Edit: This chapter has been edited so do not be surprise if there are some changes.
Chapter 1 - Stranger Danger?
Does she really have the guts to go and do that to someone?
Astraea sighed for the nth time as thoughts about what she had gotten herself into kept flashing in her mind.
Seducing the playboy would probably result for his own good and welfare so it might be a good thing yet... she also knew that playing with feelings is not and will never be a good thing.
Who is she to inflict that pain to someone anyway? That is just plain cruel.
"
J'en ai marre (I'm fed up)", Astraea couldn't help but tap the water in frustration as she lays on the bath tub with her eyes closed in an attempt to calm herself.
Damn it.
Not even her usual stress reliever of taking her milky bath couldn't relieve her off the thought of what she is going to do.
Yes. Guess she is that lucky huh?
For some reason she would like to blame on playful coincidence, they heard that Levant is actually here in the island right now. Kiara and Malia instantly forced her to go out and pamper herself the minute they got off the plane as according to them, this would make things easier... whatever they mean by that.
Naturally, she refused at first until tiredness from all the spying they did caught up with her and she just found herself agreeing.
However, now that she's already calm and on her right mind. Everything they did earlier just seems to be clearer and instead of relaxing, she just find herself stressing more with a never ending internal debate.
Damn.
Is it really that hard to find peaceful time away from all her troubles?
Sighing, Astraea closed her eyes and massaged her forehead for a while before an idea entered her mind.
What if- Why don't she just back out?
Maybe she can still do that?
Hmmm...
Maybe she could convince her friends if she could just find someone who would be perfect for the job!
Right.
He can't possibly be that charming to have every single lady at his mercy eh? Maybe there are still people out there who's single and do not have any chance of liking the dude... someone, anyone who would be immune to him.
Gathering her hair in a bun, she got herself out of the bath tub while wearing her robe. Still thinking deeply, she went outside and stood in front of the vanity table, staring at her pale image in the mirror.
The question is how?
After all, she is in an island with limited resources because she couldn't use her money or power here... Besides, her cards were off limits cause her parents would definitely track her!
Astraea absent mindedly comb her hair before grabbing the lotion on the vanity. Raising her left foot on the stool, she pressed the lotion on her hand and lather her legs with it, her mind began wandering as she took her time looking around the impressive cabin style design of her room.
She knew her friend must be feeling super guilty now remembering how Kiara ensured that her spotless kitchen would have more than normal set of spices available, even when she knew that it is probably limited especially in an isolated island like this. Her friend really knew her weakness... some kind of consolation eh?
Astraea 'tsk' again, bowing her head while raising her other foot on the stool, contemplating on her misfortunes.
"Holysh*t!"
Yes she knew. Astraea nodded her head in agreement.
"Goodness gracious... why are you doing this to me?"
Ah huh. She is asking herself that question exactly.
"Forgive me for I have sin-"
That's righ- Wait what?
Astraea's forehead knotted in confusion as her mind began to register the words making her gasped out loud, quickly looking up to find that imbecile.
And alas, her eyes went wide as saucers as she saw a suspicious looking stranger laying down comfortably on her bed!
Well she couldnt really see him for half of his face is covered with mask while wearing a hoodie. One thing she is sure though is that he is looking at her exposed legs with wanton eyes, whistling as his sinful eyes went up and stopped short on the cleavage that shows on her bath robe when she bends down earlier.
The scream that were caught in her throat went out. Cursing rather wildly, Astraea instantly jumped on top of the stranger without thinking before she began hitting wherever she could reach.
"Aw! Aw! Ouch!", the rascal shouts while trying to hold on her arms with no avail, "Stop it baby!"
Astraea gasped at his haughtiness, shocked, she almost paused with her assault for never in her life did anyone dare do something this offending to her!
"I am not your baby", she screeched out, now pulling on his hair, "
T'es rien qu'un petit connard" (You really are an asshole!)
To her surprise, he chuckled as if he find the situation funny The next thing she knew, he already had her at his mercy as he spun them around. His weight now pressing her down with both of her hands trapped underneath his larger ones on top of her head.
Shocked by their sudden close proximity, she could only stare speechless at the guy.
The first thing she noticed though was his deepset round chocolate colored eyes, laced with long lashes. His straight nose and angular jawline, still noticeable even if it was hidden by his mask.
Her mouth slightly open upon realizing that he is rather attractive!
Noticing her stare, the stranger's brows furrowed at her for a second, his eyes darting down her face before he shook his head as if he just realized something and then laughs out loud with obvious mirth.
"Damn" he said, now smiling at her cheekily, feeling his hand caress her wrist, "I'm sorry babe"
What the heck?
"Do not touch me!" she exclaimed slightly scandalized by his words, "And don't call me that!"
How dare he!
With limited movements left, Astraea leaned over, biting his shoulder.
