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?"

towards him. "Didn't you sleep well last night?" I flinched at the smell of alcohol, "You're drinking

fixed on me. He stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, and finally asked, "Where were

I grumpily answered. "I told you yesterday,

else

starting to give me a headache, and I grew irritated at his cold attitude. So, annoyed, I refuted, "What can I hide from you? I can count my acquaintances with all my fingers. Just ask me directly

me the truth if I were to ask you?" His eyes were red, and there was stubble on his chin. Hendrix probably had stayed

gaze was

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

"Who was

thrown off guard, I snapped at him, "Hendrix, were you stalking me?" A fit of sudden anger burst in me. I continued, "Oh, Hendrix, are you serious? So

he stood closer to me, so I unconsciously took a step back. He clutched my shoulders tightly in anger, "Why are you trying to run

anything you want!" Bothered by the foul smell of alcohol and cigarettes from him, I broke free from his grasp to leave the

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