Alex didn't say a word as he drove on in tense silence.
Ten minutes ticked by before the vehicle pulled to a stop. The destination was not Atwood University but rather Vincent's private villa.
Alex got out and said, "We're here, Kelly."
Kelly's face twisted into a grimace as she glared out the window. "I said Atwood University! Can't you follow instructions, or are you deliberately disobeying me?"
Alex was unfazed by her outburst as he replied coolly, "Sorry, Kelly. I only take orders from Mr. Lewis."
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Kelly reluctantly climbed out of the car. But before Alex could pull away, she whipped out her phone with a determined glint in her eyes. "Fine! If you won't take me, I'll replace my own way. I need to see if Mr. Lewis is at the dorm with Tiffany!"
Alex's hand hovered on the car door, a pause betraying a flicker of surprise. "Kelly, I'd advise against going there now. Mr. Lewis wouldn't be happy to see you at this hour." "I'm his girlfriend! I have the right to see him whenever I want!" Kelly exploded.
The facade of politeness she usually maintained with Alex had crumbled entirely. "You're just an assistant, Alex. Who are you to dictate my actions?"
Alex met her gaze unflinchingly. "As you wish," he said simply.
With that, he pulled away, leaving Kelly fuming in the driveway. Her chest rose and fell with each ragged breath.
Moments later, a cabpulled up.
"Are you the customer who's phone ends in 3388?" the driver called out.
"Yes!" Kelly lunged forward, her hand already on the door handle. But then Alex's words echoed in her mind. She hesitated, the defiance draining from her face.
"Miss? Are you getting in or not?" the driver inquired with a hint of impatience creeping into his voice.
Kelly gritted her teeth and slammed the car door shut with a resounding thud.
"Never mind!" she called back, her frustration evident.
Asserting herself was tempting, but a sliver of reason remained. Alex might be a mere assistant, but his words held a truth she couldn't ignore. Now wasn't the time to stir the pot.
The cab driver muttered a string of curses before pulling away, leaving Kelly stranded on the curb.
After a moment of indecision, she squared her shoulders and walked toward the villa.
Stepping inside, she was greeted by the harsh blare of opera music emanating from the living room. Anna sat engrossed on the couch. The sound filled the vast space.
SWI
The urge to silence the cacophony was strong, but Kelly knew better than to cause a scene.
Upsetting Anna would surely reflect poorly on her in Vincent's eyes.
Kelly took a deep breath and approached Anna. "Good evening, Mrs. Lewis Senior."
Anna barely acknowledged Kelly with a fleeting glance before turning her attention back to the opera. It was clear that she didn't want to engage with Kelly.
Kelly plastered on a smile. "Mrs. Lewis Senior. I noticed you barely touched your dinner. Are you feeling hungry? Would you like me to whip up something for you?" Seeing her polite demeanor, Anna nodded.
Kelly disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared moments later with a steaming bowl of spaghetti.
"Dinner's served, Mrs. Lewis Senior."
Anna finally shut off the blaring opera and made her way to the dining room. She eyed the spaghetti before sitting down.
"It looks good; you put some effort into it," she admitted reluctantly.
A smile graced Kelly's face. "As long as you enjoy it, Mrs. Lewis Senior 1 understand I'm not exactly your favorite person right now, but trust me, there's more to me than meets the eye."
Anna's frosty demeanor softened a touch. She picked up her fork and took a tentative bite. Halfway through her meal, she remembered Kelly. "Aren't you going to eat anything?"
"Oh, I'm fine, thanks. I'm on a bit of a diet. Please enjoy yourself, Mrs. Lewis Senior."
She stood by, and a sly smile slowly crept across her face.
...
As Tiffany woke up the next morning, she felt a wave of rejuvenation wash over her.
Although the air conditioning had been switched off, the cold air from earlier had maintained a
comfortable temperature throughout the night, leaving her completely refreshed.
Just as she slipped her feet into her slippers, the dorm room door swung open with a bang.
A group of young women from the next room flooded in like a joyous flock of birds.
They instantly surrounded Tiffany, and a barrage of questions erupted.
"Tiffany! Tell us everything! Is that your new boyfriend? He's incredibly handsome!"
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