RBAVS: Chapter 23

“What’s this? Didn’t I tell you, I don’t want projects that have anything to do with Irene!” 

“Are you dumb?!” Hattie flung the document at her assistant’s face, fuming. 

Her assistant winced as the papers came flying at her. 

Hattie was heaving. She glowered at her assistant when she saw her not answering. “Now you’re mute too?”

After that unknown guy stepped out and claimed the blame for discrediting Lilian and Alex, everything around her became a mess. 

She was at the forefront of making sure that Lilian knew her place when the scandal broke out. Now when things went downhill, everyone turned their backs on her. Imbeciles.

Hattie never believed that video the first time she saw it. Impossible. She heard it from Joe himself that Alex and Lilian hooked up, he would never lie to her. This must be Alex ironing this out in the background again. 

Even so, why would the truth matter? Time and time again she was hit in the face that power tramples above all else. 

Those who curried favor from her and were at her beck and call during the filming of “The Fall of Eden” could not wait to jump off the building the moment they saw her. F*cking hypocrites.

After all this mess she still never regretted it. She never regretted putting Lilian in her place. 

Right here, her assistant’s faltering words reached her ears. “Irene is not participating in this project. I heard she’s sick and Alex withdrew her from all the projects she has currently lined up. Now they’re actively trying to find her replacement to pair up with Lilian.”

A devious glint flashed in Hattie’s eyes.

***

Thanks to being sick, Irene’s itinerary in the foreseeable future was empty. She was confined to her apartment like a salted fish. Irene did not need to move a muscle. Alex watched her like a hawk. 

As of the moment, he was out to buy groceries and left her with Riley. 

Riley laid on the couch with her head in Irene’s lap. She felt bored scrolling through her phone; it was all the same. 

Disinterested, she turned off her phone and placed it on her chest. She looked up only to see Irene languidly reading a book. 

“You look so comfy sitting like that,” Riley lamented at life’s injustice. Even if sick, Irene’s charm never failed her. 

As a slave to her impulsive thoughts, Riley silently reached out and poked Irene’s cheek. Once… twice… still not satisfied, she unfurled her hand and pinched her cheeks. Soft.. need more…

Irene was blindsided by that pinch. She looked down at her lap and spotted Riley’s dazed look. 

At her peripheral, she noticed Riley’s other hand slowly creeping up to her face. Realizing her intention, Irene swiftly opened her book wide and smacked it into Riley’s face. 

Riley was drowned in a stupor that she did not see the book descending her face. 

It was too late to move. Before her brain could process what was happening, her body instinctively sat up and saved itself from the sudden attack. 

Irene’s hearty laughter pulled Riley back to her senses. 

Irene could not help but guffaw and Riley’s expression. She held her abdomen in pain as she continued to laugh. Mirth filled her eyes with tears as she clutched her stomach. “F*ck my stomach hurts, HAHAHAHAHA..”

Riley looked at the book in her hand, then at the cackling Irene, then at the book, then at Irene, then at the book, then at Irene. 

Without a second thought, Riley pounced and launched herself at Irene.

“Wait, wait, wait.. HAHAHA”

“You’re the one who started it first HAHAHA”

“STOP!, don’t touch me there HAHAHAHA”

“SH*T I can’t stop laughing HAHAHAHA”

“Stop, stop, I’m a patient, remember HAHAHAHA”

“You don’t look like a patient to me.”

The two duked it out on the couch. 

Riley was about to get the upper hand when there was a knock at the door.

“There’s… hahaha someone at the door… hahaha. You go get it, maybe it’s Alex.”

Seeing Irene become out of breath made Lilian realize that this woman in front of her was still sick; she facepalmed. 

She quickly left her giggling best friend to open the door. 

Irene struggled to catch her breath on the couch. A few giggles escaped her lips.

Just before she could recover, a warm palm rested on her forehead. She met those cerulean eyes, which she has been all too familiar with these past couple of days. 

“The fever went down. That’s good.”

Irene rolled her eyes. “If you stop hovering over me like this, I’ll get better more quickly.” 

Alex took in her defiant look and smiled in endearment. With his quick reflexes, he lightly flicked her forehead. “Yeah right.” 

He did not let her register what happened and straight-away strode to the kitchen. “I brought food. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Irene sat up in an instant. Her nose scrunched up as she watched his figure scurry away. “I thought you were cooking?”

“Well, figured you got bored with my cooking and wanted to taste something different.”

Irene rolled her eyes at his words. Ohh the drama… “Then you should improve your coo–” 

Just in time, Riley clamped Irene’s mouth shut. 

Irene glared at Riley, who sprouted out of nowhere. Wheren’t you in the kitchen just a minute ago?

“If I don’t shut your mouth, you’ll both be bickering nonstop. And I’m hungry.”

After dinner, Riley had to go. But before she left, her gaze kept darting between Irene and Alex. One in the living room, and the other in the kitchen washing the dishes. 

