Chapter 72

Hansel Fiore VII:

Ananie was reminded of what had happened at the mansion the last time she'd been there. She stared at him with a terrified and wary look.

"Don't move! Stay away from me!"

"Mimi," Hansel felt as though a knife had been driven into his heart. "That day"

"Stop! Just leave. We have nothing more to talk about."

His eyes were red as he stood stiffly. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Can we stop fighting now? I shouldn't havesaid those words and done those things. I just missed you so muchI did that on impulseI came here today to ask you to go back with me"

"Go back?" Miranda cast him a stony gaze. "Go back for what? Are you going to make me your mistress now?"

Hansel answered, "If you're willing to go back with me, I'll break up with Ingrid immediately!"

Miranda shook her head. "No."

"Mimi" Hansel tried to approach her, but she quickly turned and dashed into her bedroom, slamming the door.

Silence fell over the living room. After some time, Miranda emerged.

To her astonishment, she found Hansel slumped against the wall, asleep. Miranda was speechless.

Early the next morning, sunlight streamed through the window.

The person curled up on the couch stirred. When Hansel opened his eyes, he felt dizzy and reflexively squinted. When the dizziness subsided, he sat up and pinched his brow. He glanced at his surroundings.

He was in an unfamiliar space. It was cramped, but clean and organized. Still, it was too small and modest for his taste.

Just then, Miranda came out of her bedroom.

Hansel looked up and met her cold, dark eyes. "Mimi?"

Miranda sat on a chair and asked expressionlessly, "Do you remember what you did last night?"

Hansel frowned and shook his head. Miranda had expected this; Hansel would never have said those things if he'd been sober.

Miranda curled her lips. "At 11:00 pm last night, you banged on my door incessantly. You not only disturbed my sleep, but also the other residents. Please don't do something childish like that again. We're all adults now. You should act more rationally."

Hansel's head throbbed. Miranda's words felt like a punch to the chest.

He scanned the room disdainfully, a scornful smile playing on his lips. "Did you think I'd want to come to a small, shabby place like this? I won't come here again, even if you beg me!"

He grabbed his jacket and stormed out.

As he walked down the street, he called Calvin. "What are you doing? Come out for a drink!"

"Hans, did you come straight from last night's party? You still smell like booze," Calvin teased, sitting beside him. He'd come after receiving Hansel's call, finding him alone at the bar, drinking heavily, still in yesterday's clothes.

Hansel replied, "I asked you for a drink. Why are you saying all that nonsense?"

Calvin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright! I won't say another word. I'll drink."

Only the two of them were at the bar; the staff had left for the day.

Calvin scratched his head, embarrassed. "Where are the others?"

"Zach was called home by his dad. Sam's been busy lately, though I'm not sure what he's doing. I haven't seen him for days."

Hansel didn't dwell on it. He raised his glass and downed the liquor.

Calvin could see he was in a bad mood, so he stayed and kept him company.

They drank until late. Eventually, Calvin hailed a cab and took the intoxicated Hansel back to his mansion. Even as he got Hansel into bed, he could hear him mumbling Miranda's nickname in his sleep.

Calvin shook his head.