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,

you going? Let me accompany

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

“Master, we

are not to

the passenger seat as he drove away from the gates of the villa. “Young Master

a place where we can clear our

it

on the road ahead of him as he answered,

whatever happened between them earlier in the study was a fact! She secretly shot a gander at the man who was behind the wheel and admired his pursed thin lips, his sexy and handsome features while such

was so quiet in the vehicle that Sophia could hear the sound of

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 been concluded and the parishioners leaving church grounds, thus the

sun was starting to set, it illuminated the historical place of worship

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

at that moment when she regained her composure

she yelled as she lost her balance and fell into his

to prevent her from falling, but he was a second late. As Sophia hugged the man, she landed in a kneeling position in front of his

die on the

lowered his head and sighed because in all his time of knowing her, this was the umpteenth time

around them. So, he reached out and helped her to her feet, but her face was redder than a shrimp.

evident that he

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

her decision as she panted. Of all the places that she could have

relaxed. He wasn’t panting and his face wasn’t flushed either. As the wind gently blew his hair into a somewhat

can’t climb up anymore?”

was under his gaze, she

Sophia forced herself to follow from behind as a film of

they were at the top of the hill, she felt that it was worth the hard work since the view from where they were was breathtaking.

bottle of water, which he brought from the car. Then, he

full, she realized that he had already

Do you have something against my saliva?” Arthur read her

face before she unscrewed the bottle cap. Who am I to slander? We’ve already kissed,

to the main area of the church where candles could be found for

to him. “Follow my actions and say your prayers. They say that miracles occur if you

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

was unaware that when she made a wish, the man beside her still had his eyes open as he observed her beautiful yet serious face. It was as if she arduously tried to

it caused Arthur to subconsciously follow suit and when he

hurriedly closed his eyes in a comical manner, so as to pretend that he was in

him, she realized that he

more handsome now that his eyes were closed. His facial features seemed to have been meticulously carved by the angels above with

and harbored inexplicable thoughts while watching

I’m the one who seduced him to make him

was sizing him up. As

they arrived at the community center where she couldn’t help but say, “Young Master Weiss, this is where the young single people meet up

me to head in?

don’t have to since I won’t be married before age thirty,

center to mingle around because he never intended

them inside the church on the hilltop. The security guards had already knocked off work at this stage and forgot that Arthur and Sophia

not look like it

think their staff has knocked off work and would lock us here if we don’t

and dogs, so how are we going to leave?” Arthur felt at

won’t stop until night time!” She

that, 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

down,” Sophia said to

into the rain. As they were heading down the steps, he reached

don’t have to…” She waved

repeatedly too reckless for her safety, so he could predict the kind of dangers that would befall her in

held hands in the rain and created the impression that they

she looked left and right as she yelled without receiving any response. She cursed as she slapped

was next to her, puffed in amusement

still laughing! See, we are

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

looked around. “How can you climb up the wall

as she threw her question at him, she saw him approaching the wall and raising his arms to hold the top of the wall. Then, he easily climbed up before stretching out

Sophia did as instructed, after which he

move,” Arthur warned before he jumped to the ground and reached out

Stand aside; I’ll jump down on my own.” She was petrified when she saw the distance of about two

mind breaking

she nervously moved on the wall in preparation

ant in hot water? She should be making the jump with Arthur’s safe

for Sophia, he had already anticipated her reaction and when they made the fall, he tightly hugged her. As she was

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

without injuring yourself?” an irritated

injuries! Yet, after running into Arthur, she seemed to be landing herself in all kinds of

the sky was completely dark by now. He switched on the heater in the car, but he was nowhere in a better shape than her. His hair was glued

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

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

hotel nearby and take a shower there.” He turned his head to Sophia and suggested. It would take about another hour to get back to

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 large enterprise

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

me a double room then.” Having no

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

in, they entered

Sophia crossed her arms around her chest immediately. Oh, god! She was surprised to see her white

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

by the fact that he needed to

his suggestion.

took a shower

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

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

which could reflect light; such a combination gave her a perfect appearance. Before she walked

first thing she saw was Arthur waiting on the couch with his bare chest. He was wearing only his pants right now

towel close to her body, she walked out of the bathroom and informed him in

his head and took the view in. A glint flashed

without any obstacles or hindrances, so this was

in his eyes like usual. Instead, his eyes were bright as if they could scorch into

Sophia looked up immediately to prevent him from making any sudden moves. Just as she

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

with him, Arthur had already entered the bathroom and shut

him with a towel around his waist later,

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

still dripping from his hair and he was in his towel as

not mean that his body was not kept in shape. He had a toned body with

She waited for

He is on his way.” Using the

limited in the room, they were looking at each

thought occurred to

wearing a

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

reminded him, “The robe is in

wore it. Right after that, he yanked the

came to a sudden stop as he undressed before her. Did he forget

in front of her, it

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

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

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

As she answered his

you have?” he

“Just one.”

did you make

“Pardon?”

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

aback by the explicitness in his question, Sophia

our secrets. You can ask me the same question later.” His eyes did not waver as if they were

the suggestion and considered it.

ever done with a man was sharing a kiss

raised his eyebrow with a hint of

even though she was certainly not telling the truth.

Sitting down at the bedside, Arthur leaned backward with his elbows on the bed. He then lifted his chin

girlfriends have you had

at all,” he

“I don’t believe any of your words! You must have had many girlfriends

up like a torch as unquestionable authority

his words with thoughts running through her mind.

far did you ever go with a woman?” Learning what she wanted to know, she decided to change the topic. Arthur might never have had any serious relationship, but could he say the same about those women whom he had been sleeping

was a

she shot

answer without hesitation. With a shocked expression, she stared at him while having a hard time believing his words. She could feel the burning sensation on

only

believing it because you were so good at kissing

Arthur was serious with an explanation. A smug smile slowly formed on his

hard. “I’m not!” I am not going to stroke his

with displeasure. Is she trying to say I lack skill? he

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

closing their distance, her whole body tensed as she wondered

I give out opinions regarding this matter? He is only trying to take advantage

dangerously close to her, his hands cupped her face. “Why don’t you try it

pressed his lips onto hers

was only looking for excuses to kiss her. But soon enough, the woody scent of cedar filled her mind and it became all she could

wrapped around his neck reflexively. The thought of Arthur had been on her mind

at the beach; or the moment he tried to rescue her but ended up rolling down the hill with her; or when he settled

life, never had someone sacrificed himself for her like he did aside

out of her control.

eyes and 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,

tried his moves on her, the more he was confused by the results. At the same time, even if he wanted to trigger a reaction out of her to explore her effect

grew heavier between