UNDER HIS RULES

“Beatrice complained about a lot of things she didn’t understand. I actually feel sorry for her, but there’s nothing she can do except endure, right?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Eland nodded in agreement. “Help as much as you can, An. Beatrice is not a foolish girl.”

“Yeah.” Anne smiled widely. “I’m learning so many new things that make me feel like I’m back in college. The mentor that Mr. Alfred provided for Beatrice is no joke.”

Eland gently stroked Anne’s hair. “That’s understandable. Beatrice is his only granddaughter. Being separated for so long, and well… her life story is quite dramatic, isn’t it?”

They reached the front door, and Anne’s hand was about to turn the doorknob. She wanted to quickly make sure that the food they ordered matched Eland’s taste and check if anything was missing from the dishes. But before her hand could reach the doorknob, Eland stopped her.

“Don’t you want to keep me company tonight?”

Anne blinked slowly, quickly digesting Eland’s words that instantly made her goosebumps rise. “You promised me, right? Besides, our wedding is six months away. Can you be patient?”

Eland sighed in resignation. “That’s too long, An.” Irritated, he pulled Anne closer by her waist. Her back pressed against his chest. He held her tightly from behind and gently kissed the nape of her neck, though hindered by her hair. Making Anne stand rigidly.

At first, Anne wanted to escape, but Eland’s tongue had already started exploring. If Eland had been a bit rougher with her, maybe Anne could have regained her composure sooner. Unfortunately, Eland was being gentle with Anne, causing her to sometimes forget that there were boundaries he still held and guarded.

“Eland.”

“Isn’t it okay like this?” Eland stopped his nibbling. “You’re so stingy.”

“Let’s just eat first, okay?” Anne took a deep breath, relieved that Eland released her. She wasn’t afraid because Eland could do as he pleased. Even though her abilities were far below Eland’s, at least Anne could defend herself a little. She positioned herself to face the man who looked at her with a melancholic expression.

“Not hungry. I stopped by a fast-food restaurant after coming back from the border.” Eland rested his head on Anne’s shoulder. “I’m just really tired because the final shipment was a bit delayed. So I could only work at night.”

“After eating, go back to sleep. I’ll let Boss know that you need a short rest.”

Eland grinned. Anne didn’t even need to ask Sam for permission. He was confident that the Twin Dragon’s ruler understood what he needed right now. “Will you accompany me to sleep?”

“But not to be slept with?”

Eland laughed. “No guarantees.”

“I don’t want that then.”

***[]***

Anne herself had never imagined being able to look at a man who was engaged in a rather serious discussion about several matters at the border from a different perspective. Since the beginning, she didn’t realize when Eland approached her because his behavior was just the same as she had felt all this time. Nothing had changed.

“I like you. Do you allow me to get closer?” Eland’s words couldn’t be ignored by Anne just like that. Not because they echoed in her mind all the time, but since those words were uttered, Eland remained the same. Cold and indifferent. It made Anne confused and wonder, was that stiff man’s statement true? However, there were moments when Anne felt perplexed. The attention Eland gave her was different from other men.

Anne had not forgotten when Sam asked her to further investigate Joseph’s dangerous movements. Besides the well-organized network Joseph had built, which Anne could say was meticulously planned, he was also hindered by Joseph’s connection to Quassano. Fortunately, she was given special access to investigate. Although the man’s body had been buried months ago, Sam really didn’t want any disturbances in the future.

For example, revenge.

It was better to destroy it completely, even though its head had been severed. Sam’s principle motivated his subordinates to be deployed in such a way, ensuring that the incident that almost claimed many lives and was not easily forgotten would not happen again.

“Why are you here, Eland?” Anne asked, surprised to find Eland parking his motorcycle in the lobby of the Quassano office building. Anne had just finished copying some data related to Joseph to examine at the headquarters. Her intention at that time was to briefly visit one of her favorite noodle restaurants. Having visited Alfred’s office several times, Anne had become familiar with some places there.

“Just dropping by,” Eland said, offering the helmet he intentionally brought for Anne. “Come on.”

