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!”

she informed Emily, “Miss Jennings, let me

are you going? Let me accompany you there!”

bodyguard to drive the car, he slid into the driver seat of an SUV and informed the bodyguard

immediately replied, “Master, we need to ensure your

insisted, “You are not to come

from the gates of the villa. “Young Master

place where we can

about it and asked, “How about

ahead of him

was a fact! She secretly shot a gander at the man who was behind the wheel and admired his pursed thin lips, his sexy

Sophia could hear the sound of her heart

remained reticent throughout the entire journey. It was already 3.00PM and would take them more than an hour to arrive at the church. By the time they arrived, the mid-afternoon prayer session would have

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

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

It was only at that moment when she regained her composure and

yelled as she lost her balance and fell into his

was a second late. As Sophia hugged the man, she landed in a kneeling position in front of

die on

of knowing

there was no one around them. So, he reached out and helped her to her feet, but her face was redder than a shrimp.

hers. It was evident that he was holding Sophia in a posture that looked like

passed the entrance and walked up the steps, which they estimated to be at a

decision as she panted. Of all the places

contrary, the man next to her was relaxed. He wasn’t panting and his face wasn’t flushed either. As the wind gently blew his hair

anymore?”

she bravely replied, “I

while Sophia forced herself to follow from behind as a film of cold sweat coated

top of the hill, she felt that it was worth the hard work since the

of water, which he brought from the car. Then, he walked toward her and handed the

was half full, she realized that he had already drunk half of

against my saliva?” Arthur read

shook her head and sincerely took it with a blushing face before she unscrewed the bottle cap. Who am I to

Arthur went to the main area of the church where candles could be found

to him. “Follow my actions and say your prayers. They say that miracles occur if you offer your prayers here, so hopefully it will be

followed her suspiciously. Firstly, they left the bright candles at the candle holder at one side of the church before they walked to the

open as he observed her beautiful yet serious face. It was as if she arduously tried to make a sincere prayer. Once that was done, the corners of her lips curled up

to subconsciously follow suit and when he saw her bright red

her dazzling and long eyelashes, he hurriedly closed his eyes in a comical manner, so as to pretend that he was

him, she realized that he

His facial features

swallowed and harbored inexplicable thoughts while watching

Her heart started to race as she thought of this. Wait! This isn’t going according to plan! I’m the one who seduced him to make him fall for me, after which I’ll beg for his forgiveness. So, why am

that Sophia was sizing him up. As a result, he purposely took his time to

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

would you want me to head in? What

to since I won’t

the community center to mingle around because he never

there was a sudden downpour that trapped the both of them inside the church on the hilltop. The security guards had already knocked off work at this stage and forgot

not

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

cats and dogs, so how are we going

until night time!” She cupped her face while

the rain. The sky gradually darkened over in the distance, which meant that nightfall was about to arrive. The mountain behind the

make our way down,” Sophia said to Arthur. “If we’re drenched,

agreement, after which they walked into the rain. As they were heading down the

have to…” She

worried that you’ll fall down,” a concerned Arthur explained. This woman had been repeatedly too reckless for her safety, so

his hand before they held hands in the

She cursed as she slapped her own mouth.

her, puffed in amusement because

See, we are stuck here,” she

his surroundings and noticed a wall measuring about two meters in height next to him

panicked when she heard his words and looked around. “How can you climb up the wall without

saw him approaching the wall and raising his arms to hold the top of the

surprised Sophia did as instructed, after which he yanked her up with his full

and reached out to break her

I’ll jump down on my own.” She was petrified

He did not mind breaking

the wall in preparation to make the jump, she suddenly screamed,

ant in hot water? She

they made the fall, he tightly hugged her. As she was in shock, she grabbed onto his neck

of being in the rain and now that they

you manage to grow up without injuring yourself?” an irritated

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

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

to the back, it revealed a different kind of attraction—one

and Sophia had just climbed off the wall, their clothes were

about another hour to get back to the villa,

the suite like he expected to as they were all reserved by foreign visitors who came

double rooms available for the time being. Sophia was not picky about their limited choice, but she was worried that Arthur would not be happy

then.” Having

stole a glance at him. Even though he was soaking wet, the receptionist still found him fairly

checking in, they entered the

immediately. Oh, god! She was surprised to see

that the double room only came with a bathroom. Therefore, she suggested, “Mr. Weiss, you may

by the fact that he needed to wait and instead,

his generosity, Sophia kindly accepted his suggestion. “Alright, I will make it fast

the bathroom and took a shower to clean herself thoroughly from head

only towels prepared in

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

height of five feet five and fair skin which could reflect light; such a combination gave her a perfect appearance. Before she walked out

on the couch with his bare chest. He was wearing only his pants right now and his hip bone was shown as he lounged casually on

turn to shower.” Pulling the towel close to her body, she walked out of the bathroom and informed him in a

his head and took the view in. A

so this was the first time

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

feet, Arthur’s height enveloped her like a net. Sophia looked up immediately to prevent him 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

make a snarky comeback against his remark. However, needless for him

remind him to take the bathrobe with him, Arthur

him with a towel around his waist later, even though that

bathrobe from the cabinet and changed into the attire. It was a brand new experience for her to only wear a

later, Arthur pulled open the bathroom door to reveal himself. Water was still dripping from his hair and

could see, he had fair skin, but it did not mean that his body was not kept in shape. He had a toned body with

She waited for him to settle before she

way.” Using the towel she left on the bed to

the room, they were looking at each other at

a malicious thought occurred to

only wearing

the same time, Sophia was wondering about the same thing. Arthur was probably wearing nothing

mind, she reminded him,

cabinet, he took out a bathrobe and wore it. Right

to a sudden stop as he undressed before her. Did he forget I’m

robe in front of her, it left

Arthur brushed his hair aside as he turned to look at

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

was already twenty-three years old, but somehow she felt like a loser if she answered honestly, so she

course.” As she answered his question, she

you have?” he

“Just one.”

did

“Pardon?”

at?” Arthur’s eyes

aback by the explicitness in his question, Sophia stuttered,

same question later.”

it. In her opinion, it would

with a man was sharing a kiss and that happened to be with

a hint of

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

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

many girlfriends have you

at all,”

her mind, “I don’t believe any of

eyes lit up like a torch as unquestionable authority lay

running through

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

His answer was a surprise to

dubious with him, she shot him

a shocked expression, she stared at him while

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

so good at kissing last time.” Sophia intended to lift

man and one of them is kissing.” However, Arthur was serious with an explanation. A smug

shook her head hard.

she trying to say I

determination and walked toward her. “Why don’t you tell me how I am doing

him closing their distance, her whole body tensed as she wondered about the reason why he was

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

the distance between them. With his face staying dangerously close to her, his hands cupped her face. “Why don’t you try it again and tell me how

he pressed his lips onto

that he was only looking for excuses to kiss her. But soon enough,

neck reflexively. The thought of Arthur had been on her mind lately and she found herself

the beach; or the moment he tried to rescue

someone sacrificed himself for her

but panic as everything was going out of her control. Right now, he was giving off

body was tensing under his touch, Arthur let go of her promptly. Emotions were surging in his eyes and his face showed a trace of him restraining himself. Moreover, he felt like his body was burning

by the results. At the same time, even if he wanted to trigger a reaction out of her to explore her effect on him, he still did not want to scare her

grew heavier between them, someone