As Alicia got into the car and buckled up, she couldn't help but notice how Louis had shed some pounds and his chiseled features were even more pronounced, making him all the more mesmerizing. In that moment, she realized that she still loved him deeply and that forgetting him was out of the question.
"Here, a little something to celebrate your new job," Louis said as he handed her a dark blue velvet jewelry box with a bow.
Alicia's eyes widened as she opened the box to find a stunning silver cross necklace adorned with a ginormous diamond that glistened brilliantly from every angle. The diamond was so intricately cut, it seemed to twinkle with a life of its own. Alicia looked at Louis, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Why such an extravagant gift?"
Louis grinned and locked his gaze onto hers. "May the big guy upstairs watch over you as you tangle with those spooky antiques. Now, let me put it on for you."
Thinking of Lance upstairs, Alicia joked, "There's indeed a big guy upstairs, but he doesn't seem to like me for now." She watched as Louis carefully placed the necklace around her neck, his fingers accidentally brushing against her skin and sending a shiver down her spine.
A bittersweet feeling washed over her as she looked at him, but she managed to force a smile and said, "No more gifts, please."
"Don't want Madelyn to think we're up to something, do we?" Louis quipped as he placed his long fingers on the steering wheel.
"It's just a trinket, no big deal," he added nonchalantly.
In no time, they arrived at the Martinez family mansion. As soon as they stepped inside, Alicia's silver-haired grandmother Bonnie Martinez rushed towards her, hugging her tightly. "My dear Alicia, I've missed you so much!"
Alicia was surprised by her grandmother's warm greeting, since she was usually reserved and poised. So she smiled and asked, "What brings you here today?"
Bonnie took her hand and glanced at Louis. "Let's eat first, we can talk later."
The table was laden with all kinds of delectable dishes, from succulent meats to fresh seafood. Bonnie kept chatting with Alicia, beaming at her. "Three years ago, when Louis was looking for a wife all over the city, I helped him pick the perfect one. The moment I saw your picture, I knew you were the one. With your elegant eyebrows, sparkling eyes, and those lucky earrings, you were just the kind of girl that Louis needed. And lo and behold, after he married you, he got back on his feet in just two years, and his company has been thriving ever since."
Bonnie suddenly coughed violently, and Alicia rushed to her side, patting her back gently. After the coughing fit subsided, Bonnie took Alicia's hand. "You're an amazing child, gentle, hardworking, and virtuous. When Louis was on a wheelchair and had a terrible temper, most of his caregivers and maids left, but you stayed with him. Without you, he might have been down for the count."
As Alicia wiped Bonnie's tears away, Louis couldn't help but clench his chopsticks tightly, lost in thought. Bonnie looked at him and gasped for breath, saying, "I only have one wish: to see you and Alicia happy together and to hold my grandchild in my arms soon."
Alicia felt a pang of guilt, realizing that Louis hadn't told Bonnie about their divorce yet. "I'm not pregnant yet, so don't worry about that. And we still have a long way to go before we can be truly happy together."
Bonnie's voice grew weaker. "I'm old now, and I could pass away any day now. If I can see my grandchild born before I die, I'll die a happy woman."
Alicia felt a lump forming in her throat and said quickly, "You're going to live a long and healthy life, I promise."
"I know my own body. I'm an eighty-year-old bag of bones," Bonnie said, standing up with difficulty and clutching her chest. "I feel uncomfortable. I need to rest for a while."
Alicia helped her to the bedroom, afraid of hurting her. As they approached the room, Bonnie suddenly turned to Louis and said, "Starting tonight, you'll stay here with Alicia every day until she gets pregnant. And then I'll let you move back to your own place."
Louis was about to protest, but Bonnie had already walked into the room. Alicia carefully supported her, afraid that she might fall.
Once Bonnie lay down on the bed, she took Alicia's hand and whispered, "I know you're moving back to your parents' house. Don't worry, with me here, this marriage won't end in divorce. Louis is a good guy and listens to me."
"But..." Alicia tried to argue.
Bonnie cut her off. "There's no need to argue. That Madelyn girl can only share his good times, not the bad. She's heartless and unworthy of being a part of the our family."
