Never Too Far Novel

In the afternoon, Anastasia made a call to Lorelai before she left for the restaurant where she had made a reservation.

Lorelai was the first to arrive between the two, as she set off from the company.

Around 11.50AM, a woman in business attire turned up by the entrance. She had her raven hair styled in an updo. Her whole appearance set her off gracefully, giving her amorous vibes.

Lorelai had heard from her father that Anastasia had taken over Bourgeois. She always thought Anastasia would be content with being a housewife, so Lorelai was surprised to see the woman become a chairwoman of a jewelry company right after marriage.

It was obvious that Anastasia was not a woman who lacked motivation and only sought pleasure in her life. Having her own career turned her into a more competent woman.

A woman like her was more attractive than ordinary housewives, and it was hard for men to resist her charm. Anastasia didn’t even need the help from Elliot to shine.

Lorelai couldn’t help but feel envious of her, as Anastasia got off on the right foot with a favorable background of her husband’s family.

No matter how hard Lorelai tried and how determined she was for her goals, as long as her family could not provide her with a better opportunity, she would still need to work for others. On the contrary, Anastasia was managing a listed jewelry company right after marriage, which had a market value of more than 10 billion.

“Anastasia.” Lorelai stood with a smile as Anastasia made her way to the table.

“Long time no see.” With ease, Anastasia took a seat opposite her.

“I heard that you had taken over Bourgeois. You’re amazing.” Lorelai gave her a heartfelt compliment.

“You are thinking too highly of me. I am just trying to find something to pass time because I get bored at home. Elliot wants me to have fun rather than trying to make a killing.” There was a hint of love in Anastasia’s tone as she said that.

Lorelai had a smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes. “That’s quite sweet of Elliot.”

Happiness was written all over Anastasia’s face. “You’re not wrong. Other than my dad, he is the second man who spoils me rotten.”

“When are you going to have a second child? I remember that Jared is going to be seven soon, isn’t he?” Lorelai was curious.

“We’re not making any plans at the moment. It will come naturally.” Anastasia smiled at the thought. Just then, her phone rang, interrupting their conversation. “Excuse me for a moment.” She nodded at Lorelai and picked up the call. “Hello?”

At the end of the call, Anastasia had already made a decision. “In the future, Bourgeois will never consider the artist from this company to act as our brand’s spokesperson.”

Throughout the call, Anastasia had remained a serious face and once she ended it, Lorelai could finally express her curiosity.”What happened? Is something wrong?”

“It was just about an artist who overestimated her own boundaries,” Anastasia explained casually, but her eyes seemed to bore into Lorelai’s soul. “She tried to seduce Elliot right under my nose in a conference not long ago, but I happened to be aware of it.”

Lorelai’s smile stiffened slowly, and she hung her head low in shame. “That artist must be out of her mind to mess with you.”

“I cut off her endorsement contract and gave her a warning. I am going to blacklist her if she dares to do it again the second time. At present, none of the artists from her company will be given the opportunity to become Bourgeois’ spokesperson.” Anastasia’s smile was gentle, but her eyes pierced through Lorelai intensely.

Lorelai’s knuckles turned white as she held onto her cup tightly, unable to speak as a result. She was aware that it was a warning coming from Anastasia.

“Do you think I made the right choice?” Anastasia questioned with a hint of amusement. As if on cue, Lorelai agreed with her statement. “Right, I thought so too. Nobody shall think about sabotaging your marriage.”

“She is far from being a threat, more like an eyesore to get rid of.” Anastasia sipped her tea and changed the topic. “Let’s not dwell on this matter. We shall talk about something else instead. Have you found a job already?”

“I am currently working in a financial firm.” Lorelai nodded at her.

“Knowing you, I have no doubts you could find a great job. However, it is important to seek love too.” Anastasia smiled.

“I am devoted to my work, and I don’t have any free time to pursue a relationship.”

