Stop it. Oh, please.

She longed to forget Rigel, to erase the memory of those dark brown eyes. Those sensual, fiery lips that captured her every heavy breath again and again. And palms that were allowed to slide over her skin without a hint of remorse or affection. Oh, how she wanted to forget it all.

But every time she fell into his arms and begged him not to leave. Why was she so obsessed? Just like Rigel.

When she got adopted and taken from the orphanage, everything was decided for her and no one asked if she wanted it. She felt lost, like her life got cut short. Now, she didn't want to forget, but she wanted to curl up under the blanket, scratch the walls until they bled, and sob hysterically.

And she doesn't forget.

The day is awfully tough, and the work just chokes her. All she wants is to sink into a bath filled with hot water and lavender essential oil.

Upon opening the door, she is greeted by the gentle sound of piano keys playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Fear grips her. Shivers run down her spine. A trail of black rose petals scattered across the marble floor, leading into the living room. The piano performance momentarily pauses when the heels of her shoes click against the floor, announcing her arrival to strangers is in her apartment.

The living room is empty, no one there. Her gaze falls on the leather banquette, where a lonely black rose rests. Her heart tightens painfully.

In an instant, she feels the warmth of a man's hand covering her lips, squeezing her tender cheeks. His other hand, like ivy, wraps tightly around her waist. Despite the shock, she stays upright, her hand landing on the piano keys, breaking the silence with discordant notes.

“Finalmente ti ho trovato. I've been looking for you for so long,” a soft voice whispers next to her ear as he slowly buries his face in her hair and groans when the silky strands touch his lips. “Gotcha.”

Rigel presses her painfully against the piano, his fingers at her waist slowly sliding towards her thigh. “How I missed you.”