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?"

walked towards him. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

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

"I

and ruthless, "Arianna, what else are you hiding

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 if you're curious about anything.

truth if I were to ask you?" His eyes were red, and there was stubble on his chin.

gaze was

I boldly replied, "Yes, I'll tell

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

"Hendrix, were you stalking me?" A fit of sudden anger burst in me. I

unconsciously took a step back. He clutched my shoulders tightly in anger, "Why are you trying to run away? You're

want!" Bothered by the foul smell of alcohol

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