Chapter 23

Alicia froze for a few seconds, then quickly sat up, concealing a bloodstain on her pants. She placed her hands demurely on her knees and looked at Caden, her eyes wide with nervousness. She looked like a child caught in a misdeed.

Caden examined her from head to toe. “What are you trying to hide? I know all about this car.”

Alicia blushed slightly. "I wasn't trying to hide anything," she replied flatly, keeping her legs tightly closed to prevent further staining. Her trembling voice, however, betrayed her anxiety.

Caden sensed something was amiss but couldn't place it. Noticing his own pale hands, he asked, "Are you okay?"

Alicia bit her lip. Pride prevented her from admitting the truth. "I'm fine," she murmured. She would have sought help from anyone else, but not Caden. She wouldn't show vulnerability to him.

Caden's intense gaze made her feel exposed, as if he were trying to strip away her defenses. After a tense silence, he said, "Okay. I'm leaving, then."

Alice blinked, confused by his cryptic statement and his indifferent expression. As he reached for the door, she murmured, "Wait."

The slight movement caused more bleeding. She scrambled to her feet, determined to contain the stain. Caden immediately noticed the large red stain on the back of her pants.

"How embarrassing!" he thought, standing awkwardly still before glancing back at her. Seeing her vulnerability, his expression softened. With a kind smile, he asked, "Do you need my help?"

Unsure if he understood, Alice looked down, bit her lip, and remained silent. Knowing her stubbornness, Caden relented to avoid prolonged awkwardness. In a playful tone, he removed his jacket. "We've only met a couple of times, and you've already borrowed three of my clothes. Are you trying to monopolize them, Miss Bennett?"

His kindness surprised her, a rush of emotions washing over her. First the rain, then the spilled coffee, and now this. Why did she always find herself in such embarrassing situations with him?

She tied his jacket around her waist to cover the stain, muttering her thanks and hurrying from the car.

Caden raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Blushing deeply, she whispered, "Thank you."

"Can you speak louder? I can't hear you," he said.

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear me the first time?" she snapped, though he clearly had.

Caden smirked. "You're so arrogant with me, but when Lilliana sprayed you with coffee, you didn't say a word."

A hint of a smile touched Alice's lips as she headed to the restroom. "Revenge is a dish best served cold," she murmured. There were far more dignified ways to get even with Lilliana than a public confrontation.

She asked a waitress to buy her sanitary napkins.

"And bring her a new outfit, small size," Caden added, handing over the money. Alicia was surprised by his thoughtfulness.

"Please give it to her in the first-floor restroom," he instructed the waitress.

After Alice left, Caden encountered Gerry. "Hey, mate. Where's your jacket?"

Caden replied flatly, "Didn't you see what happened?"

Gerry scoffed, "So you admit it, huh? You two were in my car, got a little frisky, and now you're buying her a new outfit because of the mess, right?"

Caden remained impassive as Gerry pressed further, speculating about the reason for Alice's restroom visit and suggesting Caden had forced her to clean herself.

With a grimace, Caden retorted, "You know, Gerry, it's a shame you don't direct adult films."

Gerry grinned. "Do you want to be my leading man?"

"It would probably be your father," Caden replied.

Gerry shook his head. "Jesus Christ! That's off-limits, man."

Reaching their floor, Caden exited the elevator. "You always think the worst. I've only been gone for less than ten minutes. How could I have gotten to that point in such a short time?"

Gerry's eyes widened. "I appreciate you considering me a brother. I'm glad you can so openly share personal details about your premature ejaculation," he joked.

Caden glared. Gerry continued, "You were impotent before and now you're having a hard time finishing. Man, you've got it tough."

Caden, unable to tolerate his idiocy, forced him to drink a glass of wine.

About half an hour later, Alice apologized. "I'm sorry. My period came early, and I was late wiping."

Gerry raised an eyebrow. "Your period? Shame on you."

Alice blinked, confused. "Huh? Am I supposed to be in menopause already?"