Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 69: The Ride

Chapter 69: The Ride

Rain frowned at Alexander, her suspicion growing. "What’s with you?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity. ’Was he always this inquisitive?’ she wondered. The man she remembered hearing about from Sanya was supposed to be an unbothered king, not someone prying into every detail.

"The coffee’s still hot," he replied simply. Rain took a sip of her own coffee, then shrugged. "It’s tolerable."

"Well, mine’s still too hot, so why don’t you tell me more about this Clifford while I wait for it to cool down?" Alexander pressed, his tone making it clear he wasn’t letting the topic go. Realizing he wasn’t going to drop it, Rain relented. For some reason, she felt oddly comfortable and secure around him, so she started narrating how she met Clifford and how their relationship developed.

"I see," Alexander said, his expression unreadable as he finally began sipping his coffee.

"I like my coffee hot. Seems like you prefer yours warmer?" she quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

"I like mine hot too," he replied nonchalantly, leaving Rain momentarily speechless. Seriously, this man was so unpredictable!

"Tomorrow, make sure you pack up your stuff. I’ll pick you up before dinner. My father’s already expecting you," he informed her suddenly, catching her off guard. Right, she had almost forgotten about that part of the deal. She’d promised to stay with him and fulfill her wifely duties for four months.

Rain nodded and then subconsciously stared into her coffee. ’Should I ask him about Carla? Is that why he won’t consider extending our marriage?’ she wondered. It wasn’t like her to be so curious, but she wanted to know. Yet, she hesitated, feeling that asking would be prying too much into his personal life.

In the end, Rain chose to stay silent, finishing her coffee and cake. It had been a long, exhausting day, and this quiet moment with coffee and sweets felt like a much-needed break.

"So, Brandon will handle everything, right? I’m assuming he’ll wrap it up without any loose ends and ensure your security. You’ve got a career to protect," Alexander pointed out. He paused for a moment, then added, "Ah, never mind that—you’ll be living with me starting tomorrow. You’ll be safe under my protection."

Rain felt a slight tug at her heart, sensing that Alexander might actually care about her. But she quickly shook off the feeling, reminding herself not to read too much into it. After all, Alexander had a childhood sweetheart he was waiting for.

Alexander had already finished his coffee and was just waiting for her. "Let’s go," Rain said with a smile as she finished her drink. It had been a long night, and she figured Alexander would want to head home.

"I can just grab a cab from here, so you can go straight home," she suggested, noticing the many cabs passing by.

"It’s fine," he replied as he opened the door for her.

"But your penthouse is in the opposite direction," Rain pointed out. Alexander had already done so much for her, and she didn’t want to trouble him further.

"I’m stopping over at a friend’s place, and it’s along the way. Get in," he answered simply.

Rain climbed into the car, and as soon as her back touched the seat, exhaustion took over, and she dozed off. Alexander noticed her drifting off and decided to pull over to the side of the road.

He carefully adjusted the seat to recline it, ensuring Rain would be more comfortable. As he did, he found himself smiling at her peaceful expression. A wave of relief washed over him, knowing that Rain was only at the Gentle Club as an undercover agent. Yet, despite that relief, a pang of frustration lingered. The thought of her taking on such dangerous work on the side bothered him more than he cared to admit.

He sighed deeply, his thoughts in turmoil. Everything felt confusing, and he couldn’t quite understand why he was so entangled in her life. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop himself from getting involved—like tonight, when he had even lied about having someone to meet just to stay with her.

"I must be nuts," he mumbled to himself as he started driving back onto the road, the confusion and feelings swirling in his mind.

He drove through the quiet streets, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Rain. Before he knew it, he had arrived and parked near her building. He glanced over at her, still peacefully sleeping in the passenger seat. He didn’t have the heart to wake her up, especially when she looked so serene, far removed from the complicated life she led.

For a moment, he just sat there, watching her, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. He leaned in closer, almost without realizing it, his gaze locked on her soft, slightly parted lips. His breath caught as he found himself mere inches away, the urge to kiss her nearly overwhelming. But just as he was about to close the distance, Rain’s eyes fluttered open.

Alexander froze, his face inches from hers, heart pounding as he scrambled for an explanation.

"I, uh... I was just making sure your seatbelt was secure," he said awkwardly, quickly leaning back into his own seat, trying to appear nonchalant.

Rain blinked in confusion, still groggy from sleep. "Oh... thanks," she murmured, not entirely convinced but too tired to question it further. She stretched slightly, her body still waking up from the brief nap.

"We’re here," Alexander said, clearing his throat, trying to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness of the moment. "Take your time; there’s no rush."

Rain nodded, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Thanks for the ride," she said, offering him a small smile as she reached for the door handle.

"Anytime," he replied, his voice softer than usual, as he watched her step out of the car and head toward her building.

As Rain walked away, Alexander let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of the intense moment they had just shared. "What’s happening to me?" he muttered under his breath before finally driving off into the night.