Chapter 8

Silence—

Nelissa immediately glimpsed at the couple beside her. Like a gentleman, Edward extended his hand and wrapped around Sophie’s waist.

They truly looked like a match made in heaven; unlike her, filthy and unworthy.

“Nelly, you are already a mother?” Goodness knew how surprised Penelope was. Her highschool friend who hardly talked to guys was now a mother of two?!

Few people knew that Nelissa had a pair of royal and phoenix babies. She had some resources in her company and only asked for a marriage. She was unmarried but had a child. Besides, she had just returned to Haleston City, so she had few acquaintances. Except for Jolene, she was very vigilant to others.

Not many people were aware of the twins’ existence; Jolene was the one of the very few souls on earth who knew this secret. Nelissa had been keeping her guard up ever since she returned to Haleston City. In others’ eyes, she was but another ordinary, unmarried woman.

“It was his, wasn’t it?” muttered Penelope. She knew who Nelissa’s first love was—Zayden.

Nelissa always addressed him by his nickname, Zay. Notwithstanding their age difference, Nelissa was completely infatuated by him. He was, undeniably, very charming; an ambitious, young entrepreneur he was when they first met.

Right then, a waiter entered the room and served them the food. His intrusion finally marked an end to this incredibly awkward introduction.

Despite the exquisite-looking dishes in front of her, Nelissa did not have much of an appetite. All she wished now was to vanish from this very room. She could sense Edward’s stare across the table; and in all honesty, she didn’t like it.

“Thank you for the lovely food. If you may excuse me, I have to get back to work first.” Nelissa rose from her seat. She gave her name card to Penelope and left the room at once.

She walked straight out of the restaurant, her sapphire blue blouse already drenched with her perspiration.

In the private room, Edward had not spoken for another word. He wasn’t particularly interested in the conversation between Penelope and Sophie. Their topics, if he must say, were dull.

Sophie, as sensitive as ever, noticed his silence. She wrapped around his arms and rested her head on his enormous shoulder. In her imagination, she was pressing her body against his, trailing her fingers across his skin.

However, almost instantly, Edward withdrew his arm out of her grip and rose to his feet. “Enjoy the meal. I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, he left the private room there and then. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and dust off the part Sophie touched. Then he threw the handkerchief away in a nearby trash can.

He hopped onto his car and raced to the direction of his company. On his way, he saw a lady whose hair plunged over her shoulders. Her curvilinear waist was undoubtedly a pleasant sight, as did the saffron tint to her complexion.

He stopped the car beside her and winded down the window, ordering, “Get in. Now.”

Nelissa was positively exasperated. She must have committed a grave sin in her past; otherwise, God wouldn’t have punished her by bringing Edward into her already pathetic life.

“Or do you prefer me drag you in?” A perilous smile cracked across Edward’s face.

Letting out a long sigh, Nelissa entered his car. After all, it was a precious chance to bring him round and secure the deal. Well, she had to endure this for Jolene.

Amidst the suffocating silence, Edward continued to emanate a powerful brooding air in the car. Nelissa was wondering if she should break the silence. Perhaps, she should apologize to him for what she’d said on the phone the previous night.

Nevertheless, deep down, she didn’t wish to hear him mentioning that very evening, when they performed one of the most intimate activities of human beings.

RINGGG! Edward answered his phone using his bluetooth earphones.

With her head low, she peeped his prominent Adam’s apple rise and fall as he spoke. How charming…

“We’re heading to the hospital,” he chirped.

Nelissa nodded; she knew that he wasn’t asking for her permission. Soon, they arrived at one of the best private hospitals in the city, St. Richard Health Center.

He got out of the car instantly. Lacquered and enamelled by the sun, he radiated a brio so strong it dazzled Nelissa’s eyes. Handsome in an understated way, his hawkish nose and gritty stubble made her heart miss several beats.

Compelled by his charm, she followed Edward and entered the hospital.

Gracefully and elegantly, he marched to the elevator with one of his hands in his pocket. Sweat began to bead on Nelissa’s forehead. Should she follow him?

Seeing the elevator was about to close, Nelissa immediately rashed forward. No time to dilly-dally. This was very well the last chance she had to convince Edward to collaborate with the Victory Group.

She scurried over and managed to slip into the elevator right before it closed. His eyes, at this moment, were afire with an unreadable emotion.

The elevator carried them to the top floor before they were escorted by the hospital dean to a VIP ward. A few bodyguards were watching over the door to the ward. They quickly dispersed and bowed when they saw Edward.

Without saying a word, Edward walked past them and entered the ward. A man with a goatee was seen on the bed, tended by two nurses and doctors. His face was timeworn and wrinkled.

“Grandpa, how’ve you been?” Edward came and grabbed his grandfather, Mikaelson Hales’ hand. Mikaelson paid no heed to Nelissa; to him, she looked just like another secretary of Edward.

Mikaelson dismissed the nurses and doctors, leaving only the three of them in the ward.

“Mr. Hales, I’ll wait for you outside the ward.” Nelissa found herself in an incredibly awkward position, for she was neither related to Edward nor Mikaelson.

Edward replied to her with a curt nod before Nelissa excused herself from the ward.

She wandered along the corridor, trying to wrap her head around the predicament she put herself in.

Well, she didn’t have a choice, did she? She had to please Edward, for Jolene and most importantly, for the twins.

Soon, she found herself at another end of the corridor, where a VVIP room was at.

DING—

The sound of the elevator jolted Nelissa out of her reverie. She turned around and saw a suited man leaving the elevator with a bouquet of lilies in his hand. Both their pupils dilated for a few millimeters when their eyes met, their mouth agape with incredulity.

A vortex of emotions were swirling in both of them.

Suddenly, the man stopped in his tracks and squealed, “Mr. Hales.”

Nelissa immediately turned around. Without her knowledge, Edward was now behind her, his earthy scent revolved around the two of them.

“What’s going on?”

Nelissa was at a loss for words. What a small world! To have both Edward and Zayden to meet in a hospital.

Zayden was Nelissa’s first love. He had brought her the greatest joy in life; yet, he was also the very same man who tore her heart with his ruthless betrayal. His treachery was outrageous and unforgivable.

“I’m here for my mother-in-law,” answered Zayden, his eyes locked on Nelissa.

Such a habitual liar, Nelissa hissed inwardly. She could not help clenching her fists, feeling nauseated at his mere existence.

Edward turned on his heel mutely, without so much as giving them another glance. Nelissa caught up with him and entered the elevator at once.

In the elevator, Nelissa remained in a daze, unable to pull herself out of her memories. With a sudden violent lurch, the elevator came to a halt. Unprepared, Nelissa lost her balance. Before she fell on the ground face-down, she was caught in Edward’s embrace, her bosoms rubbing against his forearms.

Their intimate contact brought a faint blush to her cheeks. Immediately, she escaped from his arms.

With her palms on his Titan’s shoulders, she looked up and met his piercing eyes. Fear coursed through her veins at once.

Oh golly, was he going to kiss her again?

Contrary to her unwarranted terror, Edward let go of her and marched away.

Nelissa looked down at her fingers, which she used to support herself on him a while ago. From her angle, she had caught a glimpse of what was underneath the fabric of his shirt. His sculpted chest was carpeted with a thin layer of frizzy hairs.

Nelissa quickly shook her head, attempting to decelerate her erratic heart rate.

Edward drove Nelissa back to her company. Neither of them spoke another word again. Upon arrival at Nelissa’s company, she unbuckled her seat belt and spoke, “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Hales.”

When she was about to go down the car, Edward grabbed her hand and voiced, “Wait a second.”