My Mirror Image

Chapter 88

Candice had admittedly consumed more alcohol than she could handle.

Her mind was foggy, and she felt a heaviness in her head, her hand shaking as it clung to the corner of

Alex’s

shirt.

Alex noticed how she was tugging at his shirt, his tone void of emotion as he commented, “You really

can hold your liquor.”

Her eyes began to redden and moisten, washing away her customary poise and calm manner.

“Don’t you hate such socializing?” she questioned softly, her eyelashes quivering slightly.

Alex had his reservations in some aspects, usually staying away from smoking and drinking, only

partaking

when strictly necessary.

Having worked closely with him for years, Candice was well-versed in his preferences.

His brows twitched slightly, clearly unconcerned that Candice was still clinging to his shirt.

He scoffed. “You’re so dedicated to your job now?”

Candice felt a tightness in her throat, making her uncomfortable.

She leaned into the swing, and her grip on Alex’s shirt weakened.

Pressing her lips together, she mentioned, “Sonia is here in Stugan too.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed as he questioned, “What about it?”

As Candice looked down, contemplating her next words, a man approached them.

“Mr. Elysian, everyone awaits you inside the villa,” he announced.

Candice’s planned words were cut off. She glanced at Alex, who gave a nod and returned her gaze.

She felt a bit woozy, but thankfully, she had preemptively taken a hangover remedy from the waiter

earlier. Even so, her thoughts were slightly clouded.

Grasping what Alex was implying, she steadied herself on the swing and followed him to the villa.

The walkway leading to the villa’s entrance was softly illuminated and decorated with begonias.

Despite being cautious, Candice’s night blindness made it difficult for her to walk steadily, and her

alcohol use made it worse.

She proceeded cautiously, taking one step at a time, trying to adapt to the low light.

Alex abruptly halted, catching Candice by surprise as she stumbled into him.

His voice, devoid of warmth, resonated, “Can’t you walk properly?”

Candice, covering her nose, took a step back and gently explained, “I didn’t anticipate you stopping

abruptly.”

+15 BONOS

He let out a dismissive snort.

In the darkness, his tall figure overshadowed Candice, resembling a great mountain.

With her vision impaired, Candice felt immense pressure around her. She clenched her hand and said,

” Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Attempting to walk past Alex with confidence, she misjudged her step and began to fall.

Her heart raced in panic. She closed her eyes and braced for the impact, but it never came.

Alex had caught her from behind just in time.

Candice’s heart skipped a beat, still coming to terms with what had just happened as Alex drew her

close to him.

The shock cleared her head, but her palms felt icy.

Alex gripped her arm strongly, his tone emotionless as he remarked, “Still as reckless as ever.”

Candice intended to respond, but the discomfort in her throat intensified. She opened her mouth a few

times but was unable to say anything.

“Scared?” Alex glanced at her, questioning, “Why are you so chicken?”

Candice managed to utter a feeble “I” before Alex released her arm and grabbed her wrist instead.

The lingering warmth on her skin left her momentarily disoriented, yet she quickly recovered, biting her

lip. Her voice was hoarse, but she was adamant. “I can walk on my own.” This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Alex remained silent. He strode forward, holding her wrist tightly.

She felt uneasy with the proximity and tried to pull away a bit.

His voice, laced with a teasing tone, floated down to her. “You were walking so sluggish before. I

almost believed you were blind. What else is there?”

Candice hesitated briefly before quietly clarifying, “I suffer from night blindness. I genuinely can’t see

well. It’s not a pretense.”

Alex came to a halt, then casually giggled. “What a convenient excuse.”

Candice stayed quiet, allowing Alex to guide her to the villa entrance. Upon entering the brighter area,

she let out a sigh of relief.

Alex looked down, adjusting his cuffs. He cast a casual glance at her before entering.

Inside, Sieg and Stan were already sitting in the living room.

They called out to Alex, inviting him to a game. “Lex, come join us.”

Candice noticed that they were playing cards.

A heavily make-up girl was perched on Stan’s lap, holding and playing his cards as he directed.

+15 BONOS

Stan whispered occasionally to the girl, which made the girl chuckle.

Everyone else at the table was doing the exact same thing. It was your average scene of

affluent youngsters enjoying fun.

Candice, maintaining a neutral expression, settled into a seat beside Alex.

Sieg, clearly enjoying himself, urged Alex to join the card game as soon as he took his seat.

Alex looked at Candice and directed, “You take over.”

The sudden order surprised Candice.

Alex, looking calm and slightly moving his wrist, remarked, “My hand is sore, and I don’t feel like

moving.”

His hands were slender and impeccable, the skin fair, and the knuckles well defined.

Candice, observing his hand, sensed that her boss was subtly indicating the episode of them making it

to the villa. Her eyes briefly flickered.

Then she overheard Sieg, clearly unsatisfied, questioning, “Lex, are you brushing me off?”

Alex casually answered, “I’m really not up to it.”

“You looked alright a moment ago.”

Alex chose not to elaborate further, and Sieg did not push the issue.

Instead, Sieg turned to Candice with a click of his tongue, challenging, “We’re playing for high stakes.

Are you sure you’re up for it?”

Candice had little desire to play in the first place, and Sieg’s words provided an excuse for her refusal.

Before she could respond, Alex added, “If she loses, it’s on me.”

Stan reacted with a grunt. He took the cards from the woman beside him and threw them onto

the table, stating, “Mark your words. I won’t hold back.”

Candice positioned herself at the table, while Alex reclined on the sofa, observing her with a laid-back

demeanor.

“Hey, you’ve been out so long today.” Sieg said nonchalantly as he picked up the cards and

approached Alex. ”

Didn’t Sonia look for you?”

Candice hesitated for a moment while picking up her cards when she heard Alex’s indifferent hum.

Sieg made a tsk sound and commented knowingly. “I see.”

Luck was not on Candice’s side, as she drew some weak cards, putting her at a disadvantage in the

game.

Even worse, she was the first to play.

Noticing her hesitation, the woman with Stan prodded her to move.

.

+15 BONOS

Candice eventually played the 7 of diamonds.

She rarely played poker but was well-versed in the game’s rules. However, her poor hand led to her

defeat

Stan chuckled and teased, “Mr. Elysian, your secretary just lost.”

Alex’s face showed no reaction. His attention was on Candice.

“How much is the loss?”

Candice replied, “You were supposed to play this round.”

He lounged back on the sofa, clearly not planning to get up, and reassured her. “You lost, but I’ll handle

it. What’s there to worry about?”