His Devious Rule

Alvin didn't regret reprimanding her, he could do it again if needed. Nevertheless, he sighed when he saw her head down. He could understand her intention was selfless but it's important to be selfish.

He changed the topic, also trying to fix her mood, "Did you contact PSR?" Yet, he knew everything was going well as the PSR Cruise ship was still heading towards the country.

Anya plainly briefed her conversation with the captain of the ship, then Alvin told her about the three bodies tied with life jackets, floating on the ocean.

Anya just responded as "This… is complicated."

Since those families apologized, she was considering letting go of them without being petty. Now that those three men are dead and somebody is planning to frame them, she and Alvin will have to walk to the police station and courtroom. She will have to submit the report of the secret mission due to impersonification.

She had thought to let the cops handle the culprit behind the three men vanishing from the ship and death. Now she will put in her hand and find the real culprit so that the suspicion will erase from Alvin and he doesn't have to go to the courtroom or police station.

She didn't realize she was saving Alvin from the case that he is innocent. And she is also pulling him under the law by her own hands for stealing the hard disk and planning against her.

Suddenly a weird silence enveloped them. Alvin silently watched her while pondering if he was too harsh on her that her eyes lost that charm, lips were curled down, and stopped looking at him as if disappointed at him.

He instructed his men to clean the plates and kitchen before going to the suite to change his shirt that smelled of raw egg.

- - - - - - -

How could omelets be enough to fill their stomachs?

Anya, who was thinking of cooking something for all, noticed the sun was at the horizon. So she went to the open deck. Her eyes brushed over the yacht and design. With modern lines, bold aluminum superstructure, and steel hull, the yacht was a definition for elevated luxury and comfort. Without wandering around, she sat on the wide sofa on the open deck.

She rarely had time to just sit and breathe without thoughts or stress. This time was no different. She doesn't care who points out her actions as mistakes or stupidity, she did it wholeheartedly with a clear conscience. Her blessing was Zane, she is happy to be with him.

Then, why was she sad seeing Alvin mad at her? She sighed.

Anya was missing Zane a lot. She hugged a cushion and slanted aside for support. She could video call Zane after reaching the port but she wasn't sure when she could meet him and hold him in her arms.

Since she was sitting on the left sofa, facing the left side of the yacht, she couldn't lean against anything. Alvin stood by the stairs and watched her instead of the sun. He saw her facing the east but her attention was somewhere else. She didn't even notice when a group of dolphins leaped over water right in front of her at a short distance.

Alvin had nothing better to do on the yacht anyway, so he went behind her and sat down. With a simple tug at her shoulder, her back easily rested against his chest.

Anya felt the couch dip so she was turning left to see him. She felt a gentle pull and her back got comfortable support. Turning her head left, she paused when she felt his breathing on her hair.

'Why is he so close?' She thought while her heart unawarely picked a little speed and she gripped the cushion that was on her lap. After being scolded by him, she wanted to be alone and away from him. She wasn't in a mood to squabble.

Before she could look at him or skip away in reflex, his right hand circled and cupped her chin. He carefully turned her head to look at the dolphins.

It was Anya's first time seeing Dolphins. She only saw them in picture books and videos. For a second, she doubted if her eyes were imagining it. "Dolphins!!" She exclaimed as she tried to stand on her knees for a better look.

However, Alvin felt her skin warmer instead of cold which he always felt. His hand moved from her chin and placed on her forehead tugging her back to be seated. "Little Donut, you have a temperature."

Anya, who wanted to protest his actions, paused at his words. "Huh?" She placed her palm on her forehead. "I… don't feel anything."

"Rob, get me a medkit," Alvin instructed loudly without wasting any time.

Without listening to her, he briskly scooped her to his arms from her sitting position. Anya gasped and her eyes widened when he braced her in his arms bringing their faces too close. She looked at his side face up so close and stared at his dark lashes, batting occasionally. He was holding her as if she might fall from his arms. She didn't even dare to breathe which might brush on his face so her lips were also tightly sealed.

Alvin returned to the master suite like the wind. He left her on the bed, leaning her on the bedpost. He was getting good at taking care. His expression stayed indifferent but his eyes were very alert. He received the medkit brought by a man who silently and immediately left and stood outside by the door.

