Chapter4 Don't Dare Talk Back

Talia POV

The moment our lips touched, Jareth's movements suddenly stopped.

He wasn't aroused at all. Instead, his face was cold. He suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, the force making it hurt.

He said in a low voice full of authority, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. If you want to put on a show for someone else using me, you're not qualified."

My heart sank. My enthusiasm was instantly doused, and a cold sweat broke out on my back.

He'd already seen through me?

Jareth released my chin, his fingers wiping across his own lips as if disgusted.

He stepped aside, blocking the view from the doorway, and said, "Get into the lounge inside."

I didn't dare talk back or say another word. I could only clutch my skirt and quickly walk into the lounge inside the office.

The moment the door closed, I heard Jareth speak to the person at the door, his tone indifferent. "What do you want?"

Gavin's somewhat panicked voice came through. "Don Jareth, I... I'm here to report on the progress of the company's new project."

"Come in and talk."

Footsteps and conversation came intermittently. I pressed against the door, trying to hear what they were saying.

If I'd been one second slower just now, Gavin would have seen that scene with his own eyes. I really wanted to see Gavin's expression when he found out that wild man was Jareth. It would definitely be priceless.

What a shame I couldn't see it now. Jareth's temper was unpredictable. If I really pissed him off, I might not even get a chance for revenge. Better to hold onto this powerful backer first.

I stayed in the lounge for almost an hour before I heard the footsteps outside fade away.

When I pushed open the lounge door, Jareth was sitting behind his desk smoking a cigar. The air was filled with the smell of smoke.

He looked up at me, the cigar between his fingers tapping lightly against the ashtray. He said in a deep voice, "You've got some nerve, using me to provoke your ex-boyfriend?"

I walked over and sat on the sofa, keeping my head down, not daring to look him in the eye. I softened my voice. "I didn't mean to. How was I supposed to know he was coming? This time was an accident. It just happened that he showed up..."

Jareth laughed once, his tone mocking. "Talia, those little thoughts of yours are transparent in front of me."

He stood and walked in front of me. His tall figure loomed over me, making me lean back involuntarily.

He said in a low voice, "I know you hate Serafina and Gavin. They both wronged you. But you need to be clear. If you work with me, you follow my rules."

I looked up at him, meeting his eyes. There was no anger in them.

He reached out and lightly pinched my chin. The pressure wasn't heavy, but his tone was warning. "This is your only warning. Pull this kind of stunt in front of me again, and I won't mind letting you know what happens when you piss me off."

I quickly nodded and promised, "I understand. I won't dare do it again."

Jareth let go and turned back to his desk, picking up files and flipping them open. "Wait here. You're coming with me after work."

I didn't dare ask where. I just obediently sat on the sofa looking at my phone, quietly waiting for him to handle his business.

The only sound in the office was him turning pages.

I secretly observed him. When he worked, his expression was focused and his profile was quite handsome. He really was a man who could make your heart race.

But thinking about his identity and his ruthlessness, I immediately looked away.

This kind of man could only be used, not fallen for.

I waited until evening when Jareth finally closed the last file. He stood up, grabbed his suit jacket, and called to me, "Let's go."

I quickly followed his steps, walking with him out of the Camorra family office building and into a black sedan.

The car drove for over half an hour before stopping in front of an Italian restaurant.

The restaurant looked low-key, but two burly bodyguards stood at the entrance. It clearly wasn't a place ordinary people could just walk into.

Jareth walked inside first. A waiter immediately greeted us respectfully and led us into a private room.

"What do you want to eat?" He picked up the menu, flipping through it as he asked.

I didn't have much appetite. I just randomly ordered pasta, my mind still wondering about his purpose in bringing me here.

Soon, the waiter brought the food into the private room, set it down, and left.

"What exactly happened between you and Gavin?" Jareth suddenly asked.

My hand holding the fork paused. I slowly began speaking, telling him everything from meeting Gavin at university to falling in love, to him being seduced and betrayed by Serafina.

I just left out the overly personal details and focused on the loss of the child and their engagement party. After all, these things could be found out by investigating. If I lied, I'd definitely be caught.

Jareth listened quietly without interrupting or expressing any opinion. He just occasionally took a sip of red wine.

When I finished, he looked up at my shoulder and asked, "The birthmark on your left shoulder, what's that about?"

My heart jumped. How did he know about this?

I hesitated, then said in a low voice, "I've had this since I was little. My parents said it was the devil's mark."

Jareth didn't ask further. He just nodded and continued eating.

The meal was very quiet.

When we left the restaurant, it was already dark. The car started again, this time heading toward the suburbs, getting more and more remote.

I felt uneasy and couldn't help asking, "Where are we going?"

Jareth said calmly, "Until you prove you're useful, you need to stay where I can see you."

I didn't dare say anything more and just let the car move forward.

The car finally stopped in front of a villa. The villa was large, surrounded by high walls with patrolling guards. It looked heavily guarded.

Following Jareth into the villa, Jareth pointed toward the stairs. "Second floor, left side, second room. That's yours. Without my permission, don't wander around. Especially the basement. Stay away from it."

Then he took out a set of keys from a cabinet.

I nodded and took the room key he handed me. "Got it."

"Get some rest." After saying that, Jareth turned and walked into his own room. The door slammed shut.

I went to the room Jareth mentioned, did some simple washing up, and lay down on the bed.

Jareth's attitude puzzled me. He seemed displeased with my behavior, yet also seemed quite interested in me. This attitude left me feeling uncertain.

In my sleep, I seemed to hear footsteps outside the door. I woke up and quickly got up, walking to the door. I just heard two people talking in low voices before leaving.

My heart tightened. Jareth had indeed sent people to watch me.