The guy was caught off guard, staring at her in shock that she was finally able to get him off her and push him all the way outside her cabin.
"Hey!", the guy tried to dodge her attack, "I am not a bad person. Stop it woman! Argh. So much for looking for a hiding place!"
Yeah right.
"I'm serious! This is the room I normally stayed in! I didn't even know someone already-",
"
Connard!" (Asshole)
"What?", he asked, looking over his shoulder seeing no one, "Who's Connard?"
Shaking her head, she quickly made a move to try and close the door but the guy managed to stop her.
Sighing now in frustration, she realized that her strength is no match with his.
"You left me with no choice", he started raising his other arm, as if he is gonna take off his mask, "My name is Th-"
He never got to finish though for someone screamed, or more like screeched rather, that Astraea automatically winced at the sound almost forgetting her current dispute.
"Ted!" she heard the voice called out, the sudden paleness on the stranger's face and the panic on his eyes becomes very noticeable. An idea pops on her mind the moment she and the stranger exchanged a look.
His eyes widen almost immediately as if he read what is going on her mind.
Before she knew it, he had already pinned her on the door, his cold hand on her mouth to stop her from screaming.
"Yoo hoo Teddy!"
"Shit!" he whispered while looking over his shoulder while she struggle on removing his hand covering her mouth, fear evident in his eyes which somehow made her stop short with her protest.
Is he... scared? What is going on?
Curiosity grows on her, remembering his words earlier. He said he was just 'looking for a place to hide'... could it be true?
But why?
"Where are you my soon to be hubby" the girl said with her shrilling voice, even she felt like something crawl on her skin, she involuntarily shudder at the thought, "Are we playing hide and seek now?"
"No sh*t", the stranger groaned.
Thank god, he seemed to be distracted enough, she was able to get off his hand easily.
"You are getting married?", she asked curiously before she could stop herself, "Why are you hiding from your fiance?"
At her question, she and the guy exchanged looks.
The air was filled with silence for a moment before he finally sighed and closed his eyes tiredly, saying, "Arranged to be married actually"
Shocked. Astraea stood frozen on her spot.
Wow.
She did not know arrange marriage is still this common in 21st century huh? First Levant, and now this man?
At lost for words, she almost jumped in surprise upon seeing a girl with heavy make up and skimpy outfit on the far end aisle, walking towards her direction slowly, "Hey, have you seen my fiance?"
She and the stranger exchanged another look, no one dared to speak before the guy finally sighed, seemingly giving up and posing to turn around when Astraea impulsively pulled on his jacket to stop him from moving.
Rolling her eyes, she internally smacked herself for having a soft spot for this kind of things. Damn it. It seems like helping somebody from arrange marriage problems is starting to be her hobby huh?
Holding on the guys hoodie, she pulled him close, burying his head on her neck and made it look like they were making out. Hoping the girl would get the picture and ignore them now.
But alas.
It seems like the girl couldn't be deterred for she even walked closer and repeated the question, stopping only a few meters away from them.
Sighing for the nth time this day, she sneaked a look on the guy after feeling him froze on the spot. Her mind however, blanked for a moment, distracted by their sudden closeness and the intense look in his eyes.
Brows furrowing, she wondered why those beautiful eyes seems rather familiar...
"Hey!", the girl screeched out again interrupting her thoughts, "I am talking to you"
Is it just her because she grew up in different culture or is the girl really sounds irritating?
"Err- no", her brows knotting in annoyance at the tone of the girl, "Sorry, I didn't"
"Well if you saw my Teddy, tell him that I, his fiance, am looking for him understand?" the girl told her in a commanding tone with too much emphasis in 'I' and 'his fiance' that made Astraea raise her brows, slightly amused for no one talked to her in that tone before.
"O-kay?", she said with a shrug, rolling her eyes. Anything just to get the girl to leave, "Yeah sure"
"Wait-", the girl sounded offended, "You don't know who am I do you?"
Who is she anyway?
"Err- Am I supposed to?" Astraea cleared her throat but the girl's sudden screech had her jumping in surprise, she even heard the stranger who's standing still next to her let out a small laugh before he slowly wraps his arms around her waist.
Wincing inwardly, she automatically placed her hand on top of his to try and stop his hands with no avail.
The audacity of the brute!
Damn. Why is she helping him anyway? If only she could take back what she said.
Taking a deep breath, Astraea gritted her teeth at the two.
"Look I'm sorry if I offended you but you see this is my first time here because my friend-"
The screeching sound from the girl were back again. Now what?! Astraea stopped in confusion as the other girl exclaimed, "So THAT explains it!"
Huh? Explained what exactly... ?
"Nothing it's just" the other said looking at her with menacing look, laughing as she look at her from head to toe, "My mistake"
What the hell is wrong with this girl?
