Chapter 9 Alone Together

• Vera's POV
• When I got home from work today, I saw Peter and Anne hauling their suitcases into the living room.
• “Peter, what's going on?” I asked.
• “Mrs. Sloan, our son is getting married tomorrow. We're heading to his wedding,” Peter replied kindly.
• “Is that so? Congratulations!” I said with a smile. “How many days will the ceremony take?”
• “We'll host a banquet in Sparaville and be back by tomorrow night,” Anne said gently. But when she glanced at Alex, a hint of worry flickered in her eyes. “The only problem is, with no one home, there won't be anyone to prepare Mr. Sloan's breakfast tomorrow.”
• Hm... They really are wealthy. Is it necessary to hire someone just for breakfast?
• “It's all right.” Alex interrupted my thoughts. “Vera, you can cook, can't you?”
• “Huh?” I was taken aback, my gaze meeting Alex's deep, azure eyes. “I... I can.”
• As soon as I said that, I remembered the lavish breakfast Anne had prepared this morning. I couldn't help but add, “Just a little...”
• A flicker of amusement flashed in Alex's eyes before it quickly vanished.
• “That's enough,” he murmured.
• The next morning arrived. I got up an hour earlier and, after a bit of fuss, managed to prepare a passable breakfast.
• Just as I was about to call Alex downstairs, I saw him emerging from the elevator as I stepped out of the kitchen. His mobility was limited, but he was clearly well-off, with his home lavishly decorated and designed for easy access.
• “Do you have a battery?” he asked.
• I recognized the item in Alex's hand—it was an electric shaver. I took it to inspect. “You need button cells for this; don't you have any at home?”
• “No.”
• I glanced at Alex, noticing the blueish stubble on his chin. He definitely needed a shave. “Is there a convenience store or a supermarket nearby?”
• “No.”
• I pressed on, “Nothing at all?”
• Alex shook his head.
• I was overwhelmed by the luxury they lived in.
• “What should we do?” I asked, feeling a bit helpless. “Couldn't your assistant buy it and bring it over?”
• “He's already on his way, but there's a crucial meeting today, and he might not make it in time,” Alex said, his brows slightly furrowed. “I asked Peter, but he only had a new razor that wasn't electric. I'm not sure how to use it.”
• It wasn't an electric razor, and it dawned on me why Alex had come to me. Was he asking me to shave him?
• “Where is it?” I found this side of Alex somewhat endearing, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I know how to use it. Let me shave you.”
• “It's in the storage cabinet.”
• I quickly found the razor, the most traditional kind, which required lubricant. After carefully applying the lubricant around Alex's chin, I began shaving him with the utmost care.
• At that moment, the distance between Alex and me seemed to close significantly. I could even feel his breath brushing against my cheek, a slight tickle. With just a slight lift of my eyes, I could see Alex's face up close. His stunning handsomeness was breathtaking, almost like a sculpture.
• “What's wrong?” I sensed Alex looking at me, and my already tense nerves spiked. “I didn't scratch you, did I?”
• “No,” Alex said, his voice as icy as ever. “It's just that the way you're acting; it's as if you really are my wife.”
• I was taken aback and then felt a slight blush creep onto my cheeks. Even though we were actually married, Alex used the term “as if.”
• It showed that, like me, he felt no sense of reality in this whirlwind marriage.
• “Done.” I finished shaving Alex's beard quickly. After wiping away the remaining shaving cream, I took another look and couldn't help but smile slightly. “Very clean.”
• “Thanks,” Alex said nonchalantly, before wheeling himself over to the dining table to eat.
• After we finished our meal, we each went off to work.
• When I arrived at the magazine company, the atmosphere was starkly different from the previous day's jubilance. The air was tense. I couldn't help but pull Jennifer aside, lowering my voice to ask, “What happened?”
• “Vera, didn't you check your email this morning?” Jennifer's eyes widened in surprise. “Our company was bought out yesterday! The entire management has been replaced!”
• I was stunned.
• The magazine company might not have been large, but it had been an established publication for several years. How could it have suddenly been acquired?
• Before I could process this, a commotion arose among the colleagues by the door.
• “Here he comes! The new editor-in-chief is here!”
• I looked up, and there, making his way into the office, was a tall, slender figure surrounded by people. The moment I saw his face, I felt as if I'd been hit over the head, and my entire body seemed to freeze.