His Devious Rule

Neither Anya nor Alvin picked Casper and Gianna's topic. Both had lunch with Zane who didn't pull any pranks as they weren't in any private room.

The lunch was almost done when Alvin received a call from one of his men who were responsible for completing the registration of the marriage and adoption of Angela. He cued Anya about the call to excuse himself and answered the call after stepping away.

Max reported with a bit of hesitation, [Boss, err… The marriage registration is complete, however, we can't get the marriage certificates due to Ms. Owen's identity.]

Without a marriage certificate, the registration was useless. And they were helpless due to Anya's identity.

Identity? Didn't she resign? Notice period? Alvin pinched between his brows. Seems like he can't have a bargaining chip.

His bargain chip was his assurance that his Little Donut couldn't leave him.

When Max sensed Alvin wasn't angry at him but understood the situation, he reported another task. But his tone had a hint of suspicion, [Boss, there is a problem with the adoption too.]

Alvin thought it might be because of their incomplete marriage registration. "Anya can adopt Angela." A single man isn't allowed to adopt a girl. Only a married couple and woman could adopt a girl. So Alvin didn't want to wait for their marriage. He chose to fulfill one of Anya's wishes.

[No, boss. We had submitted all the papers and everything was verified but a man suddenly appeared calling himself Angela's father. He said he was poor and he will bring his daughter home once his income and life stabilizes.]

Alvin's face darkened. Anya asks nothing, when she finally wished for something from him, he wasn't able to fulfill it.

It wasn't like he would snatch the girl away from her family. He could bring Angela until his father could afford to raise her.

Alvin immediately declined his thought. He didn't want to bring Angela and see her being taken away after some days. More than anybody, he knew well how kids get affected by everything.

Max on the other end continued, [Boss, something feels fishy about the man. I got to know from an old matron that the man had never come before to meet Angela. He suddenly appeared as if somebody notified him. The ridiculous thing is the man didn't even identify Angela.

He came in a sedan and said he was working as a driver. But his clothes and appearance nowhere felt like he couldn't afford to raise a child.] Hence Max was following the man to find out if everything was true.

Alvin mulled over the situation. As per the information he got to know about Angela, she was in the orphanage from her birth week. Considering her lively personality, cute appearance, and intelligence, she should have been adopted a long time ago.

Why wasn't she adopted yet?

If Angela had a father, then the orphanage would have known it and stopped them without proceeding with the paperwork.

If they didn't know, how did the man get to know they were adopting Angela?

The more Alvin thought of it, he was becoming suspicious of the people who weren't letting Angela live a better life.

Since Anya cared about Angela, Alvin thought to resolve the mess before deciding anything, "Look into the man details."

Alvin recalled a matron who used Angela to give flowers to Anya. "Send somebody to the police agency and meet the previous chief matron of the orphanage." He was sure that woman would know something about Angela.

[Roger that.] The response came from another end and Alvin hung up the call.

Alvin was about to turn around, Anya slid in front of him, "All okay?" She pointed at his frowns.

Alvin's face softened seeing her concern. He didn't want to tell her anything about Angela and make her more worried. Even if they couldn't adopt Angela, Anya would be at ease if she gets to know the real parents of Angela took the girl back.

"I have to fly tonight to Country X." He had thought to tell her in the evening.

Anya sighed. Before they began their relationship, she was aware that Alvin doesn't stay in the country. His workplace was never in the country of Narnia. She often asked him to focus on his work seeing him follow her everywhere but he never listened to her.

"Alvin Matthews, you don't have to follow me around. I'm not running away anywhere. So focus on your work and be in touch with me." She tilted her head in the end, making her words sound simple.

Alvin watched her anticipating eyes which didn't have a hint of longing or unwillingness to let him go. He kept postponing his business trips until it became crucial. He wasn't ready to leave because of her, yet his presence or absence didn't matter to this stupid woman.

How to make his Fierce Kitten stick to him?

If he let her lead their relationship then she would make him a big boy in need of motherly love.

