One night stand with my president (chapter 440)

 

Chapter 440: Does He Even Exist?

Connie hesitated at his invitation. "I... I don't think I should come in.”

They weren't together anymore. What right did she have to walk into the Mendoza family now?

Alberto, however, didn't give her time to talk herself out of it. "I've got something I want to say," he said. "It's cold out here, and I don't feel like having this conversation in the wind. 

It's not like I live here alone. What are you so afraid of? Besides... didn't you always want to meet my sister? Well, tonight's your chance."

He was right.

Back when they were together, Connie had always been curious about the long-lost sister he'd spent years looking for. She'd dreamed of one day welcoming that girl into the family.

Now, even though they'd broken up, maybe... meeting Adeline could at least fulfill that one little wish.

Before she could object, Alberto took her wrist and led her inside.

Connie didn't pull away.

Deep down, she knew she should have. But the truth was-she was greedy. Even after everything, after the breakup, she still wanted to be near him. Just a little longer. 

Just enough to remember what his warmth felt like.

Alberto brought her directly to his room.

Connie blinked, then scoffed, "I thought you were going to let me meet your sister. What are we doing in your room?"

Her gaze drifted to the large bed at the center of the room before she quickly looked away, cheeks flushing.

They had once made love on that bed.

"She's resting," Alberto replied matter-of-factly. "I don't want to wake her. You can meet her at dinner."

Connie gave a bitter chuckle. "You planning to keep me here for dinner too? Are you insane? How do you expect me to face your parents? Forget it—I should just leave."

But before she could take a step, Alberto moved and blocked her way.

They were standing so close she could feel his breath against her skin, and see the heat flickering in his eyes.

"What's the rush?" he asked, voice low. 

"What, are you afraid I'll do something to you?"

That one sentence was enough to flood her mind with images-ones that made her cheeks burn and her heart stutter.

She shoved at him angrily. "Alberto, stop it. Don't push your luck. I'm getting married."

"Really?" he murmured, catching her hands and wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest.

"You.." she gasped.

"Does your fiancé know you're in my arms right now?" he asked, smirking. "What do you think he'd say if he saw this?"

The familiar scent of him, the warmth of his body. it was all too much. Connie's mind spun.

"He'd... he'd hit you," she mumbled.

"Hit me? You think he could take me?" Alberto scoffed.

"Probably," she muttered.

"Probably?" He gave a dry laugh. "So which is it? Can he or can't he?"

"I don't know," she said softly.

"Connie," Alberto said suddenly, voice sharp, "does this fiancé of yours even exist?"

The question snapped her back to reality like a slap.

She immediately tried to push him away.

But he was unmovable. She couldn't budge him.

Furious, she snapped, "Of course he does! Stop looking down on me, Alberto!"

But Alberto merely let out two soft, mocking laughs.

They'd been together. For years. He knew her-really knew her.

And the moment he'd brought up her so-called fiancé... she'd cried.

That was strange. Too strange.

The more he thought about it, the more the pieces didn't fit.

He'd only ever heard vague whispers-rumors that she was marrying someone she met in a bar.

But he'd never heard a name, a job, or even what the man looked like.

So the thought hit him.

What if he doesn't exist at all? What if she had made it all up? What if she never planned on marrying anyone?

He stared at her, then let out another scoff.

That sound broke her completely.

Connie's tears spilled over again, her voice breaking as she shouted, "You bastard! You only ever bully me. You've already got a fiancée-why are you still messing with me? Aren't you afraid she'll find out?”

Alberto froze.

"What fiancée?" he asked, utterly confused.

"You know what I'm talking about!" she cried, sniffling. "You're engaged to that girl from the Chapman family! I heard everything. Don't lie!"

Alberto couldn't help it-he laughed. Loudly.

"What Chapman family? | don't even know anyone from the Chapman family," he said.

Connie blinked, stunned. "You... don't?"

She thought, "Could it be that I got the wrong news?"

"I don't have a fiancée. I'm not engaged. And I don't plan to be," Alberto said firmly.

A strange mix of confusion and joy swelled in her chest. So she'd been wrong all along? He wasn't engaged?

"Now it's your turn," Alberto said, eyes locked on hers. "Tell me honestly. You're not getting married, are you? There's no fiancé, right?"

Connie looked down, hesitated... then gave a barely audible, "Mm."

That one tiny sound sent a surge of relief and euphoria through Alberto's veins.

He didn't hesitate. He cupped her face, leaned in, and kissed the lips he had missed for far too long.

Meanwhile, Adeline wasn't  resting in her room at all.

She and Harrison had spent the afternoon in the home theater, curled up watching movies.

"When Benjamin kept me locked in that sugarcoated hellhole, there was nothing to do. I'd either read or watch movies," she murmured, resting her head on Harrison's shoulder. "I remember thinking... if only you were with me back then."

Harrison's heart twisted painfully.

He gripped her hand tighter, as if terrified she might disappear again.

Adeline had only meant it casually, but seeing his reaction, she realized her words had struck a nerve.

So she added with a mischievous grin, "If you'd been there, I could've slapped your thigh when the movie made me laugh. I wouldn't have had to slap my own."

She punctuated the point by playfully whacking his leg twice.

"Ow," Harrison winced, catching her with one long arm and pulling her into his lap. 

"That's how you treat your boyfriend?"

"Hmph. I can hit harder if you'd like to find out."

He laughed, leaning in to kiss her, but she blocked him with a finger.

"Eyes on the screen. It's getting to the good part."

Harrison sighed, helpless but amused. Clearly, being with her meant signing up for sweet torment.

They stayed cuddled up like that until a servant knocked on the door, telling them dinner was ready.

When they came downstairs to the living room, Adeline noticed Alberto was already there.

But he wasn't alone.

Standing beside him was a beautiful young woman with classic Mugroaton features-graceful, striking, and looking at Alberto with unmistakable tenderness in her eyes.