Chapter 5. Suspicion

"Didn't I tell you earlier?" asked Victoria, trying to remain calm. 

  This young woman didn't let herself off the hook at all. After all, whatever she said later, Emberly would still find out she met Maverick. And that meant Alden would find out, too. 

  A smile suddenly formed on her lips. "I'm slightly surprised and curious about what business you two could be sitting around talking about. Even my brother invited you to his mansion. I thought your life was so filled with your fiancé that you didn't make friends with anyone else." 

  Victoria was silent when Karina seemed to have some misconceptions about her. She did not want to befriend the people around her because she had been used too often, coupled with Alden's existence, which she thought was enough, before knowing the truth about the man. However, Victoria felt no need to explain everything. More than that, Victoria did not understand Karina. 

  "Anyway, I'm glad you visited Brother Verick's mansion so that I could meet you." Victoria was even more confused about the young woman's intentions. 

  "I'm visiting your brother just because of that, and I am thankful. By the way, Karina, can I ask you something?" Victoria didn't know where her impulse came from to want something from Karina, who was clearly Emberly's friend, and also, she was unsure whether this request would be listened to or not. 

  "What is it, Sis? Just tell me?" Karina held Victoria's hand and seemed excited to listen. 

  "Please don't tell Emberly about this. I'm sure she'll tell my fiancé. I don't want to create a worrying misunderstanding with my fiancé." 

  "Alright, I promise I won't tell her so that your jealousy fiancé, I mean Mr. Benedict, doesn't find out." Karina was still looking at Victoria with her excited smile and had not let go of Victoria's hand. 

  "O-ok, please let go of my hand. I have to go now," Victoria said awkwardly while trying to release her hand. 

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Alright, bye, big sister!" Only then did Karina let go and walked away. 

  Victoria stared at the young woman's back. Karina did not look awkward, as she was not giving her any distance. She exhaled and turned around, not wanting to think about anything that would waste time. 

  After only a few steps of Victoria walking towards her campus building, she realized something. She looked at her watch, realizing she was already 2 hours late to meet her lecturer as promised. Once again, Victoria exhaled while pulling out her cell phone. 

  "Oh my god, Tori ...!" Because of contacting Maverick, she forgot to contact her lecturer. 

 ***

   After apologizing and asking for the next appointment, Victoria had nothing else scheduled that day. Except for the evening date with Alden that they had promised. Some time ago, she was still pleased and excited about the date she desperately looked forward to. The reason was he very rarely asked her out on a date in a month or even not at all. He always said he was busy with his work as if his company would go bankrupt if he didn't take a holiday. 

  Now Victoria knew why he didn't rank her at the top of his priorities. If she was the fiancé on display, then Emberly was the love of his life. Clearly, she was the man's priority. Victoria sighed, once again trying to stop thinking about painful things. 

  Suddenly, the cell phone in her bag vibrated, making her immediately reach into her purse and grab it. She stepped outside the library before picking up the phone. 

  "Hi, why are you calling me?" asked Victoria, trying to speak softly. 

  "Honey, does your fiancé need a reason to call you?" he said with a chuckle. 

  Victoria rolled her eyes lazily, disgusted with this man who never thought about her at all. He never once called her for some silly reason. How could she not wonder about his strange behavior? 

  Victoria laughed along. "You never call me at this hour, so I'm asking. Aren't you busy, babe?" 

  The quip managed to create silence on the line. There was satisfaction in Victoria, producing a grin as she imagined the expression on the man's face. 

  "Did you finish your schedule today?" Alden changed the subject. 

  Victoria looked at her watch. There was still an hour before Alden's home time to come pick her up. "I'm still at the library," Victoria replied. 

  "I've finished my work, so I can pick you up early, honey." There was pride in how he spoke, feeling as if she would be touched and grateful. 

  Instead of being grateful, Victoria was unwilling to give up her rare alone time. She refrained from clucking and said yes before hanging up. 

  Since there was no schedule and no one knew her schedule was empty, Victoria chose to spend time at the library doing her hobby. It had been a long time since she had immersed herself in a fantasy book, and Alden was ruining it all. Grumpily, Victoria walked out of her campus building to wait for him. 

  The wait wasn't too long. Apparently, he really did leave early. Victoria wondered why Alden was behaving uncharacteristically. Or was she already suspected because of the change? 

  "Hi, babe. Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are some flowers for you as my apology." Alden got out of the car with a bouquet of red roses in his hand. 

  Victoria did not immediately accept the bouquet. She looked at him and then back at Alden, who was smiling broadly. His demeanor was again getting strange, not like usual.

  "Baby?" Alden's call jolted Victoria. 

  Victoria hurriedly adjusted her facial expression. She smiled happily as she took the bouquet. "Ah, sorry, I was thinking about my thesis earlier. I didn't wait too long, but thank you for your romantic flower, Alden." 

  "Of course," he said proudly. 

  "But... is it just thanks?" he continued to ask. 

  Victoria leaned closer and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Once again, smiling happily in his presence and once again thanking him. 

  "Let's go now. I have a great place for a date." Alden took her hand and led her into the car. 

  The car drove on the capital's relatively quiet streets. Along the way, Victoria was only busy thinking about what had made her fiancé turn more attentive to her. Various questions popped into her head. Did Alden already know that she knew about his affair? Where did his suspicious behavior come from? 

  "Honey ..." 

  "Victoria, honey, what's wrong? Why?" The gentle touch on her hand made Victoria flinch and turn her head after her reverie was broken. 

  "You're okay, right? Are you still thinking about your thesis?" Alden asked in a worried tone. 

  The car had unknowingly stopped in front of a fancy restaurant. She looked around for a while and sighed, realizing her attitude could be more suspicious. "Yes, I'm a little worried after meeting my professor today. I'm afraid that I won't graduate on time." 

  "Don't worry too much," he said. 

  "But, did you really see your professor today, honey?" Alden's question made Victoria flinched in surprise. Her heart was racing as if she was afraid of being caught for her mistake. 

  "Ah, I apologize for lying to you. I actually didn't meet my professor today as promised." 

  Victoria replied nervously but tried to stay calm and think clearly. She thought of a good reason for Alden to trust her again. More than that, it seemed Karina did not comply with her wishes. There was no reason to be disappointed because her friend was Emberly, after all. 

  "Why are you lying? I heard you went somewhere and returned with Karina Hurlington and her brother. That Maverick Hurlington! Tell me, Victoria!" Alden's loud yelling echoed in the car. 

  Victoria was disgusted with this man. He was acting like this over a single lie without reflecting on himself. How far he had gone with another woman, especially with her step-sister. She really wanted to kick this shameless asshole in front of her right now. However, Victoria tried to suppress her desire to calm this noisy dog. 

  "Victoria, did you have a relationship with Maverick Hurlington without my knowledge?!" he asked once again without lowering his voice. 

  Thanks to his demeanor, Victoria realized that Alden didn't seem to know that she already knew his secret. She touched his hand gently and grasped it. "Calm down, and let me explain first, Alden. It's not what you think." 

  "So what, Victoria?"