Chapter 1232
Georgia blinked, snapping back to reality. She turned to her friend with a half-smile and said, “Go ahead and have fun. Don’t wait up for me.”
With a serious look etched across her face, she trailed behind Alaric.
Georgia’s friend knew better than to intrude. She understood Georgia’s need to handle her own affairs and thus stayed back, allowing her the space she desired.
Alaric, steadying a limp Hertha, stumbled out of the buzzing bar. He glanced around at the city’s nightlife that was alight with the neon glow of signs and the dizzying flashes of lights. His vision blurred, casting double images, and his head swam with dizziness.
He shook his head, trying to sober up, but the world only spun faster. He swayed, nearly collapsing and taking Hertha down with him. Thankfully, he staggered, crossing his legs awkwardly to regain his balance while clutching Hertha, who was out cold, heavy as a sack of potatoes in his arms.
As Alaric faltered, Hertha nearly slipped straight from his embrace, but with a last-ditch effort, he tightened his hold and pulled her back against him. She slumped against him, as limp as overcooked spaghetti.
Alaric teased, “Hertha, you haven’t been skipping meals, have you? You’re as heavy as á Thanksgiving turkey!”
He remembered Hertha’s recent weight loss success. She had slimmed down, so much so that he had blurted out she looked like a “skinny monkey” and not in a flattering way. Perhaps spurred by his insensitive comment, she had bounced back to her former self in just a couple of months.
A little plush, with a slender face and curves in all the right places.
Now as Alaric enclosed her waist, his hands sank into the soft, cushiony feel of her, not
bad at all.
Unconscious, Hertha leaned on Alaric’s shoulder, unresponsive to his banter.
Alaric playfully prodded her chin, his eyes squinted teasingly at her. “Like a pig. Drinking with a man out in the open and getting so plastered. Aren’t you worried about what I might do?”
But Hertha was out for the count, hearing none of his words.
Georgia watched as Alaric, swaying in the middle of the street with Hertha in his arms, made his way to a nearby hotel. She was about to approach and offer help when Alaric looked up, set his sights on the hotel beside the bar, and decisively walked Hertha
towards it.
Alaric had intended to drive Hertha home, but upon leaving the bar, he realized he was too
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Chapter 1232
intoxicated too to get behind the wheel. He considered calling a cab, but then he didn’t know where Hertha lived, and his head was spinning so badly that he feared he might pass out in the cab and leave Hertha unprotected.
So, Alaric decided to check into a nearby hotel, get a room for Hertha to sleep off the alcohol, and wait until morning to ensure she got home safely.
He entered the hotel lobby.
Seeing Alaric with Hertha heading for the hotel and then watching them check in, Georg felt a sudden tightness in her chest-anger, frustration, jealousy, and a sense of injustice rushed over her, making her breaths come in short, painful gasps.
She clenched her fists and followed them into the hotel. As she entered, Alaric had just finished the check-in process and was staggering with Hertha toward the elevator.
Seething, Georgia quickened her pace, getting ahead of Alaric and purposely waiting in the elevator for him to come.
Alaric’s head was lolling, his consciousness waning, yet his arms were locked firmly around Hertha. Even as his body swayed, he never once thought of letting her go.
One arm secured around Hertha’s waist, pulling her close, and the other grabbed her hand, draping her arm around his neck for additional support, ensuring her body did not slip.
All that existed for him was the path to the room where he could put Hertha to rest. He was oblivious to anything else around him.
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