Tangled in His Obsession

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.

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

The more profound his disdain had been, the more interesting his current interest appeared.

“It’s just a form of address; no need to get worked up,” Seraphina said. “Besides, that’s not really what you’re concerned about right now, is it?”

Herman looked at her silently for a moment, not saying another word.

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

What he was focused on was only…

Just as Herman was about to speak, the door opened, and Andrea emerged with Valerio, looking calmly at the two of them before saying slowly, “Valerio’s hungry.”

“Ah, well then, let’s get going,” Seraphina announced cheerfully. “Let’s grab some food!”

Herman gave

Andrea another look, still without saying a word.

With Seraphina and Valerio around, the meal passed without Herman getting a chance to speak to Andrea privately. And Seraphina, oblivious to any inconvenience she might be causing, chatted away with Andrea, almost completely ignoring Herman.

It wasn’t until the bill was paid and they were ready to leave that Seraphina seemed to remember her good conscience, suggesting to Andrea, “Don’t you have to get back to work? Let Herman give you a ride.”

Herman, who had been disinterested until now, suddenly perked up at this suggestion.

“It’s okay,” Andrea said quickly. “I’ll just take a cab. Mr. Herman is here on business, unfamiliar with the place-it wouldn’t be right to trouble him.”

Herman spoke up, casual but firm, “My grandfather’s house is actually in Summitville. I practically grew up here, so I know the place quite well.”

Andrea stiffened slightly.

Seraphina laughed outright, “Well, that settles it then. You can drop Andrea off at work, and if you’re free in the evening, bring her over to my place. We can have dinner together again.”

Herman looked at Andrea and said simply, “Let’s go. I’ll take you.”

Andrea glanced at Seraphina, eventually didn’t say anything. She got up and left with Herman.

Seraphina watched them go, her expression one of someone enjoying a spectacle.

“Does Herman like Auntie Andrea?” Valerio asked, looking up at her.

Seraphina laughed again. Whether they liked each other or not, she wasn’t sure. But there was definitely something tangled up between them.

Herman had made a special trip to Summitville, and she saw no reason not to lend a hand to this clueless man.

As for the specifics of their situation, she’d just have to wait for one of them to come forward and fill her in.

Herman hadn’t been lying; Summitville was indeed his granddad’s hometown, and he had grown up there, which meant he knew every corner of the town center like the back

of his hand.

Andrea sat in the passenger seat of his car, watching him navigate the familiar streets with ease, yet she remained silent as the grave.

11:42

Still not talking, huh?” After enduring the stifling silence, Herman finally couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke up to break the ice.

A glint of resignation flashed in Andrea’s eyes. “I’ve already told you, but you just don’t want to believe me.”

Before she 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…”

Herman’s face went through a quick succession of emotions, then he challenged, “How do you explain this song, then?”

“It’s just a coincidence.” Andrea replied. “It’s a classic, loved by many, including me. Just like you—”

“Then why have you been avoiding me since that night?”

Andrea gave a wry smile tinged with helplessness. “Because 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 nuisance?”

“You…” Herman was momentarily lost for words, then added, “I don’t dislike you…

“Oh.” Andrea responded flatly. “Well, that’s flattering.”

Herman was nearly at his boiling point with her indifferent attitude. He was about to give up on the conversation when, moments later, he involuntarily asked, “Was it really you that night?”

“No.” Andrea’s answer was simple and direct.

The car came to a stop at a red light, and Herman turned to look at her for a long while, finally nodding slowly, resigned. “Okay.”

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

She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to him with a “Thanks,” and stepped out of the car.

Herman remained in the driver’s seat, not watching her leave.

As Andrea entered the hotel through the revolving door, Herman couldn’t help but turn and watch her go. Despite her denials, he was determined to find out if she was the one from that night seven years ago!

Back at the family home, Seraphina played with Valerio for a bit before his naptime arrived, and he drifted off to sleep in his bed, content and peaceful.

Seraphina sat alone on the couch, scrolling through the news on her iPad while waiting for something.

Sure enough, about forty minutes later, there was a knock at her door.

She set the tablet aside, opened the door with a beaming smile, and said, “Back from dropping off Andrea, are you?”

Herman stood at the doorway, his gaze somewhat somber. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Seeing his mood, Seraphina knew he had hit a wall. Andrea’s aloof nature wasn’t going to make things easy for him, and she wasn’t surprised.

With Valerio asleep, they sat down by the stone table in the courtyard.

Seraphina had prepared some fruit-infused iced tea, ready to relish the drama.

As she cracked open a bag of popcorn, she beckoned to Herman, “Spill it.”

Herman couldn’t help but glare at her before he began, “I suspect she’s someone I met seven years ago-”

“Seven years back?” Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “That long ago?”

He nodded and continued, “Right after I graduated from the police academy, my supervisor saw potential in me and assigned me to an undercover operation.”

Seraphina’s interest peaked.

Herman, young and fearless, had been tasked with infiltrating a particularly vicious gang to gather evidence of their crimes.

In such a world, the more you stood out, the faster you climbed the ranks.

Herman knew the game well, starting from the bottom and quickly making a name for himself, climbing the ladder at lightning speed.

But being young and inexperienced, he naturally made a few enemies along the way.

Plenty of people tried to trip him up, most of which he could deftly avoid or foresee, except for one time when he got caught off guard at a bar and was drugged.

Seraphina’s ears perked up at the story, “Such a lowbrow trick?”

“Those who resort to such means aren’t exactly high-class,” Herman replied.

“And after the drugs?” she asked. “What kind of pretty lady did they set for you?”

He smirked bitterly, “It was a guy, not a woman.”

Seraphina nearly choked on her tea, coughing uproariously.

“I sensed something was off before I totally lost it and managed to dodge that bullet,” Herman explained. “But after that, I met a woman…”