Chapter 9
1011words
At work, I dove into the financial audit, uncovering shocking evidence of fraud at every turn. Several times I nearly called the police on the spot. Melissa and my father, likely stunned by my power play and watched closely by Director Zhang, hadn't made any overt moves yet. Still, they threw up roadblocks at every opportunity, slowing the audit process.
Meanwhile, Luke had embraced his role as “house husband” with surprising commitment.
He rarely left the apartment. Each morning before I left, he'd have breakfast waiting. Each evening when I returned, dinner would be ready. The apartment stayed immaculate, and even my nearly-dead pothos plant had begun to revive under his care.
We still didn't talk much, but a wordless understanding was developing between us.
He noticed I avoided cilantro and onions.
I started picking up his preferred sugar-free sparkling water on my way home.
The feeling was subtle but dangerous.
Sometimes I'd catch myself pretending we were a real couple, married for years. Then his cool, detached gaze would snap me back to reality.
I was sinking deeper every day.
A dangerous trajectory for an arrangement with a predetermined expiration date.
That evening, I stayed late reviewing crucial audit documents, not reaching home until nearly ten.
When I opened the door, the apartment was dark.
My heart skipped a beat.
He wasn't there.
I switched on the lights. The living room stood empty, the kitchen cold and unused.
An unexpected wave of disappointment washed over me.
It was frightening how quickly habits formed. In just days, I'd grown accustomed to warm lights and a waiting presence.
I laughed at myself, tossed my bag on the sofa, and headed to the kitchen for instant noodles.
Just then, my bedroom door opened.
Luke stepped out.
He'd clearly just showered—hair still dripping, a towel slung low around his hips.
Bronze skin, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined muscles disappearing beneath the towel. And those legs…
I didn't know where to look.
“You're back?” He seemed completely unaware of his effect on me as he toweled his hair dry.
As he approached, the scent of my shower gel mingled with his natural masculine scent hit me like a physical force.
My face went nuclear, burning hotter than the sun.
“Why are you using my bathroom?” I stammered, trying to sound indignant.
“Guest bathroom water heater's broken,” he explained calmly. “Heating element burned out. Replacement's on order.”
“But you can't just—”
“We're married, aren't we?” he interrupted, stopping directly in front of me.
He towered over me, his shadow enveloping me completely. Water droplets clung to his lashes, trailed down his cheekbones, slid past his Adam's apple, and disappeared onto his chest…
I couldn't breathe.
“Evie,” he said, my name sounding different in his slightly husky voice, “Even with our 'non-interference policy,' sharing a bathroom seems within normal parameters, doesn't it?”
He was throwing my own words back at me.
The man was definitely doing this on purpose!
I was completely flustered, unable to form a coherent response, my eyes darting everywhere except at him.
Just then—
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang insistently.
Who could be visiting at this hour?
My heart leapt into my throat.
Luke's expression instantly hardened. He motioned for me to be quiet, then moved to the door and peered through the peephole.
His brows furrowed immediately.
He turned back, silently mouthing two names.
Melissa. Sophie.
My blood ran cold.
Why would they show up here this late?!
“Eve Sullivan! Open this door right now!” Melissa's shrill voice carried through the door. “Open up or I'm calling the police to report kidnapping!”
I shook with rage. These two would stop at nothing!
What now?
We were in a terrible position—me just home from work, Luke practically naked. If they barged in now, we'd have some serious explaining to do!
I panicked, mind racing for a solution.
Luke, however, looked completely unfazed.
He glanced at my panicked face, then down at his nearly naked body.
He disappeared into my bedroom and emerged seconds later wearing a pair of pajama pants.
He strode to me and whispered in my ear:
“Follow my lead. No matter what I do or say.”
“What?” I hadn't processed his meaning.
Before I could respond, he yanked the door open.
Melissa and Sophie stood with fists raised, ready to pound on the door again. They froze in surprise.
Their expressions when they saw Luke—shirtless, hair damp, looking thoroughly at home—were absolutely priceless.
“Who—who are you?” Melissa demanded, her finger shaking slightly.
Luke leaned casually against the doorframe, looking irritated at the interruption. He gave them both a slow once-over, one eyebrow raised.
“I'm her husband,” he drawled. “What brings you ladies here at this hour? Interrupting a couple's evening is rather rude, don't you think?”
He lingered on the word “evening” with deliberate suggestion.
Melissa and Sophie's faces turned an interesting shade of green.
“You're lying!” Sophie shrieked. “Where's Eve? We want to see her!”
“Evie?” Luke's voice softened with intimate affection. “Just got home from work, poor thing. I've just drawn her bath. She's probably already relaxing.”
He turned his head and called over his shoulder:
“Babe? There are some… ladies here to see you. Feel like company?”
The endearment sent a shiver down my spine.
Before I could respond, Luke strode toward me.
Under Melissa and Sophie's bulging-eyed stares, he swept me into his arms in one fluid motion.
I yelped in surprise, instinctively throwing my arms around his neck.
Suddenly I was cradled against his bare chest, enveloped in the clean scent of my own shower gel on his skin.
“Seems she's not in the mood for visitors,” he said, not even looking at them. He flashed a devastating smile. “If you'll excuse us, ladies. We have better things to do with our evening.”
With that, still holding me against his chest, he kicked the door shut in their stunned faces.
SLAM!
The heavy door closed on their shocked expressions, shutting out the world beyond.