“I can introduce someone to you if I find them suitable.” Anastasia was enthusiastic about the topic.

“I’m good. You don’t have to.” Lorelai gave a dismissive wave at her suggestion hastily.

Anastasia didn’t insist on it as Lorelai declined. In the meantime, the food was served, so they had steered their conversation to other topics. Anastasia believed that the latter could understand her meaning, even though she had not spoken the obvious.

After finishing their lunch, they both got up to leave. Lorelai took out a suit and showed it to her. “This is the suit Elliot wore yesterday. Do you need help to send it for dry cleaning service?”

“There’s no need to trouble you. I will do it myself,” Anastasia said as she took the suit from Lorelai.

Once they got out of the restaurant, they parted and Anastasia pointed at a car not far away. “My car is over there. See you next time, then.”

“Goodbye.” Lorelai watched Anastasia as she got in the car, where a female bodyguard was waiting in the driver’s seat. The car then sped away.

When the car was out of sight, Lorelai could finally let out a sigh of relief. Anastasia was not a woman to mess with, as she insinuated her disapproval of Lorelai’s misbehavior.

On the other hand, Anastasia took out Elliot’s suit and ordered Adriana, “The suit is ruined. Deal with it.”

“Alright, madam.”

Anastasia thought it was a waste of the nice suit. However, it was now ruined by another woman’s scent. She wouldn’t keep it, and wouldn’t let Elliot wear it either.

She would not be generous when it was concerning her relationship, and she had no other hopes but for Lorelai to behave and stop stirring up trouble for her.

Meanwhile, Sophia was doing household chores in Arthur’s villa.

She was alone in the villa. Emily had gone out shopping, while Arthur had some matters to attend to. Sophia started with organizing his study table, followed by cleaning the dust on every surface.

A familiar signature caught her eyes when she was sorting out Arthur’s files on the table. The signature pressed hard to the paper, showing a hint of grace from the owner’s personality, and it no doubt belonged to Arthur.

Sophia crouched under the table for a better angle to clean. Just then, someone pushed the door open and it startled her, so she hurried to stand.

Suddenly, a thump echoed in the room. As Sophia tried to stand up, she bumped her forehead into the table.

Arthur stared at her with wide eyes from the doorway. He found her holding a cleaning rag in her hand, while another hand was pressed to her forehead.

“What are you doing?” That was all he could manage to ask.

“I’m cleaning the table,” Sophia answered meekly.

Taking in mind her eagerness, Arthur walked toward her and took a close look at her forehead. There was a bump on the spot where she hit hard on the table.

“You should use a cold compress.”

“I’m alright.” Sophia didn’t mind the pain. However, just when she was about to continue the chore, Arthur put an arm around her waist. Shocked, she quickly leaned backward, but he seized the opportunity and pressed her against the table.

“You just can’t wait to repay me?” he teased and closed in.

Before her were a pair of eyes as black as night and cold as stone. They were clear but full of mystery. Sophia felt pressure alone just by looking at Arthur.

Her lips slightly parted in disbelief because she had always thought that the man was cold and distant from the moment she first met him. However, right this moment, he was standing so close to her underneath the afternoon sun.

“I-I do think about repaying you…” Sophia spoke with hesitation.

“Then you shall do it as I prefer,” he demanded. There was a sudden urge building inside him to taste her lips again. Since he kissed her out of the blue in the hotel yesterday, the thought had started to linger on his mind. He had a need to confirm his thoughts, so he simply had to taste the sweetness on her supple lips.

Without further hesitation, Arthur wasted no time and went in for a kiss on her lips.

W-What? His bold actions made Sophia’s mind go blank.

Did he just kiss me again?

Her lean body was soft under his touch. The feeling of their bodies pressed against each other on the table sent a tremor through Arthur’s body, making him feel hot and bothered. The kiss lasted for a long time, as he did it again and again, to prove he was right.

Passion filled the study room.

