Alicia's fingers felt stiffâno one had ever held her hand so intimately before. This was a first.
She'd been with Vincent for four years, and in all that time, he'd never once held her hand in public. Even at home, the most he'd done was tug her wrist when he wanted her attention.
To Alicia, holding hands was an act reserved for real closeness.
She tried to reassure herself: Tyrone was probably just putting on a show for the city hall staff.
Tyrone's hand was large and warm, and somehow, being held like this made her feel safe in a way she couldn't explain.
Following him out, Alicia kept staring at his back, unsettled by a strange sense of familiarity. But how could that be? She'd only met Tyrone a handful of times.
The marriage paperwork went smoothly. In no time, they were handed their shiny new marriage certificate.
Alicia had never imagined she'd get marriedâshe always knew Vincent would never make her his wife.
But life has a funny way of surprising you. Here she was, newly married to the Harboridge tycoonâa man she barely knew.
She glanced down at the marriage certificate in her hands and couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.
Tyrone looked over at her, saw her laughing, and a hint of a smile flickered in his own eyes.
"I'll keep this safe," he said, reaching out and taking the marriage certificate from her.
Alicia looked up at him and nodded. "Tyrone, aren't you working today?"
He took her hand again, as naturally as anything, and led her outside. "Not today. I'm taking you shopping."
Alicia blinked, glancing down at their joined hands. Was this what a contract marriage was supposed to look like? Playing the part of the loving couple?
"Shopping?" she echoed, only realizing what he'd said once they were in the car.
He explained, "It might be a contract marriage to us, but to my grandfather, it's the real thing. If I don't buy you anything after we get our certificate, he'll be disappointed."
Alicia rushed to say, "If he asks, I'll just tell him you already bought me something."
Tyrone didn't reply.
She wondered if she'd said the wrong thing and fell silent. Whatever the man footing the bill wanted to do, she'd just go along with it.
Traffic on the way to the mall was heavy, with cars weaving in and out. When the driver hit the brakes, Tyrone instinctively reached over and shielded Alicia with his arm, his voice low and steady. "Are you alright?"
Her heart was pounding, pressed close to his chestâshe could hear his heartbeat, strong and steady. Her ears burned. She quickly pulled away, shaking her head.
It wasn't the sudden stop that startled herâit was being held so protectively.
Nervous, Alicia glanced at Tyrone. For a fleeting moment, that sense of familiarity washed over her again.
She couldn't put her finger on it.
"Tyrone... before we met at the club, had we met somewhere else?" she blurted out without thinking.
Tyrone's gaze was deep and unreadable as he looked at her in silence for a long moment. "No. We haven't met before."
Alicia let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. So it really was just her imagination.
The car rolled into the underground parking lot. Tyrone led her into the elevator.
He could have easily sent a personal shopper to their home with whatever he wanted to give her, but he'd chosen to bring her out himself.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Alicia froze. Seaview City really was smallâyou never knew who you'd run into. There, right in front of her, was Mina.
Mina wasn't with Vincent, but with JadeâMs. White.
"Tyrone?" Jade's face lit up when she saw him. She greeted him enthusiastically.
Mina's eyes landed on Alicia, her expression instantly darkening. "Well, isn't this a surprise. You really do pop up everywhere, don't you, little assistant?"
Jade looked curiously at Mina. "You know her?"
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 54 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions Mina gave a dismissive glance. "She's the assistant I told you about."
Jade's expression turned cold, her eyes narrowing at Alicia. "So that's her. She really is something, isn't she?"
Alicia kept her head down, wanting nothing more than to disappear and avoid bringing Tyrone any trouble.
But Tyrone, right in front of both women, reached over and took Alicia's hand. "Is there a problem with my wife?" he asked coolly.
Mina stared at Alicia in shock.
Alicia stared back at Tyrone, equally stunned.
Weren't they supposed to keep this marriage secret?