"What kind of look am I giving?" Quinn asked.


    "No clue," Alexander said, his eyes drifting over her cheek. They were super close, and his breath was warm against her face. "But I feel like you are doubting my ability," he added.


    Quinn blinked, surprised. Was it that obvious?


    She looked away. "You''re overthinking it."


    "It''s been a while. You need to check me up," Alexander said with a smirk.


    "A check-up for what..." Quinn began.


    Before she could finish, Alexander''s lips were on hers, cutting her offpletely.


    His familiar scent set her heart racing. She gripped the sofa, her pulse quickening.


    Alexander hit some switch, and suddenly the room was dark except for the flickering TV. Their faces were just shadows now. The kiss went on forever, full of all the feelings they''d been holding back-missing each other,te-night thoughts, deep love. When Quinn was about to run out of air, Alexander finally pulled back. She was already down to just a few pieces of clothing. "Wait!" Quinn gasped.


    Alexander paused. "What''s up?"


    "I haven''t showered yet," she said, embarrassed.


    Alexander stared at her for a couple of seconds, then kissed her again. "We''ll showerter."


    He kissed his way down her neck, and she pushed at his shoulder. "No, I have to meet Calvin tomorrow."


    Alexander hesitated for a moment, then kept going.


    He showed her exactly what happens when you mess with a guy''s pride.


    When Quinn opened her eyes again, it was morning. She had no idea how she fell asleepst night.


    Staring at the ceiling, memories from the night before shed through her mind. She covered her face, feeling shy.


    She heard Sprout''s voice outside and saw that Alexander was already gone.


    She struggled to get up, her body feeling like it had been through a lot. Alexander had left clothes for her, neatly ced by the bed. She put them on and walked out of the bedroom.


    Downstairs, Alexander was feeding Sprout. Sprout tried to grab the bottle, but Alexander wouldn''t let him, only letting him drink. Unable to grab the bottle, Sprout started to fuss, which was what she had heard from the room.


    Alexander looked up at the stairs. "You''re awake?"


    Quinn nodded awkwardly.


    "There''s breakfast on the table. Eat up, then we''ll head out," Alexander said.


    Quinn nodded, feeling quieter than usual.


    She went to the dining room and saw the breakfast. Surprised, she turned to Alexander. "Did you make this?"


    "I had it delivered," Alexander said bluntly.


    So, she had overthought it. She sat down and took a few bites.


    After breakfast, they set off.


    Halfway through the drive, Alexander broke the silence. "Did I do wellst night?"


    Quinn had just managed to forget about it, and Alexander brought it up again, making her blush. "Sprout is here. Why are you talking about this?" "He doesn''t understand," Alexander said casually.


    "How do you know that?" Quinn shot back.


    Alexander chuckled.


    When they arrived, Calvin had already sent everyone away, so the vi looked deserted inside and out.


    Quinn pressed the doorbell but found it broken. She pushed the door, and it wasn''t locked, so she walked right in.


    She knocked on the inner door, which was slightly open. With a smirk, she pushed it wider.


    "Calvin?"


    She called out twice, but no one answered.


    "Up here." A sigh came from above. Quinn looked up to see Calvin leaning on the railing, staring down at her.


    After a moment of eye contact, she said, "Why didn''t youe down?"


    "We agreed on nine o''clock. Why are you here now?" Calvin mocked.


    Quinn checked her phone; it was already eleven-thirty. No wonder Calvin was annoyed.


    She couldn''t exactly say she overslept.


    "Sprout was fussy this morning, so we got dyed," Quinn said.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Calvin snorted and came down the stairs, still wearing his mask. Quinn had to admit, the mask added to his mysterious vibe.


    Calvin approached them, looking at Quinn and then at Alexander.


    He casually extended his hand to them.


    Quinn was puzzled. "What?"


    "Where''s your gift?" Calvin asked.


    "What gift?" Quinn was even more puzzled.


    Calvin took a deep breath and yelled, "You came to visit me and didn''t bring anything!!"


    Quinn instinctively took a step back, awkwardly smiling. "Do we have to bring something?"


    "I knew it. You weren''t sincere about visiting me. Quinn, you said I was your favorite person, and you brought nothing!" Calvin scolded.


    "I didn''t know what to buy. Calvin, you probably don''tck anything, right?" Quinn said, feeling a bit guilty.


    Alexander pulled something from his pocket. "She was joking. We wouldn''te to see you empty-handed. This is a gift she prepared for you."


    Calvin suspiciously eyed the small box in his hand. What good coulde from something so small?


    Calvin snatched it and opened it, freezing instantly.


    Even with the mask, Quinn could sense his shock.


    Quinn nced at Alexander, silently asking what it was and when he had prepared it.


    After a while, Calvin took out the gift from the box. It was a group photo.


    Quinn caught a glimpse and was even more shocked than Calvin.


    Years ago, the Mellon mansion had burned to the ground, leaving nothing behind. Yet, Alexander actually had this photo. Perhaps something had been left behind, but with the Mellon family gone, and both she and Calvin taken away, anything that remained was lost in the ruins.


    After all this time, even if it hadn''t been taken, it would have been washed away by the sands of time.


    Where did Alexander get it?


    "Where did you get this?" Calvin asked, holding up the photo.


    Quinn saw the people in the photo clearly. It was a family portrait. She was about two years old, held by her mother, with her brothers standing in front, grandparents in the middle, and parents and uncles behind. But the faces in the photo were strangers to her.


    Time had erased all her memories of these people, who used to be closest to her.


    She stared at the photo, feeling a deep sadness. Alexander exined, "She''s always kept it with her."


    Calvin put the photo back in the box and handed it to Quinn. "Keep it yourself. It''s the only proof of our family''s existence." Quinn took the box, dazed, and looked up. "We can make copies."


    Calvin snatched it back. "I''ll keep this gift. You''re forgiven this time, but don''t do it again."


    Quinn smirked. Luckily, Calvin was wearing a mask; otherwise, she couldn''t imagine how ridiculous his expression would be.