Chapter 3 Like an Enigma
1151 Words
"I don't have money for college. I just borrowed those to learn from others."
He snatched the book from Hetty's hands, tossed it back onto the sofa, and then handed her a piece of clothing. He didn't have any women's clothes there, so he gave her one of his white shirts.
'No money? Borrowed? Even if he didn't go to college, wouldn't that still mean he might be a schoolboy?'
Holding the shirt, Hetty sized up Alvar, and then suddenly, her eyes widened in doubt. "You're not underage, are you?"
'Oh God, please no! It's illegal to take advantage of a minor!'
Alvar stepped closer, their faces inches apart. "Do I look underage to you? Or do you prefer younger men? Sorry to disappoint. You guessed wrong. I'm already twenty-two."
His warm breath brushed against Hetty's face, rekindling the heat she had been trying to suppress, making her breath quicken.
"What are you doing? Mind your manners and stand back." Hetty pushed Alvar away, feigning seriousness. "I'm six years older than you. You should be showing me respect."
"You didn't mind my manners when you kissed me, Hattie." Alvar drawled playfully, watching Hetty with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
The moment he said that the image of her kissing him in the restroom flashed vividly in Hetty's mind.
'Oh God, what had I done? I had kissed a man six years my junior, and I actually enjoyed it.'
Hetty shook her head vigorously, trying to cast out the persistent images of their kiss.
She stared sternly at Alvar. "Stop talking nonsense. If you don't go to school, then what do you do for a living?"
Alvar picked up a strand of hair from her forehead and toyed with it, his expression mysterious. It was clear he didn't want to answer.
"You really are a unique woman. Anyone else would be trying to escape from a stranger who held them hostage, but here you are, calmly questioning me. No wonder you're a renowned businesswoman in Veloria, Hetty Amelia."
"You know me?"
"What's surprising about that? Your profile is all over the magazines."
Alvar began to recite from memory the magazine descriptions, "Took over the family business, Crown Hotel, at twenty-two, climbed to number three on the Veloria Wealth List at twenty-six, right behind the old man who drugged you tonight and tried to date you."
As for who was first on the list, it remained a mystery in Veloria, known to no one.
Hetty felt more and more that this young man was no ordinary person.
"You haven't answered my question," Hetty insisted, staring at him.
Alvar slowly approached Hetty. "What do I do? Murder, arson... I'll do anything for money. Are you scared now?"
Hetty looked at him, unshaken, picked up the bag she had thrown aside when she entered, pulled out a blank check, and handed it to Alvar after writing.
"This is ten million dollars. Stop doing those things. Choose a top school for software development and study hard. Don't ruin yourself."
Alvar looked at the check in his hand, a flash of surprise in his eyes. 'Most women would be terrified just hearing words like murder and arson, but she even gave me a check. She really was something special.'
He flicked the check in his hand, unable to suppress a chuckle. "You believe what I said?"
Facing Alvar's surprise, Hetty remained nonchalant. "Why wouldn't I believe you? You always carry a gun and have swift moves. It's not surprising if you were a hitman."
Alvar's smile gradually faded. "You're so calm about it. Aren't you curious who I'm going to kill at Crown Hotel tonight?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a bullet being loaded echoed in the room.
Hetty's hand paused on the zipper but quickly resumed her action. "If you wanted to kill me, I wouldn't be alive now."
"Hah, you're smart and quite endearing." Alvar put away the gun, clapping in appreciation of Hetty's composure.
Ignoring Alvar, Hetty quickly changed clothes in the bathroom.
Although the shirt didn't fit her, given Alvar's taller and stronger build, his loose shirt just managed to cover down to her hips.
Alvar watched Hetty's long, sexy legs peeking out from under the shirt, feeling a deadly temptation that made his breathing heavier.
Noticing his intense gaze, Hetty pulled the shirt down, but the abrupt movement caused more to be revealed than intended.
"Hattie, if you keep doing that, I can't guarantee I'll stay a gentleman." Alvar's breathing grew heavier like the beast inside him was about to break free.
"That's because your shirt is too short." Hetty hurriedly grabbed Alvar's coat from the sofa and wrapped it around her waist. The gun inside the coat hit her leg heavily.
Hetty slowly pulled out the gun, looking at Alvar seriously. "It's rude, but can I buy this gun from you?"
"Take it. Consider it a thank you for the check," Alvar shrugged and said generously.
Although he didn't know why Hetty needed that gun, he didn't mind making things easier for a woman he was interested in.
"I think I should leave now." Hetty put the gun away. "Could you give me a ride, if you are willing?"
It was too late to find any transportation, and her car was at the hotel. She had no choice but to rely on Alvar.
Alvar shook the check in his hand. "For this, I don't mind giving you a lift."
His sleek motorcycle roared down the road.
Soon, it stopped steadily in front of Amelia Villa.
Hetty took off the helmet and handed it to Alvar, her expression complex as she stared at the gates of her home.
She knew a horrible night awaited her.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped towards the villa.
But the next moment, her hand was grabbed and she was pulled into Alvar's arms, with a note being stuffed into her hand.
He whispered in her ear, "If anyone bullies you at home, call me anytime. I like smart women like you."
Hetty looked at Alvar, feeling a brief warmth from his unexpected support.
Clutching the note tightly, she asked, "I don't even know your name."
"Alvar Groot."
With that, Alvar started his motorcycle and left stylishly.
Hetty stared at him as he left. 'Alvar Groot? He always felt like an enigma.'
Only when the taillights vanished at the end of the road did Hetty carefully put the note in her bag and walk into the villa.
After leaving Amelia Villa, Alvar stopped his motorbike next to a row of luxurious Rolls-Royces.
He smoothly pulled up at the front of the line, where a man in a black suit and gold-framed glasses approached him with a slightly displeased expression.
"Mr. Groot, was it fun? You leave behind your CEO role to play like a poor rogue. So, did she take the bait?"
- Writer