Alicia hesitated and said, "Grandma, should we call a doctor to come and see you?"
But Bonnie shook her head. "No need. I'm too old and sick. Even if the doctor comes, it won't help. Now go, eat something, and close the door on your way out."
Alicia chatted with Bonnie for a few more minutes before leaving the room. Once she was gone, Bonnie sat up in bed, full of energy and completely different from her previously weak appearance.
Back at the dining table, Grandpa Frank offered Alicia a lamb leg. "Have some roast lamb, Alicia. I remember it's your favorite."
As Alicia thanked Frank and started eating, Louis looked at his grandfather and asked, "Why is grandma suddenly so weak? Last time we saw her, she was perfectly healthy."
Frank let out a heavy sigh. "That's just the way it is when you get old. One minute you're fine, the next you're knocking on heaven's door. You two need to take good care of her and not cause her any more stress."
Louis's expression turned serious.
After they finished eating, they returned to their guest room. Alicia couldn't help but feel anxious. "Are we really going to stay here indefinitely?"
Louis furrowed his brow and loosened his tie. "With grandma's condition, we need to take it slow. Let's stay for a few days."
"But there's only one bed," Alicia pointed out. "What are we going to do?"
Louis chuckled. "Close your eyes and I'll tuck you in. Just kidding," he added quickly.
Alicia was feeling uneasy. "I ain't joking, I'm serious."
Louis coolly took off his watch and chucked it on the nightstand. "You go freshen up first. I'll go next."
Alicia quickly splashed her face, brushed her teeth, and took a lightning-fast shower. Then she swapped with Louis.
Lying in bed, she couldn't doze off, and her mind was in overdrive. "We're getting a divorce, but we're still sleeping in the same bed? This doesn't make sense."
Suddenly, Louis's phone rang on the nightstand. Alicia didn't wanna pry, so she let it ring.
After two rings, the phone stopped. But not long after, Alicia's phone started ringing.
She peeped at the caller ID and saw an unknown number. She answered and heard a woman's sultry voice, "Hey, is that Alicia?"
"Who's this?" Alicia asked, puzzled.
The woman hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'm his friend."
Thinking it was one of Louis's work buds, Alicia said, "He's taking a shower. When he's done, I'll have him call you back."
"Sure thing, thanks," the woman replied.
After finishing his shower, Louis only had a towel wrapped around his waist and was drying his hair with another towel. His broad shoulders and long legs made him look like a Greek god. His abs were chiseled, and his waist looked mighty and powerful. The orange light made him even more irresistible.
Alicia's heart was beating fast, and her ears were on fire. She turned her head away and muttered, "Someone called for you. You should call them back."
Louis let out a small "hmm" and strolled to the nightstand to grab his phone before leaving the room. When he came back, his handsome face was dark, and he asked coldly, "Was this on purpose?"
Alicia was confused and asked, "What do you mean?"
Louis's hand holding the phone was trembling as he demanded, "Madelyn almost killed herself. What did you say to her?"
It took Alicia a couple of seconds to process before she replied, "I didn't know the person on the phone was Madelyn. She said she was your friend, so I thought it was one of your colleagues and told her you were in the shower."
Louis's face remained cold as he opened the cabinet and grabbed his clothes to put on. Once he was dressed, he strode out of the room without a word.
Frank heard the ruckus and came out, asking, "Where y'all going in the middle of the night?"
Louis answered, "Madelyn's in the hospital, I'm going to see her."
Frank always got what he wanted.
Alicia didn't wanna argue, so she replied, "Sure thing, Grandpa." She put on her clothes and left with Louis.
As they drove past an intersection, Alicia said, "Drop me off at a hotel, please."
Louis gripped the steering wheel and didn't look at her as he said, "Come with me, explain it to Madelyn."
Alicia felt suffocated. Although she was usually composed and peaceful, she had her limits. "It wasn't my fault to start with; why do I gotta explain?" she said.
Sensing her discomfort, Louis freed one of his hands and gently stroked her hair, "Madelyn has severe depression. For my sake, please say a few words to her, okay?"
As reluctant as she was, Alicia finally agreed.