Alvin searched and found a thermometer. He held her lower jaw with his left hand and forced the thermometer to her mouth.

Anya: "..."

He had doubted how strong she might be that she was so fine even after staying in the cold water. He chided himself for not staying back with her in the night.

On the night, he had shifted her to the bed as soon as she fell into slumber. Since she was healthy and could walk around easily, he found his way to the second master suite. He wasn't as good as she thinks. He didn't believe in his self-control around her so he had left soon.

Anya was like an empty sheet of paper. She blankly watched him fish out paracetamol and get a glass of water.

'Beep, beep.'

Alvin reached her in the blink of an eye and pulled the digital thermometer from her mouth and checked it. His eyes narrowed and there were no other changes on his face. She indeed had a fever but it wasn't high.

Anya craned her neck to look at his face. She was about to ask if she had a fever, "Al…" He held her chin again and pushed a white caplet into her mouth. He held the glass at her lips and commanded her, "Drink."

Anya: "..."

She drank it in a daze and swallowed the medicine.

Alvin kept the glass away swiftly. He cupped her head and laid her on the bed in a smooth move. Pulling the comforter over her, he commanded her again, "Sleep." Although his actions were tender, his words were domineering and his face stoic.

Anya: "..."

Everything happened so quickly, she didn't know what to say. She was completely dumbfounded at his quick reactions. His actions and his expression didn't sync. She was sensible enough to pick his actions over his cold domineering behavior.

Alvin packed the medkit and was going out to let her rest when he felt slender fingers wrap around his two fingers. Turning around, he saw her looking at him with the same beautiful but clueless eyes. Her gaze reminded him of Anya Owen when he was meeting her in the library hence his face naturally softened.

Anya bit her lips looking at him. She didn't know what to say. Should she thank him for taking care of her? Then she will also have to apologize for making him worried.

Will just an apology be enough?

Argh, he was making it difficult for her to flee from him without a word. And she also knew he wouldn't let her go as Harper was dangerous. However, if he keeps doing these actions, she might be swayed and end up putting Zane and her parents in danger by staying around him.

She felt suffocated thinking about all the complications. She couldn't neglect her son's safety and livelihood for her stupid heart that easily softens for him and forgets the struggles and pain.

Alvin noticed her expression turning indifferent. Her fingers were sliding away when he caught her hand. How much ever she tried to hide, he could clearly see she was affected by something or someone. She was forced to grow up and be strong.

Anya came out of her thoughts when she felt his hold on her hand. She sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry for being so troublesome." Sorry for making him worried, sorry because she was going to let him down.

He tried to ease her up. He played with her slender fingers, looking into her eyes, and seductively said, "Looks like… You can't sleep without me."

"..." Anya felt her face burn while looking into his intent gaze, hearing his deep voice and her fingers close to his lips

She was genuinely touched by how he took care of her like a baby. Now she wanted to punch him in the face. Yanking her hand away, she snorted, pulling the comforter over her head and buried herself.

Alvin wondered why her face turned red. Was it an annoyance or embarrassed? Anyway, he threatened her before leaving, "Take a nap. If I see you run around, don't cry to me later."

Anya suddenly realized. They weren't behaving like friends or acquaintances. Rather, as a couple in a relationship at initial stages.

She vigorously shook her head under the comforter and smacked herself. 'He is just teasing me. Anya Owen, don't get ahead of yourself.'

…..

When Alvin went out, the captain of the yacht approached Alvin, "Boss, are we going to follow the ship? Or…" He didn't complete it.

Alvin had his private beach and mansion where Alvin's other speed boats, sailing boats, and the yacht were parked. Sometimes, transporting the inexpensive artifacts and antiques through the water would be safe and better so hardly anyone knew about that location. The captain wasn't sure if the lady had the right to visit there.

Alvin aimed to keep her safe. Harper could do anything and attack the PSR on the water as soon as he was alerted. It might also affect them. There are also possibilities of people waiting at the port to kill or capture them. So without knowing she had an escape plan, he took his decision against her, "Head to the beach house."