Chapter 122: Unexpected Heat-2
A laugh escaped Maya despite the knot in her chest, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She promised Harper they’d be back soon, though the unease in her stomach twisted tighter as the call ended.
For now, she pushed it aside, leaning back against Damien’s warmth when he returned. But in the back of her mind, the warning echoed: peace never lasted.
They finally tore themselves from the comfort of that private cocoon, showered, dressed, and -though Damien dragged his feet every step of the way-headed back. By late morning, they walked hand in hand across the small landing pad where Damien’s helicopter waited, blades
glinting in the sun as if eager to carry them away.
The flight was quiet, intimate in its own way. Maya leaned against his shoulder, her fingers loosely curled with his on the console between them. Damien’s hand never left hers, even as he flew, as though parting from her for even a second felt unthinkable.
Not long after, the helicopter touched down smoothly on the resort’s pad. Waiting there were James, Lee, Harper, and Ashcroft, their figures sharp against the bright midday sun.
James and Lee moved forward at once, handling their belongings with practiced ease, while Harper appeared almost too eager as she tugged Maya away toward the waiting golf cart to return to the main resort. Damien, however, was immediately pulled into a low, clipped exchange with Ashcroft, the two men’s expressions unreadable.
Still, before leaving the pad, Damien made one quiet order: Maya’s things were to be moved directly into his room.
By the time everyone regrouped at the dining terrace, the table was already set for lunch. The sea breeze carried the scent of grilled seafood and herbs, but Maya barely tasted any of it. Something about Harper gnawed at her. Her friend laughed at the right moments, spoke when spoken to, but her eyes… they weren’t the same. There was a distance there, a flicker of unease she couldn’t quite place.
When Damien leaned back in his chair, his hand brushing hers under the table, she tilted her head toward him. “She’s different,” Maya murmured, keeping her voice low. “Harper. Something’s off.”
Damien’s jaw shifted slightly, his eyes cutting toward Harper before returning to Maya. “I noticed it too,” he said quietly. “And it’s not just her. Nick’s been… off as well.”
Maya’s stomach tightened. “You think something happened?”
lper T. Ilves IN-DEPTUM 2
“We’ll find out.” His voice carried that controlled edge, calm but firm.
Later, when the opportunity arose, they pulled James and Lee aside near the bar. Both men looked confused at the question.
“Nothing seemed wrong last night,” James admitted. “The four of us had a few drinks, relaxed for a bit. I left first-figured I’d turn in early.”
“Same here,” Lee added with a shrug. “Didn’t notice anything unusual. The both of them stayed behind after us, that’s all. When I saw them this morning, though…” He shook his head. “Yeah. They were already acting… different.”
That single word lingered between them, heavy. Different.
Curiosity itched at the back of Maya’s mind, and she could see the same flicker in Damien’s eyes. Whatever had shifted between Harper and Ashcroft last night, neither James nor Lee could put their finger on it. And that only made the silence louder, the questions sharper.
After lunch, everyone decided to rest at the cabana. The sun warmed the terrace, and the gentle lap of waves against the shore made the air feel lazy, almost too peaceful. But Maya couldn’t ignore the unease gnawing at her. She nudged Harper gently, brow furrowed.
“Harper… is everything okay?” she asked softly.
Harper blinked, her usual bubbly tone tipping into defensiveness. “Of course! What do you mean? Of course it’s okay. Why?”
Maya hesitated, searching for the right words. “I don’t know… it just seems like you’re avoiding Nick.”
Harper froze. “What?? No!”
Damien, who had been standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, Nick. How come it looks like you’re avoiding Ms. Lin here? Did something happen?”
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Vote
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.