Chapter 53
Chapter 53:
Helena raised her gaze to lock eyes with Alden. The reality of the moment felt almost unbelievable. She clung to the last bit of her reason, realizing that Alden had likely been at Nightfall Bar before she called him.
With a quiet, uncertain tone, she murmured, “Why p>
“You lost, so you must answer my question first.” Alden’s voice, usually cool, warmed slightly as he drew her closer by the waist. “Helena, your phobia doesn’t seem to affect you when I’m with you. Am I right p>
Helena’s heart skipped a beat, and time appeared to freeze. For a couple of silent seconds, their heartbeats seemed to amplify.
Impatience crept into Alden. He tightened his hold on her waist, lowered his head, and captured her lips with his.
Helena was instantly enveloped in his crisp, enticing scent. Previously, nervousness had dominated their last kiss, and she had been thinking about resisting. But now, under the influence of alcohol, when Alden’s lips met hers, their breaths mingled briefly before her body completely relaxed into his embrace.
Oh no. There was no need for an answer. Her reaction said it all. What now—how many steps had she inadvertently checked off Valeria’s list of intimate acts?
Alden’s breaths deepened, his emotions a mix of foolishness and genuine joy. It dawned on him that no one else was necessary. He was the person Helena needed to help her face her fear of intimacy. As Helena’s cool fingertips grazed his throat and collarbone, Alden broke off their prolonged kiss. She rested against his chest, her breath gentle.
Desire flickered in Alden’s narrowed eyes. He clasped Helena’s hand and decisively walked her toward the elevator, heading for the VIP suite of Nightfall Bar.
Yet, someone clueless and inconsiderate pursued them and halted the elevator.
Alden covered Helena with his body, keen to prevent anyone from seeing her in such a vulnerable state. He faced the intruder, his voice sharp and commanding as he said, “Get out p>
The intruder was Laurence, the deputy manager of Nexus TV. Laurence, having sensed trouble from the earlier call with Neville, had hurried to Nightfall Bar, only to find the situation already out of his control. Enraged, Laurence had been scouring the venue for Helena, whom he held responsible for the chaos. Unexpectedly, he found himself face-to-face with Alden in the elevator, caught in an intimate moment with a woman.
The woman’s silhouette struck a chord of familiarity… Yet, as the elevator doors shut, her face remained obscured from view.
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In the top-floor suite, the effects of the alcohol were evident on Helena’s cheeks, which were tinged a deep red. Her phone started to buzz insistently in her pocket. She didn’t want to answer it, but the caller seemed determined, continuing to call as if expecting it to be answered soon.
Regaining some clarity, Helena clumsily extracted her phone and quickly calmed the caller. “Dominick, I’m on my way home. Let’s all check in once we’ve arrived home p>
Dominick appeared to want to continue the conversation, but Alden interrupted, “Helena’s had too much to drink. I’m taking care of her.” With that, he dropped the phone to the floor.
Helena’s energy was fading; her hands loosened from Alden’s neck, inadvertently dislodging his cochlear implant, which tumbled to the floor. She then leaned heavily against him, her breathing deep and regular.
His senses were filled with her gentle fragrance. Alden tensed, releasing a deep sigh.
Helena woke up to a splitting headache, her eyes opening to Alden’s handsome, sleeping face beside her.
This place wasn’t her home—it had the unmistakable feel of a hotel. Helena questioned whether she was still caught in a dream. She pinched herself, the sharp pain confirming her wakefulness.
As she recalled the events of the previous evening, a sense of dread overwhelmed her. She had become intoxicated, caused a commotion… and kissed Alden again!
Beyond that, her memories were foggy. What else could have transpired?
While she pondered, Alden’s expression changed subtly in his sleep. He wasn’t awake, but he softly muttered, “Nyno, don’t be afraid p>
Helena was taken aback.
Who was Nyno?
Alden spoke the nickname with a tenderness in his sleep that Helena had never witnessed.
“Nyno, don’t go p>
A crease formed on Alden’s forehead. His eyelashes quivered as if he were about to awaken.
Helena tensed up, hastily closing her eyes.
Just then, she felt the warmth of Alden’s breath close to her face. His presence nearly made her heart stop. Abruptly, she opened her eyes. Alden was now hovering over her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“Why pretend to sleep if you’re already awake p>
Pretending to sleep? She wished she could feign death.
Helena managed a weak smile. “Last night, I was pretty drunk. I didn’t say anything too foolish, did I p>
Alden gently grasped her wrist, his voice casual. “Even if you did, I wouldn’t have heard p>
He gestured to his cochlear implant resting on the bedside table, clearly out of commission.