Chapter 17:
The next morning, Lena woke up feeling strangely light.
Memories of the night before came rushing back—the fight, the drive home, Will's apology, and… the bed. Her face turned hot, and she immediately sat up, shaking her head.
"You have to get up and go to work," she scolded herself.
After showering and getting dressed, she stepped out of her room and followed the smell of coffee into the kitchen. Marry was already there, fussing over something on the counter.
"Good morning, Marry," Lena greeted, forcing her tone to sound casual.
"Good morning to you, Lena." Marry turned and gave her a warm smile. "You look much better today."
"I have to be," Lena said lightly. "I'm going to work."
"Good. Please tell me if you need any help with anything."
"I will. But I'll grab an apple today."
Marry shook her head immediately. "Oh no, breakfast is served in the dining room today."
"What? No, you don't have to—"
But Marry was already ushering her toward the other room with gentle insistence.
Lena stepped inside and froze.
Will was seated at the head of the long dining table, his profile outlined by the golden light streaming through the tall windows. His jawline looked even sharper in the morning sun as he scrolled through his tablet, casually sipping from a cup of coffee. The table was set with fresh fruit, eggs, pastries, and more food than Lena knew what to do with.
Marry placed an apple on the table for her.
"Why do you look so surprised?" Will asked, finally glancing up.
"It's just…" Lena fidgeted. "I've never actually seen you have breakfast before."
He set down his cup. "This is my house, and all this food is made with my money. Of course I'm going to eat it."
Marry smiled, clearly pleased. "Enjoy yourselves, you two."
Lena sat down, biting into her apple quietly. She couldn't help sneaking glances at Will as he returned to his tablet. He looked so calm and in control. And yet, somehow, he seemed different from last night—less like the man who had nearly given her a heart attack and more like a human being.
When Marry finally left, Will set his tablet aside and looked at her.
"Why were you out so late last night?" he asked.
"I usually finish that late when there are too many customers," Lena said. She brightened a little. "And guess what? I get paid double at night. Isn't that great?"
Will's expression didn't change. "You are not allowed to be out past nine p.m."
Lena nearly choked on her juice. "What? Is this a joke? Do you think you're raising a kid? I can be outside whenever I want—this is non-negotiable."
"I wasn't asking for your opinion." His tone stayed calm, which somehow made it worse. "This is information. If you ignore it, it will be considered a breach of contract."
She stared at him, outraged. "First it was alcohol, now this?"
Will stood and walked toward her side of the table. Lena instinctively leaned back as he stopped in front of her, his tall frame suddenly far too close.
"If you think you're clever enough to sneak around because I won't be here," he said, his voice dropping low, "try it. And see what happens."
Her throat went dry. He held her gaze for a moment longer before picking up his tablet again, as if nothing had happened.
Lena grabbed her apple and stormed out.
Aline's apartment was its usual warm, chaotic self when Lena arrived later that day.
"Are you bragging to me right now?" Aline asked, staring at her with raised brows.
"What do you mean, bragging?" Lena asked, taken aback.
Aline got up from the kitchen chair and mimicked Lena in an exaggerated, dramatic voice.
"Oh, my life is so hard. My husband wants me home early for my safety and doesn't want me drinking for my safety. Sometimes he's kind, sometimes he's not—oh nooo."
Lena's jaw dropped. "What? I never said it like that!"
"Girl, every week it's, 'Mr. Shade did this, Mr. Shade did that.'" Aline folded her arms. "I'm not jealous, but you're complaining about what most people would die to have."
"The thing is, I didn't choose to be there!" Lena exclaimed. "I was forced into it. Now I have rules and restrictions I never asked for. It's insane, right?"
"Yes, very insane." Aline poured them both tea. "But have you talked to your dad yet?"
"About what? I have nothing to say to him."
"You still have to talk to them, girl."
Lena sighed. "I know. I will… eventually."
"You have to before Kyle's graduation ceremony. So he doesn't suspect anything."
"I know." Lena softened a little. "Kyle said his internship is going so well they might hire him full-time."
"No way! At that big hospital?" Aline's eyes lit up. "Wow, Kyle will soon be a man—with a girlfriend."
"A girlfriend? Kyle?" Lena snorted. "That will never happen with his ugly face."
They burst into laughter, the tension from earlier melting away as they caught up on other things before leaving for their night shift together.