With her eyes shut, Sophia responded to him eagerly. He was forceful one moment and gentle the next, and she was surprised to feel happy from his actions as if they were in love.

Finally, Arthur broke the kiss and pulled himself away. It was a cue to Sophia as she took to her heels almost immediately. However, passion lingered in the study room, like a reminder to everyone that they had just shared an intimate moment.

Sophia gasped as she returned to the room like a frightened white rabbit. As she covered her red lips, all she could think of was the man’s cool yet domineering kisses, which was way beyond her acceptable limit.

The impression that Arthur gave her was one of abstinence—or was it her illusion? He even mentioned earlier that he wanted to repay her through his own methods, so she suspected that he meant her giving herself to him.

He stood in front of the window walls with one hand in his pocket. Dressed in a black attire from head to toe, he carried with him a tough posture while his gaze reflected the facial expression of his cold handsome face. It also did not help that his breath had become a tad bit unstable. I’m having feelings for Sophia? What the hell is going on?!

His thoughts were proven earlier when everything was spilled out on his desk.

Emily returned from her gallivanting outside as today was yet another shopping spree for her. Behind her was a servant who entered with the items that Emily had purchased.

“All of you should head downstairs!”

The said servant left the items and departed while Emily raised her head to call, “Sophia.”

Sophia pushed open the door to make her presence known and responded from upstairs, “Miss Jennings.”

“Come down and help me to tidy up,” Emily instructed as she sat with crossed legs.

After Sophia came downstairs, Emily asked her to remove the items from their bags to organize them. Then, Emily announced the price of each item that Sophia took out.

“This is a limited edition pair of high heels with a value of a hundred and eighty. Please be careful with it.”

“This pair of silk pajamas cost me ninety thousand. Even a single thread cannot be damaged.”

“This purse has a purchase price of 1.8 million. You won’t be able to compensate me if you damage it.”

Sophia was speechless upon hearing Emily’s words. She could never agree with Emily’s concept of consumption. Obviously she was not jealous of Emily either because she was aware that Emily could use shopping as a way to pass her time.

“Artie, do you think that the dress I bought would look good on me?” Emily took a skirt and compared it to her physique.

Arthur’s hand was on the banister as he stared at the girl bending over to arrange the shopping haul.

When Sophia heard footsteps behind her, she was so frightened that she dropped the bag on the floor and collapsed.

Emily was shocked when she saw the scene before her and blurted out, “You had the nerve to drop the most expensive bag?!”

“I’m sorry,” Sophia apologized quickly.

His long legs walked toward Sophia and he ordered thereafter, “Come out with me.”

“Now?!” She lacked the courage to look Arthur in the eye.

“Yes!”

after which she informed Emily, “Miss Jennings, let me head out with Young

going? Let me accompany you there!” Emily

not allow his bodyguard to drive the car, he slid into the driver seat of an SUV

bodyguard immediately replied, “Master, we need to

are

he drove away from the gates of the villa. “Young

where we can clear our

it

maintained his focus on the road ahead of him as he

the fact that whatever happened between them earlier in the study was a fact! She secretly shot a gander at the man who

so quiet in the vehicle that Sophia could

more than an hour to arrive at the church. By the time they arrived, the mid-afternoon prayer session would have

starting to set, it illuminated the historical place of worship with a

dressed in all black and had an aura of distance to him while Sophia went ahead to light up a candle at the front of the altar. When she emerged, she saw him standing next to the door in his slim and graceful height, which gave rise to a thrilling

deep gaze landed on her. It was only at that moment when she regained her composure and approached him.

