Lustful Paradise

"You have no idea what kind of life I live or what kind of women have surrounded me all this time. If I had acted like a pervert, as you say, you would have seen nothing less than a man ready to devour your entire body right there and then. But I chose not to do that."

"Huh...?" Vanessa was shocked by his sudden change in attitude, which seemed completely different from anything she expected. She didn't think her words would lead to this sort of reaction out of him.

At first, she thought he would just admit it with a smile, apologize for being caught in his own lie, and maybe flirt with her again. But now he was acting so serious and scary...

'Did I trigger his dark side? Or was this his true self all along?' She couldn't help but wonder, thinking about the different scenarios that could have led to such an unexpected reaction from him.

However, she didn't show any sign of nervousness or discomfort as they stared at each other silently for a few moments. Even under such intense pressure and tension, Vanessa kept her calm and composed demeanor.

Her heart was pounding hard against her ribcage, but she didn't lose her courage or confidence. Instead, she looked straight into his eyes, meeting his gaze without blinking once, refusing to submit to whatever intimidation tactic Lucifer was trying to use on her.

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"Wow! I didn't know you were such an angry guy!" Vanessa exclaimed after a while, laughing softly as if she wasn't fazed by Lucifer's cold attitude at all. "Why did you have to get so pissed off at what I just said? Was it a mistake to assume your intentions? Maybe it was, but come on! Give me a break here!"

"I was just joking around with you. Trying to play it cool and stuff, just as you did earlier. It was nothing serious to make a big deal out of it. But what's wrong with you? Why do you have to act like you've been offended?"

Seeing her react in a calm manner and not losing her cool at all, Lucifer's gaze softened, and he let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten worked up and acted that way," Lucifer said as his expression turned apologetic. "I wasn't angry at you for calling me out or for pointing out my mistake, nor for joking around with me."

"Then what's the matter? What got you so pissed off?" Vanessa asked him. She leaned in closer, now curious to know why he had acted so seriously out of nowhere. "Tell me."

As they faced each other, their breaths mingled in the intimate space between them, and her question lingered in the air.

Lucifer hesitated for a moment before responding.

"I was upset at my inner self. You see, I have always been true to who I am, but with you, I did something that contradicted that principle. For the first time, I was worried about how someone might view me. I feared the impression that I would leave in their mind if they witnessed that side of me."

"That side?"

"Yes. My usual self, who acts without caring about the consequences." Lucifer paused, gathering his thoughts before he continued. "I always do whatever I want without any hesitation or restraint. I do what feels right in the moment, whether it be about my interests, preferences, or desires. My life motto has been to follow my gut instinct. But with you, I became more aware of how my actions might influence the way you think about me and the image you might form of who I am."

"I don't understand, though. If your usual behavior is to act without any inhibitions, what's so wrong about being yourself when you're around me?" Vanessa asked. "Is there a specific reason behind this? Why are you suddenly bothered by how I might see you?"

Lucifer took a moment to ponder this question.

Vanessa wasn't some ordinary girl he met at school or college or someone he had met on a date. She was a celebrity, a very famous actress known worldwide, with millions of male fans dreaming of her.

No guy would have the audacity to disrespect or mistreat her. But Lucifer wasn't like other guys. He never cared about such things as status, wealth, or fame in the past.

However, he now found himself thinking twice before making any rash moves regarding Vanessa, even though he knew that she was the type who wouldn't be easily intimidated or feel uncomfortable around him.

She was mature enough to handle whatever he threw at her. Still, somehow his inner self kept holding back for some reason... Why?

Vanessa, who looked at Lucifer in silence as he seemed to be contemplating something, couldn't help but smile at the sight before her.

His furrowed brows, the way he bit his lips while thinking, and the slight tremble of his eyelids as he pondered the situation all made her feel amused by his behavior. It was like seeing an innocent child trying to figure out why they were scolded for doing something wrong.

'He looks cute.' Vanessa's heart skipped a beat, feeling an unexpected twinge of fondness towards him. 'And he cares about what I think and how I perceive him, doesn't he? He may not be aware of it himself or is still struggling with that thought... But is it what I think it is?'