Chapter: 472

Then a soft female voice could be heard. "Alicia! Wait for me!"

Caden's eyebrows scrunched together.

Alicia?

Caden was pretty sure he heard correctly.

What was she doing there?

When Gerry asked him again about joining, Caden finally gave in.

"I'll be there soon."

He didn't bring much with him, and when he left, he only grabbed a jacket.

He moved quickly.

Ciara, though she already knew the answer, asked pointedly, "Are you going to bed this early?"

Caden preferred not to answer.

But Ciara asked further, “You're going the wrong way. Your room is inside. Why are you heading towards the door?"

He replied briefly, "Go to bed early."

Then he closed the door behind him and left.

The music in the bar was extremely loud.

Alicia was tucked away in a booth, focused on her phone, occasionally checking to ensure Monica was safe as she danced among the crowd.

Gerry was aware that Alicia didn't drink alcohol.

He considerately filled a glass with cola and slid it toward her.

Alicia nodded her appreciation. “Thanks. Don't worry over me, Mr. Hopkins. I'm fine on my own."

Gerry peeked at her phone screen. “Still caught up in your work?"

“No. I was just bored and looking for something to keep me busy.”

“But you've been on the same page for a while. Is there something on your mind?" asked Gerry.

Alicia remained silent.

She switched off her phone.

She found it impossible to concentrate on her studies or to find any enjoyment.

Hours had passed, yet her recent argument with Caden kept replaying in her head.

She was disturbed that he saw her only as a sexual partner, and she pondered why it bothered her so much.

Would she have agreed if Caden had proposed they date?

She felt torn.

Gerry, clueless to their disagreement, was eating contentedly.