Irene got goosebumps staring at that weird glint in her eyes. She threw a pillow at Riley’s face. “Just go already.”

Done with the dishes, Alex then prepared fruit slices.

He entered the living room and saw Irene giggling at her phone; the video captured her full attention. 

“Ohh you’re done?” Irene spared him a glance as he neared her.

“Yeah, I’ll leave in a while,” Alex said as he placed the fruits in front of her. 

Irene, still absorbed in her phone, reached out for the fruits. “You speak as if I’m telling you to scram.”

Alex watched her struggle to get a slice. A sigh escaped his lips and moved the plate closer to her. “I could stay for the night if you want.”

“Huh?” Irene finally raised her head away from her phone. 

That cute, bewildered face of hers rendered Alex speechless. “Nothing. Just eat. Finish it all.” 

What’s up with him now? Oh well. 

“Oh, right. I remember I had a project with Lilian. What’s the update on that?” 

“I already pulled you out of that. I also have informed Lilian and the staff. Though I don’t know who’ll be replacing you.” 

Speaking of which, after pulling Irene out of the project, Alex did not really care to get an update on what was happening now. “You’ve just reminded me. I better call Lilian.”

“Let me!” With nothing better to do, Irene gladly made a call herself. 

The phone only had a moment to ring before it was answered. 

“How are you faring?” Now with something to do other than staring at those brain rot videos, Irene leisurely pulled up her feet and cozied up to the couch. It has not been long since she got sick, but Irene was starting to get bored. I guess talking to Lilian could alleviate this boredom a little, hehe. 

Alex witnessed Irene’s antics firsthand. How she wiggled her feet in a rhythm, is she hearing music from Lilian’s side? How her eyes lightened up and her micro expression contort to multiple versions that painted her face vividly. 

He’s been taking care of Irene for a couple of days, and still, he could never get enough of moments like this. Just the two of them enclosed in this warm atmosphere. 

Still immersed in the talk, Irene gradually felt her feet turn cold. There wasn’t any blanket on the couch and she was too lazy to stand up and get some. While pondering, a mischievous idea flashed into her mind. 

Slowly, inch by inch, she moved her feet towards Alex’s crossed legs. 

Unbeknownst to Irene, from the very beginning, Alex’s eyes never left hers. The moment he saw that glint in her eyes, he knew she was up to something. But still, he did not move. 

He was curious what she was up to this time. 

He remained nonchalant. As if he were focused on his phone. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw those feet inching towards him.

He didn’t move. But the person beside him already caught his interest. He let her do what she wanted. He waited for a while, but it stopped just a few centimeters shy of him. 

For a minute, nothing happened. Yet in an instant, two white, slender feet were put on top of his hands that were holding the phone. 

He chuckled and turned to Irene with a raised eyebrow.

Irene raised her chin at him, challenging him. “My feet are cold. Warm them up for me,” a playful tone slipped out as she spoke.

“Your words are my command.” At the mercy of her majesty, Alex indulgently wrapped his hands around her feet, keeping them warm. 

Irene felt her chest warm up as he followed her words. 

Morning came, and Irene was still groggy, standing beside the kitchen counter, making herself some coffee. 

The call with Lilian ended late into the night. Even though she had slept for 8 hours she still felt exhausted. If Alex did not come and woke her up, she would still be sleeping till the afternoon. 

Alex was preparing the table while Irene walked up to him. She yawned, “Thanks for the brunch. What took you so long?”

Normally, Alex would have arrived at 8 this morning with breakfast in hand. Then, by now, Irene would have already been watching a TV show on the couch while munching on some snacks, waiting for her food delivery. 

“I still have work to do. Unlike some of us here who can sleep late and wake up late whenever they can.”

Irene playfully stuck her tongue out at his words. “I thought you were busy. I was about to order food.” She sat and happily munched on the food in front of her. 

Alex watched her eat with satisfaction and felt at ease. “I still have things to do. After eating, I’ll be going back to the company.”

Irene slowed her eating. She could discern that he had something on his mind. “You know you can stop bringing me food. I’m all better now. I can manage by myself.” 

She lowered her head as she whispered, “I don’t want to be a burden to you.” 

Alex witnessed her actions. He could not stand her becoming meek because of him. “You’re never a burden.”

To distract her thoughts, Alex shared a piece of news. “Your replacement has already been decided.” 

Those words managed to pull Irene out of that atmosphere. “Really?! When I asked Lilian last night, she said they still haven’t found a person to replace me. I didn’t know it’d be this fast to receive another update.” 

Irene scooted over next to Alex. “Who is it?”

Right as she said that, a notification popped up on Alex’s phone. 

Alex ruffled her hair. Her excitement was contagious. 

He pulled out his phone to check the notification. Alex’s shoulders straightened.

Irene couldn’t wait for his reply and was pushing her face towards his phone.

“Hattie?”

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