Chapter 124 - 33 (1/2)

Driving home towards their hotel with the prize in the back of his car, completely wrapped and sealed, Alvaro was in an excellent mood. He even forgot his irritation at Maxine when she forced him to accompany her.

While Maxine contained her happiness, tapping her fingers together, she spoke with an excited tone, ”Alvaro . . .”

”Hmm?”

”About that sculpted rose . . .”

”What about it?”

Fidgeting on her seat and roving her eyes left and right, Maxine continued, ”What are you going to do about it?”

Alvaro smiled as his eyes never left the road. ”I'm going to gift it to someone.”

”Oh.”

Biting her lip, Maxine restrained a squeal and rearranged herself on her seat. It was nearing her birthday, and she was happy that Alvaro remembered. She didn't inquire anymore since she didn't want to spoil the surprise.

When they reached their hotel, Maxine didn't enter her room. Instead, she peered at Alvaro, who was standing in the door beside hers.

”Alvaro.”

Alvaro stopped opening his door and turned to face her. ”Yeah?”

”Uhmm . . .” She turned her head away from Alvaro's gaze as she said, blushing, ”. . . Why don't we explore Frizkiel some more before we return to BlackPine since we are already here?”

The smile on Alvaro's face disappeared though his look stayed gentle as ever. ”About that, I have something to do here in the following days. So I have to ask you to return to BlackPine without me. Or if you like, you can explore the country on your own. Or, if not, I'll hire someone to take care of you.”

”. . .”

Flabbergasted, Maxine couldn't react at all. Her eye wide and jaw slacked while she watched Alvaro smiled at her and bid her goodnight and went inside his room.

W-Wha . . . what?!

A bit lost at the sudden proclamation, Maxine could only turn towards the confinement of her room and weep her heart out.

Alvaro was still angry at her!

Else, he wouldn't say such unkind words to her. He was shooing her away!

Crying still, she picked her phone and dialed a number.

”I want you to investigate something.”

----

The moment Alvaro was inside his unit, he went to his bedroom. Not one bit guilty at what he said towards Maxine. The woman was clearly getting out of hand. If he didn't teach her a lesson, he was afraid her actions would cause him unnecessary troubles in the future.

He had always indulged her. But now, he didn't want to spoil her any longer.

He removed his clothes and hit the shower. After, he dried himself before going to his walk-in closet with nothing on but a piece of a towel wrapped around his waist. He chose a very casual back v neck long sleeve shirt and black pants and oxford shoes before he wrapped a trench coat around him and casually got out from his room.

He was thankful that Maxine wasn't in front of his door. He was relieved since he didn't want to formulate excuses to enjoy himself.

He arrived in the bas.e.m.e.nt and hopped inside his car, where the sculpted rose was in the backseat, protected and sealed. And not long after, he drove towards the private residential area exclusive only for the rich and the famous. He couldn't pass in the gate, though. He was blocked by securities asking for his identification and the person he was going to visit so late in the night.

Smiling, he fished out his identification card while saying, ”I'm here to visit Miss Rozienheim.”

The guard didn't budge even after knowing who he was. They just nodded before picking up their phones.

After seconds, the guards stared at him and nodded. Their facial features were loosening a bit. ”Mr. Cole, I'm sorry for holding you. Miss Rozienheim is expecting you now.”

Restraining his smile to blow in a full wide grin, Alvaro gave his thanks and drove to Rozienheim Mansion.

As Alvaro neared Rozarria's home, deferent trees, plants, bushes, flowers decorated each side of the road, and an image of the dense landscape appeared in his mind when winter is over. It would be a jungle, in an organized way.

Even before he neared the towering gates made of real diamonds and gold, it opened, welcoming him. He didn't saw any guards, but there were a lot of cameras. Not a soul was seen, but he got this feeling that many eyes were observing him, lurking in the dark. And not before long, he saw the imposing mansion –– or more like a palace made of precious stones.