Ecstacy of the Heart

Before Allison could resolve her suspicion, Jennifer saw Alexander and she immediately welcomed him, "Alex! You're here! We have been waiting for you for so long! Come here, take a seat!" Alexander had a gentle look on his face. He took a step forward and put down the gift in his hands while replying in a soft voice, "Dad, mum, I'm late because of some matters at work."

When Don heard that, he hastily waved his hands while guiding him to his seat, "Don't mention it, we are here not too long ago as well."

"What... what about your parents?" Jennifer craned her neck to check outside the suite but saw no other incoming guests. She asked Alexander with a curious tone.

When Allison heard her mother's question, she recalled what Lara had told her previously. She could feel her heart freeze in anticipation.

Despite that, Alexander smoothly replied in a calm and composed demeanour, "My father is overseas now for some business matters so he's not in the country while my mother has passed away since I was twenty. I have a grandmother, whom I believe you have seen her before. She is not feeling too well at the moment, so I decided not to invite her."

She didn't expect that Alexander would provide the answers to those questions without a hitch.

When Jennifer and Don heard his answer, they came to a conclusion in their hearts.

In order not to spoil the atmosphere, Jennifer broke into a laugh in an effort to liven up the mood, "If that's the case, there won't be any problem from us since you're here and we appreciate your sincerity. Come take a seat, I'll ask the waiter to start sending in food."

Alexander nodded and showed a gift box in front of Don, "Dad, I know that you always love to play chess. I found a chess set for you, you can take a look."

Don flashed an earnest smile as he replied, "Alex, you really know me well. Today, we shall drink to our hearts' contents! Just the two of us!"

Allison who was standing next to them saw this lively scene and had a feeling that she was an outsider to this party. When she saw Alexander giving out his present, she finally remembered her gift too. "Dad, I have prepared a gift for you as well."

After saying that, she took out the box containing that pen and gave it to him.

Don nodded in approval and put the gift box aside, "In fact, I am not too concerned with what presents you're planning to give me. As long as you two can get along well, I wouldn't have anything to worry about anymore!"

As he said that, he took Allison's hand and put in on Alexander's palm.

Allison felt a slightly scorching sensation penetrating her hand and she subconsciously wanted to retrieve it, but before she could do that, Alexander clasped his hand around hers. "Dad, you don't have anything to worry about."

Don saw his reaction and couldn't stop laughing and nodding, "Great... This is great!”

While her hand was being held by Alexander, Allison's face gradually reddened. He led her to their seats to sit down but he looked like he had no intention to let go of her hand. What... What did he mean by this?

He had always been very placid towards here to the point that sometimes he even didn't have the patience to listen to her talking. Despite that, he appeared out of nowhere to greet her father celebratory wishes while squeezing her hand hard.

Allison felt very awkward and she finally caught a chance to pry her hand free from his grasp when Alexander was talking to her father.

Shortly after, Jennifer came back and the waiters started to serve the dishes one after another. Don popped open the red wine and announced with a guffaw, "Today is a day fitting for a celebration. Let's drink some wine as a family."

"Dad, let me toast to you. Mum and Allison can just drink fruit juice." Alexander suggested as he poured Allison and Jennifer two glasses of fruit juice.

Jennifer saw that and praised him, "Alex, you are always so understanding. Don, you should learn from him a thing or two about how to treat a lady well."

Seeing that her mother was launching into her criticizing and commentating self, Allison flashed a wry smile.

At that moment, Alexander picked up a pair of chopsticks and sent a prawn onto her plate. He said lightly, "You should eat more."

When faced with his sudden concern about her, Allison felt a hot sensation on her face. She wasn't sure whether Alexander was really caring about her or just putting on an act in front of her parents, so she could only dig into her food.

The ambience surrounding the dining table was a lively one. In the eyes of onlookers, they would look like a close-knitted family.

Nevertheless, Allison felt that something was lodged in her heart, something that couldn't go away.

As their dinner neared the end, Alexander slipped out of the suite to make a call, and Allison made up some excuses to follow suit.

Alexander stood at the end of the corridor with a grave expression on his face. He looked like he was instructing someone at the other end of the phone. When he caught a glimpse of Allison, his expression registered a slight change. Then, he muttered something under his breath before hanging up.

As he looked at Allison who was approaching him, he asked lightly, "Why didn't you stay in the suite to accompany them?"

Allison inhaled before asking after mustering some courage, "Why did you suddenly come?"

He was supposed to be in the dark about this dinner meeting.

"Lara told me about it." Alexander lowered his gaze and met her eyes. He continued with a serious expression, "In the future, you must tell me something like this no matter the circumstances. I am your husband, so I have the duty to accompany you."

At the mention of "husband", something trembled in Allison's heart. She muttered quietly, "I'm just afraid that you won't be free..."

Before she could finish her words, she felt something clasping her shoulders. She raised her head and met his eyes.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm free or not. I will always have time for you."

In an instant, Allison felt something burning her cheeks. She was overcome with embarrassment.

This was the first time a guy had said something like this to her.

"I... I got it. I'll go back to the suite now..."

Allison anxiously averted her gaze so that she wouldn't lock gazes with him. She hastily ended this conversation and returned to the suite in a hurry.

With a loud slam, she shut the door. Jennifer saw Allison coming in so nervously and she couldn't help complaining, "You little brat, why are you still being so careless and frizzy with the way you carry yourself? You are not a child anymore, do you know that?"

"That's enough; everyone is in a good mood now, so you should cut down on your remarks."

"Don, what do you know? What would happen to her if she continued to behave like this..."

Jennifer and Don started to argue a little, but Allison felt like she couldn't register their words at all. Her head was still replaying Alexander's previous words to her.

She always thought that Alexander was a very cold person, but after what had happened, it seemed like he wasn't as cold as she had imagine. On the contrary, after learning from Lara that her father's birthday was today, he had decided to come over in a hurry. His actions had somehow touched her greatly.

After the dinner session had ended, with the accompaniment of Alexander, they sent Jennifer and Don to the entrance of the hotel. Don had drunk a little more alcohol than he could take, so naturally he was in no shape to drive at the moment.

Alexander helped Don into a car while telling Jennifer, "Mum, I have made the arrangement. My men will send you back home safely. Be careful on your way."

"Alright, then please excuse us. Take care of Allison."

After bidding their farewell, Allison and Alexander watched the car getting smaller in the distance.

When the car finally disappeared, Alexander turned to face Allison, "I'll ask Bernard to send you back. You should rest early."

Allison felt her heart sink, "Aren't... you going back too?"

"I have another gathering to attend now. I need to show myself briefly. You can go back first."

After finishing his sentence, he took out his phone, looking he was going to make a call.

Allison suddenly reached out and grabbed the corner of his shirt, "Why not let me accompany you..."‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