“Where to?” Anne felt awkward meeting Eland at that moment. The statement he made not only confused her, but there was also no response from her side yet. Besides still holding on to a fragment of a love story that ended with Tony in her heart, she couldn’t be certain if Eland was the right man for her. Even though they had been together at the headquarters for some time and Anne knew Eland’s movements, it didn’t mean she truly understood the person who was skilled in swordplay.

“Follow me.”

“Where to?”

Eland stared at Anne sharply. “Hurry up!”

Anne frowned in displeasure but couldn’t refuse the helmet that was still in Eland’s hand. She put it on without much thought but was surprised when Eland approached her. She took a step back, but he held her back.

“Could you wear the helmet properly? You only have one head. If it hits the asphalt, it’s over for you in this world.”

Anne’s body stiffened suddenly. Apart from Eland’s annoying breath, she couldn’t help but stare at him due to their close proximity. The black helmet was perfectly fitted on her head, and Eland had already put a thick leather jacket on Anne’s unmoving body, following all of the man’s wishes.

“Now, it’s safe like this.” The black visor of the helmet was immediately closed. Eland smiled, satisfied with Anne’s minimal objections. “Let’s go.” His hand extended, hoping the girl would accept it. It didn’t matter; it had been a month, and Anne hadn’t responded to his confession. Anne might think he was just bragging.

Little did Anne know, Eland was perplexed because the girl seemed indifferent to his words. I don’t know how many times Jack had become the target of his rambling every time he visited Flown.

Jack said, “You’re not making enough effort to get closer to Anne. You know who Anne was with before, right? We all know their relationship. And now suddenly, you like Anne. I never thought you could like Anne. Especially her.”

“I’m confused myself.” Eland sighed in frustration as Jack couldn’t calm him down even a bit. Talking to Hugo? Nah! Besides being busy with the upcoming competition, he didn’t want to miss a single moment with Hera. Talking to Sam? No. No. Eland still valued his life. Not afraid of being suddenly beheaded or vanished, but disturbing Sam, who was always busy with Beatrice, was equivalent to waking up a wild lion and making it go berserk.

“Where do you want to go first?” Anne opened the visor of the helmet that Eland had closed just now. Although somewhat hesitant, she still accepted the extended hand. When their hands touched, Eland grasped it tightly without hesitation. It was as if Anne could just leave if he didn’t hold on tightly.

“Can you stop asking so many questions? Annoying,” Anne’s lips pouted. “I need to know where you’re taking me, Eland.”

“To the border,” Eland replied.

Anne’s mind wandered to the series of tasks Sam had assigned to Eland. While Hugo dealt with documentation-related matters, Eland was more involved in the business affairs expanded by Sam, which also carried dangers. This included his involvement at the border regarding arms trafficking, which Eland had been monitoring for a long time.

“There’s a place I want to show you, An,” Eland said.

Whenever Eland referred to her as ‘An,’ Anne’s heart would race. His voice had such an impact on the young woman’s body.

“Will you come with me, An?” Eland hadn’t put on his full-face helmet yet. He chose to enjoy the sight of the girl who already had her helmet on beside him. Although his hand longed to lightly caress Anne’s straight black hair, it wasn’t an issue. Just being like this was more than enough. Anne didn’t reject Eland’s hand holding hers either.

“I will,” Anne said softly, then looked down, feeling embarrassed.

“But let’s stop by Flown first and switch motorcycles.”

“Oh?” Anne furrowed her brow.

“I’m tired, An, riding to the border on a motorcycle.” Eland grinned slightly. “It’s more comfortable to use a car when I’m with you.”

Anne had been informed by someone, she couldn’t remember who. She had delved as deep as possible into information about the distinctive white Ninja motorcycle associated with Eland. Cold, rigid, untouched, hard to approach, fierce, and unforgiving. No one was allowed to touch that motorcycle casually. Only certain individuals were allowed to clean it if it was parked in front of the headquarters. Eland inspected it from every angle.

And no one was allowed to ride that motorcycle casually.