章節 30: Chapter 30 Meeting Louis's Dad
Over the last couple of years, Louis couldn't find his footing, and his spirit had bottomed out. Dark thoughts of ending it all had even crossed his mind.
Alicia had grown accustomed to fretting over him whenever he went missing, day or night. She'd scour every nook and cranny until she tracked him down, terrified he'd do himself in. Even after he regained his strength, she couldn't shake that habit.
Alicia nudged the guest room door open, but the bed lay empty. She checked the study, but it was just as vacant.
She searched the bathroom, the balcony, downstairs, and even the kitchen. No sign of Louis. Her pulse raced, and her chest thumped as if drums were pounding inside her.
Although she knew he was past those suicidal thoughts, fear still gripped her.
Swinging the door open, she made a beeline for the courtyard. All of a sudden, a massive bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, turning the pitch-black night as bright as day. A deafening clap of thunder followed.
Alicia covered her ears but didn't halt her search. In the flickering light, she spotted a towering figure approaching her with an icy, unwavering stride. He donned a white shirt tucked into black pants, his posture straight, and his presence commanding and robust.
His chiseled, handsome face held an air of elegance and nobility, undiminished by his fatigue.
It was Louis.
Alicia let out a sigh of relief, leaning against a tree and clutching her heaving chest. Her gaze was fixed on the man.
Upon seeing Alicia, Louis quickened his pace and strode toward her.
Once he reached her, he grasped her hand. His cool palm encased her fingers, and he asked, "Why'd you come out here?"
Alicia scanned him from head to toe, noting he was unscathed, and her heart, previously hanging by a thread, finally found its way home. Her voice quivering from her labored breathing, she asked, "What were you doing out in the dead of night?"
Louis gazed at her, his eyes reflecting a subtle shift in emotion. In a gentle voice, he said, "I stepped out for a smoke. When the rain started, I worried it'd scare you, so I came back."
With that, he held her hand, guiding her back toward the house.
As they reached the door, the rain began to pour, splattering the earth with a damp, earthy scent. The downpour felt more like a summer storm than a spring shower.
As they stepped inside, Alicia caught a whiff of the heavy smoke on Louis' clothes and chided him. "I thought you kicked the habit. Sneaking a smoke? You're really pushing your luck."
Her tone was a mix of admonishment and complaint, like scolding a child. Louis chuckled, amused by her. "I'll steer clear next time."
"You always say you'll quit, but you light up again," Alicia shot back, her temper rising.
"I was feeling down tonight. I'll try to cut back in the future," he reassured her.
Recalling Henry's words, Alicia had a hunch what was eating at him. His grandmother was against the divorce, while his father was all for it. Louis was torn and struggling.
Alicia ventured cautiously, "Am I the one getting under your skin?"
Louis' eyes flickered, and he ruffled her hair, saying softly, "Yeah, you silly girl. You're a bit of a handful."
Their banter carried a hint of flirtation.
Alicia had been feeling a touch blue, but Louis' teasing remark made her laugh out loud.
Alicia playfully rolled her eyes at him. "You're the one who's silly."
Louis grinned and said, "Promise not to come looking for me next time. I'll be just fine."
Alicia murmured softly, "It's just a habit, you know."
Louis squeezed her hand tight and held on for what felt like an eternity.
Together, they slipped into their slippers and ascended the staircase. Alicia reminded him to brush his teeth since he had smoked, but Louis insisted he already had. She nudged him gently with her shoulder, urging him to go back and brush them again. Louis chuckled, holding her shoulder, and said, "You've changed lately."
"How so?" Alicia inquired.
"You've become more spirited and chatty," Louis replied, a smile dancing on his lips.
Alicia beamed back, "Don't all men fancy a little playfulness and sweet-talk from their women?"
Louis nodded in agreement, "Indeed, we do."
Releasing her, he stepped into the bathroom. Alicia followed suit. Since his right hand was injured, she helped him squeeze the toothpaste out. Louis brushed his teeth before the mirror, his left hand working the brush.
Perhaps it was the lateness of the hour, but Alicia suddenly felt nostalgic for their time together. It seemed as though it had been far too brief. Unthinkingly, she wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her head on his back.
She didn't speak, but her heart swelled with a reluctance to let him go. Truth be told, aside from the unsavory situation with Madelyn, Louis was perfect.
After rinsing his mouth, Louis took her hand. "Alicia, you've been rather clingy lately."
Alicia raised an eyebrow, "Do I annoy you?"
"I wouldn't dare think so," he whispered, leading her towards the bedroom. The wind had picked up, making the curtains billow and dance.
