The Strange Groom's Cursed Bride-Chapter 104: Half a day.

Together with me

She raised a brow at him, a silent challenge in her gaze. She tried to keep her composure, despite the bizarre turn the conversation had taken.

He was very clear, his voice even, yet holding an undeniable edge of control. "I wouldn’t get in your way when you do whatever boring thing you’re delighted in. And unless I prefer to track your movements or have someone tail you, this is the most honest offering I can offer." He didn’t sound like he was offering a choice, but stating a condition.

"Why must you want to know where I am or what I am doing?" She asked him. "Do you think I will sell you out or do something weird to soil your name—"

"No."

"Because your name is already soiled?"

She was sarcastic. He picked it up and his lips twitched.

He was quiet for a beat before he said, "I promised to protect you." He said casually like it totally excused the creepy ass behaviour.

"I don’t need to be followed. It’s not like when I step out, I’m going to be in danger. And even then, you don’t like me so—" she suddenly paused, realizing she was talking too much.

Jesus.

This was awkward. Why the hell had she said the last sentence. She couldn’t even meet his eye at this point.

"Look at me." He suddenly said, and some weird force did make her look up at him.

They held gaze for a while until his eyes dropped to her arm.

As if reminding her that yes, there was always danger out there in the world and it would someone find its way to her.

Alice just stared at him for a while, her mind racing. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice quiet, almost thoughtful, a curious note creeping in. "You’ve really never dated before, have you?"

He raised a brow at the question. A subtle shift in his posture, a momentary stiffness, was the only reaction.

That was enough to tell even a blind man what was up.

She continued, "Have you never tried to really find out why women avoid you?"

He scoffed in disbelief, a sharp, humorless sound that vibrated slightly with annoyance. His jaw tightened. "I am the one who avoids them." His tone was definitive, a statement of fact, as if it were the most obvious truth in the world.

Alice laughed. It wasn’t a loud laugh, but a genuine, surprised burst of amusement that she couldn’t suppress. The thought of Hades actively avoiding women was unexpectedly hilarious, a crack in his formidable façade.

His eyes narrowed, clearly annoyed by her laughter. "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing," she managed, still chuckling, trying to compose herself, though the corners of her lips still twitched. "Okay, okay, I believe you." She took a breath. "So, why? Why do you avoid them? Pray tell."

He took a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze distant, as if the question itself was a tedious inconvenience, beneath his notice. "I don’t need a reason to not like your kind."

She was quiet for a while, letting his absurd, yet utterly characteristic, statement sink in.

Finally, she exhaled, a weary acceptance settling over her. "Okay. Whatever." She met his gaze, a small, defiant spark in her eyes. "You’ll have a terrific, boring day hanging out with me then. Because I want to hang out for half a day."

Hades’s expression remained blank for a moment, then his brow furrowed, a faint crease appearing between his brows. "Half... a day?" The words were drawn out, as if the concept was foreign, alien even, a monumental commitment he hadn’t anticipated.

She raised a challenging brow, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. "Are you not up for it? You could always let me go by myself." Her tone implied he wouldn’t dare, a clever prod at his protective, possessive nature.

He didn’t answer immediately, and she saw it in his face. A flicker of annoyance, perhaps even regret, crossed his features.

But Hades Wildfire wasn’t one to give up easily, especially not when challenged.

"I’m up," he said at last. His voice was low. Resolute. Like she’d just challenged him to a duel, and he intended to win.

She smirked, a genuine, audacious smile spreading across her face. "Excellent. Let’s have a very random, unplanned day." She extended her hand across the table for a handshake, a gesture of agreement, or perhaps, a silent gauntlet thrown.

The look in his eyes was enough to tell her that this might be a mistake on his part. A profound miscalculation.

She suddenly realized she was offering him skinship. Hades Wildfire didn’t do skinships and had even promised to end her if she touched him, despite the countless times he had touched her without permission. Second, she was always conscious of her rough palm. She was just about to withdraw her hand when he reached out.

He took her tiny hand in his, his large, calloused fingers closing around hers, the warmth of his skin surprising.

She was momentarily distracted by their touch especially when she noticed how Hades looked at their hands like it was some kind of strange thing.

But she shook her head internally, trying to clear her mind for this plan she had set.

If you can’t beat them, join them. Or in this case... seduce them.

It was a dangerous game, but she was a survivor. She would make this "protective" streak of his work in her favor.

Hades wouldn’t even have the time to regret taking her hand today. Because by the time he knew her plan, he would be deep into it. She would put her all and offer her soul to the devil to make sure this man was completely captivated by her. She would capitalize on his possessiveness.

And then, when her time was up, she would be out. Hopefully, he would give all those love to Aurora once she returned.

Hades Wildfire was doomed.

Meanwhile, Hades was thinking the same thing. Half a day.

Fine then. He would sacrifice it for this girl he didn’t like. She was doomed.

Both smirked internally devilishly.