âWhat did I tell you yesterday? Youâre not allowed to drink and chat with strange men.â Alexander Summersâs voice was low and deep, his eyes cold, âYou seemed very happy dancing with Gavin Graves.â
âYoung Master Graves is not a stranger,â Purple Summers defended herself, annoyed at Alexanderâs dominance, âHe has helped me before, and I couldnât very well embarrass him in front of everyone, could I? Canât you be reasonable?â
Alexander retorted, âHe has improper thoughts about you!â
âDo you think every man in the world is after me?â Purple fumed at Alexanderâs absurd accusations, âYoung Master Graves simply saw me, came over to say hello, and asked me to dance. Isnât it normal etiquette to invite an acquaintance to dance at a party? But you⦠your mind always goes to dirty places!â
Alexander pursed his lips and said nothing, sitting down on the sofa next to him, restlessly loosening his collar.
Purple was still angry, continuing, âYou got engaged to Lily Howard, and I didnât say anything about it. Now I just dance with someone else, and you go crazy?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
At her words, the temperature in Alexanderâs eyes dropped even further, his gaze icy as he stared into Purpleâs eyes, âYes, why arenât you angry? Purple, Iâm engaged to Lily Howard. Donât you care?â
Purpleâs heart sank suddenly, as if pressed down by a huge stone, suffocating her.
âWhat do you expect me to do?â Her expression cooled, her clear, bright eyes covered with frost, âShould I cry, make a scene, threaten to hang myself? Would that do any good?â
It was a decision he had made on his own, and now, when it came down to it, he was blaming her for not protesting?
Purple turned and walked away, feeling both pained and stifled, unwilling to argue with Alexander over this subject.
Alexander wrapped his arms around her from behind with force. Purple struggled, âLet me go!â
âI was wrong, I shouldnât have said that,â Alexander apologized softly, holding her tight, as if he wanted to merge her into his very flesh, âSeeing you dance with Gavin Graves made me so angry⦠Purple, promise me you wonât dance with men again, I canât bear it.â
His willingness to admit his fault softened Purpleâs heart, but she couldnât back down on a matter of principle, âYour demand is unreasonable, I canât agree. Dancing at a party is a matter of etiquette, and if a male friend I know asks me to dance next time, I will definitely accept!â
Upon hearing this, anger flared up in Alexander once more, his gaze fierce as he looked at Purple.
To his surprise, Purple was even fiercer, like an angry and wronged kitten, her hackles raised as she glared at him, âIt doesnât matter if you disagree! You have no right to deprive me of my social freedom!â
Love is precious, but freedom is priceless.
Alexander weighed the pros and cons, thinking: Forget it, itâs not necessary to let her go to parties anymore, thereâs no need to affect our relationship over this, to argue about such a small matter and create a rift between us, itâs not worth it.
The woman he had pursued with such difficulty, how could he lose her over a single dance with Gavin Graves?
Alexander brooded with heavy thoughts for a long time, deciding to let it go, sitting on the sofa with Purple, stroking her.
While comforting Purple, he was likewise convincing himself.
But as he did, the flame in his heart didnât die down, instead, it blazed even brighter, a wildfire of jealousy.
âYour first dance was with himâ¦â Alexander thought of this and almost gnashed his teeth in hatred.
Anything that involved a âfirst timeâ mysteriously acquired a sacred significance.
Gavinâs casual act made Alexander feel as though his guardian goddess had been desecrated⦠The flames of anger roiled in his eyes, jealousy raging through him.
âLook at your petty behaviorâ¦â Purple was especially speechless at his immaturity, âWill it make you happy if I dance with you? Itâs just a dance, do you have to be this upset?â