?Chapter 209:
The next moment, there was a knock at the door.
"What are you doing up sote?"
The door was slightly ajar, allowing Gerry to enter.
The room looked nothing like he had expected.
“Why are all these bags lying around? Are they nning to move?”
Gerry''s arrival broke the tension, but Alice felt even more embarrassed.
"Mr.
Hopkins, when did you arrive?" he asked.
Noticing her difort, Gerry cleared his throat.
“Don’t worry.
I didn’t hear anything you two were arguing about.
”
Alicia was speechless.
Her acting was poor, and it was obvious she was enjoying this.
Feeling awkward, she lowered her head and began to tidy up, trying to hide her feelings.
She was sensitive, while Caden remained direct.
Without hesitation, she turned to Gerry and asked, “Why are you sote?”
“I was just leaving a party and thought I’d stop by on my way home,” Gerry exined as he walked into the room.
“Why don’t you get up? I’m a guest here.
Bring me a ss of water.
”
Caden’s face remained impassive.
“There’s water in the bathroom.
Feel free to help yourself.
”
Gerry was momentarily speechless.
As the two exchanged words, Alice decided to stay out of the way.
She grabbed a bag in each hand and headed for the door.
Gerry stopped her.
“Are you leaving already?”
"Yes, I''ll be right back," she replied.
Caden watched her go, his expression grim.
The bags were heavy and she struggled to take each step.
Just as Caden went to help her, Gerry reached her side first.
“These bags are almost bigger than you.
Are you sure you can carry them?”
Then he took the bags from her.
“Let a man help you when there is one around.
Don’t try to do everything yourself.
”
Caden''s expression darkened.
Alice felt slightly embarrassed.
“They are quite heavy.
Be careful not to strain yourself too much.
”
Gerry waved away his concern with a dismissive gesture.
“I’m strong enough for this.
Don’t worry…”
He didn''t get to finish his sentence when a figure loomed over them.
Caden silently gathered the four bags into his hands.
Both Gerry and Alicia stopped in surprise, turning their gazes towards him.
Caden''s voice was t.
"It''s just trash from my apartment.
Don''t bother.
"
With that, he walked past them, putting some distance between himself and the couple before exiting the room.
Gerry’s lips twitched slightly, his voice tinged with amusement.
“What’s with the cold shoulder? You’d think I was trying to steal your girlfriend.
”
Now that Alicia had her hands free, she picked up a painting, carefully wrapped and secure in her arms.
She followed Caden to the elevator, holding him close.
Curiosity got the better of Gerry.
“What is that?”
"It''s a painting my mother made.
"
As Alice answered, she took a quick nce at Caden.
She deliberately positioned herself on the opposite side of him, avoiding any contact.
Noticing this, Gerry moved to close the gap, bringing her a little closer to Caden.
"I''ll stay here, by the garbage," Gerry said, a mocking tone in his voice.
Alicia was speechless.
The elevator ride was short, and she chose to remain silent.
Unable to keep quiet for long, Gerry asked, “Caden, have you been doing any renovations?”
Alice tensed at the question.
Why was Gerry asking that? Had he seen something embarrassing?
Caden looked at him, clearly puzzled.
“Why do you ask?”
Gerry shrugged and exined, “When I came in, I noticed a big mirror in your living room, near the balcony.
Why did you put it there? It looks a bit… creepy.
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Alice looked puzzled.
She lowered her head and retreated to a corner.
Caden chuckled, possibly responding to Gerry''sment or Alice''s reaction.
"It''s good for something.
"
Gerry wasn''t particrly worried.
"Alice, do you like using the mirror in the living room? I thought you had a dressing room, didn''t you?" Alice remained silent.
Would she ever stop asking questions?
Caden''s thoughts drifted to the mirror, bringing back memories of their days and nights intertwined.
When the mirror had first been put up, it had witnessed the traces of their moments of passion, from the hallway to the living room.
He remembered the first time they stood in front of the mirror.
Alicia, ovee with shyness, had cried, unable to contain her emotions.
The memory was so vivid it seemed like it had just happened.
Caden swallowed, feeling a rush of heat.
“Yes, Alice is stunning,” he said, his voice distant, as if he were unsure of who he was addressing.
“The mirror really brings out her beauty.
”
Alice felt a chill at his words.
When Caden was yful, he would look at his reflection in the mirror and whisper in her ear, “You’re so beautiful, Lucky.
Come on, open your eyes and look.
” That memory resonated in both of their minds.
Alice tried to push her thoughts away, but she couldn''t ignore the intense gaze of the man behind her.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.