Alina's eyes snapped wide with disbelief.
Her immediate reaction was to shove Kellan away, but the towel wrapped around her body was barely secure, so she had no choice but to grip it tightly with one hand instead.
Kellan's kiss gave Alina no room to think, and the strength in it left her body unsteady.
Only after what felt like far too long did Kellan finally pull back, leaving a thin thread between them as the distance slowly widened.
Heat rushed to her face, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink. Even so, the look in her eyes turned sharp with anger. "Kellan!"
"There's someone outside," Kellan muttered as he leaned closer to her ear. His breath brushed lightly against her skin, and the warmth made her shiver without meaning to.
A quiet bite pressed into Alina's lower lip. She couldn't help but wonder why everyone in this household seemed so eager to listen in on others.
There was something about her expression that caught his attention, as it held both embarrassment and irritation at the same time. He found it unexpectedly endearing.
Kellan asked, "Did anyone trouble you after I left earlier?"
A quiet shake of her head was all Alina offered in response.
As another thought crossed her mind, she spoke up again. "Tomorrow, I need to visit my mother. I will go on my own."
Rather than argue, Kellan let out a faint grunt, and his tone made it clear that joining her had never crossed his mind.
With a sharp look thrown his way, Alina turned aside and began changing her clothes.
Kellan lifted a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. To him, she felt unlike anyone he had ever dealt with before.
When night came, the arrangement remained the same, and Alina took the bed once again.
Morning arrived quietly, but the ringing of her phone pulled her out of sleep.
"Auralina, the collector's item you created has finally been sold! It went for $30 million!" Excitement spilled through the caller's voice.
At that news, Alina lifted a brow in surprise. The design carried a price that few could afford, and it had sat untouched for an entire year after she completed it. Because of that, she never imagined it would find a buyer now.
Curiosity slipped into her voice as she asked, "Do you know who bought it?"
"The buyer chose to stay unnamed. Also, when can we look forward to your next design?" The question carried clear excitement.
Still half-asleep, Alina let out a gentle yawn before answering, "I'll work on something when I find the time."
Once the call ended, she pushed herself out of bed and noticed several neatly arranged gift boxes resting on the sofa.
It didn't take long for her to figure out that Kellan must have prepared them for her visit to her mother.
She lifted the lid of one box and discovered a dress from a label she immediately recognized.
What lay inside turned out to be a custom-made gown from Lumisou, and it was a rare haute couture piece that wasn't easy to obtain.
Another box revealed a finely crafted jewelry set from Vick, and the moment Alina's eyes landed on it, shock took hold of her. Only then did it dawn on her that Kellan was the one who had purchased the design.
Something unfamiliar stirred quietly in her chest.
Never before had anyone gone out of their way to prepare such lavish clothing and accessories for her.
After slipping into the gown and fastening the jewelry in place, Alina made her way toward the villa entrance, where the driver had already arrived and stood waiting beside the car.
The driver stepped forward and opened the door, his tone polite. "I'll take you there, ma'am."
A small nod came from Alina before she entered the car.
Across town, the Hayes family's residence had already come alive with movement and noise.
Festive decorations still covered every corner of the house, and the atmosphere had not yet settled after the celebration. Lynda and Edmond stood near the entrance, clearly waiting for their daughter and son-in-law.
Not far from them, Kristy remained at their side while she kept her gaze fixed ahead, and anticipation showed plainly on her face.
The moment a sleek Porsche came into view and stopped nearby, smiles spread across all three of them, and they quickly stepped forward to welcome the arrival.
From inside the vehicle, Alan and Jessica stepped out together.
As Edmond watched his son-in-law, a sense of satisfaction settled in his chest. His eyes lingered on the polished car, and curiosity got the better of him. "I heard this Porsche model was discontinued about five years ago. Many people have tried to get one and failed."
A relaxed smile settled on Alan's face as he answered, "I placed my order at the right time, so I was able to secure one."
Even though his tone sounded easygoing, the fact that he had obtained such a car spoke volumes about his influence and standing.
The Hopkins family held more sway in the city than the Hayes family.
Because of that, Edmond's approval of Alan grew even stronger.
The young man had everything. He carried himself well, he had the looks, and he showed clear capability. Above all, he was a perfectly healthy and reliable man.
Not long after, the arrival of another vehicle drew their attention, and a Rolls-Royce came to a stop nearby. The moment it appeared, it made the Porsche beside it seem far less impressive.
Anyone familiar with luxury cars would recognize it at a glance as a rare, limited-edition model. Its value reached fifty million dollars, and for many people, owning such a car remained nothing more than a distant dream.
Curiosity filled the air, and the crowd found their attention drawn to the unfamiliar car.
Within the next moment, the driver stepped out and moved to the back door before opening it with care. From inside, Alina emerged.
Clothed in an exquisite piece of haute couture, she carried herself with quiet confidence. The elegance of the gown highlighted her beauty, and the refined look gave her a presence that felt almost regal. Without effort, she became the center of attention and left Jessica and Alan in the background.
At a single glance, Jessica recognized the jewelry adorning Alina. It came from Vick, and the design stood out as a rare custom piece that surpassed the one she had received from Alan.
Jealousy quickly took hold of her expression, and her composure began to falter. How could someone like Alina, who came from such a modest background, appear in something far more extravagant than what she owned?
