Ecstacy of the Heart

Chapter 22 I’m Sorry for Being Late

Just as Allison couldn’t avert her gaze from that man, he suddenly looked in her direction and for a

moment they locked eyes.

Allison hastily wanted to look in another direction, but he saw that man lifted the corner of his lips,

seemingly smiling at her.

It was that kind of smile which made his eyes press into lines, and it had the power to attract anybody.

The irresistible kind.

Allison curled up her lips too as she returned him a smile. She turned to face the pen again with

disappointment in her heart.

Since it was already sold, there was nothing she could do about it anymore. She had no choice but to

choose from the other items there.

After combing the shop, Allison didn’t settle on any suitable present. As she was about to leave,

suddenly a voice sounded behind her, “Miss, please wait a minute.”

She turned around to see that man in the wheelchair approaching her.

Allison asked in a soft voice, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

The man sitting in the wheelchair lifted up the corners of his mouth, “The boss told me that you have

your eyes on the pen as well, no?”

Allison looked downwards and saw that grey pen in his palms. Her eyes brightened up, “Correct, but

since you have already bought it, then I reckon there’s nothing I can do.”

The man on the wheelchair smiled, “I haven’t paid for it yet though. If you really like it, I can let you

have it.”

“Really?” Allison stared at him with excitement, “Are you willing to let me have it instead?”

The man nodded, “I won’t insist to have this thing since I am just adding it to my collection, nothing

more. If it means more to you, I can let you have it.”

“Then accept my thanks!”

Allison took the pen from his hands as she continued to thank him a few more times. She then happily

strutted to the counter to pay for it.

By the time that present was completely wrapped, that man was nowhere to be seen when Allison

turned around.

In the end, she had accomplished what she had set out for. This was a rare serendipitous moment

since she was able to obtain something Don would love!

She left the antique shop in an upbeat mood without noticing that man in the wheelchair gazing at her

in a café not far away.

At that moment, that man had an indifferent and hopeless look on his face.

He spoke after some time, “Is she the one who has married Alexander?”

A man who stood next to him answered, “Yes, it’s her. Her name is Allison.”

--

When she returned to the villa, the time was running late. Allison hurriedly went back to her bedroom to

write a personal letter for Don and made sure the gift was impeccable before she departed.

“Lara, I’m going to have dinner in a restaurant today. You don’t need to cook my portion.”

“You’re going to eat in a restaurant?” Lara emerged from the kitchen while rubbing her hands on her

apron, “Why aren’t you eating at home today?”

Allison smiled at her, “Today is my father’s birthday. We are going to have a get together later.”

Lara immediately followed up with another question, “Is the young master going?”

Allison hesitated for a moment upon hearing that. The she replied in a soft voice, “He doesn’t have time

for it. I’m going by myself.”

Lara looked she wanted to ask something again but in the end she decided to let the conversation end.

Allison carried the gift and out she went. She was heading to a hotel, its location sent to her by

Jennifer.

Shortly after she had left, Alexander returned home. He entered the villa and immediately headed to

the study room on the second floor. He stopped in his tracks when he reached the top of the stairs. The

villa was strangely quiet compared to normal.

Was she not at home?

When he reached the door to his study room, Alexander hesitated briefly before changing directions to

the bedroom beside the study. He pushed the door open and as expected, there was no one in the

room. All the lights had been switched off.

Images of Allison when she was at the company flashed in his mind. Alexander frowned imperceptibly

as he turned around and headed downstairs. He asked Lara, “Is Allison not home yet?”

Lara replied truthfully, “The young lady has left the house not long ago. She told me she is going to

celebrate her father’s birthday.”

“Birthday?” Alexander knitted his eyebrows.

Could today be Don’s birthday? ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lara watched the slight changes in his expression, and then she added, “Young master, since today is

the old man’s birthday, supposedly you should attend his celebration as well. Just now when the young

lady exited the house, I saw a gloomy look on her face. I asked her the reason that she wasn’t telling

you about this, and she said that she didn’t want to bother you…”

These sentences seemed to tug at Alexander’s heart. A feeling of guilt rose in his heart.

He was definitely busy, but it wasn’t as if he couldn’t even squeeze out some time to accompany Don

for a dinner.

“Young master, from what I see, the young lady is very thoughtful about you. Knowing that she had

angered you yesterday, she had tried to learn how to make pork rib soup from me. She has spent a few

hours making sure the soup was boiled well all morning…”

Lara’s words put Alexander in gloominess again.

She had visited him earlier on today probably because she had something to tell him. At that time,

someone had knocked on the door, and he had asked her to leave immediately. In hindsight, it’s not

that she was not planning to tell him about her father’s birthday, she just didn’t have the chance.

For some reason, he felt slightly ashamed. He immediately walked out of the house while dialling

Bernard’s number, “Locate Allison now. Do it as soon as you can!”

In the end, Allison was still his wife and what’s more, Don was his teacher and mentor. It was

unbecoming of him to not attend his birthday dinner.

Shortly after that, Bernard sent him an address. Alexander immediately started the engine of his car

and off he went to Breeze Restaurant.

At Breeze Restaurant, Allison was following the waiter to the door of a suite, and despite separated by

the door, Jennifer’s voice could be heard coming from the inside of the suite.

“My daughter has finally grown up, and she is even able to marry such a decent man! My best friends

are all pretty envious of me, to say the least! They said that my time has finally come after suffering for

almost my entire life…”

“That’s not really true either, it is not like we have to rely on our daughter. I just want her to be happy,

that’s all.”

“…”

While listening to the subdued exchanges inside the suite, a sense of sourness overcame Allison.

Although Jennifer, her mother, was someone brazen and hot-tempered at times, in the end she was still

a doting mother who wholeheartedly loved her daughter. However, she could imagine her

disappointment having to learn that she was the only one coming tonight to celebrate her father’s

birthday.

After taking in a deep breath, Allison gnashed her teeth and pushed open the door of the suite. She

immediately saw her parents sitting by the dining table. She produced a smile as she greeted them,

“Dad, mum. I’m here.”

Jennifer hurriedly stood up to usher her to take a seat. She then looked past her in search of

something, “Where is Alex? Where is he now? I don’t see him and his parents with you.”

“They…”

Allison subconsciously clenched her fists as she was thrown into a dilemma, not knowing what kind of

answer she should give Jennifer.

Seeing that Allison was mute, Jennifer asked again, “Are they coming now? I’ll go welcome them. You

little brat, how could you leave them on their own and come here by yourself…”

Seeing that Jennifer was about to go out, Allison immediately yanked her back, “Mum, Alexander has

been very busy with work, so…” He couldn’t come this time.

Jennifer sensed a strange expression on Allison’s face. Just as she was about to ask her what

happened, suddenly sounds of footsteps could be heard outside the suite.

“Dad, mum, I’m sorry for being late.”

Allison heard a very familiar voice. Not sure whether she was just hearing things, she looked back to

check. Sure enough, it was Alexander standing at the door. Allison felt her heart jerk slightly in

astonishment and incomprehension.

Why… why had he come?