The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet

"I don't feel like talking," Hertha said, her voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"Then just tell me what you want to eat. That's the last thing you'll have to say," Alaric nudged.

"Whatever," Hertha replied, clearly not interested.

"Alright, 'Whatever' it is then," Alaric played along.

Hertha was too absorbed in the passing scenery outside the window to pay attention to Alaric's words.

Soon, the car stopped, and Alaric got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Hertha, his hand guarding her head to prevent any accidental bumps a perfect gentleman.

"We're here, so what's it gonna be?" Hertha asked, curious.

Alaric pointed behind her.

Turning around, Hertha saw a restaurant sign that read "Whatever." The name gave no clue about the type of place it was, though a menu board by the entrance listed various dishes.

A restaurant named "Whatever"?!

Hertha looked back and forth between Alaric and the restaurant, her astonishment growing. "What the heck is this?"Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She had lived in Starhaven for many years and had no idea there was a restaurant called "Whatever"!

"Didn't you say you wanted 'Whatever'?" Alaric replied, hands in his pockets and a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Even this simple gesture was enough to send hearts racing.

Hertha swallowed hard, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Alaric's devilishly handsome smile.

It was as if he didn't know the effect his good looks had on her.

Trying to maintain her composure, Hertha quickly turned her head away, refusing to let him charm her any further.

"I meant I didn't care what we ate, but you knew that. Anyway, since we're here, let's go in," Hertha said, trying to save face.

The restaurant's menu surprisingly catered to Hertha's tastes.

As they ate, Alaric took out his phone and asked Hertha what kind of movies she liked.

Lifting her gaze to meet his, Hertha asked with a hint of playfulness, "Is this your way of asking me on a date?"

"Only just realized? After all this time

of beating around the bush, we've never had a proper date. Tonight's our last night of being single, so why not make it a night to remember?" Alaric leaned in closer, infusing the moment with romance.

"Have you been this romantic with lot of women?" Instead of being flattered by his words, Hertha was guard, inadvertently voicing her concern.

Thinking about Alaric's past relationships, especially the one with Georgia, made Hertha uneasy.

The image of Alaric and Georgia

together on the same bed-a sight she had unfortunately

witnessed-was something she couldn't shake off. Accepting his past was one thing, but seeing him with another woman was entirely different.

Alaric's smile froze, caught off guard by Hertha's probing eyes. The flirtation in his gaze suddenly seemed out of place.

He looked away, straightening up and changing the subject, "Let's focus on the food before it gets cold."

As he ate, his actions were casual, but underneath, there was an unmistakable sense of discomfort.

Being the sharp person he was, Alaric realized that Hertha's comment was her way of expressing concern over his past relationships.

Indeed, he had been quite the playboy, involved with many women before.