Alia noticed that he neither spoke nor hung up the call, completely unlike his usual sharp-tongued and cheeky deanor. Suddenly, she realized sothing was off with him.
"Christopher, did sothing happen to you?" Her heart tightened with worry.
"No, what could possibly happen?" The man imdiately responded with a casual laugh.
But Alia didn’t believe him.
He was certainly hiding sothing from her, and that sothing was most likely the root cause of his erratic moods and underlying depression.
Alia was out of town and couldn’t see him, so after so thought, she sternly warned him, "Christopher, you promised. From now on, we would be open and honest with each other. No more secrets between us."
"Yeah, I know." He replied, noticing that she had figured out he was troubled, then offered up an excuse, "I went ho today to try... to persuade them to let go of their biases and accept you, but they’re just too stubborn. Not only did they refuse, but they also hurled lots of harsh words."
That again?
Alia asked, "Then when I asked earlier if you fought with them again because of , you said no?"
"I didn’t fight. They were simply yelling at one-sidedly. I didn’t talk back." His voice carried a hint of grievance.
Hearing the grievance in his tone, Alia couldn’t help but chuckle softly and teased, "Swallowing your pride? That doesn’t seem like your style."
"Well, soone keeps whispering in my ear to not strain the relationship with my parents too much, saying that blood ties can never be severed." He was clearly a good boy—no, a thirty-year-old good boy.
She couldn’t help but laugh again, then coaxed, "Such obedience. So, you endured their scolding without talking back, felt bad, and ca to to vent?"
"How did I vent on you? You hung up on , and now I can’t even show a little temper? In my entire life, no one has ever hung up on ! You’re the only one who’s always dismissive of ." The good boy was on a roll with his complaints.
"Oh? Feeling offended and hurt now? Then why don’t you find a woman who’ll obey you in everything and never challenge you?"
"There you go again, talking nonsense!"
"It’s true. If you’re fed up with , don’t cling to . I’m not desperate for you."
Christopher grew increasingly frustrated listening to her. He started reflecting on whether perhaps he was too accommodating, too indulgent, allowing her to act so recklessly without a care.
But even if that were the truth, what could he do?
After all... he couldn’t stop needing her.
So, feeling stifled for a mont, Mr. Hart quickly surrendered, letting go of his frustration and playing along with her, "Fine, you’re indifferent about . It’s who cherishes you and clings to you relentlessly, satisfied?"
"Hmph, at least you’re self-aware." She spoke with amusent clear in her tone.
The two kept bantering, their lodious teasing full of affection without a trace of childishness.
Christopher wished he could stay like this with her, chatting endlessly until she finished her trip and returned to his side—but his ho ca into view, and he’d have to get off the car soon. He needed to maintain so composure in front of Fuller and the others.
He dropped the sweet talk and lowered his voice, soft and deep, calling out, "Alia..."
Alia stopped laughing and answered just as softly, "Hmm, I’m listening."
"Finish your work soon and co back. Co back tomorrow." His heart was uneasy. He needed to see her, hold her.
Alia thought he was acting particularly unusual today, like a wounded, helpless child seeking comfort from his mother.
Her anxiety resurfaced, "Christopher, are you really okay?"
"I’m fine, I just miss you..." He dropped his serious tone again, masking his inner turmoil, "I miss you so much it hurts all over. Need to see you, hold you, to ease the pain."
Alia clutched her phone, her cheeks suddenly hot, heart racing—what a shaless rogue.
"Alright, I’m ho. Hanging up now. If you drink while you’re out socializing, don’t bla for how I ’deal’ with you when you co back." With this threat, he hung up first.
Alia stood where she was, not returning to the banquet hall.
She kept thinking it over, convinced he was definitely not fine.
Could it be that the company was in trouble?
She imdiately picked up her phone, ignoring that it was New Year’s Day, and dialed Lucas King.
"Hello, Madam..."
Alia cut straight to the chase, "Is Seal-Cloud Corporation facing any issues?"
Lucas sounded confused, "Issues? What kind of issues?"
"None?"
"Um... doesn’t seem like it. I haven’t heard anything about needing to work overti or anything. Where did you hear sothing?" Lucas grew concerned, worried he had missed so important information, and quickly asked.
Alia felt relieved, "If there’s no trouble, then I overthought it. Don’t tell Christopher I called you."
"Oh, alright..."
Ending the call, Alia pondered so more, guessing that he was just acting up, troubled by her absence, and she had overthought the situation.
Still, despite concluding that it was nothing, his words replayed in her ears—the request for her to finish up quickly and return tomorrow. Her heart still couldn’t settle.
So, even though she had work arrangents for tomorrow, she couldn’t wait anymore.
She altered her plans and let the other senior executives accompanying her remain. By eight at night, her bodyguard drove her back to River City.
Although she could’ve flown ho, lingering fears of airplane travel made her opt for the train, even if it ant sitting three extra hours.
Christopher once ntioned that, since she was taking the train anyway, she might as well have the bodyguards drive her instead—saving her from the trouble of entering and exiting train stations.
Co to think of it, he had a point...
Which is why this ti, two of her bodyguards took turns driving, and aside from a few short breaks for restroom stops, they didn’t delay.
By one in the morning, she arrived ho safely.
Upon entering, she first checked on the kids. The three little ones were sleeping soundly, undisturbed by their mom’s absence.
She smiled with satisfaction and left the children’s room, heading to the master bedroom.
Christopher was also asleep. The closet area’s dim yellow lamp lit up the spacious bedroom faintly.
Looking at him even in his sleep, his brows were furrowed. He looked restless. Her chest tightened slightly, and she quietly sat at the edge of the bed.
It was cold outside, but having sat inside a warm car, her fingers hadn’t grown cold.
Unable to resist, she raised her hand and lightly touched his frowning brow. She hadn’t even applied pressure when his eyes suddenly opened wide.
Her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively withdrew her hand and spoke, "Did I wake you?"
Christopher stared at the person sitting in front of him. For a mont, he thought he was dreaming.
But the figure before him felt too real—her body carried traces of the outdoors, a faint chill...
He awakened fully, instantly grabbing her hand. His voice changed with surprise, "Why are you back?"
Alia raised her brows slightly and responded nonchalantly, "Well... things over there got wrapped up, so I ca back."
Christopher’s heart blood with imnse joy. He wanted to sit up, but his legs refused to move. Attempting to prop himself up with his arms, she quickly fetched a pillow to place behind him.
"Don’t get up. I’ll go wash up – I’m exhausted..."
Christopher stared at her, like a fool, and nodded his head.
She rose to leave, but her wrist was still held in his grip.
She turned, "Let go already."
He remained motionless, his deep eyes burning as they locked onto her.
She suddenly understood. Leaning down, his head lifted in sync, and they kissed.
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