IMDD CHAPTER 138 [NOVEL] (Patreon)

As the company car dropped her off in front of her new apartment, Eva let out a heavy sigh. She had taken the precaution of renting the apartment in case Samuel decided to investigate. She couldn't risk being discovered living in Gage’s mansion.

Eva's plan was to enter her apartment, ensure that everything was safe with the help of her secret bodyguard, change her clothes, and then head to Gage's mansion in disguise.

Another deep, heavy sigh escaped her lips once she stood in front of her apartment door, feeling uncharacteristically exhausted. Despite the fact that she had worked overtime for many years, and had even grown accustomed to it, she couldn’t understand why she was so incredibly drained right now. Gage’s appearance in her life had drastically lessened the amount of overtime she had to do, but she still had overtime like this in ACEON every now and then. And yet, right now… why was she so incredibly exhausted?

As she pushed open the door, she froze in her tracks, sensing a presence within her apartment. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as she quickly assessed the situation, searching for any signs of intrusion or danger.

But to her surprise, she found none other than Gage himself leaning against the door of one of the rooms. He wore a white shirt with the sleeves messily folded around his forearms, making him look even more irresistible than usual.

"Hello darling, you're finally back," his deep, pleasing voice echoed gently. However, his expression looked a bit too serious. Something in his eyes told her that he was glad she was back, but he wasn't happy about something he was seeing as well. In short... he looked a little grumpy right now. So un-Gage-like.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "How did you even get in?"

Gage pushed himself off the door and walked towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I have my ways," he said with a smirk.

As he approached her, she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lingered on her. It was as if he was studying her, trying to read her every thought. It made her feel vulnerable and exposed, but at the same time, it was a feeling she welcomed when it came to Gage.

"So, what brings you here?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

Gage shrugged nonchalantly. "I wanted to see you. Is that so wrong?"

Eva couldn't help but feel her heart swell at his words.

"No, of course not," she said, smiling up at him. "I just wasn't expecting you."

Gage leaned in closer, his breath tickling her neck. "That's the beauty of surprises, darling," he whispered. "You never know what to expect."

Speechless and blushing, Eva tried not to look too dumbfounded by his words. "You and your ways, Mr. Acheron, are really... not suspicious at all," she narrowed her eyes at him playfully. Gage wasn't supposed to be here, and even though her grandfather had called this building shabby, it actually wasn't. The security in this building was still top-notch, so how did Gage even manage to secure a key to this apartment?

Gage simply chuckled so sexily. "But this not-so-suspicious man made you feel relieved by being here, right?"

Eva bit her lip because she knew he was right. Just the sight of him, and she felt like she had forgotten the exhaustion gnawing at her just now. In fact, it really surprised her that she didn't even care about how he managed to get in here because all that mattered to her was that he was here, close to her. As if she wouldn't even mind, and nothing would ever change even if this man ends up doing some questionable things like him actually a professional home breaker or something. Oh god… what the hell was she thinking about?

Gage must have sensed something because he stepped forward and took her in his arms. Eva's heart skipped a beat as she melted into his embrace, feeling the warmth and strength of his body. She closed her eyes and breathed in his familiar scent, feeling safe and wanted.

"You look..." he began, his dark eyes scrutinizing her.