Part 3Scandalous by Design

"..." "..."

Silence.

Finally, I broke it. "Chase, are you trafficking men now?"

"I'm a legitimate businessman."

"What is going on?"

"I don't know! He ran to our door screaming he'd give me fifty million to hand you over. Am I the kind of brother who sells his sister?"

"Holy crap, is that a Black Card in his pocket?"

"Where? Where?!"

I glared at him.

"...Cough." Chase composed himself. "I really don't know. Ask him when he wakes up."

"Okay, but why did we drag him into my bed?"

"Your sheets are pink. He probably likes pink."

"And you say you aren't trafficking him."

"I'm straight." Chase frowned. "It's fine, I texted his agent. They'll pick him up soon. Can't believe a six-foot-two man is scared of ghosts..."

I rubbed my chin. "You sound like you know him well."

"Know him? I hate him. People who approach me with ulterior motives are the worst. Especially since his motive is my biggest trigger."

"Then why did you—"

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

Creepy at this hour.

Chase stood up. "Must be his agent. I'll get it. Watch him."

I rolled my eyes. Once he left, I turned back to Preston Shaw.

And locked eyes with a pair of deep, ink-black pupils.

Crap, when did he wake up?!

I opened my mouth but found no words. Preston just stared at me, slowly reaching out a hand.

I watched, frozen, as his finger reached for me.

Zap.

Static electricity sparked where he touched me.

"..."

I am throwing this sweater away.

But Preston acted like he didn't feel it. He gripped my wrist, his expression tragic.

"Are you really with Chase Chen?"

Me: "...?"

Huh?

Bang!

A loud slam from the front door.

The next second, Chase stormed in, grabbed Preston by the collar, and hauled him up. "Why is she here?"

Confusion flashed in Preston's eyes.

"While I still have patience, get out of my sight."

"What happened? Who was at the door?" I asked, bewildered.

Preston seemed to realize what Chase meant. He looked at me with a complicated expression, then slowly stood up.

"Did you step in glue? Move!" Chase snapped.

Preston sighed and walked out.

"What is your problem? You're so rude. I'll go see him out—"

"Sit down." Chase pushed me back onto the bed.

"?"

I slapped his hand away. "Did the static fry your brain too?"

Ignoring his dark expression, I walked out.

The front door was open. Preston stood there, radiating a chill colder than Chase’s anger.

I peeked around him. A woman stood in front of Chase.

It was dark, but as I walked closer, our eyes met. My blood froze.

...Lydia Quinn.

Even with the marks of time, her beauty was undeniable.

I would never forget those eyes.

She saw me. Just as she opened her mouth, the door was slammed shut in her face.

Slam.

Louder than before.

I turned around. Chase was looking at me.

"It's okay. You don't have to hold back your tears at home."