Chapter 36:
Alicia was surprised to see him.
She had only intended to grab some topical medicine, and somehow, she ran into Caden so soon. What terrible luck she had!
After everything that happened last night, guilt washed over her whenever Caden appeared. She instinctively took a step back.
Then, she paused and questioned her reaction. It was ridiculous to feel this way after sleeping with him. Why should she be afraid?
Alicia lowered her gaze and returned to her original position.
Soon after, Caden entered quietly.
Hank, not wanting to intrude on their moment, came up with an excuse to leave. “Mr. Ward, I really need to use the restroom. You two can go ahead,” he said.
After Hank left, Caden pressed the button on the elevator. As the doors closed, Alicia felt the air growing thinner around her.
It was then that Caden noticed the paper in her hand. Alicia hurriedly tucked it behind her back, but he had already caught a glimpse of what it was.
In a calm tone, Caden remarked, “You don’t need to take birth control pills.”
Alicia paused for a moment, surprised by his response. “What makes you say that? Do you have azoospermia?”
Caden recognized her lack of understanding but chose not to reprimand her. “I didn’t finish last night.”
Alicia’s eyes widened in shock at his blunt answer. She replied with doubt, “But I thought it was quite intense.”
gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs﹒𝚌o𝗺 is where stories live
Caden shot her a sideways glance.
“I relied on different methods.”
Alicia felt a bit perplexed by his response.
Caden was the only man with whom she had shared intimate moments, and those experiences had occurred twice, both shrouded in uncertainty. Her understanding of such topics was limited.
“I’m… what methods did you use?” she asked hesitantly.
The moment she spoke, Caden found himself reliving the vivid moments from the previous night.
His expression grew slightly darker. “You really don’t get it.”
Alicia’s ears flushed with embarrassment. Initially, she hadn’t grasped the situation, but his piercing stare filled her with unease.
“Huh? How could I not get it? I was only teasing you,” she replied, trying to act casual as she tossed her hair and cleared her throat. “I get it. Thanks for trying.”
Caden chose not to call her out on her deception. Though Alicia’s words came out with conviction, her face betrayed her fluster. It was clear she wasn’t being truthful.
Yet, oddly enough, her occasional silliness brought a smile to Caden’s face. It was enough to lighten his foul mood.
Caden wore a serious expression as he bantered, “Oh really? Then tell me, where did I use it?”
Alicia’s demeanor faltered. “Is it really appropriate for us to discuss this?”
Caden chuckled at that.
“We’ve already slept together twice. What’s inappropriate about that?”
What on earth…?
Alicia glanced at the elevator’s floor numbers, feeling as though each passing second stretched into eternity. Damn it! Now, she kind of wished she had joined Hank during his sudden restroom break.
The elevator fell into silence once more.
Caden added, “If you’re truly curious, just check the security footage at home.”
Alicia was surprised once more.
“How did you know I have surveillance at home?”
Caden’s face remained impassive. “Not only am I aware of the cameras, but I also enjoyed watching your enthusiastic efforts last night, Miss Bennett.”
The warmth that had just faded from Alicia’s cheeks returned.
She fixed her gaze on the crack in the wall, wishing she could transform into a cockroach and slip inside it.
However, reality wasn’t that easy. She couldn’t become a cockroach and had to explain with a composed expression, “I was drunk. It was unintentional.”
A slight smile tugged at Caden’s lips, hinting at a memory. “It really caught me off guard.”
Oh God!
His ambiguous words set Alicia ablaze with embarrassment.
With a soft ding, the elevator doors opened.
Caden stepped out, bringing the pointless conversation to a close.
Alicia followed him.
“Caden, we’re both adults. It’s normal for things to get a little out of control. Let’s just pretend last night didn’t happen,” she suggested.
Caden remained indifferent. “What else is there?”
Alicia let out a sigh of relief.
But before she could finish sighing, Caden added, “However, three times is the limit. If it happens again, I won’t be so accommodating.”
Alicia lifted her gaze.
The sunlight softened Caden’s eyes, but it couldn’t conceal the intensity of his aggression.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
If there was a third time, then what would happen? Given their identities and relationship, what could possibly occur?
Caden replied cryptically, “It seems you’re already anticipating our third time.”
Alicia felt a flicker of surprise.
Why did her initial reaction involve thinking about what might happen after a third encounter?
How could there even be a third time?
Alicia averted her gaze. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m leaving.”
After saying what she needed to, she gradually moved away from Caden, and they parted ways.
Later, Caden returned to the car, where Hank wore a somewhat regretful expression.
“Mr. Ward, I thought you were going to give Miss Bennett a ride home.”
And afterwards, he could take things further.
Caden grabbed his work laptop. “If you enjoy driving people home so much, I’ll get you a job as a driver.”
Because of that, Hank decided to drop the subject and asked, “But what about your illness? Are you still going to take the medication?”
Caden frowned at that.
He didn’t care much about the illness. He was willing to take the medicine only to avoid causing concern for Ciara at home.
He spoke in a deep voice, “I’ll continue taking the pills.”
Hank advised, “Medication can be harmful to your body and hasn’t been effective. You’ve been single all these years. Why not explore other options?”
Caden replied indifferently, “Romantic relationships don’t mean much to me.”
Whether he had one or not didn’t make a difference.
He was content as long as Alicia stayed out of his life.
Hank felt a wave of emotion. “You can’t remain single forever.”
Caden’s expression hardened.
He remembered what he had just said to Alicia. It wasn’t something he said in jest.
Three times was the limit. If Alicia crossed that line, he wouldn’t be able to hold back.
