Adina took the hair dryer and came down before she noticed that Duke was staring at her with his dark and profound eyes.
She pursed her lips and calmly said, âMr. Winters, are you taking a shower? Iâll go out and blow dry my hair.â
Duke suppressed the heat that was about to erupt from his body. âYour hairâs too long. Let me help you blow dry your hair,â he softly said in his deep voice.
Adina passed the hair dryer to him before she obediently sat in a chair.
Duke ran his fingers through her hair and gently dried it.
His blow-drying technique was not professional , but he was very gentle, as though he was worried that he would hurt her. He protected every strand of hair carefully.
Adina pursed her lips.
She suddenly felt like she was being vicious by testing the man like that.
If this man really had any unwarranted thoughts toward her, did that mean she could criticize and deny him on the high ground of morality?
Adina felt discouraged.
A test like this turned out to be quite uninteresting.
She stood up abruptly and calmly said, âI better do it myself.â
Duke suffered great psychological distress with every second he blew dry her hair. It took all of his will to restrain himself from doing anything too far to her.
He passed the hair dryer back to her. âYou do it yourself then.â
1 After that, he turned around and left the bathroom. Then, he stood on the balcony and kept breathing deeply.
Finally, the sound of the hairdryer in the bathroom stopped. He heard Adinaâs footsteps, followed by the subtle sounds of a blanket being turned over.
She had to be on the bed and sleeping now.
He should go inside after she fell asleep.
He was worried that he would have a nosebleed in front of her otherwise. That would be horrifying.
Adina lay on the unfamiliar bed and had trouble falling asleep. She was still worried about Alden and Melody. Would the two kids be able to sleep in a strange environment?
What she did not know was that in the study next door, George and Harold were staring at Alden, while Melody was pulling Aldenâs arm. The three kids were trying to get Alden to budge.
Harold pouted and said, âDidnât we agree that we would go and open the room door if Mommy calls you? But itâs been a long time, and Mommy hasnât called you. That means Mommy wants to spend some alone time with Dad. Besides, itâs very late. She has to be sleeping now. Do you want to wake her up?â
Alden pursed his lips.
That logic did not seem right to him. He would only feel at ease after he saw his mom.
Melody shook his arm and softly said, âAl, I want to sleep. Can you help me untie my hair?â
Harold happily said, âMel, Iâll untie your hair for you. Iâll be very gentle. I wonât hurt you. Come on, let me take you to your room. George, Dad, and I prepared it for you!â
Melody cheerfully went to the third floor with Harold. All their rooms were on the third floor.
Alden stood in the corridor and slowly walked to the master bedroom. He stood outside the door and listened for a while. It was really quiet inside, so his mom should have fallen asleep.
âDonât worry. Dad wonât bully Mommy.â
George stood behind him. He extended his hand and said, âCome on, Iâll bring you to your room.â
Alden took a look at Georgeâs hand that was extended toward him, but he did not stretch out his own hand. He pursed his lips and silently walked to the third floor.
As George walked, he said, âDad personally decorated your room and Melâs, while Hal and I set up the decorations. Look, do you like it?â
He pushed open the room door and motioned Alden to enterb