Chapter 133 - 41 (1/2)

After threading the snow, acclimatizing, resting, and passing a bad weather, five days had passed since Alvaro, and the others began their climb from base one to base two.

It was a slow climb, and everyone in the group knew why. Each one of them were expert climbers. A pro at what they were doing, but Maxine was not. And with that, the group was moving quite slow.

Maxine had to be taught almost everything for putting on crampons on her boots and how to use them to cross the ice ladder. Besides that, she was moving so slow and had to take frequent rest because her stamina and endurance was lacking. Very lacking.

With the pace they were going, it would be a miracle if they reached the peak before two months.

But even so, no one complained as each and everyone in the group took it as an opportunity. Henry took the time to get to Maxine's good side. Always there whenever the woman was having trouble, which was actually quite nice of him, and he was handsome to boot. It would be nice if Maxine developed some feelings for him.

Aaron, on the other hand, was happy he had more time to be with Rozarria even though the woman was avoiding him nonstop.

As for Alvaro, well . . . he had his reasons.

But still, Alvaro knew it was dangerous. Time spent in the ice was borrowed time. The more they spent their time here, the more likely they're going to be buried alive. Massive blocks of ice could crumble and fall anytime.

”At this rate where this is going, I'm afraid we won't make it to the peak before Christmas,” Alvaro said while he walked closer to Rozarria. He wanted to engage in small talk with her while the others helped Maxine crossed the ice ladder.

Rozarria looked at him and said with a tone as cold as her face, ”Aren't you worried about your fiancée?”

Crossing his arms, Alvaro replied with a smile, though his voice didn't have any warmth in them, ”She wanted to climb regardless of the consequences. It will be a good lesson for her, so she knows what she'll be facing ahead.”

Grinning, he added, ”And she's not my fiancée.”

”Not yet, at least,” Rozarria countered, ”but it is where you'll be headed eventually.”

Alvaro stared at her, which made Rozarria uncomfortable. ”What?” she asked.

Skimming his fingers on his jawline, Alvaro wiggled his brows. ”Are you sure you're not jealous?” he asked, eyes twinkling in mischief.

Staring at him, Rozarria flashed a small smile that was almost sarcastic. ”Don't flatter yourself.”

Alvaro huffed a laugh. ”I think I have every right, don't you think? Your rosy cheeks are proof of that.” He continued to tease. Rozaria was finally showing her expression, though only a bit. It was a step in reaching his goal.

Looking away, Rozarria covered her face with the hood of her jacket. ”It's the cold.” She then shot Alvaro a smirk. ”I'm not the only one whose face is red.”

Alvaro���s grin widened, and he replied with a low, deep voice, ”It's the cold.”

He then leaned closer to her, eyes half-closed, pupils dilated.

”Really?” Without thinking, Rozarria's emotionless gaze traveled towards Alvaro's thin sensual lips, puffing hot air.

”Really.” The words rolled in Alvaro's tongue, slow and hypnotizing.

While they continued to tease each other, on the ice ladder, Maxine was having a hard time crawling her way towards the other side. Though the craves were two meters' wide, it was deep. It was enough to send her in her coffin if she fell.

She was so tired. Her limbs were sore and weak and heavy. And to her worsening predicament, she was battling altitude sickness, heart palpitations, hyperventilation, and panic attacks all at once. The feeling was horrible!

Alvaro . . .

Unconsciously, she stared up ahead to where Alvaro was standing on the other side, chatting and sharing a smile with Rozarria. He didn't even bother to glance at how she was doing –– not even looking at her nor any intentions of helping her.

What's more, he was smiling genuinely and freely with a woman he barely knew. And based on how comfortable they were with each other's presence, Maxine knew that they were more than business partners.

A flush of heat crept on her face as her shock transformed into anger. Her eyes grew hot that tears pooled beneath her eyelids as her lips pressed in a flat line.