"Serena, are you awake?"
Catherine's gentle voice came from outside the door. "Or did you already leave?”
Panic shot through Serena.
Her intention to turn the tables on Nicholas and watch him squirm instantly vanished.
She practically vaulted out of bed.
A glance at the time showed it was already 10:30 in the morning!
No wonder her mother was knocking on her door.
Usually, no matter how late she went to bed, she was always downstairs for breakfast at 7:30 sharp.
Seeing that she hadn't gotten up yet, her mom was probably worried.
“Serena?” Catherine knocked again, murmuring to herself, "Is she still asleep?”
Serena glanced at the closed door, then back at the man still lying on her bed, shamelessly flaunting his physique.
She yanked the blanket over him, hissing in a low voice, "Get out!"
If her mom saw Nicholas in her room, if her mom found out... she had spent the night in the same bed as Nicholas.
Both of their families would have a fit!
It was something she could never explain her way out of.
This was all thanks to that genius, Black Jack.
Seeing the man hadn't moved, Serena pushed him. "What are you still lying around for? Get out of here!"
It was rare to see the girl looking so utterly panicked.
Nicholas's lips curved into a smile, his morning voice low and magnetic. “So afraid of being misunderstood?"
Outside, Catherine knocked a couple more times, her tone puzzled. "Did she really leave early this morning?. But Colin didn't mention anything! I'll just give Serena a call."
Serena looked at her phone on the nightstand.
She quickly cleared her throat and called out, "Mom, I'm awake."
While talking to Catherine, she turned to glare at Nicholas.
The moment she spoke, the man fluidly swung himself out of bed and quickly fastened his buttons.
Watching the girl awkwardly make conversation with Catherine, he let out a low chuckle and suddenly leaned in close to her ear.
His warm breath brushed against her skin, carrying an intimate heat. "Next time you want to touch, just call. I'm always available for... home delivery."
With that, he pulled back, took a long stride to the window, opened it, and swung himself out.
As he turned back, his captivating, dazzling eyes held a deep intensity as he gave her one last, profound look.
Then he dropped down and vanished from sight.
Serena stared at the fluttering curtains. The crisp, pine-like scent of the man seemed to linger in the air.
She pressed her lips together.
She straightened her pajamas before walking over to open the door.
“Serena, are you okay?" Catherine looked at her daughter with concern. "Were you exhausted from last night?"
She reached out to touch Serena's forehead. "Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever? Should I have the family doctor come over?"
"I'm fine." Serena quickly took Catherine's hand, forcing her racing heart to calm down, and smiled. "I'm a doctor myself, I don't need anyone else to check on me, just woke up, was probably just too warm under the covers."
"As long as you're okay.” Catherine studied Serena carefully, and seeing that she truly didn't seem unwell, she let out a small sigh of relief. "Did Mom wake you?”
"No, I was just getting hungry," Serena said with a smile.
Catherine patted the back of her hand. “Hurry and get ready. Breakfast will be ready soon."
She paused. "Speaking of which,
Isabella hasn't come down for breakfast today either. Was last night too much of a shock for her? Or is she sulking and refusing to leave because were sending her to the suburban villa this morning?"