Chapter 8: You’re Not a Psychiatrist, Are You?
When the door swung open, she saw a figure standing tall by the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in pockets.
The sight of his back gave off an oppressive vibe, mixed with a lonely aura that piqued Victoria's curiosity.
She frowned slightly and stepped in, her high heels clicking on the floor.
The waiter quietly closed the door behind her.
Victoria, never one to beat around the bush, looked at the imposing figure and said, "Sir, hello, I am..."
Before she could finish, he turned around, and she was stunned by a familiar yet unfamiliar handsome face.
"It's you?" she asked, surprised.
It was the distinguished and handsome man from the lakeside yesterday.
Alexander was also slightly taken aback when he saw her.
Today, she looked completely different. Yesterday's casual outfit made her look fresh and refined, while today's professional attire made her look capable and mature, yet still elegant and intellectual.
He raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
His deep eyes lit up, dispelling his usual cold aura.
"Hello, what a coincidence," Alexander's deep, pleasant voice said.
Victoria was silent.
It was quite a coincidence.
Yesterday, he thought she was going to jump into the lake and accidentally saved her. Today, they met again as blind date partners.
Alexander exuded an aura of nobility and authority. Even if he tried to hide it, it was clearly an innate quality.
How did Thalia know him?
Could she have entered the wrong room?
But she had checked the name outside the room, and it was indeed the one Thalia had told her.
In the few seconds she was lost in thought, Alexander had already taken a few steps forward, now only three steps away from her.
His features were well-defined, like a finely crafted piece of jade, perfect and flawless.
Before she could speak, Alexander's deep, magnetic voice sounded again, "Are you thinking you entered the wrong room?"
Victoria remained speechless.
She slightly raised her eyelids, her almond eyes carrying a hint of a smile, and her clear voice rang out, "Sir, are you a psychologist?"
Alexander said lightly, "I've just studied a bit of psychology."
Victoria didn't take it seriously.
Then Alexander's pleasant voice sounded, "Alexander Howard."
Victoria was slightly stunned.
Alexander added, "My name."
Victoria then understood that he was introducing himself, and it was indeed concise.
She smiled slightly; in this regard, he was quite similar to her.
"Victoria Kennedy," she replied in return.
The two simply exchanged names without much introduction and tacitly did not inquire about each other's identities.
After they sat down, someone came in to serve the dishes.
The two tacitly asked each other again, "Shall we eat first and then talk?"
During the entire meal, Victoria gained a new understanding of Alexander.
Alexander was not only good-looking but also ate with such elegance and nobility, every move he made flawless.
It was as if he was born noble.
Such table manners couldn't be cultivated by just any wealthy family.
This prompted Victoria to use her basic etiquette to cope, making the meal quite uncomfortable and stifling for her.
She usually finished a meal in ten minutes, but today she had to drag it out for an hour.
This slow and deliberate way of eating really didn't suit her.
But Alexander, sitting opposite her, seemed to enjoy it, looking calm and unhurried.
Considering that his appearance matched her aesthetic, she endured it.
Alexander didn't notice her discomfort either.
Seeing that he had finished eating and elegantly poured a cup of tea, Victoria asked, "Mr. Howard, what do you think of this date?"
Alexander felt an inexplicable irritation in his heart at her respectful and indifferent tone.
Alexander asked back, "What do you think, Ms. Kennedy?"
His slightly elongated tone made Victoria momentarily lose focus.
Alexander was not only perfect in appearance but also had such an alluring voice.
She cleared her throat to ease her momentary distraction and embarrassment.
"Mr. Howard, do you usually follow public opinion and hot topics?" Victoria asked casually, not responding to his previous question.
Alexander's deep eyes carried a hint of curiosity as he stared at her exquisite, cold face. His thin lips moved slightly, and he said, "Yes."
He asked again, "What does this have to do with our blind date?"
Victoria's clear almond eyes were calm as she replied, "I have a notorious reputation."
Alexander's low, gentle voice responded, "I prefer to believe what I see with my own eyes."
Victoria was slightly taken aback.
Alexander's intense gaze made her look away after a brief glance.
"Ms. Kennedy, how about we get married?" Alexander suddenly popped the question.
Victoria, who had just looked away, now stared at him in shock.
Alexander smiled faintly, "We both have our needs, and we just happened to meet. Why not?"
Seeing her remain silent, Alexander continued, "After marriage, we can stay out of each other's way. I'm usually busy with work and have no intention of marrying, but my grandfather wishes for me to marry soon. This way, you and I can both avoid the pressure from our families to get married."
"Blind dates are a waste of time," Alexander added earnestly.
Hearing this, Victoria squinted her almond eyes and stared at Alexander's cold, handsome face.
He was right; it was indeed a waste of time. Knowing Thalia's personality, she wouldn't stop pestering Victoria, especially after Victoria had called off the engagement.
Although Alexander didn't look like a good person, at least he was very good-looking.
Seeing her remain silent, Alexander was not in a hurry. He patiently waited for her answer, even politely filling up her wine glass.
The room was silent for a while.
Then Victoria's clear and cold voice sounded, "Okay, I agree, but I have one condition."
Her cold eyes met his, her bright almond eyes filled with an inscrutable emotion.
Without thinking, Alexander said, "Sure, name your condition."
Victoria raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled. Wasn't Alexander agreeing too readily?
Any condition?
Did he trust her that much?
Once again, Alexander seemed to guess her thoughts and explained nonchalantly, "Because it's you, I believe it's worth it."
As soon as Alexander finished speaking, Victoria felt her heart rate accelerate.
A warm current flowed into her cold heart.
It was ironic that someone she had only met twice could make her feel warm.
Alexander once again saw the self-mockery in her eyes, his deep eyes watching her without a trace of emotion.
At 9:30, the two left Starlight Diner together.
Originally, Alexander had gentlemanly offered to drive her home, but she decisively refused, saying she had driven herself.
Sitting in his luxurious car, Alexander watched the black Mercedes in front of him gradually disappear into the night, his deep, cold eyes like an unfathomable ocean, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
At this moment, Victoria's condition flashed through his mind. He hadn't expected her to request not to announce their marriage, which was a bit surprising.
She could have used his status to retaliate against those who bullied her, but she said she didn't need it.
When he first saw her by the lake, he felt a sense of familiarity. Usually indifferent to women, he had stopped his car.
At that time, Alexander thought he might be crazy.
Until he saw her again today, he realized he seemed more interested in her.
Realizing she would be going on other blind dates and might meet other men in the future made him a bit unhappy, so he proposed the unexpected marriage contract.
On the other side, after returning home, Victoria collapsed on the sofa, extremely relaxed.
Soon, Alexander's handsome face and the crazy marriage contract she agreed to flashed through her mind.
How did this happen to her?
Unable to understand and not wanting to think about it, she dragged her tired body into the bathroom.
Two days later, on Monday, at 9 a.m., City Hall in Ridgewood.
Two figures with perfectly matched heights walked through a special passage into City Hall and then into a VIP reception room.
Ten minutes later, Victoria reached out to receive her marriage certificate, feeling dazed.
She didn't notice the slight, triumphant smile on Alexander's thin, cool lips beside her.
"Congratulations on your marriage," the staff member, a married woman, said. She had never seen a more attractive and well-matched couple. She smiled at them and offered her congratulations.