Chapter 10

“Vivian, it’s okay, don’t be scared.” Alexander tightened his arms around the trembling girl. His voice was softer than ever, deep and comforting. He didn’t know what exactly had happened—but it didn’t matter. What mattered was, she was scared. And because of that, she’d run straight into his arms. And damn… it felt just like he remembered. “Alexander.” Vivian buried her face against his chest, her body still shaking a little. “I’m here.” “Can we go stay at a hotel tonight?” She couldn’t take being in that villa anymore. Before coming here, she’d barely thought about how painful her past life had been without Alexander, because now he was with her, safe and sound. But the moment she stepped inside, everything blurred. Her chest tightened, fear creeping in from nowhere. The torment of those two horrible years came flooding back—every sleepless night, every second of misery. If it weren’t for that one unresolved thing still hanging over her, she would’ve packed her things and left this place with him already. “Alright.” Alexander didn’t even ask why. He just bent down and scooped her up without warning, then walked straight out the door. From beginning to end, Vivian kept her head down in his arms and didn’t look back at the Brooks family villa even once. Only when Alexander carried her out of the car and into the presidential suite of one of the Brooks Corporation’s five-star hotels, lowering her gently onto the bed, did she finally start to calm down. “When I was a kid, the Grants sent me to live in the countryside. There was a villa there… and the person who owned it hurt me.” Her voice was light, like she didn’t want to dig too deep into it. But it was true. As for that villa’s owner—well, let’s just say karma hit hard. Left in a state worse than death. Alexander’s eyes turned cold, dangerously cold. If he weren’t afraid of frightening her, he would've already called Ethan and asked him to take care of that person. In the harshest way possible. “I’ll get us a new place.” He gently lifted her chin, speaking softly. “What kind of house would you like, Vivian?” Caught a little off guard by the tenderness in his eyes, she blurted out, “Nothing too big. Just enough for… a family of three.” Wait—what did she just say?! Alexander chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. “I’ll find the perfect one myself.” A home for three… sounded pretty nice. She’d make a great wife. And a great mother. “Mr. Brooks, I didn’t mean it like that. You don’t have to get another place just for me,” Vivian said quickly, trying to clear things up. He looked at her, not saying a word. “You're just pretending to be my boyfriend, remember? You don’t have to—” Then suddenly, her words were cut off by the warmth of his lips pressing gently onto hers. A quick kiss. Nothing more. Vivian blinked, stunned, as he pulled back like nothing happened. “I want it to be real,” Alexander said lowly, his voice husky and rough. He was clearly holding back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stopped at just a single kiss. “Mr. Brooks! You can’t just…” Vivian’s brows furrowed as she glared at him, obviously annoyed. “That was my first kiss!” She touched her lips, a little flustered, a little mad. First kiss? Alexander couldn’t help the grin that crept onto his face. Seeing her like that… yeah, he was happy. “I’m sorry.” And he meant it. But if he had the chance again, he’d still do it. “Never mind. I know you didn’t mean to,” she sighed, getting off the bed. Except—he grabbed her hand and held her there. “Where are you going?” She glanced back at him, confused. “To shower? I’m not going to sleep like this.” “….” Alexander’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. All of a sudden, the room felt really warm. His Vivian… was about to shower. Oh boy…