"Wait what?", She is seriously starting to get annoyed.
Sensing her mood, the guy who were strangely quiet earlier chuckles and whispered, "Calm down baby".
Raising his hand, he caressed the spot right below her ear, feeling him pressed a kiss on the pulse point of her neck. He instantly almost made her forget where she is as she let out an involuntary moan.
"Do continue with what your doing coz I'm not gonna be blamed if you don't get paid", the statement of the other girl though breaks her free from the strangers spell as she quickly pushed him off her.
Thankfully, the awful girl had already left that she hadn't seen what happened next for Astraea stepped on 'Teddy's' foot before pulling his ear earning a painful groan from him.
Astraea entered her cabin huffing and puffing in annoyance without looking back.
Do people here really have attitude problem or what?
And did that girl really insinuated something? Damn.
First a guy trespassed her cabin, then gets insulted by an entitled infuriating girl and after all the help she did, the guy still have the guts to do that to her? How dare he?!
"
Fils de pute" (Son of a b*tch) she said as she took a bottled water from the ref and drank it, hoping that it would somehow cool down her head.
"What is your problem baby?"
Here we go again.
Astraea sighed for the nth time, turning around to find the stranger invites himself inside once again and sat himself in her couch while still holding his injured foot.
Rolling her eyes, she asked for more patience from the heavens above.
"
Quel salaud !" (What a bastard) she mutters underneath her breath.
Why does it seems like he doesn't know that what he just did could be rather offensive.
But admit that you enjoyed it, her inner conscience whispered on her that she immediately closed her eyes and quietly scold herself, shaking her head to dispel the unwanted thoughts.
"Is that girl really your fiance?", she asked instead, turning away from the guy to avoid doing something that might damage her clean reputation. Busying herself with looking for coffee recipes in her notebook on top of her cabinet, hoping that it would somehow calm her down.
"Unfortunately", she heard him answer with dismay. His voice now soft laced by guilt, "Sorry for what she said to you by the way"
A sincere apology eh?
"Why? What happened?" she couldn't help but ask with curiosity before she realized that her question sounded rather nosy.
She would understand if he do not answer.
Silence filled the air for a moment, she thought he had forgotten her question that she was surprised when he suddenly speaks.
"Let's just say that my parents must have gotten enough of my lazy ass, they thought settling down is the only solution so they go ahead and found me someone to marry instead."
Well that's... the opposite reason of hers?
But wait- something about what he said bothers her. Somehow, his statement was quite unbelievable to her.
With her right eyebrow raised, Astraea turned to face the stranger, watching him checked her film and polaroid camera with interest, he didn't even notice her looking.
He did not strike her as the guy who would simply agree on something like this...
"Why did you ever agree?", she blurted out again without thinking.
Honestly, she has always been curious at what is going on in the mind of the guy in this kind of situation.
"Well", he started with a shrug before removing the hoodie on top of his head, "there are things that we have no control about. Yet we have to do it even though we do not want to in order to avoid losing some important things."
Confused, Astraea wonder what could be more important to him than his future with someone he do not even like?
"Think about it this way...", he continued, noticing her expression, "if I marry just for the sake of what my parents wanted, I can still live my life like a bachelor without worrying of ever hurting the ones that I love"
Not marrying for love so you wont hurt the one that you love? She would never decipher how he concluded that.
Astraea tilted her head and glared at him, finally realizing what he meant by his words.
"
Connard" (Asshole), she murmured underneath her breath, the stranger only smiled at her cheekily before he stood up and stretched whilst removing his hoodie fully, combing his hair afterward.
Squinting her eyes and giving him another glare, she only rolled her eyes upon realizing that he isn't affected by her attitude as he only chuckles and winked at her instead.
Darting her eyes away from him, she just busied herself with arranging her recipe books. Her mind going back to what he said earlier... so is that how it is for men?
"By the way, haven't I told you my name is not Connard?"
Astraea rolled her eyes once again.
Damn. She already lost her count on how many times she had rolled her eyes ever since she had entered the situation.
"Yes I know. I think I distinctively heard your fiance called you Teddy Bear", she said just to at least get back on his so called values in life, hiding her smile then after hearing him sputter.
"I- Uh- that is not exactly my name but...", he started uncomfortably, pausing for a while before he continued speaking rather shyly, Astraea's brows raised again, "But... you can call me Theo"
Theo? From Theodore?
She couldn't help it. A soft chuckle came out from her lips, thinking where his fiance probably got his endearment.
"You do know that Theo roughly translates to Bear right?" she had to ask, looking over her shoulder to see him now facing her direction, still tinkering with her polaroid camera, covering almost 2/3 of his face. His black mask lay beside the other film one.
cr: keaw_jung
"
Oui mademoiselle", he replied back to her with a playful glare.