she yelled as she lost her balance and fell

but he was a second late. As Sophia hugged the man, she landed in a kneeling position in front of his legs and her face was exceptionally close to a place in which a man

to die on the

in all his time of knowing her, this was the

he reached out and helped her to her feet, but her face was redder than a

was evident that he was holding Sophia in a posture that looked like they were about to

estimated to be at a distance of 200 meters, to where the main

halfway through the climb that Sophia regretted her decision as she panted. Of all the places

her was relaxed. He wasn’t panting and his face wasn’t flushed either. As the wind gently blew his hair into a somewhat messy state, it made him look just as

climb up anymore?” Arthur asked

can.” Now that she was under his gaze, she bravely

from behind as a film of

felt that it was worth the hard work since the view from where they were was breathtaking. The ancient church resembled a

was holding a bottle of water, which he brought from the car. Then, he walked toward

that he had already drunk half

against my saliva?” Arthur

bottle cap. Who am I to slander? We’ve already kissed, so

to the main area of the church where candles

“Follow my actions and say your

the bright candles at the candle holder at one side of the church before they

as he observed her beautiful yet serious face. It was as if she arduously tried to make a sincere

follow suit and when

in a comical

it was Sophia’s turn to admire him, she realized that he still had

now that his eyes were closed. His facial features seemed to have

and harbored inexplicable thoughts while

I’m the one who seduced him to make him fall for me, after which I’ll beg for his forgiveness. So, why

a sensitive man and knew that Sophia was sizing him up.

at the community center where she couldn’t help but say, “Young Master Weiss, this is where the young single people meet up to socialize with each other. Do you want to head in and get to know a few girls? Who knows you might be

you want me to head

since I won’t be married

community center to mingle around because he never intended to settle

was a sudden downpour that trapped the both of them inside the church on the hilltop. The security guards had

not look like it would stop for a long

him, “I think their staff has knocked off work and would lock us here

are we going to leave?” Arthur

think it won’t stop until night time!” She cupped her face while she

she felt that the raindrops were beautiful and reached out to play in the rain. The sky gradually darkened over in the distance, which meant that nightfall was about to arrive. The mountain behind the

way down,” Sophia said to Arthur. “If we’re drenched, so be

rain. As they were heading down the steps, he

have to…” She waved

down,” a concerned Arthur explained. This woman had been repeatedly too reckless for her safety, so he could predict the kind of dangers

hand before they held hands in the rain and created the impression

as she slapped her own mouth. “I really have a crow’s mouth because what I said turned out to be true. They have indeed knocked off

next to her, puffed in amusement

See, we are stuck here,” she growled as she

measuring about two meters in height next to

she heard his words and looked around. “How

the wall and raising his arms to hold the top of the wall. Then, he easily

Sophia did as instructed, after which he yanked

warned before he jumped to the ground and reached

can’t because I’ll end up injuring you. Stand aside; I’ll jump down on my own.” She was petrified when she saw the distance of about two

mind breaking her fall by carrying

nervously moved on the wall in preparation to make the

in hot water? She should be

and when they made the fall, he tightly hugged her. As she was in

being in the rain and now that they were in a tight embrace, it was

grow up without injuring

she had a peaceful upbringing that was devoid of mishaps and injuries! Yet, after running into Arthur, she seemed to be landing herself

the car, but he was nowhere in a better shape than her. His hair was glued to his forehead and under the headlights,

embarrassing situation, the moment he pushed his hair to the back, it revealed a different

had just climbed off the

nearby and take a shower there.” He turned his head to Sophia and suggested. It would take about another hour to get back to the villa, but he could not endure the journey any longer without first refreshing

they arrived at a five-star hotel twenty minutes later. However, he could not get the suite like he expected to as they were all reserved by foreign visitors who came for the newly

picky about their limited choice, but she was worried that Arthur would not

a double room then.” Having no

a glance at him. Even though he

in, they

her chest immediately. Oh, god! She was surprised to see her white t-shirt drenched against her

with a bathroom. Therefore, she suggested, “Mr. Weiss, you may go first. I might take a long time to wash my

fact that he needed to wait and instead, he

his suggestion. “Alright, I will make it

bathroom and took a shower to clean herself thoroughly from

stunned her as soon as she finished showering. She slowly remembered that there were only towels prepared in the

