Chapter 2014


    ?


    "Alright, let''s crash here," Hertha mumbled, barely able to keep her eyes open at the mention of a hotel, longing for rest. Without even ncing at which hotel it was, she trudged toward the entrance.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Reaching the front desk, ric pulled out his ID and handed it to the receptionist, "We need a room."


    As the receptionist took ric''s ID, her gaze lingered on his face, a shy, girlish smile ying on her lips, bashful yet full of longing.


    Hertha, though exhausted, couldn''t help but notice the receptionist''s smitten demeanor. It was as if she saw pink, heart-shaped bubbles popping in the air around her, her adoration almost tangible.


    Hertha knew that look all too well, having been in those shoes herself. The first time sheid eyes on ric, she was head over heels, caught up in a whirlwind of infatuation.


    Now, seeing her past self in the eyes of another, Hertha''s fatigue seemed to fade away, reced by amusement. Smiling, she warned the receptionist, "Miss, don''t let his looks deceive you. I was like you once,pletely dazzled at first sight. But trust me, the more you get to know him, the more you realize he''s not all that."


    Her intention was clear: to caution her against falling too hard for ric''s charm.


    Catching ric''s eye, Hertha saw a hint of hurt in his gaze. Ever since dinner, she sensed his concern over her apparent disapproval, likely due to his past rtionships.


    But what could he do? His past was his past, and he couldn''t change it.


    The receptionist, finally shifting her gaze from ric, replied innocently to Hertha, "Oh, it''s not the first time I''ve seen Mr. Falconer."


    Hertha''s brows furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean?"


    Her tone was tense, her re shifting towards ric, "Really? Getting around much, aren''t you? Is there anyone you haven''t charmed?" Her anger was palpable.


    The receptionist hurriedly rified, "No, no, you''ve got it all wrong. I saw Mr. Falconer for the second time today. The first was three years ago." Her cheeks flushed red in her haste to exin.


    "Three years ago?" That term struck a chord with Hertha, a sensitive timeline for them both.


    Hertha''s eyes, wide and questioning, awaited further exnation.


    The receptionist nced shyly at ric before he interjected


    impatiently, "Just spit it out. We


    don''t remember you."


    Hertha, already uneasy about his past rtionships, found this situation aggravating, especially with another woman expressing fondness for ric at such a critical


    moment. Content belongs to


    ric''s frustration grew. One unresolved issue after another, how could he not be irritated?


    Pressured by their urgency, the receptionist exined, "Three years ago, Mr. Falconer, you were here with her at our hotel. Don''t you remember?"


    Hertha, puzzled, pointed to herself, "Us? Together? Are you sure you''re not mistaking us for someone else?"


    The receptionist looked closely at


    Hertha, nodding confidently, " mistake, it was definitely you. You


    that''s why you don''t recall


    med quite drunk; maybe