava was already at the main entrance, her hand on the doorknob, her heart pounding in embarrassment and confusion.

Azazel, still frozen in place, was visibly caught off guard. His brows lifted, and he blinked, stunned by her sudden departure.

Roman didn’t speak. He simply turned his head slowly toward Azazel.

That single glance — quiet, unreadable, but firm — was all it took.

Azazel jolted to his feet instantly, like he’d been shocked by an electric wire, and rushed after Ava, who had already exited the mansion.

"Ava," Julie whispered, about to chase after her, but Roman reached out and gently caught her wrist.

"Relax," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers. He brushed a finger across her forehead, smoothing the faint wrinkle that had appeared there.

"Why would he do that?" Julie asked, frowning deeply, worry clear in her tone.

"He’ll bring her back. Don’t worry," Roman replied, his lips curving into a slow, knowing smile.

"Now that we’re alone..." He leaned a little closer, his voice lower, more playful. "Care to give me a name?"

Julie blinked, tilting her head with innocent confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, genuinely not following.

---

Outside, Ava tried to walk quickly, but the heels on her feet slowed her down.

The steps of the grand entrance echoed beneath her, but she didn’t look back. Her breath came fast. She was still rattled.

Azazel caught up easily.

But when Ava heard the sound of his footsteps growing closer, she tried to quicken her pace.

Just as she lifted her foot for the next step, her heel caught slightly on the edge of the stone. Her balance shifted in a sudden, frightening jolt.

She gasped.

In that split second, just before her body could meet the hard floor, strong arms wrapped swiftly around her waist from behind.

She let out a small cry as he twirled her gently, turning her around until she was facing him — her face now only inches from his chest.

Her wide eyes stared up at him, stunned.

Azazel didn’t let go.

His arms remained securely around her, and his eyes — sharp, intense, and filled with something unreadable — stayed locked on hers.

Ava’s breath caught. Her heart skipped a beat. She could feel the heat radiating from his body.

Their faces were so close now she could see the fine lashes that lined his dark eyes... and the slight curve of his lips.

Electricity shot down her spine.

Neither of them said a word.

And for a moment, even time seemed to hold its breath.

"Your eyes are beautiful," Azazel murmured, the words slipping out unconsciously, low and husky.

His voice shattered the silence between them, slicing through the invisible tension that had been thickening like fog around them.

Ava’s heart was pounding like a drum in her chest.

She blinked—once, sharply—then suddenly pushed against his shoulders with both hands. The move caught Azazel off guard.

He lost his balance and stumbled back, his grip on her loosening just enough that they both came crashing to the ground.

"Ah—ouch," Azazel groaned as his back hit the floor with a hard thud, the sound echoing slightly off the wide stone steps.

But even with the fall, neither of them moved away. It was as if something stronger than embarrassment—stronger than reason—held them in place.

There was something magnetic in the way their eyes clung to each other, something dangerous in the silence.

’Ava, pull back. He’s a man,’ a voice inside her whispered urgently, but her body didn’t listen.

She remained perfectly still, her eyes locked on his, drowning in the dark pools that shimmered beneath thick lashes.

His gaze seemed to see everything — her nerves, her hesitation, her secret curiosity.

Azazel, still lying on the ground, let his eyes drift — from one of hers to the other — as if mapping out her expression.

A single strand of her hair had slipped from behind her ear and fallen softly along her cheek.

Without even thinking, he reached up.

His fingers brushed her skin with a gentleness that made her breath catch as he tucked the loose strand carefully behind her ear.

Neither of them knew how long they lay there, time blurring, the world shrinking to just the space between them — until the quiet sound of someone clearing their throat shattered the spell.

Startled, Ava jerked her head toward the source of the sound.

Julie and Roman stood just a few feet away, both watching silently.

Ava’s face turned bright with heat. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she pushed away from Azazel as if burned. She scrambled to her feet so fast it was almost a stumble.

"I... I will be leaving," she said quickly, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes as she turned to leave, voice shaky with humiliation.

But before she could take even a single step, she felt something wrap around her wrist—gently, not forceful.

"I’m sorry," Azazel’s voice came from behind her, deeper this time, quieter. Sincere.

The sound of it made her heartbeat pick up again.

She closed her eyes briefly and took a breath, trying to calm herself, before slowly turning to face him again.

Azazel, now standing as well, stepped toward her.

Ava instinctively took a small step back.

"I don’t bite, you know," Azazel said smoothly, catching her movement. His brow lifted in mock offense. "Stay where you are."

Julie watched the exchange silently, a small amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

There was something sweet about the scene — awkward, uncertain, and yet... honest.

Azazel took another slow step forward, closing the distance again. Ava didn’t move this time. Her feet stayed rooted to the spot.

"I was just joking earlier... upstairs," he said gently, lowering his tone. "I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable."

Ava said nothing, her eyes watching him closely now — cautious but listening.

"I just wanted to see how you’d react," he added with a slightly crooked smile. "And well... now I know."

He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly unsure of himself.

"I didn’t mean to scare you away. I’m sorry, really," he said, the last part sounding surprisingly soft for someone so bold minutes ago. "I hope you’ll stay. For dinner."

Ava’s eyes lifted to his, and this time, she didn’t flinch.

The words settled over her like something warm, melting the last traces of her discomfort.

Azazel smiled — not the usual smirk, not the teasing grin. This one was... charming. Unfiltered. Sincere.

Julie smiled wider from the side and leaned slightly into Roman.

She wasn’t sure what this was yet.

But whatever was happening... it had definitely just begun.