Chapter 20

Chapter 20

They had kept in touch while Vincent was away, but Stephanie still felt like something was missing.

Her work at Starlight Design Studio kept her occupied during the day. Only at night, when nothing was holding her attention, did the feelings emerge. She knew she missed Vincent.

At night, unable to fall asleep, she went into Vincent’s bedroom.

tying her head on his pillow, she could smell his woody fragrance, which put her at ease. Soon, she drifted off into sleep.

At the break of dawn, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.

Vincent came toward the bed in his wheelchair.

Lights filtered into the room through the curtains. He could see a lump in bed beneath the blanket. He knew it was Stephanie.

Earlier when he passed by her bedroom, he was itching to enter and see her, but he eventually fought down that desire and came back to his room. To his surprise, the one he had been missing so much was right on his bed.

He changed into pajamas, slipped under the blanket, and stared at Stephanie. The room was dim, but her face was clear in his mind.

“Vincent.

she mumbled.

“I’m here,” murmured Vincent, his magnetic voice seductive.

Suddenly, she smiled and subconsciously nestled against his chest.

Vincent held her tight into his arms, and her fragrance drifted into his nose. Sure, they used the same soap, but she smelled way better.

He preferred her not applying anything so he could smell her fresh, fruity fragrance.

Vincent swallowed hard, restrained himself, and kissed her hair gently.

*Douglas…” she mumbled.

Vincent stiffened as he tightened his hold around her. He pursed his lips and waited for her to continue.

But she didn’t say anything else. The room got brighter as the morning light grew. Vincent just stared at her, feeling a ton of things

“Lying on my bed but calling another man’s name… Vincent thought, shutting his eyes tight. Zang mentioned once that since Douglas was the one who rescued her, Stephanie couldn’t possibly fall in love with Vincent so soon.

Vincent had been sure about her feelings for him, but not anymore now. Annoyed, he left the room.

It was bright when Stephanie stretched and sat up. “I could’ve sworn Vincent was here… Did I just imagine him? I must really miss him,‘ she thought.

When she left the bedroom, she coincidently bumped into Sophia.

Sophia nodded and greeted, “Good morning, Mrs. Fletcher.”

“Good morning, Sophia,” responded Stephanie smilingly.

Sophia wanted to say something but seemed to be hesitant. “What’s wrong, Sophia?” asked Stephanie.

12:45 Sat, 25 May

Chapter 20

75%

Sophia sighed. “Ever since you came here, Mr. Fletcher’s been happler. He likes you, and he was glad to marry you. If you two are at odds with each other, you better talk it out, otherwise it’ll get in the way of your relationship.”

“Hold on, I don’t get it,” interjected Stephanie.

Sophia asked in confusion, “Mr. Fletcher left not long after he came back this early morning. I thought you two fought.”

“He was home?” questioned Stephanie, stunned..

“Yeah, around three in the morning. I’m a light sleeper, so the car woke me up. Mr. Fletcher seemed happy when I saw him, but he left looking all down. I didn’t dare to ask,” Sophia said with a little sigh.

Stephanie furrowed her brow as she thought, ‘Did I mess up by crashing in his room while he was gone? Maybe he felt like I was invading his space?”

She bit her lip, went back to her room, and called Vincent. Just as she was about to hang up, thinking he wouldn’t answer, his voice came through. He sounded beat as he answered, “Hey, what’s up?”

“I heard from Sophia you came home but left. What’s wrong?” questioned Stephanie.

Vincent, chilling on his office couch and covering his eyes from the dazzling sunlight piercing through the drawn curtains, responded with a tired voice, “Got some big deal to handle at work.”

Stephanie wasn’t buying it. Three in the morning? Yeah right. He’s hiding something, she thought. “Did I wake you up?” she asked, feeling a bit down.

Vincent replied, “Mm–hmm, I’m still kinda sleepy.”

She couldn’t tell if he was genuinely tired or just trying to brush her off. “Want me to bring you something to eat later?” she offered.

“I’m good. Gotta go to the Fletcher residence later,” he said.

“That’s a no. He must be ticked about me being in his room. I knew it‘ Stephanic instantly thought. “How about I cook for you tonight?” She tried again.

“There’s a social gathering tonight. Don’t wait up for me and sleep early, responded Vincent.

“Okay, bye” Stephanie pouted

“All right,” replied Vincent.

Stephanie scratched her head with a long sigh. Vincent’s acting like a king of the jungle marking his turf. So petty! And making up excuses about going to the Fletcher residence and his parties… Wait! He is going to the Fletcher residence?”

It suddenly occurred to her that today was Saturday, and she had asked Giovanni to make an appointment with Vincent to visit Ellen. She sprang into action, changed into casual clothes–a white T–shirt, jeans, sneakers–and went downstairs with her gear.

Sophia stated, “Mrs. Fletcher, breakfast is ready.”

“Did you prepare it?” asked Stephanie,

Sophia nodded.

“Where is Lydia?” questioned Stephanie.

wwwww

Sophia replied, “She went to the rose garden to water the flowers.”

Stephanie found that Lydia was the one to cook when Vincent was at home, otherwise it was Sophia.

2/3

Chapter 20

May

75%

Stephanie grabbed some food and left with Vincent’s Porsche, the car that drew the least attention. After parking she slipped out from the back door of the Starlight Design Studio and got changed in an alley. Now donning a dress and a hat with a face mask to stay incognito, she sat in another Porsche.

Giovanni, now in the driver’s seat, grinned. Ms. Hayes, how about this ride? It’s pretty low–profile, right?”

“Aren’t there any cars that cost, like, ten grand?” she scoffed.

Giovanni chuckled. “Not really. This is the cheapest car in our g

garage.”

Stephanie tried not to roll her eyes at him. “The guy’s a total ahead. Why not get a beater? She gave up arguing and said, “To the Fletcher place.”

At the moment, Giovanni felt like a private driver to her.

Meanwhile, grumpy Vincent was in his car, nursing a headache. Zane checked on him from the mirror. “Are you okay, Mr. Fletcher?” Zane asked.

Vincent answered flatly, “Only three of those pills left. Did you get hold of lan?”

“No luck. That stash won’t last more than a month,”

th” said Z

Zone.

Vincent’s face went all serious. “Make it happen within the month,” he commanded.

“Understood,” replied Zane.

When Vincent’s sleek Maybach rolled up to the fancy Fletcher gates, Giovanni’s Porsche was already there. It was a tight spot since outsiders weren’t allowed in, but Giovanni was smooth–talking Zane. Giovanni rolled down the window halfway and shouted, “I’m Dr. Summer’s assistant.”

Zane nodded and instructed, “Follow behind my car.”

Two cars stopped in front of the Fletcher residence, one behind the other.

Seeing that Giovanni was about to step out of the car, Stephanie quickly said, “Just wait in the car. Don’t go in with me.”

Giovanni’s mouth twitched as he asked, “Why can’t I come?”

“You talk too much,

h, so you might blurt out something. I don’t want Vincent to recognize me,” she explained.

“Always getting the cold shoulder, he thought.

As soon as she exited the car, she saw Zane push Vincent toward her. Vincent sat in the wheelchair gloomily. The second he saw her, his expression became impassive again.

“Who made him angry? wondered Stephanie.

色