LILY
“Did you kiss me last night?” I suddenly asked him.
“What? Why would I kiss you!?” he replied sharply. His tone made me feel embarrassed about my question.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled softly.
“Alright, if you’re hungry, go down to the kitchen; breakfast is ready. But tell me—what were you doing in the trunk of my car? Don’t you realize how dangerous that was? You could have gotten yourself killed, and I would have been blamed for it if something bad happened to you!” he said authoritatively.
“I’m sorry, please don’t be mad. But you look familiar to me. Have we met before?” I asked, pretending to be dramatic.
I felt like fate had brought us together. I waited for him to answer, but he just stared at me seriously.
“Is there something on my face? Do I have drool on my mouth?” I asked again.
“Fix yourself,” he replied curtly and turned away.
How rude. When I first saw him at Emerald Shores Hotel, he was so kind and smiling, but now he seemed mad at the world.
I stayed in bed, feeling captivated by the comfort of his waterbed. I closed my eyes, letting my body relax. It seemed like he was okay with me using his room; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let me use his bed.
“Oh sh*t!” I cursed when I realized I wasn’t wearing my own clothes. I quickly got up and checked myself in the large mirror.
I was wearing a large blue long-sleeved shirt. What happened to me last night? The last thing I remembered was passing out and someone carrying me.
I shook my head as the thought crossed my mind that he might have dressed me. OMG, did he do something to me? I didn’t feel any pain, nor did I notice anything unusual.
Where could my clothes be? I looked around for the ones I had worn yesterday. I also searched for my bag, which I found by the side of the desk. I quickly grabbed it and opened it, pulling out a fresh set of clothes before heading to the bathroom.
What kind of bathroom is this? It was so beautiful, with a jacuzzi and luxurious fixtures. It looked like something out of a billionaire’s home—much larger than the bathroom in my mansion.
I didn’t stay long in the bathroom. After showering, I quickly got dressed. I spotted a blow dryer and used it to dry my hair.
After a few minutes, I placed my clothes from yesterday into my bag. I also checked my messages. My inbox was filled with messages from Violet, Mom, and Katerine. I decided I would call them later.
I left Arlo’s room. His name was now etched into my mind, impossible to erase since I met him. As I descended the grand staircase, carrying my bag, I noticed how his large vacation-style house was filled with expensive items. The chandeliers sparkled like diamonds.
I saw him sitting on a black leather couch. My heart skipped a beat when our eyes met. I summoned the courage to approach him, unsure of what to say.
“I thought you weren’t coming down. How’s your morning?” he asked, his deep voice making my heart race even faster.
“It’s fine, Sir Arlo,” I replied, surprised at how his name slipped from my lips. His mouth parted slightly in response.
“Let’s eat first,” he said, his baritone voice commanding yet calm.
When we got to the dining table, my stomach growled at the sight of the food spread across the table. These dishes were familiar to me; both my parents loved them. My dad was especially fond of French cuisine.
“Arlo, don’t forget your family dinner at your grandfather’s mansion,” said a woman who approached and poured juice into my glass.
Arlo nodded but seemed displeased by the reminder from his housekeeper.
“Are you living alone in this big house?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied curtly.
Such a man of few words. I focused on eating, ignoring him. However, I felt his gaze on me. He sighed, and I heard him put down his knife and fork. When I looked at him, it seemed like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
After a while, we finished eating. He stood up and took his phone out of his jogging pants pocket. I was about to help clear the table, but the housekeeper stopped me.
“Ma’am, this is my job. Sir Arlo might get mad at us. You must be his girlfriend—I’m sure he loves you very much,” the housekeeper said, her eyes widening as she smiled.
“Girlfriend?” I whispered softly, shocked.
“I’m Nikki, by the way. If you need anything, just let me know,” she said.
