Ice and Fire

When it came bedtime for Joe, Cherry read a story for him. After he fell asleep, she tucked him in and left the room.

When she was also on her way to her bedroom, Cherry saw that the light in the study room was on. She thought that Jackson must surely be in there, and she decided to go and check on him.

On her way to him, she saw Lily holding a cup of hot coffee in her hands.

Lily greeted Cherry, "Madam."

"Is that for Jackson?" asked Cherry, referring to the cup of steaming coffee.

Lily nodded.

"Give it to me, I'll take it to him. You can leave now, " said Cherry, while she took the cup from her hands.

"Okay, " said Lily while nodding.

Cherry then entered the study.

Jackson didn't raise his head at first, thinking that it was Lily, but when he caught Cherry's sweet scent, he immediately realized that his wife was in the room.

Jackson then looked up and saw Cherry standing beside him. "How come you brought me the coffee?" he asked.

Cherry then handed him the cup, and said, "I just put Joe to sleep earlier and I saw Lily bringing you the coffee, so I thought I would better bring it to you and let her go and rest."

Jackson took the cup of coffee and sipped some of it before he placed it on his desk.

Cherry thought that since she brought him the coffee she should leave.

But Jackson suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into his arms.

Cherry lost her balance for a moment and fell into Jackson's lap.

She quietly sat on his lap, listened to his breath and smelled the coffee mixed with her husband's scent.

"Why the rush? Why not stay a little longer with me here?" said Jackson, trying to nuzzle Cherry who felt his warm breath on her cheek.

She immediately turned her head away and avoided to look at him. "It's late, " she said, "I have to go to bed."

"It's only ten o'clock now, it's not too late, " whispered Jackson affectionately in her ear.

"Take your time then, I'm going now, " said Cherry, as she struggled to get rid of his hold, but failed. She was locked tight in his arms, and it seemed that she had no way of escaping him.

"I want you to stay with me, " he said, domineering.

out to be in vain. Eventually, she gave up on her endeavour, afraid that she

then obediently settled down on his lap and cuddled

He held Cherry with one hand, while with the other he flipped the pages of the book in front of him.

last thing that he wanted to do now. How could he read a book in such a circumstance, when he was holding the woman to whom he

hand moved from her shoulder onto

" suddenly began Cherry to say, "Was Grandpa angry because of our early leave

answered Jackson.

good, " said Cherry carefully.

face, her innocent look fuelled his desire even

past, Cherry had always remained silent to whatever Lucia had said to her, he being the one who had

renewed herself in the past five years, and she had to be brave because she now had a son to protect.

then added, "By the way, why can't Joe and I protect ourselves if no one stands out

Cherry,

sounding as though she was questioning his ability

avoid his gaze and said

was avoiding his stare, he

and that I'll protect you forever!" said Jackson firmly,

Cherry, who was no longer

then flatly said, "Jackson, I know how to protect myself. There's

stopped her from speaking with a sudden and violent kiss on her

to push him away.

her resistance was futile, because Jackson wouldn't accept to let her defy him. He wanted her be the good girl that always stood beside him, rather than to be independent and

and by the time Jackson was done with her, Cherry's face was flushed scarlet, and she was gasping for

calm down, Jackson picked her up in his arms and walked out of the room

are you taking me? asked Cherry, anxious about what was to happen

else would I take you at night?" asked Jackson back.

of his bedroom's door and kicked

bed

the night became

still asleep. Only by keeping her so

and as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, he walked

as he pushed the door open, but

little bit upset when he didn't find Cherry there, and wondered, 'Why would Mommy get up so

while longer and then decided to ask

the people inside.

his mouth, closed his eyes, and walked away, tiptoeing downstairs with a big smile on his face.

was cleaning the living room on the first floor, and when Joe saw

confused as to why the young master disturbed her routine job, which was to clean the second floor immediately