บท 21: If it's dirty, we can throw it away
As the frosty detachment etched across Casiano's visage intensified, it brought with it a bone-chilling iciness that seeped into his eyes and brows. He set aside his goblet of wine, lifting his icy gaze to meet Eric's. "What think you?" he asked.
Summoning his courage, Eric ventured, "Methinks you harbor some affection for her. Else, why would you react so furiously, dousing her with wine, upon hearing Billie's declaration that he had slept with her?"
Casiano snorted derisively. "She leapt into Billie's bed immediately after our separation. My momentary disorientation and subsequent admonishment are suddenly construed as affection?" As he spoke, the chill in his eyes receded, replaced by an aloof indifference that suggested he was utterly unconcerned about the woman he had chastised. Seeing this, Eric felt a slight relief.
It was typical for his fastidious brother to be repulsed by a woman who would sleep with another man immediately after their liaison. Furthermore, Casiano's break-up with Alla upon Ella's return to the country was proof enough that Ms. Barton, the substitute, held no importance in his brother's heart. Without further ado, Eric emptied his goblet, rose to his feet, and announced, "I shall take my leave, brother."
Casiano did not respond. He merely nodded, indifferent. Accustomed to his brother's frostiness since childhood, Eric was not offended. He picked up his coat and turned to leave.
Outside, a tempest raged. His assistant held an umbrella over him as he got into the car, instructing the driver to head to the city center. Waiting at a traffic light, he noticed Alla clad only in a dress, braving the downpour while trying to hail a taxi. Her petite frame lacked any substantial flesh, and her soaked dress clung to her, rendering her even more fragile. Her seaweed-like curls, finely chopped and sticking to her palm-sized face, were somewhat disheveled but did not detract from her broken beauty.
Eric watched as taxi after taxi sped past her without stopping. After a moment's hesitation, he ordered his assistant to drive to her.
Alla shielded her eyes from the rain and squinted at the male figure approaching with an umbrella. As he sheltered her from the rain, she was momentarily stunned, slowly looking up at him, her eyes meeting his...
In a daze, she thought she saw Casiano from five years ago. She remembered a similar tempestuous night, when she had knelt outside a nightclub, pleading with passersby to pay for her company. Many men took advantage of her, harassing and mocking her, yet none were willing to pay. Only one man, clad in a black coat and exuding an icy, noble aura, had approached her with an umbrella, shielding her from the downpour. In that moment, she had felt as if a deity had descended. She had crawled towards him, clutching his trouser leg, tearfully begging him to pay for one night.
Looking down at her, he showed no scorn, no mockery, only asking in a cold voice, "Are you clean?" After a red-faced nod from her, he extended his elegant hand. When she placed her hand in his, she was irreversibly ensnared...
"Get in. I'll drive you home," Eric offered, opening the car door. His gentle voice, mingling with the rain, jolted her back to reality. She realized she was facing Eric, Casiano's cousin. She had broken up with Casiano, and theoretically, there should be no further dealings with his family. But her phone was dead, she couldn't get a taxi, and all the nearby stores that could provide shelter were closed. After a moment's hesitation, she got in his car.
Her soaked body drenched the back seat. She hurriedly took out a tissue from her bag and, with an embarrassed face, said, "I'm sorry for making your car dirty." Eric, seeing her humble action, stopped her immediately. "Don't bother. It's just a carpet. If it's dirty, we can throw it away." Her careful movements paused. She had almost forgotten that the kind person who offered her a ride was a member of the Davies family. They wouldn't care about a carpet, even if it was priceless. She put away the tissue, glanced at Eric nervously, and uttered a soft "Thank you." Eric waved it off nonchalantly. "Where do you live?" No longer hesitant, she gave him her address. The car started quickly and headed towards her home.
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