It’s too quiet.
After a while of sitting still, Alice, feeling uneasy about Ryan’s silence, glanced sideways at him.
Ryan was just staring out the window.
Then it happened.
Screech-.
“Eek-.”
The car suddenly braked hard due to a cat that dashed into the lane.
Alice, distracted by Ryan, screamed in surprise. Thankfully, the seatbelt prevented her from smashing her face into the seat.
However, something was pressing against her body, aside from the seatbelt. Alice slowly lowered her head.
“Vice President… your hand…”
“Why, of all places, the stomach!
It was a stomach that had just been packed full of food, right before bursting.
Alice had been diligent about her health management since before entering her thirties. It was uncomfortable to sweat and feel sticky under a wig while doing makeup and exercising, so she had been consistently managing herself with home workouts.
While gaining weight might be more effective at hiding her appearance than wearing clothes that made her look bloated, she didn’t want to ruin her health due to her trauma.
However, even a well-managed body had its moments of vulnerability, and that was right after a meal.
Ryan’s hand was resting on her unguarded stomach.
For a moment, she worried about being touched on her belly, but the warm sensation slowly seeping in made all her nerves stand on end.
The part of her body that touched Ryan’s hand was heating up. That warmth spread throughout her body, making her face flush.
No matter how much it was just her stomach, it was the first time a man’s hand had touched her so directly.
“Sorry, I was trying to avoid other places.”
Ryan withdrew his hand and placed it back in its original position.
Other places…?
Alice raised her gaze slightly above her stomach. She soon discovered her breasts, which were prominently positioned, and crossed her arms in an X shape to cover herself.
Then, she glared at Ryan with all her might.
How dare he mention her breasts!
But soon, she relaxed her glaring eyes.
Thinking about it, Ryan was only trying to hold her to prevent her from getting hurt. There was no impure intention behind it.
Though it was sudden, she didn’t find Ryan’s touch unpleasant.
He wasn’t the type to touch without reason.
“Sorry, young folks. I was startled when a cat suddenly jumped in. Oh, I’m really sorry.”
As the driver continued to apologize, Alice replied that it was okay.
There was no way to prevent a cat from suddenly jumping in, so how could the driver be at fault?
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Alice flinched again at Ryan’s low voice directed at her.
Was it because they were so close, or was it the alcohol? Strangely, her breasts, which had been heavy and unmoving until now, began to tremble.
Worry seeped into his indifferent tone, digging into Alice’s heart. The fact that his voice was even sexy was a problem.
An ordinary phrase sounded heavy and gentle.
Had she ever felt pure and kind concern from a man?
“I’m fine. I’m okay.”
“Your husband is really sweet, blocking you with his hand so you don’t bump into anything. You’re lucky to have such a handsome and delicate husband.”
The driver laughed heartily, completely unaware.
“Haha.”
‘Sir, that’s not it.’
Alice let out an awkward laugh at the driver’s half-true, half-false comment.
As she looked at Alice, Ryan casually pulled back and turned his head.
What was he thinking?
Ryan was someone who valued personal space. He disliked even the slightest brush against someone or anyone coming too close. Alice, who served him, knew this better than anyone.
Usually, even the slightest closeness would make those thick eyebrows twitch.
Why did he seem to be lenient only with her?
‘He caught me when I almost fell at the front door last time.’
Thinking back, he had held her without hesitation then too. Of course, he had let go quickly, but…
Had she become that comfortable with him?
Or was Ryan actually a kind person?
No, that didn’t seem right.
Alice secretly touched the part where Ryan had held her. The question about whether she was hurt still lingered in her ears, making her feel a bit flustered.
It seemed that Ryan’s actions and tone had subtly changed.
“We’ve arrived.”
The flustered thoughts were shaken off by the driver’s announcement of their arrival.
As she walked toward her home, the heat of the day had become quite stifling, and she began to sweat after just a short walk.
In summer, it was the sweat that came with the heat that worried her more than the heat itself.
She was concerned that the freckles and spots she had carefully drawn on her face would be washed away by the flowing sweat, and that sweat would build up under her messy wig. There were many things to worry about.
Alice rummaged through her bag to find a mirror and checked her face.
Aside from her cheeks, which had taken on a peachy hue from the wine, her makeup was well in place.
Phew-.
“Are you the mirror princess?”
Ryan asked, as if he had been watching her actions.
