I stumbled, nearly crashing into his chest. At the last second, I grabbed the doorframe, using every ounce of strength to steady myself.“Morning,” I gasped, forcing a smile that was both strained and vaguely professional.

Evan looked at me, saying nothing. In that moment, his silence was a silent accusation, a questioning of my early–morning stealth. His self–righteous expression made me want to ask him if he wasn’t the one who’d gone on a couple of primal rampages the night before.

He was already dressed in a sharp, vintage dark brown suit, tall and elegant, every inch the sophisticated gentleman. Gone was the man from last night. I scoffed inwardly. He’d recovered quickly, and was already criticizing my sneaking around.

“I came to wake you,” I offered as a flimsy excuse.“We’re leaving this afternoon. I thought I’d pack.”

He was silent for a few seconds.“Let’s have breakfast first.”

Breakfast?! I didn’t want to have breakfast with him! The very thought was excruciatingly awkward.

go ahead,” I said backing away.“I

you won’t regret it.” He didn’t elaborate, simply turning and leaving. I was completely baffled. Regret? Did he have someone hidden in the room? The question hung in the air until I stepped into the

packed his things, then went back and painstakingly packed my own, lingering for ages downstairs,

“Did you redecorate

felt like lightning had struck me.“…” Why was he waiting for me“? I absolutely did

said, rising. Seeing me remain motionless, he added, “Come

myself to remain calm. It was just… last night… plus what I’d discovered this morning… But as I sat down, seeing him bathed in the sunlight, his usual cool and austere demeanor, my mind conjured up images of him in his black robe, his shirt half–open, his

mind

going insane! I closed my eyes, swearing it wasn’t intentional. I’m a grown

you’d regret

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