The feeling was unfamiliar and uncomfortable, like something dear was slipping away from him, and no matter how hard he reached for it, he couldn't grasp it.
Suddenly, a flash of light went off in his mind-Serena had mentioned his grandfather.
His eyes narrowed. He quickly pulled out his phone, intending to call his grandfather to confirm whether or not he actually knew Serena, and if so, how they met.
His finger hovered above the call button... but he hesitated.
After thinking it over, he ended up just sending a text message instead.
...
Outside Room 3204, the three chatted for a bit, but none of them could figure out what kind of tantrum Christan was throwing, so they temporarily excluded him from the discussion.
Vega waved at Serena. "Serena, come hang out in my room for a bit!"
Just as Serena was about to nod, a tall figure suddenly stepped in front of her.
"She has something urgent to take care of-she can't go."
She looked up in confusion at the back of the man's head, mentally checking her schedule.
That's strange! She didn't remember having anything planned today!
Vega looked disappointed. "Huh?! Is it really urgent? If it's not, can't it be postponed? Just come to my room for a bit-I have so much to catch up on with you!"
Serena discreetly tugged on the hem of Xavier's jacket, signaling that she could spare some time to chat.
But the man remained unmoved, still firmly blocking her, "It's very urgent. Can't be delayed even a second-she needs to do it now."
"I..."
Serena couldn't take it anymore. She opened her mouth to ask what exactly the emergency was-because even she didn't know.
Before she could get a word out, Xavier quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and turned her around, dragging her off.
"Hey! Xavier! What are you doing?!"
He was strong, and Serena's subtle resistance was completely useless.
By the time she realized what was happening, she was already being dragged toward the elevators. Only then did she remember she hadn't even said goodbye to Vega.
Serena rolled her eyes and looked up at his chiseled jawline. "Mr. Blaze, what the hell are you up to this time?!"
"Vega is too gossipy. You won't get anything meaningful from her-better to avoid it, so she doesn't rub off on you."
"She's my friend! You're the one who caused us to lose touch for so long, and I haven't even settled that score with you! Now that we finally see each other again, and you're pulling me away before we can even talk-isn't that a bit much?!"
"Talk about what?!" The man pouted with dissatisfaction. "The only one who gets to have heart-to-hearts with you is me-and only me!"
Serena was speechless.
This guy's jealousy was perfectly proportional to his looks.
He was even jealous of other girls?! Unbelievable!
She crossed her arms, gave him a sideways glance, and asked, "So this so-called 'urgent matter' was just something you made up to brush Vega off, wasn't it?!"
"It wasn't!"
"It wasn't?!" Serena was surprised. "Then tell me-what's this urgent thing I have to do? Because I don't know anything about it!"
The man looked down, smiling mysteriously, his eyes twinkling as he gazed at her. "Just now..."
His eyes curled mischievously. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Your little act back there... completely turned me on. So now... you've got to take responsibility."
Serena's face turned bright red.
She had only acted that way earlier to get under Christan's skin-she didn't expect this man to actually take it seriously!
"I... I was just joking!"
Before the words fully left her mouth, ding!-the elevator arrived.
Serena didn't even have time to react before she suddenly felt the world spin-her feet left the ground.
"What are you doing?!"
She pressed her palms against Xavier's chest in panic. "Put me down! There's surveillance in the elevator! If Security sees this... Aren't you embarrassed?!"
The man curved his lips, completely calm, not the least bit bothered. "Let them watch! So what? You're going to be my wife anyway. Who cares if I carry my own wife?"
"Stop messing around!"
"Serena, if you say one more word, I'll shut you up myself-so you won't be able to say anything."
His tone sounded like a threat, but the way he said it... was teasing.
Yet Serena knew deep down-he wasn't joking.
Her heartbeat went completely out of rhythm.
She was terrified that Brody and the others were really watching the security feed, seeing everything happen in the elevator.
She had legs-she could walk-and yet here she was, being carried in broad daylight. It was already super embarrassing.
If he took it even one step further, she'd really be too ashamed to face anyone again!
So she could only play along and not say another word.
The man carried her all the way up to the 36th floor.
At the door of the presidential suite, his lips brushed her earlobe as he coaxed her in a low, husky voice, "Serena... The key card is in my pocket. My hands are full-you get it."
Serena turned away, trying to ignore the tingling sensation at her ear. "Then put me down first. Wouldn't that make it easier for you?"
"You're still talking?!"
His tone turned dangerous.
Serena immediately lowered her gaze and obediently reached into his jacket pocket.
"It's not in here!"
His voice was full of teasing laughter as he gently guided her, "Try the other pocket?"
"The other pocket?!" She blinked, and then suddenly realized what he meant. She muttered, "That's... not really appropriate, is it?"
"Hurry! My self-control is reaching its limit. If we don't open that door soon, I don't know what I might do..."
Serena's eyes widened as she studied his face carefully.
Those big eyes were clearly filled with restraint.
She knew-if he said it, he'd do it. If he really snapped, he might just... right there at the door...
No way! If that happened, she'd never be able to show her face again!
With that terrifying thought, she didn't dare delay any longer. She stretched her arm and slipped her hand into his pants pocket.
"Got it!" she said, ready to breathe a sigh of relief-until her smile froze.
Because at her fingertips, besides the key card, she also touched... something else hard.
***