Chapter 208 The Birthday Wish Unspoken
Alexander Harrington moved with a deliberate pace, his strides closing the distance between them. Victoria Kensington found herself rooted to the spot, her voice barely a whisper as she finally managed to ask, "What are you doing here?"
"Why would I be here?" His question seemed to be directed as much at himself as at her. He now stood before her, his tall frame casting a long shadow, his eyes etched with disappointment.
An odd tension filled the air, wrapping itself around them, enclosing them in its grasp. Victoria's gaze shifted to the side before she awkwardly lowered it. Today was his birthday, and yet, she hadn't wished him a happy birthday. But then again, he probably didn't care.
She attempted to keep her gaze lowered, to maintain her composure. But his proximity was unsettling, his silence even more so. His presence was formidable, capable of suffocating anyone without uttering a single word. She felt as if she were about to suffocate when she finally dared to look up again.
The overhead light flickered, adding to the already tense atmosphere. His narrowed eyes seemed to hold a blade, poised to strike. But then, he turned and walked away. Victoria exhaled in relief, her gaze trailing his retreating figure.
She couldn't comprehend why he had appeared so suddenly, and then... Had he had another argument with that woman? Rumors circulated that they had been inseparable all day, only to quarrel by evening—likely over one thing. Whispers suggested he was left unsatisfied by the pregnant woman.
Victoria held her breath as she sank back into her desk chair, immersing herself in the pile of documents Adrian had left for her to sort. Later, at the airport, a WhatsApp message from Adrian appeared on her screen: [I'll be back as soon as I confirm my dad is okay—wait for me.]
Victoria chose not to respond to the message. The phrase "wait for me" held an intimacy that she hadn't expected. It felt like a promise, a silent vow from a man to a woman, and an anticipation nurtured by a woman for a man. But there was nothing of the sort between them, and there never would be. So, she decided it was best not to reply.
Her phone buzzed again, jolting her back to reality. Expecting another message from Adrian, she hesitated when she saw "Mr. Harrington" displayed on the screen. Victoria held her phone, her hand trembling slightly, before she gathered the courage to answer. "Hello, Mr. Harrington."
"Come to my office, now."
A heavy silence lingered on her end of the line. Why would she need to visit his office at this late hour? Had he returned to work unexpectedly? If it were a true emergency, wouldn't she be the first to know? "It's urgent," Alexander Harrington's curt voice cut through her thoughts before he hung up.
Confused, Victoria reluctantly left her tedious task and made her way to the ominous office door. Standing outside, she hesitated. Was there really an emergency? Today was his birthday, a day she had no desire to be entangled with him socially. He should have been at a hotel, joyously celebrating with friends.
Family stories told of how he had always spent his birthdays out with friends since junior high, much to the adults' relief. Yet, he would dutifully present a gift to Mrs. Chen, thanking her for her motherhood, and also bring something for Mrs. Harrington, to her delight. He handled life's little details with such care—except when it came to her.
Victoria contemplated leaving. She didn't dare step inside. But just as she was about to walk away, her wrist was caught in a firm grip, and before she could react, she was pulled through the door into darkness. Her vision blurred, and all she could register was the sharp snap of the door closing behind them and his towering figure looming before her.
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