body and began to dry her hair. Her silky hair cast down her back as

such a combination gave her a perfect appearance. Before she walked out of the bathroom, she took a deep

with his bare chest. He was wearing only his pants right now and his hip bone was shown as

the towel close to her body, she walked out of the

he raised his head and took the view in. A glint flashed

obstacles or hindrances, so this was the first

calmness and clarity in his eyes like usual. Instead, his eyes were bright

from making any sudden moves. Just as she thought he was going to do something when he walked toward her shirtless, his comment rang in the room. “Not bad, you have nice

and could not make a snarky comeback against his remark. However, needless for him to say, she was always aware

could remind him to take the bathrobe with him, Arthur had already

a frustrated sigh, she half expected to see him with a towel around his waist later, even though that was not

into the attire. It was a brand new experience

himself. Water was still dripping from his

body was not kept in shape. He had a toned body with visible muscles, which was proof that he spent a lot of time on maintaining

later?” She waited for him to settle before she

asked my bodyguard to send us some clothes. He is on his way.” Using the

in the room, they were looking at

malicious thought occurred to him

is probably only wearing

about the same thing. Arthur was probably wearing nothing underneath the bath

mind, she reminded him, “The robe is in

toward the cabinet, he took out a bathrobe and wore it. Right after that, he yanked the towel

her eyes were glued on him from the beginning, her breath came to a sudden stop as he undressed before

he was changing into the robe in front of her, it left Sophia to her

his hair aside as he turned to look at her. As soon as

you had a boyfriend before?” Feeling bored as he was waiting for

twenty-three years old, but somehow she felt like a loser if she answered

As she answered his question,

boyfriends did you have?” he asked

“Just one.”

far did you make

“Pardon?”

with each other… At which stage were you guys at?” Arthur’s

aback by the explicitness in his question, Sophia stuttered, “C-Can I not answer this

You can ask me the same question later.” His eyes did not waver as

blinked a few times at the suggestion and considered it. In her opinion, it would not be

She was aware that the most intimate thing she had ever done with a man was sharing a kiss and that happened to be with Arthur. To get the snowball rolling, she would now need to tell more lies

with a hint of satisfaction when he heard her

I won’t lie.” She kept a straight face even though she was certainly not telling the truth. Remembering her

down at the bedside, Arthur leaned backward with his elbows on the bed. He

have you

all,” he answered

find it credible and spoke her mind, “I don’t believe any of your words! You must have had many girlfriends before.

His eyes lit up like a torch as

running through her mind. If he thinks he can

to change the topic. Arthur might never have had any serious relationship, but could he say the same

was a surprise

was dubious with him, she shot him another question. “With

Her mind froze as she heard him answer without hesitation. With a shocked expression, she stared at him while having

until now, he had been only kissing one woman, which

have a hard time believing it because you were so good at kissing last time.” Sophia intended to lift

few things that come naturally to man and one of them is kissing.” However, Arthur was serious with an explanation. A smug

head hard. “I’m not!” I am not

squinted at her denial with displeasure. Is she trying to say I lack

don’t you tell me how I am

she wondered

can I—” How can I give out opinions regarding this matter? He is only

closed the distance between them. With his face staying dangerously close to her, his hands cupped her face. “Why

moment, he pressed his lips onto hers and began to kiss

first, Sophia was so mad at him, thinking that he was only looking for excuses to kiss her. But soon enough,

thought of Arthur had been on her

him. Was it that time when he risked himself to save her at the beach; or the moment he tried to rescue her but ended up rolling down the hill with her; or when he settled

someone sacrificed himself for her like he did aside from her

could not help but panic as everything was going out of her control. Right now, he was giving

his face showed a trace of him restraining himself. Moreover, he felt like his body was burning in a fire and the fire was slowly making its way up to his brain,

results. At the same time, even if he wanted to trigger a reaction out of her to explore her effect on him,

the stalemate grew heavier between them, someone rang