Chapter319He said, if he doesn't like you, would he still want to have sex with you?
"Come on, let's go out first," Alexander added.
"No, I-I want to go home," Victoria said.
She pressed her palms against the cold steel of the elevator door, her refusal to accompany him leaving the onlookers in a state of confusion.
Alexander, undeterred, reached out and seized her wrist, his other hand on her slender waist. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.
To the casual observer, it appeared as if they were sharing an intimate moment, but his words were far from tender. "If I carry you out now, there won't be a single angle left without capturing your beautiful face. The boss and secretary will have a field day with the gossip, and you'd be the talk of the town."
Victoria was taken aback, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. The man before her was an enigma, his actions and words leaving her feeling as if she was on the precipice of a pitfall she couldn't see.
"Relax," Alexander said, sensing her tension. His lips curled into a smile. "I was just joking. I'll make sure you're safely returned to your apartment after the party, alright?"
"Really?" Victoria asked.
It seemed like the logical choice, but she couldn't shake her lingering doubts.
"Of course, but for now, let's take a few photographs," Alexander said.
"Why?" Victoria asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Today is your birthday. You're the belle of the ball, and it's only fitting we commemorate the occasion. Besides, when you're not by my side, I can look at them and miss you, right?"
Victoria found his reasoning surprisingly sound. If they were to part ways in the future, photographs would be all she had to remember him by. So, she obliged, stepping out into the throng of people to pose for a few keepsakes. For the elite, bringing a woman to such events was commonplace, as was capturing the moments in photographs.
Victoria still held onto the hope that Eloise might have orchestrated this grand celebration for her, perhaps even agreeing to her request for a divorce. She looked up at him and thought to herself, 'Goodbye, Alexander.'
Unaware of her thoughts, Alexander simply took her hand and led her through the crowd, Victoria offering polite smiles and nods in response to their greetings.
"Over here, please," a photographer directed them, a playful smile on his face. "It's almost as if I'm shooting a wedding for the happy couple."
Victoria couldn't help but agree with his sentiment. Alexander, however, seemed to tense at the comment, a sudden realization dawning on him. They hadn't taken wedding photos.
"When shall we schedule a wedding shoot?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Victoria.
"What?" she responded, taken aback by his question.
"Could you two move a bit closer?" the photographer interjected.
Without hesitation, Alexander drew Victoria closer, his arm snaking around her waist. "Let's take wedding photos," he whispered.
"Wedding photos are a hassle, and should be taken with someone you love," Victoria reminded him.
"Aren't you that someone?" Alexander countered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Victoria's heart stuttered at his words, but she quickly regained her composure. "You seem to really like me," she observed.
"If I didn't like you, would I want to make love to you?" Alexander retorted.
Victoria found herself at a loss for words. Alexander had laid bare his feelings, and the intensity of his gaze was undeniable. She turned her attention to the photographer. "Are we finished?"
Why were they taking so many photographs? Wasn't this just a birthday celebration?
---
After half an hour, Alexander and Victoria found themselves standing outside the banquet hall, the sound of Maximus's speech echoing from within. He thanked everyone for their attendance, then turned his attention to Victoria.
"Victoria is no stranger to us all. She has been a dedicated employee at The Harrington and currently serves as Alexander's secretary. She should be just outside. Let's welcome her in," he announced.
The crowd turned their attention to the door, and Victoria found herself pinned against the wall, her heart pounding in her chest. She had clung to the hope that Mr. Nicolas and Eloise were merely playing a game to show their appreciation for her, but Maximus's words shattered that illusion.
"You can't hide any longer, Mrs. Harrington," Alexander murmured, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
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