Tangled in His Obsession Series

Chapter 431

When Andrea spoke those words, a frown creased Seraphina’s face.

“Just go then,” Seraphina said with a scowl. “And if you leave, don’t bother coming back to us.”

Although Valerio was exceptionally good at adapting to new surroundings, the sight of someone from his past brought a unique sense of security. So when he heard Andrea was leaving, he immediately stood up and reached out to take her hand.

“Auntie Andrea…” he whispered, his eyes shimmering like pools of clear water, his expression the epitome of forlorn.

Andrea found it so hard to leave him. She paused, then silently nodded in agreement.

Andrea might have agreed to stay for dinner, but she hardly exchanged a word with Herman, sticking close to Valerio instead, showing him the clothes and gifts she had brought for him.

Herman sat quietly to the side, his gaze almost unabashedly fixed on Andrea. And yet, Andrea didn’t so much as glance his way.

Clearly agitated, Herman couldn’t help but step outside to light up a cigarette.

Seraphina had just been over at the neighbor’s for a visit and caught sight of him standing at the door, smoking, his brows deeply furrowed.

The sight made Seraphina smirk. Herman caught her schadenfreude and shot her a glare.

“Oh, glaring at me now?” Seraphina teased. “You really ought to be thanking me, you know. If my son and I hadn’t intervened, do you honestly believe Andrea would have stuck around?”

Herman responded without a change in his frosty demeanor.

Seraphina snorted. “Fine, maybe I got it wrong. Maybe you don’t want her to stay? I can go and send her on her way right now if that’s what you want.”

Herman reached out and grabbed her arm at those words, and Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s the deal?” Seraphina asked. “Is there something going on between you two that I don’t know about? I remember you weren’t too fond of her before. Did you chase her all the way to Summitville this time?”

“I told you, I’m here on business,” Herman said.

“Sure, keep playing tough,” Seraphina replied. “If you’re not going to open up, don’t blame me when I don’t help you out.”

She turned to head inside, but Herman grabbed her again.

Seraphina thought he might finally have something to say, but Herman instead asked, “Why does Valerio call her ‘Auntie’?”

Seraphina stopped short, then finally said, “She’s close to me, so my son calls her whatever he likes. Why, is that your business too?”

“Is she as close as Sandra Smith was to you?” Herman pressed.

Seraphina huffed and crossed her arms, offering no reply.

Herman’s detective instincts, it was telling that he only now sensed something amiss, which spoke volumes of his previous disdain for

profound his disdain had been, the more interesting

a form of address; no need to get worked up,” Seraphina said. “Besides,

looked at her silently for a

stage, the exact nature of Seraphina and Andrea’s relationship wasn’t of any real consequence to him.

he was focused

Andrea emerged with Valerio, looking calmly at the two of

well then, let’s get going,” Seraphina announced cheerfully. “Let’s

Herman gave

without saying

to Andrea privately. And Seraphina, oblivious to any inconvenience she might be causing, chatted away with Andrea, almost completely ignoring

paid and they were ready to leave that Seraphina seemed to remember her good

disinterested until now, suddenly perked up at this

just take a cab. Mr. Herman is here on business, unfamiliar with the place-it wouldn’t be

“My grandfather’s house is actually in Summitville. I practically grew up here, so I know the

Andrea stiffened slightly.

“Well, that settles it then. You can drop Andrea off at work, and if you’re free

looked at Andrea and said simply, “Let’s go. I’ll

at Seraphina, eventually didn’t say anything. She got up and left

one of someone enjoying a spectacle.

Valerio asked, looking up at

liked each other or not, she wasn’t sure.

trip to Summitville, and she saw no reason not to lend a hand to this

have to wait for one of

hometown, and he had grown up there, which meant he knew

passenger seat of his car, watching him navigate the familiar streets

not talking, huh?” After enduring the stifling silence, Herman finally couldn’t stand it any longer and

Andrea’s eyes. “I’ve already told you, but you just don’t want to

could finish, the car’s stereo suddenly jumped to a song that was all too familiar to both of them- “In the dead of night, gazing at the stars alone, the stars remain constant every night, shining brightly…”

succession of emotions, then he challenged, “How

“It’s a classic, loved

been avoiding me since that night?”

I know my place, Mr. Herman. I’m well aware of how you feel about me. Why would I bother showing up just to be a

momentarily lost for words, then added, “I don’t dislike you…

Andrea responded flatly.

up on the conversation when, moments later, he involuntarily asked, “Was it

Andrea’s answer was simple and direct.

light, and Herman turned to look at her for a long while, finally nodding slowly, resigned.

more, asked no more, and drove in silence to the hotel where Andrea was staying.

seatbelt, turned to him with a “Thanks,”