Chapter 48: Untouched Maiden

Natalie thought, her mind racing.

She turned to look at Justin, who stood in the doorway with his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his black pants, his gaze was fixed on her bed.

’Don’t tell me he actually plans to sleep in my bed!’

In a flash, she positioned herself between him and the bed, her arms spread wide as if her small frame could somehow hide that large bed.

"What are you staring at my bed for?" Her eyes narrowed at him with suspicion. "Don’t tell me you’re really planning to sleep here. If that’s the case, let me warn you..."

"I was just wondering why you’ve arranged the bed as if it’s meant for two people when you sleep alone," he interrupted her. He was curious about it even when he entered her room for the first time.

"That’s none of your business," she shot back, her voice tense. "And don’t even think about getting on it. You’re not welcome in my room, let alone in my bed."

His words, could never leave her mind. The man who despised her so much didn’t deserve to be anywhere near her, let alone in her personal space.

Justin looked at her, his expression calm, though the displeasure in his eyes was unmistakable.

he felt frustration. ’Such an ungrateful woman when I am simply helping her with grandpas’ sake or I wouldn’t be here in this tiny home of hers.’

"I’d rather sleep in a coffin than share your bed. I was just curious, that’s all." He declared with a straight face, his eyes mocking her.

"Keep your curiosity to yourself and figure out where else you’re going to sleep because you’re definitely not staying in my room."

"Do you think I want to?" He remained calm, though his voice carried an edge. "But then again, I shouldn’t expect anything else from someone like you."

Her temper flared. "What do you mean by ’someone like me’?"

Justin remained composed, but his words were anything but kind. "I’m not going to waste my time with some untouched old-time maiden who’s so paranoid about sharing a room with a man that she thinks it might tarnish her purity. That kind of innocence is just grating on my sanity."

Natalie felt a sharp sting to her pride, and she snapped back, "Who told you I’m not used to having men around or that I’m some untouched maiden? I had a fiancé, and before that, I lived in Xyros City, where I was surrounded by men far better than you."

He raised an amused eyebrow, his tone dripping with mockery. "You mean thugs and scoundrels?"

She gritted her teeth, her palms clenched in tight fist. "At least they’re better than an arrogant, spoiled rich brat like you." She glanced at her bed, then back at him, her gaze burning with defiance. "You asked why my bed looks like it’s for two people? It’s because I’m used to sharing it with my ex-fiancé, Ivan. I haven’t gotten over the habit yet. He was so good in bed that I can’t seem to forget him when I’m lying there."

Justin’s expression remained unreadable, but his hands clenched into fists inside his pockets. The thought of another man in her bed, especially with such intimate detail, unsettled him more than he cared to admit. Until now, he had always teased her to get a reaction, but today, it seemed she was the one getting under his skin. He struggled to keep his temper in check.

Natalie moved to the head of the bed and tossed a pillow at him. "Take this and get the hell out of here."

With his hands still tucked in his pockets, Justin stepped aside and the pillow fell to where he was standing. He looked at that pillow with a disdain, "Disgusting."

A pillow meant for some other man was nothing but disgusting for him to even look at.

His comment only fueled her fury. He had the nerve to call her freshly arranged pillow disgusting. Was she really that low in his eyes?

"Listen, Justin Harper," she called out, her voice laced with hatred.

He looked at her, his expression cold, waiting for her to continue.

"Thank you for helping me with my grandpa, but that’s enough. Tomorrow, the first thing you’re going to do is tell him you’re leaving for a business trip for half a month, and then you’re leaving. And don’t ever step foot in this disgusting home of mine again, understood?"

Justin had already turned to leave as he pushed aside the pillow blocking the door with his toes as if he didn’t wish to touch it. He then opened the door and left.

Natalie glanced at the pillow before picking it up. She dusted it off and placed it back on the bed, her heart aching at the way Justin had treated her belongings.

Meanwhile, Justin made his way to the living room, feeling unusually unsettled by Natalie’s harsh words. He considered leaving but realised that Albert was still there. If he left, it would only create more trouble for Natalie.

Resigned, he sank onto the sofa and stared up at the ceiling. ’

After a while, Justin stretched out on the sofa, his legs hanging over the edge since it was too short for his tall frame. He folded an arm beneath his head, trying to relax, but Natalie’s words kept echoing in his mind--

His expression darkened, and his jaw clenched as he cursed, ’

Frustrated, Justin forced his eyes shut, trying to sleep.

By the crack of dawn, Albert woke up from his sleep, not knowing what had transpired between Natalie and Aiden the previous night. Not feeling sleepy anymore, he got out of bed, eager to step onto the balcony for some fresh morning air and to bask in the first rays of sunlight.

Grasping his cane, he stepped out of his room and walked towards the balcony on one side of the living room, only to notice someone lying on the sofa. Puzzled, he turned on the light, only to see Justin sleeping out there.

Sudden brightness in the room broke Justin’s sleep. With a frown he looked around only to see the old man standing next to the switchboard at the opposite wall.

He immediately sat up on the sofa, shaking away the remnants of sleep.

"Good morning, Mr. Ford."

"Aiden, why are you sleeping here instead in the room with Natalie?" Albert asked, surprised and clearly displeased.