Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 576

Chapter 576 I Promise 

Before Victoria could reject Alaric, he already swiftly unbuttoned his shirt, which was when she realized he was not joking at all. Oh gosh! He is doing this for real! “No need for that. I’m fine bathing by myself. Now, would you please get me my tab?” She was thrown into a state of panic. 

Nonetheless, Alaric acted as if he couldn’t understand Victoria’s words, smiling at her. “Didn’t you just say you were bored? Let me keep you company and forget about your tab.” 

Victoria was speechless because she actually wanted the tab more. That’s so thoughtful‘ of you! Deep down, she had a feeling Alaric wanted more than just keeping her company in the bathtub. At the thought of that, Victoria blurted out, “Are you sure you’re going to behave yourself? Or are you up to something?” 

Alaric’s hand froze as he curled his lips upward, his eyes locked upon her. “Seriously? Do I look like I’m up to something? Does it really look that obvious to you?” As soon as he finished his words, he slowly shifted his gaze downward and stopped somewhere. 

Victoria then sank below the surface of the water, but before she was fully submerged under the surface, her arm was seized by Alaric. “We’re husband and wife. So, why are you avoiding me like that?” 

“Well, I definitely don’t find it entertaining to be stared at like that, so let me go.” 

“No can do.” Alaric clamped his grip on Victoria’s arm and added, “Unless you agree to let me stay with you.” 

Although Alaric might look like he was asking for Victoria’s permission, he showed no signs of stopping in undressing himself. While he had one hand on her arm, the other one was busy removing the rest of his clothes. Then, he looked at her innocently. “Come on, look at me. I’m basically already naked, so if you won’t let me bathe with you, I may catch a cold.” 

“You!” In the face of Alaric’s shameless attitude, Victoria stared at his firm chest speechlessly and took a few moments to organize her words before she spoke again. “No! You haven’t got yourself cleaned up, so you can’t join me.” 

“Oh.” Alaric knitted his eyebrows. “Are you saying I can join you right after I’m clean? In that case, give me 5 minutes.” He then let go of Victoria’s arm and disappeared, rendering her speechless. 

Soon, Alaric turned on the shower as the sound of the water hitting the floor began to fill the space within the bathroom. While Victoria was too shy to show herself, Alaric wasn’t afraid of showing his body to her. At that moment, the water droplets began to run down his muscular physique from his firm chest to his muscular abdominal muscles before it trickled further down. 

Victoria quickly looked away, feeling too shy to stare at Alaric’s body any longer. At the same time, she was seen pursing her lips, her heart racing like a jackhammer. On the inside, she began to ask herself whether she was only feeling shy after she lost her memory or whether she was an introvert even before she had amnesia. One way or another, Victoria was helpless against Alaric’s straightforward attitude and personality. Are things the way they were? Or are they different now? Alaric is just too enthusiastic. I know he loves me, but sometimes, I’m just not sure if I could handle that. 

In the meantime, as the pitter–patter began to fill the air in the bathroom, it was as if those sounds were Alaric’s 

way of announcing his arrival into the bathtub. At the thought of that, she blushed and even forgot 

about her tab. 

12:30 Fri 

Not knowing how long had passed, the pitter–patter suddenly came to a stop, whereupon the bathroom was filled with silence. At that moment, Victoria’s heart skipped a beat because she was too scared that she would see something she didn’t want to see if she turned around. Therefore, she only looked over her shoulder to see what was going on behind her, only to see a silhouette entering the water. As the ripples showed on the surface of the water, it was as if her heart was also beating rapidly. 

“You…” Victoria was speechless, but when she struggled nervously, Alaric held her even tighter like chains tied around her. At the same time, he planted his lips behind her ears. 

“Don’t hide from me.” Alaric placed his lips upon Victoria’s ear, whispering to her. “I just want to hug you during the bath. If you continue avoiding me, I’m not sure if I will cross the line.” 

Why do the last few words sound like a threat to me? If I stay with him obediently, he won’t do anything to me; but if I run away, I can’t blame him for what he does, can I? Despite Victoria’s rejection, she knew Alaric would do what he really meant. Thus, she had no choice but to rest in his arms. “Alright then, promise me you wouldn’t do anything.” 

“Okay, I promise you.” Alaric’s voice sounded deep, which gave Victoria the impression that she couldn’t trust 

him. 

Nevertheless, despite Victoria’s distrust, Alaric didn’t do anything else besides hugging her during the bath. Also, he did nothing else to her with his wandering hands, as he seemingly only wanted to enjoy the bath with her. Thus, Victoria slowly began to feel more and more relaxed, although she was nervous at first. After all, she couldn’t help but feel awkward if she was caught doing something naughty with Alaric in her father’s house. 

Fortunately, Alaric kept his word and did as he said. Therefore, in the end, Victoria was so relaxed that she could rest on Alaric’s shoulder comfortably while enjoying her pleasant bath. Bathing in the hot water, Victoria felt a lot more energized. Furthermore, the fact that she was leaning on Alaric’s body made her feel only added to her comfort, compared to leaning on the wall of the bathtub. She then pursed her lips and secretly smiled. thinking it was still comfortable to get along with Alaric as long as he behaved himself. Twenty minutes later, Alaric suggested that they should stop their bath. 

However, Victoria didn’t want to leave her bathtub. Come on. It’s winter now. No one in my place would ever want to leave my bathtub. Due to the cold weather out there, Alaric’s suggestion sounded like a bad idea, and she immediately turned Alaric down. 

‘No, I want to stay here a little longer.” Comfortable in the tub, Victoria unknowingly spoke with a tone so coquettish that Alaric couldn’t bring himself to turn her down. “Alright, let’s stay here for five minutes, okay? No 

more than that.”