Anya was about to poke him for some response, he held her hand and tugged her into his arms.

"Alvin…" Stumbling to his arms, her hand involuntarily went between them. She felt her waist small against his muscular arms which hide behind his shirt.

She kept arching her back when he went closer to her face, "Is this much touch enough?" He teased with a sexy smirk hanging down his lips.

Anya: 😳

She could feel her cheeks burn listening to him. She couldn't believe he manipulated her simple words to flirt with her.

She tried to pull a straight face and explained, "I mean… Call me whenever you are a bit free from your work."

Alvin suddenly straightened his back, causing her to move with me. Anya was pondering behind his serious expression mask when he pulled his meaning. "You mean, I can call you whenever I want to touch you." His deliberate tone was huskier.

Why did she get an odd feeling from his words?

"Pervert." Anya hissed.

Alvin played an innocent card, "Why can't I hug my wife?" His lips were threatening to arc, looking at her cheeks flush imagining something.

Anya: 😲

"Were you thinking of something else?" He sounded amused.

Anya wanted to retort but she really did have a sinful thought. Why was she feeling herself a pervert when he was the reason for her to have such thoughts?

She lifted her hand to punch his shoulder, "Al…"

The rest of the words went down her throat when he dipped his head and caught her lips. Forgetting they were in a place where anybody could enter, her eyes drooped when his soft lips grazed over hers.

Her heart picked its speed just at the touch of his lips and the butterflies in her stomach craved for more. Her fingers uncurled slowly and reached his neck, feeling his lip between hers.

Alvin just wanted to tease her and steal a kiss from her. Damn, her response tempts him to do much more. He had to repeat to himself in his mind that she had to get back to work and they were in the small lobby where anybody could enter. She will be embarrassed.

His lips put a bit more pressure on hers and kissed her delicate lips, before pulling away. He watched her pink lips part, missing him instantly. Her lashes fluttered open as she gently nibbled her lips.

He could clearly say she wasn't nervous or fearing anymore. She was liking the lingering feel on her lips.

If Zane's biological father was her first love, then her first experience should be scary. Then why does she fear intimacy?

Should he ask her? Should he hold his patience?

But he wanted to search for that man and make him spill all the truth. Beat him to a pulp if necessary. Her cold fingers under his ear suddenly disappeared, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Anya awkwardly ran her fingers through her hair to fix it, unable to hold his unwavering gaze on her. She quickly changed the topic, "When will you be back?" Her mellow voice flowed in the silence of the lobby.

Her efforts to escape his teases didn't go unnoticed. Keeping his attention on the woman, he wrapped her arms around him. Then he buried her in his warmth, coiling his arms around her.

Anya didn't fight, she willingly tightened her arms around him. A faint sigh left her lips feeling too comfortable in his addictive warm embrace.

She took a few seconds to snap out and ask again. She wanted to know the response, she didn't just ask to change the topic. "When will you be back?" She almost whined for a response.

His heart leaped in joy, fathoming she was anticipating his return. "Two days." He deadpanned.

"Oh…" Her voice trailed as she calculated. A night journey, two days work, another night travel. So he will be back on Thursday.

She will have to be in the Coastal city for a few days until she finds all the criminals. She assured him if he was bothered about her safety due to Casper and Gianna, "I and Baby will be in your beach mansion. Complete your work and come back."

Alvin caressed her head without responding to her words. She didn't think of staying in the hotel or a different place, so it put him in a better mood.

Anya recalled Casper and Gianna. Although she knew she was going to meet them sooner or later, she had no plans to bring Zane in front of them. Zane could only be safe if he stays far from them.

She couldn't let Gianna hurt them by attacking Zane or Casper attempting to take Zane to have an heir, which will infuriate Gianna to take a drastic step.

She hesitated to confirm from Alvin, "Did you know Chairman Matthews and Madam Matthews were in this hotel?" She wanted to know if it was his plan. If yes, then Alvin should know Zane as his son for Zane's safety.