My Mirror Image

Chapter 57

“Okay,” Alex reflected briefly with a downward gaze before promptly agreeing.

Ava cheerily lifted her glass and casually remarked, “Your mom and I used to half -jokingly talk about

becoming in–laws.”

Candice observed their toast from a distance, noting Ava’s emphasis on her long- standing friendship

with Helen while deliberately avoiding any business talk.

Contemplating the duration of Alex’s stay, she wondered if his departure would lead to more

complications with Ava.

Lost in thought, she missed the fact that they had concluded their chat.

He tossed his coat her way, his calm, deep voice bringing her back to reality, and instructed, “Please

Ms. Goodman out.

Holding his coat, Candice was about to follow Ava out but was stopped.

Ava said, “Oh, there’s no need for that.”

She then addressed Alex, “Please look after Nina for a while. She’s fresh out of college and still has

much to learn.”

Alex nodded reservedly, “Alright.”

Candice felt a twinge of unease. Ava’s intent to leave her daughter in Alex’s company was apparent.

She wondered whether Alex perceived her motives.

Yet, he must be aware; the question was how he would handle the situation, considering his girlfriend

was waiting for him in Dorrington City.

“Bring the car around,” Alex said coldly, looking at her.

Candice quietly headed to get the car, halting momentarily when she overheard Nina inquire, “Alex, will

I be accompanying you back to the hotel tonight?”

Hearing that made Candice momentarily stunned; following that, she quickly proceeded to the parking

lot, carrying Alex’s coat.

Nina, not receiving an answer, impulsively edged closer, gently pulling at his sleeve.

She asked, “Is something wrong?”

Alex eventually averted his gaze, lowered his gaze, and turned to face her.

With a grunt, he casually remarked, “Sure, it’s your call.”

Candice arrived with the car, and the two were already waiting outside the hotel’s lobby.

He courteously opened the rear car door, gesturing for Nina to enter. “Please get in.”

The thoughtfulness and care he put into his action made Nina’s smile brighter.

Yet, in a surprising turn, he closed the door behind her and took his place in the passenger seat.

Candice looked at him, taken aback.

Nina, equally puzzled, queried, “Why aren’t you joining me in the back?”

Alex nonchalantly explained, “I reek of alcohol.”

Alex was fascinating in every way, and despite his alcoholic stench, Nina was anxious to get to know

him better. She insisted, “I don’t mind it.”

Alex firmly declined, “It’s inappropriate for a young lady to have the smell of alcohol on her. It’s not

safe.”

Nina stopped pressing further when she sensed his worry.

Candice remained silent the entire time, simply glancing at her employer and reminding him, “Fasten

your seat belt.”

The hotel’s grand entrance cast a warm light inside the car, softening Alex’s features.

He lowered his gaze, his defined jawline becoming prominent.

Candice tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Alex was blessed with good looks; his features were

practically flawless.

She had sketched his facial features countless times, often when he was sleeping. Lost in thought,

Alex suddenly looked up, their gazes meeting unexpectedly.

Candice felt a jolt, akin to an electric shock, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away,

striving to regain her usual calm demeanor.

She had to admit that her initial fascination with him was primarily because of his striking looks.

A faint chuckle came from beside her, leaving her wondering if he had done it intentionally.

Despite this, she refrained from looking his way.

Arriving at the hotel, Nina was the first to exit the car to answer a call.

Alex remained in his seat, seemingly dozing off with closed eyes.

Assuming he had fallen asleep, Candice softly said, “Alex, we’ve arrived.”

She scowled and pushed his arm after calling out to him twice and receiving no

response.

He swiftly grabbed her hand, holding it tight.

Struggling to pull her hand free, Candice repeated, “We’re at the hotel.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Alex drank a lot that night and was drowsy on the way back. Holding Candice’s hand tightly, his voice

was hoarse, stating, “Just a moment.”

Candice hesitated and was about to say something when Nina knocked on the car window.

She had concluded her phone call and was waiting for Alex outside.

He opened his eyes, showing a brief flicker of irritation, which he quickly smoothed away.

After parking the car, Candice watched as Alex helped Nina with her hotel check-

1. in.

She then excused herself and retreated to her own room.

At the reception, once Nina completed her check–in, she looked up at Alex and questioned, “Doesn’t

your secretary seem to have more than professional feelings for you?”

Alex merely replied, “Really?”

Nina pressed on, “And you, the way you interact with her is not exactly professional either. Have you

slept together?”

Alex’s expression shifted subtly, maintaining a neutral tone, “I prefer not to discuss such matters.”

“Apologies, it’s just a habit of mine,” Nina responded unapologetically; her major in university was

psychology.

His reply convinced her that he had been involved with his secretary at some point.

It made no difference to her. In her opinion, all men were the same. Alex, at least, had money and

looked in his favor.

Candice was told the next morning that they needed to attend a meeting at the branch office, with Nina

tagged along with them.

Nina informed Candice, “My mom wants me to learn from Alex, so I’ll be acting as his secretary today. I

hope you don’t mind, Ms. Renault?”

There was no way Candice would have protested.

Nina seemed pleased, adding, “Great, then please wait for us downstairs.”

When Alex finished a phone call, he instructed Candice, “Hand the documents to Nina; she’s joining

me for the meeting.”

Nina, visibly excited, said, “I have them already. Let’s head out; we shouldn’t be late.”

Candice drove them to the branch office.

Alex went upstairs with Nina without a glance at her.

As she watched them leave, a sardonic smile crossed her face.

Years of being by Alex’s side had seemingly reduced her role to that of a chauffeur.

To her surprise, Alex and Nina returned shortly afterward.

Alex’s face was expressionless, while Nina voiced her displeasure, “This management is a joke. We

need to clean the house. They call a meeting but can’t even prepare properly.”

Her tone and demeanor gave the impression that she was in charge of the company.

Alex, with a blank look, asked indifferently, “Should we head back to the hotel or somewhere else?”

They were unable to continue their work, but Nina seemed unconcerned about this. Her earlier rage

was all a ruse for Alex.

“I’d ordered a bag earlier, and it has arrived. Can you come with me to collect it?” she asked, casually

discarding the documents in her hand.

Alex responded nonchalantly, “Okay.”

Noticing his agreement, Nina raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “Could you be the one to drive?

I’d like to be alone with you.”