Louis closed the window, and they both settled into bed. Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder roared through the room, louder than the previous ones, causing Alicia to quiver uncontrollably.
Without missing a beat, Louis wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the fearsome storm. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, whispering, "Don't be scared. I'm here. Sleep now."
Alicia nodded, feeling safe and sound in Louis' embrace. She snuggled up to him like a kitten and soon drifted into a deep, peaceful slumber.
A week later...
After breakfast with Louis, Alicia hopped into Lucas' car to visit Véronique in the hospital. As she stepped out of the vehicle, an unexpected call from a young man she didn't know – claiming to be Henry's assistant – reached her.
"Mrs. Martinez, our chairman wishes to meet with you," he said politely.
Memories of Henry's words to Louis on Paige's birthday flooded Alicia's mind, and she felt as if she were being punished for a crime she hadn't committed.
But Henry was an elder, and Alicia had no choice but to meet him. They arranged to meet at a café near the hospital at ten o'clock sharp.
Alicia arrived ten minutes early, her nerves jangling with anticipation. Ten minutes later, Henry appeared, punctual as ever.
He was an imposing man, his stern visage and commanding presence overwhelming even in silence. Alicia stood up and called him "Mr. Martinez" in a soft, obedient voice.
Henry nodded, gesturing for her to sit. After ordering a black coffee, he wasted no time in getting straight to the point.
"I'm a busy man, and I won't mince words. You know I have two sons, Asher and Louis. Although Louis is the younger one, he's more talented than Asher. When he first joined the company three years ago, he quickly proved himself to be exceptional. Unfortunately, he had a car accident. If he hadn't been injured, you wouldn't have even been able to dream of marrying him with your lowly background. You and Louis are from two completely different worlds."
Alicia felt like a slap had nailed her square in the face. His words, a cold reminder of her place in this world, suggested that she'd never measure up in Louis's eyes.
She tried to maintain a tight-lipped smile, but her grip on the cup's handle betrayed her. What nerve to say such heart-rending things! It was like Henry was singling her out, branding her a social climber.
Henry's gaze lingered, his eyes enigmatic. "Maddie's family and ours have done business for ages, and Louis and Maddie were joined at the hip since childhood. We always figured Maddie would be the one to join our family. But when she jetted off, you filled the void, a spitting image of her. Louis needs a partner in crime, and you or any Maddie lookalike would do."
Alicia prided herself on her emotional fortitude, but right now, she was barely holding on. Lips pursed, she held her cup with both hands and dipped her head.
Tears blurred her vision, threatening to spill at any moment.
Henry's cold voice echoed in her ears. "You gave three years of your prime to help Louis, but let's not forget what he's done for you. Take the dough, for example. The wad he's given you is more than many would see in a lifetime. You're no fool, Alicia... Or shall I call you Miss Valdez? You should know when to cash in your chips."
For a while, Alicia could only nod weakly.
Henry's smile broadened when she agreed. "Don't let Louis in on our little chat. You're a sensible gal, and I'd hate to stir up trouble between him and me over something so insignificant."
"Insignificant?"Alicia couldn't help but laugh at herself.
What seemed like a life-altering affair to her was nothing more than a trifle to him.
She swallowed her tears and slowly lifted her head. With a delicate voice, she said, "I understand."
Henry's grin grew wider. "You're one hell of a woman. The only thing I can't stomach is your family...I'm a businessman, you see, and the company comes first. It's our legacy. Don't fault me for my pragmatism. That's just how the world works."
Alicia laughed at his remark, knowing that Henry had never seen her as family.
"I get it, Henry. Goodbye." Grabbing her purse, Alicia stood and strode away.
Her heart braced for impact, she didn't feel too blue.
As she exited the restaurant, her face was a picture of serenity, her spine straight as an arrow.
She didn't shed a tear. Not a single one.
She simply sat in the hospital's quaint garden, admiring the stunning wisteria blooms.
The wisteria was breathtaking, its heavy, lilac clusters swaying on the branches.
Once, she saw them as a vibrant flower. Today, she recognized their melancholy, full of sorrow too immense to hold.
Sorrow on the verge of spilling over.
So captivated by the blossoms, she didn't catch the figure watching from afar.
A tall man, legs long and strong, clad in a sleek black ensemble, his face veiled by a mask.
His eyes were striking, dark and framed by lengthy lashes. They were icy when they met others, but with Alicia, they softened, luminous and stirring.
Alicia lingered, and he observed in silence.
Only when she'd departed safely did he vanish into the crowd, leaving no trace.
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