"Alright Teddy Bear. Oh, sorry-" Not. "I meant Theo-", she said trying to sound casual but end up failing miserably as she remembered the look of utter distaste on his face earlier after his fiance called him that.
Chuckling, she expected him to be annoyed but the way the end of his lips curled up suggested otherwise.
The laughter in her eyes were caught, blinded by a moment with a flash.
Taken aback, Astraea almost scolded him upon realizing that he had taken her photo without her consent but the image that greeted her the moment she opened her eyes shocked her.
"
La Vache (crap) ", she murmured underneath her breath. Too shocked to react further at seeing his entire face as she watched him looked down excitedly on the camera while it was printing the picture.
Is he... ?
Damn.
What kind of joke is this?
Of course he is! He said his name is Theo!
Mr. Theodore Levant Andrews to be exact!
She couldn't believe it.
The brother of Kiara and the very same guy whom she is supposed to seduce is already standing right in front of her and she didn't even knew it!
Thankfully Theo or Mr. Andrews rather, do not seem to notice anything was amiss. Smiling and even going near her to take a picture of them together.
"Souvenir", he said like the happy creature that he is "Here you go. One for you and one for me"
Theo must have finally noticed her strange behavior for he suddenly looked up at her and asked, "What is it?"
"N- Nothing.", she stuttered before looking anywhere but him and making up excuses, "I was just wondering why you're giving me this"
"Thank you gift for earlier?" his response though genuinely confuses her and made her raise an eyebrow.
Gift? Why would he give her their picture as a gift?
"Erm-", he stated rather sheepishly as if he had forgotten something, "It might be nothing to you right now but who knows? Maybe someday you're gonna treasure it? Or I dunno, sell it for a higher price?", he said the latter after chuckling awkwardly.
Is he really that used with ladies wanting to take photograph with him? She wanted to ask more but it would only blow up her cover that she knew exactly who he is now.
"Whatever you say Mr. Theo" she said, rolling her eyes while pushing him towards the doorway to let him know that visiting hours is over. Else, she might be caught.
Maybe if she was just like other ordinary woman, she would easily fall for his charm but thankfully she had been surrounded with handsome men in her life that she is somehow immune to him.
Well, to some extent at least.
"Alright Mademoiselle Selene", his reply though manage to render her speechless again as they stop in front of her doorway.
Gaping, she looked up at him in surprise for she didn't remember telling him her name!
"Err-- Your name is Selene right?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"How did you-", she started asking before he caught her off guard by holding on her wrist, lifting it up and examining her bracelet of moon and stars closely.
"I saw it engraved on your bracelet earlier" he said with a smile on his face, staring intently at the jewelry. Her brows knot at feeling her cheeks heat when he smiled, their close proximity oddly affecting her insides.
"Selene... the goddess of the moon eh?"
Taking back her hand, she absent mindedly caressed her bracelet while speaking softly,
"Y-yes well, my father had this odd fascination with stars"
"Your father name you perfectly. I think it suits you"
Silence followed his statement for she honestly do not know how to respond.
Surely if he just knew what they were planning, he wouldn't say that!
Clearing her throat, she finally managed to murmur, "T-thank you", forcing a smile on her face.
"Although I am not sure if you know the meaning of Selene", she shakes her head and smiled at the thought for she never really associated herself with her second name that only her father and mother called her with.
Personally, she like Astraea more but she think he doesn't have to know that... for he wouldnt stay and be a permanent figure in her life right?
"Wise, bright and Extremely beautiful. A total package", he replied with a drawl on his voice all the while looking straight into her eyes. She instantly felt that odd feeling in her stomach again, her eyes began darting anywhere from him.
He must have noticed her surprise and slight discomfort at knowing the meaning underneath her name for he added with a cheeky smile, "You can say I also had the same odd fascination with stars as your family"
It was then that Astraea looked at Theo deeply as she felt that there must have been something more deeper inside this guy than what he is showing to everyone else.
Her father once taught her that people who appreciates the stars has a deep understanding of what they really wanted in life, in able to appreciate even the smallest things that were often overlooked by other people.
As her fathers words, being able to appreciate small things is the true key to happiness.
"Well If you also had these odd fascination, You can come by my place and see my collection anytime", he said, finally opening her door and taking a step on the other side after the silence that ensued, "Nice meeting you Selene"
Astraea couldn't help but think about that something that she sees in his eyes. Trying to figure him out...
Was he just like her?
Someone that is left with no choice?
And... just needed a push in the right direction in order to know what is really important in life so he would have the motivation to fight for it?
Maybe there is a reason why she is right here right now and why she met him just when she is about to back out after all.
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A/N: Soooo... who's more dangerous stranger?
@Darla Hopefully back for good until real life caught up again hehe
@Juying_ny Thank you vmuch!
You guys are awesome as always not giving up on this NY FF.
