Chapter 26
Luther was taken aback. He glanced at me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me into the elevator. Even after the elevator doors closed, he didn’t let go.
The elevator was cramped. He remarked while looking straight ahead, “Even if the manager sees us, he’ll pretend he didn’t. He knows how to mind his business.”
I asked, “Does he know about us?”
He chuckled and teased, “And what exactly are we?”
I was about to say something but bit my tongue. Luther knew the answer, so was he just asking to embarrass me?
I turned my face away and fell silent, but he still saw right through me. “If you’re shy about it, what makes you think he would spell it out?”
Every time I saw the manager at those company meetings, he came across as sharp and calculating. There was no doubt he was a master in negotiations. Someone like him wouldn’t bother with petty gossip behind people’s backs.
Luther had always been a player. Women were in and out of his life like a revolving door. The manager was probably used to it by now and didn’t even bother saying anything.
As the elevator doors slid open on the first floor, I saw a group of people standing outside and talking. I tried to pull my hand away like I was caught red- handed, but he held it tighter.
He asked, “What do you feel like eating?”
I replied, “Honestly, I’m good with anything. I just want food. I’m starving so bad that my legs have turned to jelly.”
Luther leaned closer with a teasing smirk and whispered in my ear, “Are your legs weak from hunger or something else?”
I blushed and nudged him. “Watch it. Someone might hear you.”
He grinned in response.
We took a cab to a fancy–looking restaurant in Hilstone. Luther had high standards when it came to food and fashion. There was no way he would step into one of those no–frills mom–and–pop diners, even if the food was amazing.
I flipped through the menu and noticed the prices were higher than usual. But with how the place looked, it felt justified.
As we waited for the food to arrive, he took a few more calls. Some sounded like they were from clients, others maybe from family.
His face turned surprisingly gentle when he took the final call. It was a side of him I had never seen.
Luther glanced at me all of a sudden and said, “It’s not what you think. She is just a coworker. Nothing is going on. Why would I hide anything from you?
11
I figured I shouldn’t be around for this call, so I got up and gestured toward the restroom. As expected, he gave me a nod, so I took that as my cue and walked away.
Going to the restroom was just an excuse. I washed my hands and came right out.
After finishing the meal, we took a cab back to the hotel. I expected Luther to return to his room, but he followed me into my room.
“Aren’t you going back?” I asked.
He looked at the bed and asked, “Is there not enough room for both of us?”
It wasn’t about fitting both of us on the bed, so I responded, “There’s enough space. But with the way we’re always together in one room, aren’t you afraid that people might start talking?”
Luther smirked in contempt. I could tell from his dismissive look that he genuinely didn’t care,
A part of me respected him for it. I had never been able to stop caring what people thought of me.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. We both turned around, and I looked at him. “That must be Adeline.”
He turned around and walked off without a care, leaving me to handle it. I called out through the door, “Who is it?”
The person outside knocked again, speaking softly. “Hi, Sapphire. It’s me.”
My eyes widened. It was Zachary.
Luther took a few steps before stopping in his tracks and coming back. He glared at me. “That’s why you kept telling me to leave. You’re trying to hook up someone else, huh?”
I replied, “I didn’t. I had no idea he would show up.”
Luther’s expression turned grim. “Sure. Keep the story going. He is literally standing outside, and you’re still playing dumb?”
