Chapter 262 Is there someone in your room?
"Mr. Harrington, is there something you wish to say?" Victoria asked, her tone formal and distant. She no longer referred to him by his first name, Alexander. The casual intimacy that once existed between them had evaporated, replaced by a cold professionalism.
She wondered if they could ever return to a semblance of cordiality, perhaps even manage a polite nod of acknowledgment should their paths cross in the future.
Upon hearing her address him as "Mr. Harrington," Alexander remained silent, his thoughts churning. 'What could I possibly say? I've been absent for two years, and not once did she seek me out. Yet, she's been gone for a mere few days, and here I am, chasing after her. Why? What makes her worthy of such effort?'
With a sigh, Alexander ended the call, swiftly rising from his seat to grab his coat and head out.
Victoria, hearing the faint rumble of a car engine from below, dismissed it as a figment of her imagination. She was about to investigate when her phone buzzed again, drawing her attention back. The sight of Alexander's name on the caller ID left her momentarily breathless. Fearful of what he might say, she hesitated before answering.
"Hello? Can you hear me?" Victoria managed to stammer out, pressing the phone to her ear. She was torn between fear and anticipation. She feared Alexander's arrival, yet a part of her yearned for his presence. But she wasn't willing to gamble on the outcome.
After all, Alexander had made it clear that he didn't love her. He merely sought a physical relationship. What would become of them after that?
"I'm downstairs," Alexander's voice came through the phone, soft yet firm.
"I...I've already retired for the night," Victoria responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander didn't reply, ending the call abruptly. Victoria was left with a racing heart and a whirlwind of thoughts.
Half an hour later, Victoria found herself standing at the door, face to face with Alexander. She was clad in a thin coat over a halter dress, the fabric fluttering in the wind, causing a stir in Alexander's heart.
"I didn't mean to..." Victoria began, her voice trailing off. She felt the need to explain herself. She had returned under the guise of a business trip, with no intention of returning to Ankenra. She owed him an apology, not as a wife, but as a subordinate.
"What do you mean, 'it wasn't intentional'?" Alexander asked, his gaze lowered, his voice calm, yet laced with suppressed emotion.
"I'm returning to Danisland, but I've delegated my upcoming tasks to Jasmine," Victoria confessed, her gaze lowered, her hands nervously fidgeting.
Alexander noticed her reluctance to meet his gaze, his eyes inadvertently drawn to the ring on her hand. A flicker of mockery danced in his eyes as he asked, "Is there someone in your room?"
"What did you say?" Victoria's gaze snapped up to meet his, confusion etched on her face.
"Let's talk."
"You want to come in?" Victoria asked.
A gust of wind blew past, carrying with it the unfamiliar scent of alcohol. Alexander had been drinking. Despite his seemingly rational demeanor, Victoria sensed an impending danger.
"Yes," Alexander replied curtly.
"I've said all I needed to," Victoria countered. She couldn't invite him into her room, especially not in his current state. She needed to protect herself.
"But I haven't," Alexander said.
Victoria's heart pounded in her chest as she averted her gaze, her hands resuming their nervous fidgeting. "Can we talk tomorrow? I can come to your hotel."
"What are you afraid of? You have plenty of classmates living here. If I try anything, just scream. They'll come to your rescue," Alexander responded, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Alexander noticed a couple of cars still parked nearby, indicating that her classmates were still around. He was irked by Victoria's defensive stance. He had traveled all this way to see her, yet she seemed indifferent to his presence.
When Nicolas had attacked him, Victoria had risked her own safety to protect him. He had thought she cared for him. But now, she wouldn't even let him into her home.
"Victoria, my stomach hurts," Alexander suddenly admitted, his voice laced with a reluctance to acknowledge his discomfort. "Fine, let me suffer. When you return home, tell everyone you never saw me here."
"Alright, come in," Victoria relented. Hearing him mention his stomachache had stirred a sense of concern within her. She spoke slowly, surprised by his response. She quickly reached out to steady him, hesitating before inviting him in.
Victoria reasoned with herself, 'Let Alexander come in and sit for a few minutes. It'll be fine.'
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