"How come you're here?" Fleming Mercer set his bag down and turned to face

her.

Esmeralda Mercer felt a strange, indescribable awkwardness, mixed with

emotions she didn't dare examine too closely.

"I just brought you a jacket." She held up the coat in her hands, as if she needed to prove she hadn't been eavesdropping.

Adrian rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling more out of place than ever-even though, technically, he was just an outsider.

He barely knew Fleming's fiancée; after all, Fleming never mentioned her. But for her to overhear that conversation just now... It didn't seem right.

"Alright then, why don't I give you two some time alone?" Adrian flashed Esmeralda a friendly smile, doing his best to seem welcoming before stepping out. He even closed the door gently behind him.

Esmeralda hesitated, remembering that Adrian was closer to Lucy. He'd probably take Lucy's side, if it ever came to that.

"Okay," she murmured, nodding.

Finally, she walked farther into the room and handed the jacket to Fleming. "Have you settled in here yet?"

offer some explanation for what she'd heard. Something like, "It was just a joke," or

she was

and walked toward the bathroom, tossing

rarely wasting words.

a

clothes into the machine, wondering-Did he find her dirty somehow?

not to dwell on it, she mustered up her courage and asked, "Were you talking to Lucy just

rest of his clothes in the closet.

short answer snuffed out the little bit

fingers, her voice barely above a whisper.

she noticed a small jade pendant hanging from Fleming's

it. "Didn't know you liked

could get a good look, Fleming abruptly set down the hanger, strode over,

could sense his displeasure. The shift in his demeanor hit her like a slap-she

like a stranger, someone he refused

eyes. Then, catching himself, he tucked his phone away and looked at her. "I might have to head out for a meeting later, he said. "I probably won't be able to have dinner with

was, in effect, asking her

how important that little jade pendant

He'd practically panicked

mind drifted to the

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255