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.

but her efforts turned out to be in vain. Eventually, she gave up

obediently settled down on his lap and cuddled up against his

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

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

his hand moved

Grandpa angry

" answered Jackson.

that's good, " said Cherry carefully.

to Cherry's fair face, her innocent look fuelled his desire even

remained silent to whatever Lucia had said to her, he being the one who had always stood out and defended her. However, now Cherry had dared to excuse herself and Joe in front of Andrew, and had suddenly turned defensive. He had not expected that coming from her.

years ago things were different, but not anymore now." She had renewed herself in the past five years, and she had to be brave because she now had

Joe and I protect ourselves if no one stands out

little by little. He stared at Cherry, and said, "Are you saying that I didn't

though she was questioning his ability to

looked away to avoid

his stare, he grabbed her chin and forced

my woman and that I'll protect you forever!" said Jackson firmly, like he was reciting

didn't move Cherry, who was no

thought for a while, and then flatly said, "Jackson, I

stopped her from speaking with a sudden and violent

immediately struggled to push

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

was done with her, Cherry's face was

picked her up in his arms and walked out of

Cherry, anxious about what was to

at night?" asked

of his bedroom's door and kicked it wide open.

Cherry on the bed and

made love, and the night became long and

when the first beams of sunlight shone into the room, Jackson was cuddling Cherry tightly in bed, while he was still asleep. Only by keeping her so close to him every moment could he feel

also just woken up, and as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, he walked to

said Joe as he pushed the door open, but he found that the

little bit upset when he didn't find Cherry there, and wondered, 'Why

while longer and then decided to ask his Daddy

to be as silent as possible not to alarm the people inside. He peeped through the door's crack

his eyes, and walked away, tiptoeing downstairs with a big

the first floor, and when Joe saw her, he immediately told her, "Lily, don't clean upstairs

why the young master disturbed her routine job, which was to clean the second floor immediately after she was done