"Serena!" L looked at me and burst outughing. Then, she hit me furiously. "You foolish woman. Can''t you let yourself be a little happier?"


    L''s eyes were filled with worry. Even though I was drunk, I was still sober enough to feel awful after seeing the look on L''s face.


    Deep down, I knew Alex and I were meant to go our separate ways. Yet I could not help but feel sad. Suddenly, all my grievances, heartache, and reluctance came pouring out in the form of tears.


    L said softly, "Stop crying. Alex is here."


    Stunned, I wiped my tears and lifted my gaze to find Alex still dressed in formal wear from the banquet. Standing in front of me, he looked down at me with a look of helplessness.


    "Oliver, send her home," ordered Alex, beckoning to L with his chin.


    Oliver stepped forward, carried L up, and took her away. At the same time, L gave me a friendly wave and said, "Bye, Serena. I''ll get going first. Bye, Mr. Hastings."


    I was still sitting on the ground. The tears of sadness and grievance had already dried up, but I still wanted to cry out of embarrassment and awkwardness.


    "Can you stand?" asked Alex, sounding frustrated.


    I hung my head low, too afraid to look at Alex. I couldn''t tell if the heat on my face was from the alcohol or embarrassment.


    Nodding at his words, I got to my feet with difficulty. Just as I managed to stand, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I stumbled again.


    I was expecting to sit on the ground again. To my surprise, Alex caught hold of me. When he grabbed my arm, I lost my bnce and fell toward him.


    Alex steadied me in his arms, but I squirmed in hopes of freeing myself. "Don''t move. You''re drunk," he advised in a deep voice.


    "Okay." I nodded. Alex''s gentleness made me feel sad. We were never meant to be. There was no future between us, so my feelings could only be a secret.


    At that thought, I freed myself from his arms and hung my head low, saying, "Thank you for picking me up." I never lifted my head to meet his gaze.


    The bar was not far from a hotel. As we walked there, I never took the initiative to make conversation with him. Every time Alex asked a question, I would do my best to give a simple answer.


    When I arrived at my hotel room and closed the door, the emotions I had been suppressing suddenly


    ve?


    surfaced. I slumped to the ground and let the tears fall.


    I secretly swore in my heart that from that night onward, Alex and I would be nothing more than


    future could never have


    superior and subordinate. In


    any


    ridiculous thoughts like those ever again.


    s?novel


    ...


    Unexpectedly, Xena reached out to me a few days after that. "Alex has agreed to


    marry me," she said, sounding pleased.


    Although I had seen iting, hearing it in person still made me feel empty. "Congrattions."