Fortunately, the dinner was coming to an end. As they were getting up to leave, Melanie expressed her desire to go out for some fun. Hades didn't say anything but looked at Alanna. "I can't go. You guys have fun," she said. "What about you, Hades?" Terrence asked him. "I'm a bit tired. Let's plan another time," Hades replied while looking genuinely fatigued.Melanie pouted but didn't insist further. As they were leaving, they ran straight into Hudson. Hudson seemed to be the youngest among them. He wasn't dressed in a suit today but casually, with a youthful and sunny disposition. His eyes lit up upon seeing Alanna. "Ms. Jacinto" he greeted, then turned to Hades. "Mr. Florentine, what a coincidence to meet again."Alanna nodded at him but didn't say much. Hades' gaze was intense, and he didn't respond at all. Hudson didn't mind and continued looking at Alanna. "Ms. Jacinto, you seem a bit unhappy. Is something wrong?"Alanna smiled lightly. "I'm just a bit tired, Hudson. Sor
Alanna only realized what Hades was about to do when his kiss landed. "Hades!" she exclaimed. They were at the restaurant's parking lot entrance, where people were constantly coming and going. However, Hades seemed not to care at all. He left her no chance to resist.His kiss was fierce. It was almost as if he was fueled by anger. Alanna knew she had probably upset him tonight. But she really didn't want to engage in such public displays. She struggled reluctantly."Try struggling again, Ms. Jacinto!" Hades' voice was tinged with anger. Alanna stiffened. "Not here," she pleaded softly.Hades hadn't intended to go too far. Once he confirmed that Hudson had seen them and left, he immediately carried Alanna into the car. Only inside the car did Alanna breathe a sigh of relief.Hades loosened his tie and started the car. Back at the hotel, he pressed her against the door in a burst of passion. The kiss landed once more, which left Alanna feeling almost suffocated. But she didn'
"I'm going to take a shower!" Alanna retorted as she shook off his grasp and headed into the bathroom.Tears started to fall once she was inside. She had rarely thought of the child lately. Holding onto certain memories only brought pain. She had been trying to let go of it. Yet, tonight, he had reopened that wound. The pain was unbearable for her.The hot water streamed down. Alanna crouched and hugged herself under the spray. That seemed the only way to lessen the heartache. Tears continued to fall from her eyes. Yet, she remained quiet. Her suffering was silent, much like her love for Hades. It started intense and fervent. She felt she could do anything for him. But over days and years, her love seemed to be quietly depleting.It took a while for Alanna to calm down. She wrapped herself in a towel and left the bathroom. Hades stood by the window, smoking. He saw her exit. Then, he entered the bathroom without a word. He soon returned with a hair dryer."Come here," he said.
Hades kept Alanna awake late into the night until the early morning. He only let her rest when she was completely worn out. "You may sleep now," he said. Alanna closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.Hades checked the time. It was already past ten in the morning. He took his phone and left the bedroom. Then, he called Jeff. "I won't make it today. I'll visit another day," he said.Jeff felt disappointed upon hearing that Hades wouldn't come. He had hoped to see Alanna again. "And... What about Ms. Jacinto?"Hades' brow twitched. He laughed lightly. "You seem quite interested in our Ms. Jacinto," he teased.Jeff chuckled and felt somewhat speechless. "Are you sure you're not the one interested?" Hades lit a cigarette and didn't respond. "Interested" wasn't a word he'd associate with his relationship with Alanna. He admitted to an obsessive possessiveness over her. But he considered such possessiveness normal for any man. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm hanging up.""Wa
"Are you hungry?" Hades inquired.Alanna nodded. Indeed, she was hungry. The meal from the previous night had unsettled her, and she hadn't eaten all day."Get up. I'll take you out for a meal," he proposed. Alanna responded, "I'd prefer not to move around. Can we order something instead?" Hades chuckled lightly. "After such a long rest, are you still not fully recovered?"Alanna pressed her lips together slightly. "After all, it was quite an ordeal," she remarked. Hades began helping her with her clothes while still smiling. "It's good to get up and move around a bit."As he helped her dress, he asked, "You went to Brunstein University, right? How about we take a tour around Brunstein University?" Alanna's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why Brunstein University all of a sudden?" Hades met her gaze. "Is it wrong for me to want to know more about you?"Alanna found she couldn't argue with him. While she dressed, she felt sore, but it was manageable.After their meal, it w
The question was somewhat unexpected. After all, they had only met for the third time today. Thus, Alanna was momentarily taken aback. Nonetheless, she politely inquired, "May I ask what aspects of my mother you're interested in, Mr. Simmons?"Jeff responded, "Your mother's age, her profession, and, if it's not too much trouble, her maiden name?"Mentioning her mother brought a hint of sourness to Alanna's heart. Her mother had always been an exceptional woman—beautiful, gentle, and talented in dance and art. Unfortunately, life had not been kind to her. A series of unfortunate events had led her to her current state. She never got the chance to showcase her talents, especially because of one man.Alanna swallowed the lump in her throat and composed herself before responding. "My mother's surname is Thortorn. She's been out of work due to a car accident three years ago." She refrained from elaborating further. As for her mother's age, Alanna was unsure about that. Her mother had
Jeff left Alanna his phone number nonetheless. "We should keep in touch. Don't mind him," he suggested. Alanna promptly saved Jeff's number. Jeff cast a glance at Hades with a smile. Hades' gaze was profound, but he ultimately chose to remain silent.After Jeff departed, Hades showed no sign of wanting to leave. He didn't drink coffee, so only a glass of water sat before him. He toyed with the glass with his slender fingers as if it were a piece of art. "Mr. Florentine, aren't we leaving?" Alanna asked. Hades raised his eyebrows slightly. "We have to leave because Jeff left?"His remark carried an edge, which hinted at his displeasure. Alanna presumed it was due to her saving Jeff's number. Yet, she knew she had her own social life to maintain. "If you prefer to stay, we can linger a while longer," she said without adding anything further.Hades observed her and asked, "Do you fancy someone like Jeff?" Alanna pressed her lips together and diverted her gaze to the window.
Alanna paused as she was surprised by Hades' sudden question. She took a moment before asking, "Why do you ask all of a sudden?" Hades' eyes narrowed slightly. "Can't I ask?" he retorted. "It's not that. I just prefer not to bring it up," she explained.Hades' gaze grew even colder. "It seems you have been deeply hurt," he observed. His grip on her waist tightened almost painfully. "You still can't forget him, can you?" "It just feels uncomfortable to remember, that's all," Alanna admitted.Hades' expression turned colder. "It seems you're quite devoted." Alanna chose not to respond to that comment. Hades continued after a pause, "What kind of person is he to linger in your thoughts like this?" "A good person. He was kind to me," she said softly.Hades scoffed. "He's kind to you, but why is he not with you anymore? Are you sure he's not just a player who toyed with your feelings?" Alanna looked down. "He forgot about me." Hades raised an eyebrow. "Forgot? How? Was he