CHAPTER 12

"Do you think women are my only source of happiness?" Alvin's voice had a teasing, almost hurt tone to it, his eyes reflecting a playful yet melancholic glimmer as he looked at Patricia.

Patricia couldn't help but chuckle softly at Alvin's question, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why, aren't they?" she replied, her fingers flipping through the pages of the book she was reading, the crisp sound of paper rustling filling the brief silence.

Alvin let out a heavy sigh, one that reached Patricia's ears, making her glance up at him with concern. "Are you still not over Portia leaving?" she asked gently, her voice laced with empathy.

Truth be told, since Portia was her best friend, Patricia was willing to step aside if the two of them ended up liking each other. It was because it was Portia. But of course, that didn't take away the pain she felt in her heart every time they talked about her. Maybe she had just gotten used to it. That's why she didn't take it to heart as much anymore.

"If