&# 281 > Gene
“Please, sit.” Ben urged again, practically shoving Alexander into the chair beside where Vivian had positioned herself. “They make the most incredible congee here. Isn’t that right, Vivian?”
Vivian ced a manicured hand over her lips as sheughed. “It’s absolutely perfect. And it’s my favorite. I’d love to bring you a bowl.”
She glided away before Alexander could protest.
I watched as she moved to the restaurant’s open kitchen, noting the way she nced back repeatedly. How her hands trembled slightly as shedled the congee into a white bowl. And as she lifted the bowl from the counter, Vivian’s fingernails extended just a bit. Yve alerted me immediately, and I had a sinking feeling that she was up to something.
Vivian returned with the bowl cradled in her hands and a radiant smile. “Here you are.” She set it down in front of Alexander. “I do hope you enjoy it. I added a little something special just for you.”
Something special indeed.
Alexander lifted the spoon politely. “Thank you. It smells… unique.”
He held the spoon halfway to his lips for a long moment. Ben leaned forward expectantly, while Vivian watched him
intensely.
Then Alexander set the spoon down gently beside the bowl. “I’m afraid I have no appetite. But I appreciate the gesture.”
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Chapel <b>116 </b>
Ben’s face fell in disappointment. “Come now, Alexander, just a taste.”
“No.”
Vivian tried next. “It’s delicious, I promise you.”
“I said, no.
And then Ben again. They seemed to be taking turns. “This is their signature dish. We can’te all the way and…
“I did say I had no intention of eating out. And you appeared to be okay with that. Why are you making such a fuss about this?” Alexander shot Ben with a meaningful look.
E appeared before Ben got the chance to defend his less than honorable actions. “I can join you if that makes it better. I’ll keep youpany.”
<i>“</i><i>1 </i>
Alexander didn’t even acknowledge her presence behind him. He turned and looked up at me. “We’re done here. Let’s go.”
I nodded. Finally. At some point, I feared we wouldn’t be able to escape this unnecessary dinner. After a quick call from Alexander, one of the resort’s tour vans rolled to a stop outside of the restaurant to pick
us up.
It wasn’t until we were back in the vi and I was about to head to my room that Alexander finally spoke. “I’m starving.”
I turned away from my room door and faced him. It wasn’t surprising. We hadn’t had anything to eat in hours. And I was certain that
Alexander would have eaten at the restaurant if not for Ben’s suspicious behavior.
“There’s nothing in the fridge.”
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18 Nougaro
Ben’s face fell in disappointment. “Come now, Alexander, just a taste.”
“No.”
Vivian tried next. “It’s delicious, I promise you.”
“I said, no.”
And then Ben again. They seemed to be taking turns. “This is their signature dish. We can’te all the way and…
“I did say I had no intention of eating out. And you appeared to be okay with that. Why are you making such a fuss about this?” Alexander shot Ben with a meaningful look.
E appeared before Ben got the chance to defend his less than honorable actions. “I can join you if that makes it better. I’ll keep youpany.”
Alexander didn’t even acknowledge her presence behind him. He turned and looked up at me. “We’re done here. Let’s go.”
I nodded. Finally. At some point, I feared we wouldn’t be able to escape this unnecessary dinner. After a quick call from Alexander, one of the resort’s tour vans rolled to a stop outside of the restaurant to pick
us up.
It wasn’t until we were back in the vi and I was about to head to my room that Alexander finally spoke. “I’m starving.”
I turned away from my room door and faced him. It wasn’t surprising. We hadn’t had anything to eat in hours. And I was certain that
Alexander would have eaten at the restaurant if not for Ben’s suspicious behavior.
“There’s nothing in the fridge.”
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Alexander pulled out his phone. “Delivery it is, then. What sounds. good to you?”
An hourter, bags of groceries sat scattered across the kitchen counter while I worked at the stove. Alexander han insisted on a home cooked meal, pasta specifically. Apparently, he didn’t trust any restaurant closeby. And so, I put extra care while preparing the food.
Alexander ate in silence as I cleaned up the kitchen and deposited the groceries into the fridge. I wasn’t hungry, so I packed up what was left forter and wiped down the counter.
By the time he finished eating, it was way past midnight. “I’m going to bed,” I announced. Exhausted was an understatement. I’d barely gotten a single moment to myself since the flight down here.
I headed to my room as Alexander finished his ss of water and trudged up the stairs. I sighed when I finally shut the door behind me. Finally.
After a quick shower, I jumped into bed and soon drifted off to sleep.
Until a low growl woke me.
My eyes snapped open, and the sound came again. It vibrated through the floorboards above my head. I blinked at the digital clock beside me.
2:06 AM.
I desperately wanted to go back to sleep, but when the sound came again, I had no choice. I jumped out of bed and padded upstairs, only to find Alexander’s door slightly ajar.
I pushed it open and gasped at the sight in front of me.
Alexander was standing by his nightstand, ws extended, eyes zing red with anger. His chest rose and fell, rumbling with every
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violent growl that escaped his lips.
And who was crying on the floor in front of him? E. She was dressed in light pink muslin pajamas, shoulders shaking as her tears soaked into the rug.