Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152

AUTHOR’S POV.

The next morning, Alina stepped out of the guest room, rubbing her temples. She nearly collided with Talia, who was holding a steaming coffee cup in one hand and sliding her phone into her pocket with the other.

“Jesus!” Talia cursed, startled. “You look like a ghost.”

Without a word, Alina plucked the coffee right out of her hand and shuffled toward the living room. Dropping onto the couch with a weary thump, she curled her legs up and cradled the cup like it was her only lifeline.

Talia followed her in, brow furrowed. “Wait, wasn’t catching some good sleep the whole plan? Because if so, why do you look like a raccoon on crack?” She gestured at the faint smudges beneath Alina’s eyes.

Alina lifted one finger, silently telling her to wait, and brought the cup to her lips.

“Careful, that’s hot-” Talia began, but stopped short as Alina tilted her head back and downed the entire contents in one long gulp.

Talia just stared. The coffee had been so hot she’d barely managed two sips, yet Alina had treated it like a cold drink on a summer day.

“Uhm… okay then.” Talia muttered, shaking her head as if to snap herself out of the shock.

Her concern deepened. “Are you okay? Because, honestly, you look worse than yesterday.”

Setting the empty cup down on the coffee table with a dull clink, Alina finally spoke. Her voice was flat, tired. “I didn’t get a wink of sleep.”

“Why? Was the bed uncomfortable?” Talia asked, genuinely confused.

“No,” Alina sighed, raking her fingers through her messy hair. “I spoke to Lucian yesterday.”

Talia’s eyes widened. “Wait… didn’t you say you were not ready to talk to him yet. What changed?”

“It wasn’t by choice,” Alina muttered. “Mia called me just as I was about to go to bed… and Lucian was there. He took the phone from her.”

Talia walked over and crouched in front of her, resting both hands on Alina’s thighs. “So… did you two talk things out?”

“No. It happened so fast, I was so shocked, I couldn’t even get words out.” Alina admitted, her tone tinged with

annoyance.

“Then what did he say?”

“He asked where I was. When I didn’t answer…. he said he was going to find me.”

Talia scoffed. “Oh, please. There’s no way he’s going to find you.”

But Alina’s stomach tightened at the memory. “You don’t understand, Talia. He sounded so sure.”

“This place is locked down,” Talia reassured her, straightening up. “We’ve got security, a firewall,no way he can trace you. So relax.”

“You don’t know Lucian,” Alina argued, shaking her head. “He can find anyone he wants to-”

“Alright, enough,” Talia interrupted, tugging her to her feet. “Go freshen up. I’m taking you to the best spots in the city. You need a distraction.”

And for once, Alina didn’t argue. Maybe she did need one.

The next two days blurred into a whirlwind of laughter, indulgent food, and sights that felt almost too beautiful to be real.

Talia had made it her mission to keep Alina busy from morning until night, and she did it with the precision of a tour guide and the stubbornness of a best friend who refused to let her mope.

“Here,” Talia said, shoving a flaky croissant into Alina’s hands as they left a tiny corner bakery, the buttery scent still clinging to the air. “Bite it while it’s hot, or you’re breaking all the rules of pastry appreciation.”

Alina took a bite, closing her eyes as the warm, buttery layers melted on her tongue. “Okay… this is worth the calories.”

“Calories don’t count when you’re on an impromptu trip,” Talia declared, licking powdered sugar from her fingers. “Besides, I’ve already decided we’re getting gelato next. You can’t argue with me on this, it’s a law.”

Alina laughed, shaking her head. “You’re going to have me rolling back to the hotel.”

“That’s the plan.” Talia said with mock seriousness before looping her arm through Alina’s.

The rest of the day was a moving snapshot of beautiful moments, ducking into little boutiques where Talia insisted on holding up dresses “just to see.” pausing at a street vendor to share a paper cone of roasted chestnuts, leaning over the railing of a bridge to watch the sunlight glint on the water.

At one point, a street musician began playing a slow, romantic tune, and Talia, without warning, took Alina’s hand and twirled her.

Alina burst out laughing, nearly spilling her smoothie. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously fun you mean.” Talia corrected with a playful wink.

By the time the second evening rolled around, they were sprawled across the hotel bed, shoes kicked off, laughing over a selfie they’d taken earlier, Alina mid–bite of a giant slice of pizza, Talia making a dramatic face of disapproval in the background.

“I haven’t thought about… anything serious in days.” Alina admitted softly, the laughter fading into a small, genuine smile.

11:29 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 152

“Good,” Talia said, tossing a pillow at her. “That’s exactly what I wanted.”

“Thank you for this Talia.”

“You are welcome baby.”

67

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify