One night stand with my president(chapter 484)

 

Chapter 484:The Longing Grows Stronger

"Don't worry about us," one of the bodyguards said with a straight face.

Hearing that, Alvaro finally let out a breath of relief.

At least he wouldn't have to sit at the same table with them.

Truth be told, he was just as guilty as Elissa.

The only difference was, he was better at hiding it.

"Adeline, come sit down," he said warmly.

Once she took a seat, Alvaro thoughtfully ladled a bowl of soup for her.

"I cooked everything here myself. Try it and see if it suits your taste."

To be fair, Alvaro could actually cook.

But Adeline had Harrison on her mind and wasn't in the mood to eat, so she only picked at her food.

Seeing this, Alvaro couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.

He assumed his cooking just didn't appeal to her.

"Adeline, anywhere you want to go tomorrow?" he asked, still eager. "I can take more time off and show you around Aurgville."

Adeline smiled. "That's kind of you, but work comes first. Don't take time off just for me. I want to chat more with Elissa tomorrow, and if I feel like going out, I'll just go by myself."

Alvaro's heart skipped a beat. He didn't want her alone with Elissa. What if Elissa cracked under pressure and spilled something?

"Actually, Adeline," he said quickly, "the doctor said my mom's condition requires plenty of rest. She really shouldn't talk too much. I know you care about her, but since you've come all the way here, you should enjoy yourself instead of worrying about her."

Alvaro's father glanced at him, lips parted as if to speak, but in the end said nothing.

"I see," Adeline replied. "In that case, I'll go explore on my own tomorrow."

He was disappointed that he couldn't accompany her.

But the important thing was stopping her from spending more time with Elissa.

He didn't trust what Elissa might say if left alone with Adeline.

After dinner, Adeline went out for a stroll.

Night had already fallen.

Aurgville's ancient architecture glowed under the night sky, creating a beautiful scene.

She walked slowly down the street, taking in the sights.

Her bodyguards stayed discreet, keeping watch from the shadows so as not to disturb her.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked like she was just a lone woman wandering peacefully through the city.

The spring night was mild, and the moon hung bright and round above. Watching couples pass by hand in hand, Adeline couldn't help thinking about Harrison.

Just as she pulled out her phone to call him, it rang, and his name lit up the screen.

She smiled into the phone. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you've got me bugged. I was just about to call you."

"That's because when you miss me, l'm missing you too," Harrison said.

He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, gazing out over the city lights.

Neon signs blazed, cars streamed below in a never-ending flow.

Outside was bustling and vibrant, but inside, all he felt was the weight of loneliness.

The absence of her presence gnawed at him.

His longing for Adeline only grew stronger with each passing day.

"Have you seen the moon tonight?" Adeline asked. "It's so big and bright."

"Yeah," Harrison replied, lifting his gaze.

"I'm looking at it now."

Both of them fell silent at the same time, unknowingly watching the same moon from different places.

After a long pause, Adeline asked softly, "Why'd you stop talking?"

"I wanted to take a moment... to really admire the moon with you," Harrison said.

Adeline's expression softened.

"I'll be back in a few days."

Harrison gave a quiet "Mm," then shifted to a more serious tone.

"I had someone look into the Gilmore family, both their recent social activity and financial transactions. Nothing suspicious turned up. No large sums in their accounts, so they must've been paid in cash."

As for their social circle, it seemed squeaky clean.

The father and son mostly interacted with company colleagues, and Elissa was a stay-at-home wife.

"And about Elissa's illness, there's no recent

medical record for her in any hospital in Aurgville," Harrison added. "She might've gone to a small clinic, but honestly? Most likely, she was never sick at all."

"I figured," Adeline said.

She'd spoken with Elissa earlier that day and felt that she had seemed perfectly fine.

Adeline thought, "Pale complexion ? Easily faked with makeup."

"The Gilmores might not expect us to check the hospitals," Harrison continued. "But whoever is behind them definitely would. It means that they don't care if we know the truth. They just want the Gilmores to keep you tied down in Aurgville."

Adeline glanced to the side and chuckled. 

"You're right. Alvaro's been secretly tailing me this whole walk. He's terrified I'll slip away."

She'd noticed from the start, just hadn't called him out on it.

Right then, a young man approached her with a shy smile.

He looked like a college student, brimming with youthful energy.

Sneaking a glance at her, he blushed and looked down. "Hi... would it be fine if I got your number? Maybe we could be friends."

Adeline gave him a polite smile. "Sorry, I'm afraid not."

The entire exchange, of course, had been overheard by Harrison on the other end of the line.

The young man, clearly unaccustomed to bold street flirting, mumbled "sorry" and scurried off in embarrassment.

Adeline suddenly noticed that Harrison had gone quiet.

"Are you sulking?" she asked, teasing. "If that's enough to make you mad, you're being totally unreasonable."

After all, she was the one being hit on, and she had turned the guy down right away.

"I'm not mad," Harrison replied stiffly.

But he wasn't exactly happy either.

If he could, he'd lock Adeline up at home, shield her from the world, and keep her beauty hidden from all prying eyes.

But he knew he couldn't. He loved her so much that he couldn't bear to hurt her.

And love meant letting her be free, not treating her like something he owned.

"Come on. Don't be upset," Adeline said. 

"Give me a kiss."

"Huh?" Harrison sounded confused. "How?"

"You don't know? I'll teach you."

Then she made a playful "mua" into the phone.

Harrison was speechless.

His mouth twitched involuntarily.

"Got it now? Come on, your turn."

"No." Harrison flat-out refused. That kind of

thing? He'd never do it.

"Why not? You're usually shameless in front of me," Adeline teased.