Tangled in his Obsession novel 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.