Alistair was so innocent...
When Robert came to pick me up, the smell of alcohol surrounded him. He handed me a bouquet of red roses.
As he moved, I saw the red marks on his neck.
He was enjoying the connections my father had, spending my money, and living a carefree life.
I accepted the roses, smiling, though they probably hadn't been fresh for days.
"Kinley, did your father really convince they to invest in this project?"
The cheap perfume from the car still lingered.
I rolled down the window in disgust.
At least Alistair was better.
He was clean and fresh, with a subtle woodsy scent.
"Of course. My father trusts you, so they'll invest for his sake."
"Tonight, I'll introduce you to them."
"Great," he said, trying to wrap his arm around me, but I silently rejected him.
The banquet was luxurious.
As soon as we entered, business partners came over to mingle.
"So, this is your daughter. She's truly stunning."
"You really love her."
Everyone, seeing the connection to my father, was naturally more respectful towards me. But Robert was completely ignored, his face a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
Seeing the right moment, I took the initiative to link my arm with Robert's.
I forced down the disgust, leaning on his shoulder affectionately.
"Hi, everyone. This is my boyfriend."
"Since my father trusts him so much, I hope all of you in the business world will take care of him, won't you?"
"My dad's really been putting a lot of faith in my boyfriend's recent investments."
At my words, the crowd toasted to Robert one after another.
"Since that's the case, we'll do what we need to do."
I continued walking around the venue with Robert, greeting business elites, smiling sweetly.
Truly, it looked like we were a happy couple.
In reality, I felt like I might throw up from the thought of the food I had eaten last night—food that Alistair had personally made for me. But no, I had to hold it together.
The evening moved on to the dance portion.
The lights in the hall dimmed, leaving a grand piano at the center of the room, spotlighted.
And then, I saw someone unexpected.
Alistair.
How could he be here?
His presence felt utterly out of place in such a setting.
Then again, I remembered that this event was organized by my father, and he had always been fond of Alistair. Of course, my father wouldn't have hesitated to invite him.
When I mentioned wanting to date Robert, my dad had called me crazy.
And honestly, maybe I was.
Alistair stood there, wearing a sharp black suit with a simple white shirt, his tie impeccably neat. He exuded an aristocratic air, his posture steady as he sat at the piano, his chiseled features softened by a cold, detached aura. His eyes scanned the room.
But he pretended not to see me.
For a moment, I felt a pang of anger, but then I remembered I was with Robert now. Had he seen me pretend to toast with Robert earlier? Did he think I was in on some charade?
It was over.
Had Alistair become angry with me? Was that why he was ignoring me now? Robert suddenly leaned in closer.
I wasn't paying attention at first, but then I looked up, and my eyes met Alistair's.
Robert spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. "Kinley, why don't you ask your father when he's free? I can bring the contract over and get him to sign it."
Alistair immediately withdrew his gaze.
I quickly snapped back to reality, stepping back a little, pushing Robert's words aside. All I could think about was explaining everything to Alistair in person.
I muttered a vague response to Robert.
Just then, the "boss" my father had arranged took the stage.
Robert, grinning as though the investment was already his, quickly abandoned me to chat with others.
As the piano music ended, Alistair quietly slipped away.
By the time I reached the parking lot, Alistair's car had already left. I sighed.
Everyone always said Alistair was as gentle as jade, but I saw none of that now. Thirty minutes later, I found myself standing at his front door, strangely familiar with the path to his house.
I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer.
His car was parked in the lot, so I knew he was home.
I took my time, ringing the bell again.
Finally, on the fifth try, the door opened.
Alistair stood there, still in his suit, not even changed into his shoes.
I couldn't help but wonder if he had been standing behind the door this whole time.
How can he be so stubborn?
