Chapter 108 It’s a Secret
The bedroom was quiet.
Veyra stood by the bed, her arms still crossed, her damp hair clinging to her temples. She was looking at him with that expression, the one that said she was still processing everything.
Dorian watched her. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You thought Wesley had feelings for me," he said slowly.
Veyra’s cheeks flushed. "I said it was a possibility."
"A possibility."
"Yes."
"You thought he was trying to make you jealous. Because he was in love with me."
Veyra’s flush deepened. "I didn’t say he was in love with you. I said he might have a crush."
Dorian stared at her.
"Because," Veyra continued, her voice getting faster, "he was too interested in my relationship with Xavier. He followed us. He took a photograph. He sent it to you. That’s not normal behavior."
"Wesley is not normal."
"Exactly. And that’s why I thought—"
"You thought he was trying to sabotage your relationship with me because he wanted me for himself."
Veyra opened her mouth, closed it and opened it once again.
"I didn’t say it that way."
"You implied it."
Veyra looked away. Her ears were red.
Dorian’s mouth twitched. He suppressed it.
"You have an active imagination," he said.
"That’s not what this is."
"Then what is it?"
She turned back to face him. Her expression was defiant. "I’m just saying that his behavior was suspicious."
Dorian stepped closer. His voice was quiet.
"Let me make this clear. Wesley Wynn is not interested in me. He has never been interested in me. He likes women."
Veyra blinked. "And you?"
"I also like women."
"So you’re both..."
"Yes."
She stared at him. Her face was a mixture of relief and embarrassment.
"Oh," she said.
" ’Oh.’"
She looked at the floor. She was clearly replaying the conversation in her head. Her face went redder. Her ears went redder.
Dorian tilted his head.
"You were imagining something inappropriate between me and Wesley, weren’t you?"
"No."
"You were."
"I was not."
"Your face is the color of a tomato."
Veyra touched her cheeks. She pulled her hands away quickly.
"Because it’s warm in here. That’s all."
"It’s not warm in here."
"It’s warm to me."
Dorian studied her. Her eyes were darting. Her hands were fidgeting. She was clearly lying.
"You look innocent," he said slowly. "But secretly, you’re a fujoshi."
Veyra’s mouth fell open. "I am not."
"You are."
"Absolutely not."
"You were imagining Wesley and me in—"
"Stop!"
Her voice rose. She grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at him.
Dorian caught it. One-handed. His reflexes were too fast.
"Very defensive," he said.
"I’m not defensive."
"For someone who isn’t a fujoshi, you sure are acting like one."
Veyra grabbed another pillow. She held it like a shield.
"I am not a fujoshi. I am a grown woman. A professional."
"You just threw a pillow at me."
"Because you were being insufferable."
Dorian’s mouth twitched again. He could not suppress it this time.
"You’re laughing at me."
"I’m not."
"You are. I can see it."
He cleared his throat. His face returned to neutral.
"I’m not laughing."
Veyra glared at him. She lowered the pillow.
"You’re impossible," she muttered.
"So I’ve been told."
She tossed the pillow back onto the bed. She sat down on the edge of the mattress. She looked up at him.
"Fine," she said. "Maybe I got a little carried away."
"A little?"
"Don’t push it."
Dorian walked to the chair near the window. He sat down. He leaned back. His eyes were still on her.
"Then let me ask you something else," he said.
Veyra’s expression shifted. Her amusement faded. She knew what he was going to ask.
"What did you say to Xavier Lala?"
Veyra sighed. She looked at the ceiling.
"I told you. We discussed a partnership."
"I saw the footage. I saw the way he looked at you. That wasn’t a handshake of two people discussing a partnership."
Veyra looked at him. Her eyes were steady. "You’re right. It wasn’t just a handshake."
"Then what was it?"
She smiled. It was a small smile which looks so good on her.
"It’s a secret."
Dorian’s jaw tightened.
"A secret."
"Yes."
"You’re going to be my business partner’s wife, and you’re keeping secrets from me?"
"I’m not keeping secrets from you about the partnership. I’m keeping secrets about what I said to him."
Veyra stood up. She walked to the bed. She climbed onto it.
"Goodnight, Dorian," she said.
She pulled the duvet up to her chin. She closed her eyes.
Dorian stared at her.
"Goodnight?" he repeated.
"Yes."
"You’re not going to tell me?"
"Nope."
He stood up. He walked to the side of the bed. He looked down at her.
She was still smiling. Her eyes were closed.
"Veyra."
"Goodnight."
"Veyra."
"Goodnight, Dorian. Sweet dreams."
He stood there for a long moment.
She did not open her eyes.
He knew she was not asleep. Her breathing was too controlled. Her smile was too deliberate.
She was waiting and testing his patience.
He exhaled slowly.
His curiosity was thoroughly ignited. He could not let this go. He had to know what she had said.
But she was not going to tell him. Not tonight. Not while she was lying in bed with that infuriating smile on her face.
He turned away.
He walked toward the walk-in closet to make a call to Wesley.