Chapter 106

"Hey, sorry to bug you. Since David's not around, I'm gonna head out," Lila said, standing up and giving Alice a quick nod before leaving the villa.

Alice shut the door, went straight to her room, grabbed her phone, and shot a text to David. She then switched her phone to airplane mode and crawled back under the covers, hoping to catch some more sleep.

Meanwhile, in the conference room, David's phone buzzed with a new message. As he read it, his demeanor turned icy. Garrett, sitting next to him, felt a sudden chill and wondered if the AC was cranked up too high.

The meeting wrapped up quickly, and David left without a word. Back in his office, he immediately called Alice. But the unanswered rings only fueled his anger.

Alice, lying in bed, couldn't sleep. Her mind was racing with thoughts of what had just happened, making her mood even worse. Eventually, she got up, turned on her computer, and started gaming with Simon, Nathan, and Esme.

Alice was off her game today, losing over and over. Her friends noticed something was up and paused the game to check on her.

Alice curled up in her chair, legs tucked in, left hand propping up her cheek, and right hand lazily moving the mouse. She watched some novels and TV shows while her phone, sitting next to the keyboard, buzzed with notifications.

Finally, Alice gave in and picked up her phone. She saw that Esme and the others were chatting in the group about why she was so upset.

Simon: [Must be her time of the month!]

Esme: [Nah, I don't think so.]

Nathan: [Simon, do you even know her cycle? If it's not that, what else could it be?]

Esme: [I bet it's a relationship thing.]

Esme was always so spot-on!

Simon: [Relationship issue? With David? They never fight.]

Simon: [David's seven years older than us, mature and steady. How could he argue with Alice? It's usually Alice sulking, and David just lets her be. So, I doubt it's that.]

Esme: [Simon, your brother's the same age as David. Don't you get it?]

That was a pretty awkward example.

Simon's brother was David's age, but while David was mature, his brother acted like a high schooler, always scolding him and threatening to kick him out if he didn't behave. Wasn't he supposed to be his real brother?

Just as Simon was feeling totally helpless, Alice sent a message in the group chat.

Alice: [Stop guessing. There is a crack in our relationship. I told David we are breaking up for a day.]

Nathan, who had just returned from the claw machine.

Esme bit her pen cap, laughing a bit maniacally, and typed furiously.

Esme: [If you're so tough, why not break up for a month?]

Alice: [His ex-girlfriend is back. If I break up for a month, he'll leave me. You think I'm that stupid?]

Esme didn't reply. A minute later, she posted a screenshot in the group chat.

Esme: [Custom-made for dogs, essential for outings, top-quality dog leash.]

Just as Alice was about to respond, she heard the door open downstairs. Glancing at the time on her computer, it was 9:30 a.m. The servants couldn't possibly be here this early.

She tossed her phone on the table, slipped on her slippers, and opened the door. The moment she peeked out, she was met with David's furious gaze, which left her stunned. She quickly tried to shut the door, but David was faster, pushing it open and stepping inside.

"What the hell is this?" David's deep voice demanded, showing her the message on his phone. [David, just letting you know, we're breaking up for a day. Don't talk to me until 9 a.m. tomorrow].

Alice leaned against the wall, her whole body tense. She had been so mad when she sent that message, not thinking it through. Who treated a breakup like a game?

David's fingers holding the phone were trembling slightly, his eyes blazing with anger. Seeing Alice stay silent, he pressed again. "What does it mean?"

"I... I was angry," she finally said.

David had been holding back his rage all the way here, practically burning up with it. He licked his dry lips, tossed his phone onto the table, loosened his tie, and asked, trying to stay calm, "Why? Because I went too far yesterday? Or did you change your mind? We can talk about our sex life. If you're not happy, you can tell me. I respect your opinion, but why send me a text like this? Are you threatening me with a breakup? You've got some nerve." With that, David grabbed Alice's arm, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her fiercely, biting and prying her lips open, venting his anger.

Alice was scared by his intense kiss, struggling to breathe, her cheeks slowly turning red. She was forced to tilt her head back, enduring his rough treatment.

David pulled back slightly, his eyes on Alice's flushed lips. He swallowed and warned, "We can talk things out, but don't ever threaten me with a breakup again. Next time, the punishment won't be this small."

Alice nestled in his arms, thinking to herself, 'Is this a small punishment? What would a big punishment be, devouring me whole?'

David, who had come in full of anger, finally calmed down a bit. He took off his jacket, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled Alice onto his lap. "Why exactly did you break up with me for a day?"

If it was really about their sex life, he could be patient. After all, the age difference was there, and different needs were understandable. But Alice kept her head down, refusing to speak.

David wasn't in a hurry. He had patience. The company's losses didn't matter as long as the employees' salaries were paid. But he didn't want to break up without understanding why, even if it was just for a day.

As the two remained at an impasse, Alice's phone rang again. David nodded for her to answer it, and Esme's teasing voice immediately came through. "Check the link quickly. The reviews say it's very effective! Buy it to leash David. Even if his ex-girlfriend shows up, you won't have to worry. If she gets close, just strangle him! Just imagining that scene makes me... hahaha!"

David took the phone and hung up, then turned to Alice. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Lila was here?"

Alice still didn't speak.

"So that's why you broke up with me for a day?" David couldn't help but laugh, pinching her cheek and gently pressing their foreheads together. "What did she say to piss you off?"