Chapter 2 Steal

• Aileen had no regrets. However, she was taken aback by Alvin's forcefulness. It was so intense that she almost cried.
• She suspected that he was releasing some pent-up stress.
• He must have felt guilty about how rough he had been with her. After they finished, Alvin picked her up and bathed her.
• He was very gentle.
• But halfway through her bath, he left after receiving a phone call.
• Aileen deducted points for that.
• But overall, he was highly skilled in the bedroom. He was obviously experienced in the art of pleasure.
• Aileen struggled to get out of bed in the morning. She had missed a call from Cole.
• An hour later, he texted her. 'Your mom had an accident.'
• It took Aileen half an hour to finally reach the hospital. By then, her mother Brenda Dean had already been taken care of in a ward. Her knee needed immediate surgery.
• Aileen had not told her mother about the breakup. To be honest, she was avoiding it. Brenda had been vocal about her hopes for Aileen and Cole to marry and improve their standard of living.
• There was a tightness in her chest as she watched Cole being so caring towards her mother.
• Feeling suffocated, Aileen made up an excuse to leave. "I'll go home and pack something for you."
• Cole followed closely behind. He grabbed her arm as the door closed behind them and dragged her to a more secluded corridor.
• "What's wrong with you? Why are you grabbing me?!" Aileen shouted at him.
• Cole ripped open Aileen's collar and asked coldly, "What's this? Did you cheat on me?!"
• Aileen flushed with anger and embarrassment. "We're broken up! I don't need to explain anything to you!"
• "F*ck you! I was so gentle with you! I didn't even dare to touch a hair on your head! And you're f*cking some other guy behind my back?! Who do you think I am? I'm telling your mother about this!"
• The corridor echoed with his accusations.
• Aileen covered his mouth with her hand.
• But Cole grabbed her hand and shook her angrily. "You lied to me, Aileen! How dare you lie to me?! Did you forget who you are just because I was so gentle with you?!"
• Aileen's eyes were red with unshed tears. "You cheated on me first!" Her voice trembling, "What right do you have to question me, you b*stard! If you touch me again, I'll scream!"
• Cole was like an animal. He lost all reason. "Go ahead! Scream! Let your mother hear you and see the state you're in!"
• He grabbed her neck with one hand and started to squeeze.
• Aileen had almost fainted when a cold, unimpressed voice spoke.
• "Ahem. Excuse me."
• Cole instantly let go. Aileen coughed violently and gasped for air. She looked over Cole's shoulder and saw a man standing atop the staircase.
• It was Alvin.
• Wearing a white coat, Alvin leaned lazily against the railing, smoking a cigarette. "The chief nurse was looking for you," he said coolly.
• After ensuring Aileen was decent, Cole composed himself to look neutral before turning around to face Alvin. "Got it. Let me walk my girlfriend out first."
• Unaffected by his response, Alvin blew out a puff of smoke. "It's urgent."
• Their department dealt with critical medical issues. When Alvin said it was urgent, it truly was.
• Cole clenched his teeth. "I'll come find you after work tonight!" He muttered under his breath so only Aileen could hear.
• Clutching onto the torn collar of her shirt, she bit her lip and retorted, "I'll call the police if you do!"
• Cole glared at her but left without saying another word.
• Aileen was left with Alvin.
• Alvin stared at her without moving or saying anything. Cigarette smoke swirled around him.
• She couldn't tell what he was thinking.
• Aileen realized he was looking her up and down. He looked at her as if she were a bug under a microscope.
• His eyes glinted dangerously through the swirling smoke.
• Aileen felt uncomfortable. Her complexion was as white as paper.
• Holding her shirt close, she stammered her thanks, hoping it would ease the tension.
• Finishing his cigarette, Alvin tossed the butt into a nearby trashcan and strode towards her. "Sorry, I should have held back last night."
• He didn't sound apologetic at all.
• Aileen's eyes welled up with tears. She looked like a tiny rabbit in the clutches of a predator.
• Aileen took a step back as he approached. Her heels hit the wall. She had nowhere to go.
• The distance between them closed. His scent enveloped her.
• "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" He spoke as if she were a patient and he was responsible for her care.
• Avoiding his gaze, Aileen quietly said, "No."
• Alvin pulled a hotel room key from his pocket and handed it to her. "Meet me here tonight."
• His meaning was clear.
• She should have refused him, but she took it from him without thinking.
• "I have two minor surgeries scheduled in the afternoon. I should be done around 7:30. Order some room service for me. I'll be starving after the surgery."
• "What... What would you like me to order?"
• "Whatever you want. I'm not picky."
• "Okay."
• "How did you get here?" He asked.
• Aileen replied, "I took a cab."
• The interrogation ended when Alvin was paged. He left in a hurry.
• Alvin's afternoon was packed with appointments. He didn't even have time for a sip of water.
• By the time he finished, it was 8 p.m.
• Cole's desk had been empty for a while. Alvin glanced over and noticed a framed photo that was hard to miss.
• Never missing anything, Reg caught Alvin's gaze. He chuckled, "Did you guys have a party without me?"
• Alvin didn't say a word.
• "Aileen is quite attractive. Cole wouldn't have strayed if she weren't so boring. She needs to step up her game to keep her man from wandering."
• Alvin didn't seem interested in the conversation.
• Reg was experienced and knew a thing or two about matters of the heart. "Did you sleep with her?"
• Alvin hung up his coat. "Yup."
• Alvin was nonchalant, as if he were discussing the weather.
• Palming his car keys, he walked out of the room. "I've been so busy lately. It's the perfect time to unwind."
• "Well, just be careful and don't get yourself into trouble. Cole doesn't seem to be handling the breakup well. His temper..." Reg said as he followed Alvin out of the office.
• But he abruptly stopped.
• He almost bumped into Alvin, who had stopped in his tracks.
• Outside their office stood a woman who hadn't shown herself in years. She was almost unrecognizable from the last time Alvin saw her.
• "Alvin, I'm back."