After ending the call, Hades looked at Alanna. "I have something to attend to and can't stay with you tonight. Can you manage on your own?""Yeah," Alanna replied straight away.Hades let out a low hum. "I'll come tomorrow morning to pick you up.""Sure."As Hades left the hospital, he bumped into Terrence.An intern who resembled Alanna had started working in Terrence's company, and he'd been engrossed with her.Today, that intern was feeling unwell and insisted he kept her company. So, he came to the hospital with her.That was also how he and Alanna bumped into each other in the restaurant that noon.Actually, things had been going well between Terrence and the intern when Alanna was out of the picture.However, after meeting Alanna that noon, he immediately lost interest in the intern.In terms of elegance, she was inferior to Alanna. The same could be said about their looks. Her only advantage was that she resembled Alanna closely.A mere intern couldn't match Alanna's
Hades' expression had been in a constant state of grumpiness.The moment Terrence brought up Alanna, he started feeling irritable.He'd always thought he wouldn't mind Terrence talking to him about that. After all, he hadn't planned on committing to a relationship with Alanna.No matter what, she'd still find another man after their contract expired.Ultimately speaking, he paid her for sexual favors and had never thought of being in a serious relationship with her.Therefore, he never felt anything whenever people around him expressed their interest in Alanna.Given that Alanna knew her place and didn't act inappropriately with other men before the end of their contract, he was all good with it.However, he felt annoyed with how Terrence kept blatantly expressing his lust toward Alanna before him.Glancing at his phone, he called Yves."Hades?"Hades' eyes narrowed. "Get Terrence busy."Yves was stunned. "What?"He couldn't believe his ears.Terrence and Hades had known e
Alanna felt down. Still, she did her best to steady her nerves."Why did you send me those messages, Mr. Abbott? Try and get Hades to dump me if you can!" Terrence chuckled. "Hades is a grown man. Why would he dump a woman whom he could sleep with whenever he wanted to?"On the other hand, do you find it pleasurable to be with him in a relationship like this, Ms. Jacinto?"Alanna smirked. "Regardless, it's my business, and it has nothing to do with you.""How can you say that? I'm still waiting to develop a more intimate relationship with you, you know."Alanna said through a clenched jaw, "Terrence Abbott, if fooling around with women is what you want, I suggest you find someone else! My stomach churns at the mere sight of men like you."You secretly took my photos and sent them to Hades, and now you record what he's said for me to hear. How despicable of you to use such methods to sow discord between us!"Terrence thought it was no big deal, though. "So what if I'm despicabl
At that moment, Alanna was full of despair.She couldn't bring herself to imagine what would happen to her if something undesirable happened.With a grunt, she bit hard on that person's lips and started struggling violently."It's me!"It wasn't until Hades' voice rang out that she felt the gloom within her dissipate.It took her several more seconds to come to her senses. Then, she got riled up. "Have you gone mad, Hades Florentine?"Hades chuckled. Alanna wasn't sure about it, but she thought he sounded pleased.He asked, "Me? Mad? Or perhaps you should explain yourself. How could you not recognize me?"Alanna was rendered speechless. Indeed, she didn't know it was him.Under those circumstances, all she felt was fear. It didn't even occur to her that it could be Hades.After all, he had told her clearly that he wouldn't be back tonight."Sorry. I didn't recognize you.""That calls for punishment." With that, Hades lowered his head and started kissing her on the lips.Al
But somehow, Hades' mood lifted.The room lights were turned off. In the dim room, Hades looked down at Alanna, who was still trying to unfasten his belt.She looked impatient. Her brows were knitted, and she was biting her lip.Hades held her chin and kissed her again. At the same time, his large hands held hers as he guided her to unbuckle his belt.Since getting together with Alanna, he'd seldom done it on his own. Likewise, he'd rather not have Alanna use her hands to help him. He preferred doing it the proper way.But tonight, he was satisfied with how it was done.He leaned against the bed so Alanna could lean against him."You performed well tonight, Ms. Jacinto," he said. He felt satiated.Alanna gently closed her eyes and concealed the emotions welling within her. Then, she broke free from his embrace, got up, and entered the washroom.After washing her hands, she exited the washroom and saw Hades smoking by the window. The room was still dark, so she could only see h
The next day, Hades was already up when Alanna woke up. He was answering a call by the window.He was clad in a suit, and his jawline was well-defined from the side.When he noticed she was awake, Hades ended the call and turned around. His gaze met hers."You really like gazing at me, huh?" he asked.Alanna averted her gaze. "Why are you still here?""I promised to pick you up from the hospital."Hades sat beside her. Noticing the blush on her cheeks, he chuckled. "Why are you blushing?"Alanna looked awkward for a second. "You're mistaken."However, Hades held her face with his large hand. "Do you think I don't know what I see?"He paused and continued, "Do you find me attractive?"Alanna's expression became tauter. She avoided eye contact as she answered, "No."Hades released her. Smiling, he said, "Go ahead and gaze all you want. I'm not against it."Alanna's lips moved as she wanted to explain. But sometimes, a situation would only become more awkward the more one trie
Besides, Hades would never go easy on those who irked him.He could let it slide the last time because Alanna had just miscarried. That wouldn't work for a second time."Chelsey, you should get back to work. I'll call you when I'm home," urged Alanna.Chelsey cast Alanna a concerned glance. Then, she snorted at Hades before turning to leave the ward.Now, only Alanna and Hades remained.Alanna was silent for a moment before saying, "Chelsey has a quick temper. She just feels sorry for me. Please don't hold it against her, Mr. Florentine."Hades narrowed his eyes and was visibly cross. "So, you think I've been nasty toward you, too? Ms. Jacinto?"Alanna's lips curved up. With a chuckle, she replied, "You've been quite nice to me. No one in your position would've personally taken care of their mistresses in the hospital."You've been great, Mr. Florentine. I can't expect you to care for me as though I'm your girlfriend or wife, can I? I know my place."Hades shot her a glance as
Hades stared at Alanna like she was a dummy."Why would I hand it to you if it wasn't for you?" Then, he touched her forehead. "Has the fever roasted your ability to think?"Alanna laughed. "I'm just surprised that you'd give me a gift."Hades retracted his hand. Nonchalantly, he replied, "It's not so much a gift than a compensation."Alanna didn't ask what he was compensating her for. She merely lowered her eyes and opened the box.As she did, she was stunned. In it was a pair of earrings with glittering, crystal-clear diamonds. It reminded Alanna of the pair of earrings in the auction. She kept glancing at it when it appeared on the screen.It somehow resembled this pair of earrings before her. So, that was what Hades meant by this being a compensation.Alanna gazed at the earrings. It truly resembled those that were on auction.Nevertheless, one pair was the real thing, while the other was counterfeit, just like Melanie and her. To Hades, she was most likely akin to a coun