"Knock! Knock!"
Ceres playfully knocked on the doorframe of her father's home office, her head peeking through the partially open door.
Romos was seated behind his desk, flipping through some documents while waiting for the Clarks to arrive for dinner.
Meanwhile, Cielo and Ciena were in the kitchen, helping with the final preparations.
"Who's there?" Romos asked, a teasing smile playing on his lips, though he didn't look up from his paperwork.
"Your princess."
"My princess who?"
Ceres gasped dramatically, putting a hand to her chest as if wounded.
"What?! You have another princess?" She pouted, feigning betrayal.
At that, Romos finally glanced up at his daughter and let out a hearty laugh.
"Oh, my mistake! I forgot... I have a queen and a princess." He grinned and gestured for Ceres to come closer.
Ceres narrowed her eyes at him, but she couldn't help the amused smirk that tugged at her lips.
"For a second there, I almost thought you forgot I was your only princess."
Still playing along, she moved behind her father's chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Romos chuckled, shaking his head. "And here I thought my princess had forgotten all about me now that someone else is treating her like one."
There was no mistaking the reference to Zeus.
Ceres laughed at the slight sulk in her father's tone.
"What can I say? You made me too perfect, so of course, a lot of men are chasing after me." She flipped her hair dramatically.
Romos laughed again, nodding. "True. That, I cannot argue with."
Then, his eyes softened. "So, sweetheart, what brings you here? I can tell when you're being extra sweet because you want something."
Ceres gasped in mock offense, pulling away from him.
"What?! You think I only act sweet when I want something? I'm hurt, Daddy."
But despite her words, she walked over to his desk and placed a thick envelope in front of him before making her way to the lounge chair by the window.
Romos raised an eyebrow before opening the envelope and pulling out its contents.
His sharp eyes scanned the document with the precision of a seasoned businessman.
A few moments later, he glanced at his daughter.
"Whose project is this?"
"Rafael De Luca."
Romos stared at her for a moment, his gaze assessing, as if trying to read her expression.
Ceres didn't even blink. She already knew what he was thinking.
"And for your information, Daddy," she said before he could voice his thoughts, "I'm not doing this for Ryzel."
Romos smirked slightly, impressed but not surprised. "Go on."
Ceres shrugged. "Rafael approached me. I'm guessing it's because Ryzel turned down the proposal."
Romos leaned back in his chair, frowning slightly. "He turned this down?"
His tone was laced with disbelief.
Real estate might be his expertise, but he could recognize a gold mine when he saw one. And this proposal? It was a gold mine.
"Rafael didn't say it outright, but his face said everything I needed to know," Ceres replied, crossing her legs. "Anyway, Zeus is already investing in the project. I just thought I'd show it to you because, honestly, it's about time you expand into a different industry."
Romos hummed in thought, flipping through the pages once more. Then, he nodded.
"Alright. I trust you and Zeus, sweetheart. Just let me know what I need to do."
"Don't worry, Daddy. All you need to do is sign some papers. Zeus will take care of everything."
She said it so easily... so naturally.
As if entrusting things to Zeus was second nature now.
Romos sighed.
Not just any sigh, but the deep kind... the kind that carried weight.
Ceres frowned at the unexpected reaction and immediately stood, walking back over to him.
"Hey, what's that for?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind again, her chin resting on his shoulder.
Romos let out a chuckle but didn't answer right away.
Then, finally, in a soft, almost teasing tone, he muttered, "It's nothing. I just realized… I used to be the one who handled everything for you. But now, it's Zeus."
He sighed again.
"It makes me feel like I'm no longer needed as your Daddy."
Ceres blinked before bursting into laughter. "Are you seriously jealous of Zeus?"
Romos smiled but nodded, sighing dramatically. "I have every right to be jealous. That bastard is taking my princess right under my nose. And worst of all, I can't even do anything about it because he's treating you right."
Ceres laughed again and kissed her father's cheek. "Daddy, I love you."
Romos softened, squeezing her hand. "And I love you too, sweetheart. Speaking of Zeus, is he coming over?"
Ceres nodded, unable to hide her smile. "Yes. He already sent me a message and told me he's on his way."
Romos observed his daughter with a knowing smile. "I'm so glad he makes you happy."
Ceres frowned slightly. "What?"
Her father chuckled. "Your eyes sparkle every time you mention his name."
Ceres immediately felt her ears and cheeks warm. "Of course not," she denied, crossing her arms.
Romos only grinned. "Of course, yes."
Before she could retort, a knock on the office door interrupted them. One of the housekeepers peeked inside.
"Sir, the Clarks have arrived."
Romos nodded. "Okay. We'll be right down."
As they walked out of the office, Ceres leaned closer to her father. "Daddy, can you not discuss Rafael's project yet? I haven't told him about it."
