“Alicia?”

Caden was fairly certain he’d heard correctly. What was she doing here? When Gerry asked him again about joining them, Caden finally relented. “I’ll be there soon.”

He didn’t bring much with him, just a jacket, and moved quickly.

Ciara, though already knowing the answer, asked pointedly, “Are you going to bed this early?” Caden chose not to answer.

But Ciara pressed, “You’re going the wrong way. Your room is inside. Why are you heading toward the door?”

He answered briefly, “Going to bed early.” Then he closed the door behind him and left.

The music in the bar was deafening.

Alicia was tucked away in a booth, her attention fixed on her phone. Occasionally, she checked to make sure Monica was safe as she danced in the crowd.

Gerry, aware that Alicia didn’t drink alcohol, filled a glass with cola and slid it toward her.

Alicia nodded her appreciation. “Thanks. Don’t worry about me, Mr. Hopkins. I’m fine on my own.”

Gerry peeked at her phone screen. “Still caught up in work?”

“No,” Alicia replied, “I was just bored, looking for something to do.”

“But you’ve been on that same page for a while. Is something on your mind?” Gerry asked.

Alicia remained silent.

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She powered off her phone.

It was impossible to focus on her studies or enjoy herself. Hours passed, yet her recent argument with Caden kept replaying in her mind.

He was disturbed by the fact that he saw her only as a sexual partner, and Alicia couldn’t understand why it bothered her so much. Would she have agreed if Caden had suggested they date? She felt torn. Meanwhile, Gerry, oblivious to their tension, ate contentedly.

Suddenly, he stood up and waved. “Caden, over here!” Alicia was startled.

She looked up.

Caden, dressed in a black shirt with his jacket casually slung over his arm, moved through the noisy crowd. His tall figure and striking features stood out under the bar’s vibrant lights, adding an almost magnetic aura to his presence.

He made his way directly to their table.

Alicia quickly turned her head, leaning back in her seat, not wanting him to notice her.

But Gerry’s excitement ruined her attempt to stay unnoticed. He turned to Caden and said, “I was going to drink by myself, but then I saw Alicia. I thought it’d be more fun with more people, so I invited you.”

Caden didn’t acknowledge Alicia at all. He sat down and focused elsewhere, acting as though she didn’t exist.

Gerry asked, “Aren’t you going to say hi to her?”

Caden responded coldly, “No.”

Alicia was momentarily taken aback.

Gerry clucked his tongue, looking between them. “What’s the issue between you two? Does it really have to be like this?” He opened a bottle and took a drink, while Caden joined him, his gaze elsewhere.

As Caden drank, his eyes briefly met Alicia’s.

Gerry, sensing the awkward tension, tried to lighten the mood, leaning towards Alicia. “Want to play something later?”

Alicia looked up and said, “No, you guys have fun.”

Gerry placed his hand over her phone. “You’re here now. Forget about studying. It’s not often you come to a bar. Let me show you a game.”

He then tugged her wrist toward Caden.

Alicia tensed up, unsure how to decline Gerry’s insistence.

Caden glanced at their joined hands, his expression still neutral, his face revealing no emotion.

Neither of them made eye contact.

The tension was palpable.

Gerry kept talking non-stop, and Alicia barely caught any of the rules he was explaining.

“Understand?” Gerry asked enthusiastically. “Use this strategy to beat Caden. Keep his glass full.”

Alicia forced a smile, though she was uninterested. “I’ll pass. I’m not really into it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll show you some tricks to win,” Gerry persisted. Alicia found herself momentarily at a loss for words. Could he be any more noisy?

Thankfully, Monica returned soon, much to Alicia’s relief.

She quietly asked for her help. “Monica, I want to leave.”

Monica, slightly drunk and cheerful, asked loudly, “You want to leave?” Alicia winced. Monica was so loud!

Of course, Monica’s question caught Gerry’s attention.

“Why so soon? Caden just arrived.”

That was exactly why Alicia wanted to leave.

However, she kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to worsen the situation with Caden. By now, she had given up on arguing with him.

Monica didn’t want her to go. Despite the alcohol slowing her responses, she was strong and held onto Alicia tightly.

Seeing Monica like this, Alicia felt obligated to stay and watch over her.

The bar was full of bold, attractive women, and soon, a few approached Gerry.

One particularly daring woman sat right next to Caden and asked if she could join him for a drink.

Caden didn’t push her away. He casually lowered his glass to meet hers.

Seizing the moment, the woman leaned in closer, almost pressing her curvy body against his, and tried to start a conversation.

“Hey, do you have a girlfriend?”

Caden didn’t push her away or invite her closer. He simply replied, “Do you really want to know? You’re already in my arms, aren’t you?”

The woman chuckled.

It wasn’t just his handsome appearance that made him attractive; it was his charismatic aura, tinged with a hint of danger, that truly captivated her. The woman moved even closer to Caden, almost pressing herself against him, and took his drink. “Let me try this,” she said, her voice low.

After leaving a suggestive mark of lipstick on the rim, she returned the glass to him.

“It’s not that great,” she remarked boldly. “I’d rather taste the drink from your lips.”

Alicia kept her gaze lowered, avoiding looking at them, but she couldn’t block out their voices. Was Caden quiet because he was kissing her? Were they kissing now?

The mere thought of it made Alicia’s throat tighten.