Chapter 32: Your Man
Every year on Molly’s birthday, the Clarkes would throw a grand party for her. As an adopted daughter, Paige couldn’t expect much; she was only entitled to sneak into her room and quietly eat a piece of Molly’s birthday cake.
Today, she finally ruined Molly’s birthday banquet. Yet, she still hadn’t tasted her own birthday cake.
“Paige, the road ahead is long. Happy 21st birthday!” Paige raised the beer can in her hand and shouted loudly into the cool, damp, empty soccer field.
After shouting, she mocked herself for being foolish, tilting her head back and drinking the beer in large gulps.
One can, quickly drained to the bottom.
Before she turned eighteen, Paige was a good girl who never drank. For three years in the slums, she had no opportunity to drink, unaware of how strong beer could be.
Soon, she began to feel a bit disoriented, leaning back, hands on the chair’s armrests, gazing up at the pitch-black night sky. The moon hid behind dark clouds, not a single star in the sky.
“Truly lonely,” Paige chuckled self-deprecatingly, then picked up another can and continued drinking, one can after another.
Eventually, she couldn’t drink anymore. She lifted her legs and rested them on the cold chair, head against the backrest, eyes half-closed, already feeling dizzy.
Heavy footsteps sounded. Enrico descended from the stone steps in the middle of the stands, stopping behind her.
Paige didn’t bother to look.
He sat down behind her, looking at her flushed face from intoxication.
“Paige?” he ventured.
In her semi-conscious state, Paige sensed someone speaking to her and murmured, “Hmm?”
So, this was the name she was called.
“Why are you called by this name?”
At his words, Paige closed her eyes, leaned against the chair, and smiled. Suddenly, she turned her head, rested her chin on the backrest of the front seat, and gazed at him with hazy eyes. “And who are you?” Her voice was muddled.
Enrico sat there, observing the girl before him. Had she drunk so much she couldn’t recognize people anymore? Her innocent face was tinged with a drunken blush, adding a hint of allure. She wore the long dress and high heels he had bought, adorned with the bracelet he had specially made. She was stunningly beautiful.
Enrico looked at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
The next moment, he leaned slowly towards her, his large palm pressing against her forehead, then trailing down to caress her slender neck with his long fingers.
His fingertips gently stroked her neck as he asked, word by word, “Do you have any relationship with Bryan Smith?”
After coming out of the Heaven Hotel’s elevator, Jaden had told him that man was Bryan Smith from the Smith Group.
Enrico inquired, his voice magnetic and tone calm, but his long fingers were already gripping her delicate neck. As long as she dared to answer yes, he couldn’t guarantee what he would do.
“Who?”
“Bryan Smith.”
He pronounced each word of the name, tightening his grip slightly, Just one word, and this slender neck will break in his hands.
“What Smith? I don’t know.” Paige looked at him confusedly.
Good. He liked this reaction. Enrico smirked, lips now lightly caressing her neck. He lowered his head to gaze into her eyes. “You just asked who I am. Now I’ll tell you.”
“Yeah, who are you?”
“Your man.”
With that said, Enrico grasped the back of her head with one hand, leaning down to cover her lips, kissing her forcefully and dominantly.
Her mouth tasted bitter with beer, but addictive.
He had intended a brief taste, but couldn’t release the kiss, indulgently sucking on her lips.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Paige stared fixedly at his sharp brows and eyes, her mind blank. She felt she should resist, but it didn’t seem so bad. His cool lips were quite comfortable.
Eventually, Paige’s neck was sore from the kisses, and she struggled to break free.
Enrico sat behind her, breathing unevenly, staring at her intently, his thumb tracing over his lips.
After a while, Paige turned her head again, resting her chin on the backrest to look at him. “You said you’re my friend, so do you want to wish me a happy birthday?”
“I’m your man,” Enrico replied displeasedly.
“Forget it then.” Paige didn’t care either way, turning her head back to gaze at the cold, empty soccer field, and grabbing another can of beer.
“Ever thought about birthdays?” Enrico watched her slender figure.
“Mm,” Paige mumbled gloomily in response.
Soon after.
Supercars one after another pulled up near the field, all headlights pointed to one side. Looking down from above, the entire soccer field was enveloped in a massive halo of light, round and bright.
People from the cars got out, each holding large fireworks, uniformly arranging themselves in a circle around the perimeter.
“Light it up,” a magnetic voice instructed over the phone.
“Boom!”
Deafening explosions filled the air. Paige startled, her beer can dropping to the ground from the shock. She looked up in astonishment, seeing countless silver fireworks shooting up into the sky above the soccer field, like a cascade of magical lights tearing through the heavens.
“Boom, boom,” fireworks continued to burst.
Fireworks of various shapes illuminated the night sky, as if lighting up the entire expanse of darkness.
So beautiful.
“Boom.”
Above the soccer field, the fireworks formed the words “Happy Birthday Paige” and continued to sparkle for a long time.
Paige looked up in near fascination.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Enrico sat behind her, watching.
“Beautiful,” Paige nodded, then added seriously, “Looks like someone nearby shares my birthday and my name.”
Paige didn’t realize the fireworks were specifically for her. She thought they were just happening coincidentally while she happened to be there.
“That’s for you,”
“Just as long as you stay by my side honestly, I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Paige didn’t pay attention to what he said, muttering to herself, “So nice. That person is so lucky, someone is even setting off fireworks for her.”
Enrico didn’t bother to say anything more, just sat behind her and watched the fireworks with her.
After a while, all was quiet.
Enrico glanced forward, only to see her leaning back on the chair, already fast asleep.
The next moment, Jaden approached with the bodyguards.
“Boss, it’s late at night. Shall we go back?” He asked, holding a coat.
“Let’s go back,” Enrico stood up.
Jaden immediately unfolded the coat in his hand, ready to help Enrico put it on, but Enrico took it from him and draped it over Paige, who was sleeping deeply in the chair. Then he lifted her from the seat.
Jaden was stunned. The boss, who was usually unpredictable in temperament, actually cared for someone like this? He was giving her his coat and even carrying her?
…