chapter1232

Georgia blinked, snapping back to reality. She turned to her friend with a half-smile and said, "Go

ahead and have fun. Don't wait up for me."

With a serious look etched across her face, she trailed behind Alaric.

Georgia's friend knew better than to intrude. She understood Georgia's need to handle her own affairs

and thus stayed back, allowing her the space she desired.

Alaric, steadying a limp Hertha, stumbled out of the buzzing bar. He glanced around at the city's

nightlife that was alight with the neon glow of signs and the dizzying flashes of lights. His vision blurred,

casting double images, and his head swam with dizziness.

He shook his head, trying to sober up, but the world only spun faster. He swayed, nearly collapsing and

taking Hertha down with him. Thankfully, he staggered, crossing his legs awkwardly to regain his

balance while clutching Hertha, who was out cold, heavy as a sack of potatoes in his arms.

As Alaric faltered, Hertha nearly slipped straight from his embrace, but with a last-ditch effort, he

tightened his hold and pulled her back against him. She slumped against him, as limp as overcooked

spaghetti.

Alaric teased, "Hertha, you haven't been skipping meals, have you? You're as heavy as a Thanksgiving

turkey!"

He remembered Hertha's recent weight loss success. She had slimmed down, so much so that he had

blurted out she looked like a "skinny monkey" and not in a flattering way. Perhaps spurred by his

insensitive comment, she had bounced back to her former self in just a couple of months.

A little plush, with a slender face and curves in all the right places.

Now as Alaric enclosed her waist, his hands sank into the soft, cushiony feel of her, not bad at all.

Unconscious, Hertha leaned on Alaric's shoulder, unresponsive to his banter.

Alaric playfully prodded her chin, his eyes squinted teasingly at her. "Like a pig. Drinking with a man out

in the open and getting so plastered. Aren't you worried about what I might do?"

But Hertha was out for the count, hearing none of his words.

Georgia watched as Alaric, swaying in the middle of the street with Hertha in his arms, made his way to

a nearby hotel. She was about to approach and offer help when Alaric looked up, set his sights on the

hotel beside the bar, and decisively walked Hertha towards it.

Alaric had intended to drive Hertha home, but upon leaving the bar, he realized he was too intoxicated

too to get behind the wheel. He considered calling a cab, but then he didn't know where Hertha lived,

and his head was spinning so badly that he feared he might pass out in the cab and leave Hertha

unprotected.

So, Alaric decided to check into a nearby hotel, get a room for Hertha to sleep off the alcohol, and wait

until morning to ensure she got home safely.

He entered the hotel lobby.

Seething, Georgia quickened her pace, getting ahead of Alaric and purposely waiting in the elevator for

him to come.

Alaric's head was lolling, his consciousness waning, yet his arms were locked firmly around Hertha.

Even as his body swayed, he never once thought of letting her go. Read at

All that existed for him was the path to the room where he could put Hertha to rest. He was oblivious to

anything else around him.