Romos chuckled. "Sure, sweetheart."
In the living room, the Clarks were already seated... Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Ryza, and Ryzel... along with Cielo and Ciena.
Ciena was holding a bouquet of pink roses, most likely from Ryzel.
As they exchanged greetings, Ceres simply rolled her eyes at Ryza, who returned the gesture without hesitation.
Cielo turned to their guests apologetically. "I'm sorry, dinner isn't quite ready yet. The dishes will take another thirty minutes to finish."
"It's fine, Cielo," Mrs. Clark assured her. "It's still early. We can spend the time talking while we wait."
While everyone engaged in conversation, Ceres couldn't help but notice Ryzel staring at her... longer than necessary.
She didn't need to guess why.
For the semi-formal 'family' dinner, she had chosen to wear a Versace nude-colored satin slip dress... simple yet elegant, but undeniably alluring. Under the dim lights, the fabric blended against her skin, creating the illusion of bare flesh.
She smirked inwardly.
It seemed Ryzel assumed she dressed like this for him.
How typical.
Unbeknownst to him, Ceres hadn't even confirmed with her mother that Zeus was coming, meaning the Clarks were unaware of his arrival.
And speaking of the devil...
Her phone vibrated with a message. Zeus.
Zeus: Love, I'm at the gate.
Ceres excused herself from the group, typing back quickly.
Ceres: Park in the corner parking lot and don't come inside yet.
Without waiting for his reply, she gracefully made her way outside. The sound of her heels clicking against the pavement echoed in the quiet night as she approached the sleek, black Lamborghini convertible parked exactly where she told him.
Zeus was leaning back against the driver's seat, one hand gripping the steering wheel. At the sound of her approach, he turned his head, his golden eyes locking onto her figure.
And then... he exhaled sharply.
His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as if physically restraining himself. "Love, what are you wearing?" His voice was husky, laced with raw desire.
Ceres smirked. He looked like a predator about to pounce.
Without answering, she opened the passenger-side door and slid inside.
Zeus clenched his jaw. "Is this the sur-prize you were talking about?" His lips curled into a smirk as he leaned in, kissing her forehead.
She tilted her head, her smirk widening. "No… This is."
Before he could process her words, she reached down, unzipped his slacks, and freed his hardened length.
And without hesitation, she took him into her mouth.
"Fück... !" Zeus cursed under his breath, his head falling back against the headrest, his fingers gripping the leather of his seat so tightly his knuckles turned white.
His body tensed instantly, every muscle coiled, fighting against the primal urge to grab her head and thrust deeper. He couldn't lose control. Not with her.
But fück, she was making it hard for him.
The way her tongue swirled around him, her lips sealing him in warmth, the way her hand pumped him in time with her movements... she was going to ruin him.
"Love… Shiiit," he groaned, his breath ragged, his chest rising and falling heavily.
And then, as she hollowed her cheeks and took him deeper... he shattered.
He let out a strangled gasp, his fingers twitching as he released into her mouth.
His whole body trembled. But fück... he wasn't even softening. Not when she was doing this.
Slowly, she pulled back, her lips swollen and glistening. But she wasn't done tormenting him.
Her golden eyes burned into his as she opened her mouth slightly, letting him see what she held inside... before swallowing it all.
Zeus hissed. His breathing turned erratic as he watched her lick her lips, making sure not a single drop was wasted.
"Fűcking hell, love." His voice was wrecked.
Ceres smirked, wiping the corner of her lips with her thumb before sucking on it playfully. "Did you like your sur-prize?"
Zeus shut his eyes tightly, willing himself to calm the hell down.
"Are you trying to kill me?" His voice was strained, and his slacks were still unzipped.
Ceres only laughed, winked at him, and opened the car door. "Let's go. They're probably wondering where we are."
She stepped out, adjusting her dress before heading back toward the house.
But when she didn't hear him following, she paused.
"Zeus?" she called, turning back toward the car.
She found him still sitting in the driver's seat, his chest rising and falling unevenly, his hands gripping the steering wheel as if trying to keep himself grounded.
"Wait. I'm not calming down yet," he gritted out.
Ceres laughed again, resting a hand on her hip. "Should I help you again?" she teased.
Zeus groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "You vixen."
Muttering a curse under his breath, he finally zipped up his slacks and stepped out of the car.
Ceres giggled, watching as he took a deep breath... like he was trying to do some kind of yoga breathing exercise.
But before she could tease him again, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close.
"I will get you for this," he murmured, brushing his lips against her temple.
Ceres smirked, wrapping an arm around his waist as they walked back toward the house. "Are you threatening me?" she asked playfully.
Zeus chuckled. "Oh, love, it's not a threat. It's a promise."
But the moment they reached the entrance... standing at the doorway, face dark with fury, was Ryzel.