Chapter 140 The Test
“Who might that be?” Andres inquired.
“My fiancé,” Rachel answered, her tone waning. “Though perhaps not for much longer.”
“Why so?”
Laying her head down on the table, she looked up through the blur of lights, her face etched with a detached smile. Mocking her own situation, she said, Once, he didn’t want me, and now I don’t want to keep loving him.
“Do you still love him?”
Rachel paused to sip her cocktail, her eyes shimmering with a mix of dreaminess and sorrow. “It runs deep.”
In truth, her love had been unwavering for a decade. Yet, what was the value of such love? It seemed utterly
pointless.
“Mr. Garrett, may I ask a question?”
“Of course.” Despite having consumed a few drinks, Andres’s demeanor remained composed, his face lightly
colored but his mind sharp. His voice, resonant and commanding, carried a captivating allure in the subdued
bar lighting.
“Do men ever forget their first love?”
“Would you like an honest answer?” he responded.
Rachel didn’t need him to say more; she already sensed the truth.
“Let’s have a toast!” She lifted her glass to meet his.
A few sips later, she touched her forehead, feeling bewildered. “Why does my head feel so light?”
Before Andres could say anything, a woman in a sleek black dress made her entrance. Her long hair flowed behind her, and her stride in stiletto heels was confident, her legs sheathed in black stockings exuding a mix of
sensuality and sophistication.
As she neared, she captured the attention of nearly everyone present.
“Hey handsome, how about a drink?” she suggested boldly to Andres, without a hint of hesitation. Her hand rested gently on his shoulder, playful yet suggestive. Bending slightly forward, she showcased her neckline, adding to her seductive charm.
Rachel observed the unfolding scene with interest, as if she were an audience member at a performance.
She couldn’t deny that Andres possessed a magnetic allure. It was commonplace for someone like him to attract attention in such settings.
22:19
Her curiosity piqued, she wondered how he would respond.
To her surprise, Andres didn’t react verbally. He remained seated, his posture relaxed, elegantly holding his drink, sipping it with no rush. His calm was unshaken, showing no sign of being upset.
With Andres showing no resistance, the woman became more audacious. She fixated on his arm, gently extending her hand toward him. The sleeve of his shirt was rolled up, exposing his sculpted forearm. Her fingers soon began a playful dance along his arm, her touch light and flirtatious.
As Rachel watched this interaction intently, Andres suddenly took the drink out of her hand. His tone was teasingly soft, saying, “Take it easy, you seem a bit unsteady. Did you get yourself drunk intentionally so that I can send you home?” His voice carried a hint of allure.
A cold coursed through Rachel at his words. What was he up to?
Before she could voice her thoughts, he placed a gentle finger on her lips, quieting her with a whisper, “Calm down, you’ve had too much to drink.”
Rachel was startled by his action.
The woman, after a brief pause, pulled her hand back, a flush of embarrassment coloring her face. “You already
have a girlfriend?”
Andres gave a confirming nod.
Without another word, the woman turned and walked away.
As the room spun slightly around her, Rachel pieced it together.
Andres had cleverly used her presence to deflect the advance.
“Next time you’re in a situation like that, give me some warning. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Rachel’s voice betrayed her alarm.
Andres responded smoothly, “You mentioned I remind you of your fiancé. Just imagine I am him for a second. I’m intrigued–how exactly do we look alike?”
With a tipsy giggle, Rachel pointed out. “Your nose, forehead… even the shape of your face.”
While their features weren’t identical, Rachel noticed a resemblance in their expressions.
“If we resemble each other that much, should things not work out with him, might you consider me?” Andres’s question caught Rachel off guard.
“You must be joking.”
At that moment, the sever arrived with more drinks.
Rachel quickly dismissed them with a gesture. “No more alcohol, please. Just water for me.”
“Okay,” the server replied and promptly returned with her request.
As Rachel reached for the glass of water, Andres was about to sip his drink but suddenly intervened, snatching her glass away. “Hold on, don’t drink that yet!”
Rachel was startled.
Andres hastily added, “There’s something wrong with it. It could be tampered with.”
Rachel, familiar with such dangers, grew alert.
Andres looked at her intently. “I just thought of something interesting Want to hear it?”
“Go ahead.”
“How about testing if your fiancé really cares about you? Pretend to drink. I’ll back you up.”
Rachel’s expression showed her confusion.
With a knowing grin, Andres continued, “No man likes to watch the woman he loves with another man. Nor
does any man want to feel betrayed.”
Listening to him, Rachel’s smile turned rueful. “You’re mistaken.”
As she lightly ran her finger around the edge of the glass, she explained, “What you describe is merely a man’s
possessiveness and ego.”
“Indeed.” Andres nodded, then paused. “I agree, however, if…”
“If what?” Rachel was genuinely curious now.
Andres said, “If he can set aside his own feelings of anger, jealousy, and discomfort, and instead focus on your happiness and safety… that’s real love.”
Rachel found herself agreeing.
How profound must love be for a man to prioritize another’s well–being in such a moment over his own
emotions?
She felt a deep resonance with the idea.
“So, are you willing to test it?” Andres asked.
Rachel remained silent, her chin resting on her hand as she scanned the surroundings.
After a lengthy pause that seemed to stretch on for minutes, she finally turned to Andres and inquired, “If this test fails, does that signify the end for me and my fiancé?”
