My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

The next day, I had brunch with Monique before returning to the villa.

Being absent-minded as always, I only realized that I had left my bag and phone in Bronzy Condo.

I entered the villa and noticed that the living room was empty. Minnie was most probably out for groceries; while Hendrix, being the workaholic he was, should be at the company.

I changed into my slippers and decided to look up some parenting education books for reading. The moment I opened the door of the study, the air was fetid with stale tobacco smoke.

It was daytime, but the curtains in the study were drawn up. It was dim.

"Hendrix?" I asked in a small voice as I saw cigarette sparks by the window.

Hendrix was the only one who smoked in this villa.

I reached for the switch and turned on the lights. Hendrix's expression was dark as he bellowed, "Turn it off!"

"What's wrong?"

him. "Didn't you sleep well last night?" I flinched at the smell

eyes fixed on me. He stubbed out the cigarette in his hand,

answered. "I told

ruthless, "Arianna, what else are you hiding from me? How

"What can I hide from you? I can count my acquaintances with all my

me the truth if I were to ask you?" His eyes were red, and there was stubble

gaze was particularly

so I boldly replied, "Yes, I'll tell

and asked, "Who was the man you hugged at the airport

you stalking me?" A fit of sudden anger burst in me. I continued, "Oh, Hendrix, are you serious? So you're even

so I unconsciously took a step back. He clutched my shoulders tightly in anger, "Why

you want!" Bothered by the foul smell of alcohol and cigarettes from him, I broke

to exit the room, he had grabbed me by the arms and pulled me into a