Chapter 231

Caden poured all his intense emotions into their rhythm: two rounds of activity followed by an hour's rest. The long winter night stretched over ten hours, and he carefully managed their time, meeting his own needs without overworking Alicia. Despite his consideration, she slept soundly until morning. Caden, however, slept only two hours. He accepted breakfast from the innkeeper, who remarked on his remarkable stamina. "You have impressive stamina, young man!" she exclaimed, amazed he was already up after such an intense night.

Caden simply smiled. "It's the advantage of being young," he replied. At twenty-five, staying up all night was hardly a challenge.

After breakfast, he worked online by the window. Afternoon sunlight filtered in, illuminating his keyboard. Looking up, he was pleasantly surprised by the unseasonably sunny weather—an unexpected blessing. His gaze drifted to Alicia sleeping in the bed, a smile touching his lips. His phone rang, interrupting the moment.

He answered with a carefree, "What's wrong?"

Gerry's worried voice filled the line. "You're okay?" They'd spoken days earlier; Caden had assured her everything was fine and asked her not to visit. But her concern had prompted this call.

"Yes. We'll be back in a couple of days," Caden replied.

Gerry sighed with relief, then noticed something unusual in his tone. "It's already afternoon. Why do you sound like you just woke up? You've fallen asleep?"

"Yes, I slept a little today," Caden said cheerfully.

Gerry scoffed. "You've been put under a spell by Alicia. Your time—usually more valuable than gold—and yet here you are, lingering in bed."

Caden laughed. "That's pretty accurate."

Gerry was surprised by his sincerity. "But Thanksgiving's the day after tomorrow. You're not coming back? You're really going to miss it all the way up in those mountains?"

Caden shrugged off the tradition. "Yes."

"Come on, join us. Bring Alicia," Gerry insisted. "I was eager to see this softer side of you—I've never seen you like this with anyone. Come back. Let's hang out. I'll even cover you all night."

Caden's voice turned cold. "No. I'm ending the call."

Gerry pleaded, "Come on! I'm practically begging!"

Caden paused, then asked bluntly, "Do you have feelings for me?"

Gerry answered without hesitation, "Not in this life. I only like women. Maybe in the next life." He laughed, slightly taken aback by the question. "Thanks, but no. Even if you liked men in the next life, I wouldn't like you."

Caden ended the call.

Capitalizing on the Thanksgiving energy, Alicia developed ideas for a special event. She drafted a detailed proposal and sent it to her assistant.

Upon learning of Alicia's recent accident, her assistant expressed concern. "Ms. Bennett, I can handle this plan. You don't have to work so hard."

Alicia smiled. "It's okay. I have some free time now. Next year I'll be busier, and then I'll let you take the reins."

Caden entered, finding Alicia smiling. "Who are you talking to?" she asked, glancing at her phone.

Alicia quickly finished and ended the call. "Just discussing some gallery matters with my assistant," she murmured, shifting under the blanket.

Caden asked, without thinking, "Is your assistant a man or a woman?"

"A woman," Alicia replied. "She just graduated, but she's very intelligent and kind."

Caden's expression softened. "Okay."

Alicia showed him her plan. With his business experience, Caden quickly identified minor issues, which Alicia swiftly addressed.

Caden mused, "It's Thanksgiving. How about we bathe in hot springs?"

Alicia was surprised. "There are hot springs here?"

"Yes," he said. "And fireworks."

Alicia, in the hot spring, looked amazed. "This place is so remote, practically abandoned. It's just the two of us. Why are there fireworks?"

Caden hugged her from behind. "Fireworks on Thanksgiving aren't that unusual."

Alicia splashed the water playfully. "You made them?" Caden smiled, knowing she wouldn't mind. He’d orchestrated everything. "I did. In such an isolated place, there are usually none. I prepared them yesterday."

He let his thoughts drift. "There's an even more spectacular spectacle. Do you want to see it?"

Alicia's eyes lit up. "Where? When?"

"Right now."

He turned her, gently lifting her to the edge of the spring. He lifted her legs, placing them over his shoulders as he knelt.

Alicia realized what was about to happen. She gasped, quickly biting her hand to stifle the sound. The intense sensations made her close her eyes, her mind ablaze with the metaphorical fireworks Caden had promised.