Chapter 21

Marguerite Lopez had slept like the dead, so deeply she hadn't even managed to shower first.

When she finally woke and rolled over, it was to a room so pitch-black that not a single sliver of light penetrated the gloom.

Has this place been upgraded with smart-home features? Marguerite groggily wondered, thinking the curtains must have closed automatically when they sensed she was asleep.

She stretched out an arm, fumbling around for her phone. Her fingers finally brushed against its cool surface near the pillow. She brought it close and pressed the button, the screen flaring to life: 4:01 PM.

Marguerite's eyes flew wide open, her mind snapping into focus.

Unbelievable. Had she really slept until four in the afternoon the next day?

She had several messages.

Northpine Wraith: [I had the clothes you bought yesterday delivered to the house. If you need anything else, just have Anna pick it up.]

[I'll buy the house next door as soon as I can. Call me if you need anything.]

[Mr. Spencer is also one of my investors. He's a good guy, and he's not into women, so you don't have to worry.]

Waking up to such juicy gossip made Marguerite's eyes light up.

Not that she'd been worried in the first place. She generally trusted George's character, and besides, rivals like them were bound to just get on each other's nerves. Last night, she'd practically fallen on top of him, and he hadn't even offered a hand.

[George likes men? For real? Spill!]

No wonder his Wikipedia page was completely blank when it came to his dating history.

Theobald's reply was almost instantaneous. [You're finally awake! Any longer and I was about to call an ambulance.]

Marguerite: [Focus!]

Theobald: [It's just rumors, plus what I saw last night. Nothing solid. I just thought it might put your mind at ease.]

Marguerite frowned. [Speculating about someone's sexuality with zero proof? Not cool, Theo.]

Theobald: [My bad.]

Marguerite: [I'll just ask him myself later.]

Theobald: [?]

To Marguerite, being curious about her rival's sexuality felt perfectly normal. After all, they had no idea how long they'd be living together

Asking in advance, would UDAY

prepare her for the possibility of him bringing a man home one day.

Ignoring Theobald, Marguerite put her phone down and got out of bed, raking a

hand through her tangled bedhead.

She pulled the heavy curtains apart,

and blinding sunlight flooded the room, making her instinctively shield her eyes. After letting them adjust for a few seconds, she looked outside. It was a beautiful day, with a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. The gardenbelow was gorgeous, bursting with seasonal flowers. Large, vibrant magenta roses stood out, their branches being carefully trimmed by a gardener.

Raising her arms for a long stretch, she turned to finally take in the room. Last night, she'd been so exhausted she had simply stumbled into her old bedroom out of

habit, seen the bed was made, and collapsed.

Only now did she realize it hadn't

changed much at all. It was spotless, the decor still in the same style she had loved years ago. The

plush bedding was a fresh, in the

green. It looked like George had kept, it as a simple guest room all this time.

Opening her door, she saw that the room across the hall was open, and a figure in white caught her eye.

Marguerite walked over and knocked lightly on the doorframe. "George? You're not at work today?"

The room had been a study before, and it clearly still served the same purpose.

The handsome man himself sat at a desk, wearing a slim-fit white shirt that showcased the lean lines of his arms. He seemed to be working, his focus on his laptop.

At the sound of her voice, George turned his head, and his warm, gentle gaze landed on her.