Chapter 3 Get It Yourself

• Alvin arrived at the hotel at 9 p.m.
• The room felt cold and empty.
• Since he hadn't expected her to be there, he wasn't disappointed.
• Taking his cigarettes out of his pocket, he casually tossed his coat onto the couch and headed for the bathroom. He lit a cigarette and sat on the edge of the bathtub, savoring the smoke.
• The quietness of the room made him uneasy.
• He took out his phone and started scrolling, only to realize he didn't have her contact information.
• At that moment, his phone vibrated. A strange yet familiar profile picture appeared at the top of his screen. He stared at it but decided not to open the message. He took a puff and swiped it away.
• Suddenly, he heard movement outside the bathroom. He looked up to see Aileen walking past with a bag of takeout in her hand.
• He didn't say a word, and she didn't notice him.
• Alvin put away his phone. The corner of his lip twitched upward. Tossing the half-smoked cigarette into the toilet, he left the bathroom.
• Aileen hadn't wanted to come, but Cole had taken up residence in her home. Unable to go home, she spent two hours wandering around outside before ending up here.
• The card slot for the power indicated there was someone in the room. She spun around at the sound of footsteps, only to find two strong arms wrapped around her.
• "What took you so long?" Alvin asked.
• Aileen blushed. "Something came up. I bought you some pasta. Eat it while it's warm."
• Alvin took the bag she offered him and placed it on the table. Without waiting a minute longer, he pushed her onto the bed.
• One hour later.
• Aileen was soaking in the tub, while Alvin was in the shower.
• Her gaze drifted towards him. She could only make out his silhouette through the fogged glass.
• Aileen's eyes were mostly closed while it was happening.
• She had little experience in this area. Plus, Alvin and she were barely more than strangers.
• Hence, she found it difficult to relax and was too embarrassed to look at him when they were in bed.
• She might have felt more comfortable if he had turned the light off.
• The shower stopped, and the door slid open.
• Aileen was so lost in thought she forgot to look away. She decided to meet his gaze straight on to avoid looking too inexperienced.
• Alvin's figure was stunning. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and not a single ounce of fat on his attractive body. Aileen was well aware of the strength he possessed in that body.
• His body was gorgeous; there was no doubt about it, but there was also an air of unapproachability. Aileen couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
• Noticing her stare, Alvin wrapped a towel around his waist. "Take your time."
• He left her to her bath.
• Watching him leave, Aileen could feel him growing distant.
• As if the passionate man she had shared a bed with was gone.
• Alvin was eating the pasta when Aileen finished her bath. The noodles had clumped together. Indeed, he wasn't as picky with food as he claimed.
• Tying up her hair, she sat cross-legged on the bed, watching him eat.
• Alvin's hair was still damp. His ears were still red from the shower. He wore a white t-shirt that did nothing to hide his excellent physique.
• His facial and physical features would make anyone stop and stare.
• He had his phone in one hand and a fork in the other.
• He ate without distraction.
• "You seem to enjoy looking at me." Alvin put down his phone and picked up the remote. He turned on the TV.
• Aileen froze before quickly explaining herself, "I'm just admiring your good looks."
• Alvin smirked. There was a twinkle in his eye as if he found her amusing.
• "Why didn't you look at me while we were in bed? Your eyes were tightly closed."
• "I don't know you that well." Aileen didn't know how to respond.
• "And I thought you were quite bold."
• Aileen didn't know if she should reveal her innocence or pretend to be experienced.
• This was new to her. She didn't know if it was normal for people to sit down and chat after sleeping together.
• And what do people talk about in these situations? She grabbed her phone to google it.
• Waiting for her response, Alvin looked over to see her staring intently at her phone. He picked up his own phone.
• Reading through his work group chat, he saw Sandra Underwood confessing her love for Cole in the chat. Followed by her posting a photo of a positive pregnancy test. "Are you and Cole broken up?" he asked.
• Aileen was surprised by his question. She turned her eyes from her phone to his face and said, "Last night's fondue was a comfort to my broken heart because of it."
• Alvin patted the empty seat next to him. "Come here."
• Aileen hesitated briefly before going over to him and sitting beside him.
• She made sure there was space between them so they weren't making any physical contact.
• Alvin pointed to his phone, indicating for her to read it.
• Aileen leaned over to see it was his work group chat.
• She saw Sandra's message. No one else had responded, not even Cole.
• Aileen didn't say anything for a long time. She finally broke the silence with a question, "Dr. Kain, can I have your number?"