Chapter 78 Abrupt Hug
ALYSSA’S POV:-
The rain was tough, hitting against my windows. Usually I am against the bad weather but today it brought an everlasting grin because Vince offered a date.
Ah, the promising date, and the anticipation, the thought of us being together in the middle of a storm was adventurous.
I was grinning at the thought itself until Wick’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“Ma’am.”
“What is it?” I asked, not looking up from the report on my desk.
“Mr. Arden is here.”
My grip tightened on my pen. The mention of his name induced wrong, unwanted feelings in me. “What does he want?”
“Shall I tell him to wait or send him in? He looks… messy.”
“Send him in.”
I took a breath, smoothing my expression into one of professional indifference. Convincing my heart to not look at him.
The door opened and a soaked Arden emerged, in his formal office attire yet the clothes slightly sticking to his biceps and chest exposed his toned body.
His sudden appearance in my office did something to me.
“Arden—” I started, rising from my seat, hand mid-way, my instinct to care rose for a split second before I suppressed it.
My hand curled back in a fist, “What happened?”
“Hey,” His usual lively chuckle came, ruffling his hair a little, “My car broke down. I am sorry, but if you don’t mind, can I stay?”
“Sure,” I said, gesturing vaguely to the guest chair.
I kept the desk between us—a barrier. To affix my eyes on the table while waiting for Vince, to focus on the work and not uninvited presence.
“Working late?” he asked, shivering slightly.
“No, I am waiting for Vince.” I felt a spark of pride as I said his name. “The weather’s nice. We are going out on a date.”
Arden let out a dry, hollow laugh. “In this? The streets are flooding.”
“Call it an adventure.”
He looked at me then, his eyes searching mine with a familiarity that felt intrusive as he leaned on the table instead of taking a seat.
“I thought you didn’t like gray skies, stormy weather, and rains like these.”
“I still don’t.”
I leaned back, my loyalty to the man coming to pick me up acting as an impenetrable shield as a smile adorned my lips.
“But, the thought of walking through a literal storm with Vince– though we both might get sick afterwards– is enough to keep the thrill alive.”
Arden flinched almost imperceptibly, slowly walking towards me, “You sound so happy.”
I kept my smile, rising from my seat as well.
My eyes locked on him unwaveringly. Despite the unsettled sensations and fear of the past. My sincerity to Vince was absolute.
“I am, Arden, I am.”
“You are happy in your marriage, aren’t you?”
“Why do you care? Why do you ask? Yes, I am. But that answer is also not enough for you to keep taunting my husband.”
I kept my reply cold, unknowingly enraged, gathering my file to wrap them up and prepare for my date instead of stressing myself over his stupid talks.
Arden chuckled nervously, standing behind me, “Hey, chill, I was only asking. I didn’t mean to… offend you.”
Realizing I was rude unintentionally, I softened and shook my head, “Sorry about it. I.. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s alright. I was only worried about you.” He smiled gently, standing right before me, maybe too close, tensing my whole being.
I replied cautiously, taking a step back, “I am fine, Arden… really.”
“You weren’t when I left.” He frowned, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes which I pretended not to notice.
“You left years ago. And I truly wasn’t, for years, until I met Vince.”
The mention of Vince’s name suddenly made him sour, “You think he saved you?”
“Didn’t he?” I tilted my head in confusion.
His jaw clenched, a rare look of rage crossing his face. My body shivered at the seriousness.
I tried to brush past him to reach the door, but he moved faster.
He grabbed my elbow abruptly, yanking me towards him with an intense stare that immobilized me.
“Do not trust him, Alyssa,” he hissed, “Vince is not the man he’s pretending to be.”
“What is that s-supposed to mean?” I stammered, my voice trembling as I tried to wrench my arm from his grip.
“Yo-you don't know him. You have no right to—”
“I’m not trying to be the villain here, Alyssa.” Arden cut in, his grip tightening, increasing my heartbeats.
He had never touched me like this, ever.
His eyes were fretful, searching mine with a desperate, startling intensity that made my heart rate increase abnormally.
“I’m trying to tell you that the 'perfect' life you think you have is a lie.”
“Let go of me!” I snapped in a broken tone, pushing myself away, “You’re delusional, Arden. You’re just bitter because—”
BOOM.
A violent crack of thunder tore through the sky, so loud and immediate that the window rattled violently.
The concrete groaned under the force of it, the lights flickered.
I gasped, a raw sound of terror escaping my throat. I wasn’t afraid of thunder but under the stress of Arden’s words, this sound scared me.
Before I could think, before my brain could remind me who he was or why he was there, my body moved on instinct.
I jumped forward, burying my face into Arden’s damp chest, my fingers clinging into the wet fabric of his shirt as I sought any comfort.
Arden’s arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me against him.
“I've got you,” he whispered into my hair, taking his chance, “I've got you, Alyssa,”
Before my mind could register or I pulled myself away from his embrace, the creak of the door reached me, stiffening my whole being.
I froze. The scent of Arden was suddenly suffocating. I pulled back just enough to look over my shoulder and found the man I cherish more than anyone or anything.
Vince.