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    24

    I never expected Edward toe looking for me upstairs. My breath hitched as I debated whether to iopen /ithe door and let

    him in.

    Just then, my phone started buzzing–it was only vibrating.

    Wait, I’d actually set it to silent. I hadn’t even realized.

    I checked my phone and saw four or five missed calls, plus a few messages.

    I’d been so absorbed in my book, I honestly hadn’t noticed anyone was trying to reach me.

    So… Edward came upstairs for me just because I didn’t pick up his calls?

    Right then, he started pounding on the door again, sounding a bit anxious as he called my name, “Victoria… are you in

    there?”

    Since that was the reason, I couldn’t just keep pretending I wasn’t here.

    I opened the door right away, and Edward’s hand was still in the air, frozen when he saw me.

    The next second, he stepped forward and pulled me into a fierce hug, his arms tightening around me. “Why didn’t you answer your phone? Why didn’t you respond to me?”

    I was pressed against his chest while he demanded answers, clearly upset.

    My voice was muffled against his chest. “I had my phone on silent. I just realized it now.”

    Edward froze for a moment, then suddenly let go and gently pushed me away.

    First he hugged me tight, then pushed me away just as quickly–I was left standing there, totally dazed.

    His chest was still heaving as he looked at me, and for a second, he seemed at a loss himself. Then he just turned and walked toward the elevator, like he couldn’t stand to be around me right now.

    “Mr. Jennings…” I called out, taking a couple steps after him. “Did youe up here because you were worried about

    me?”

    “No!” Edward’s tone went cold. “I was just bored, that’s all.”

    Hearing his obvious excuse, I burst outughing. “Sorry, I’ll make sure my phone isn’t on silent next time.”

    “There won’t be a next time. I’m noting for you again,” Edward shot back. He really seemed pissed, like I’d just

    messed with him.

    A sudden rush of anxiety washed over me. The elevator was still stuck on the first floor–it hadn’t even starteding up

    yet.

    The hallway was eerily quiet, so silent I could almost make out the sound of his low, steady breathing.

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    When he pulled me into his arms earlier, his heartbeat was so loud and frantic I could feel it against my chest—he must have been genuinely scared for me.

    “Um… do you want toe in for some tea?” I asked, knowing full well that asking a man into my room for tea at this hour was pretty risky and more than a little suggestive.

    But Edward had rushed over, genuinely worried about me. He really meant it.

    “No,” Edward shot back, still clearly pissed.

    “Really?” I was taken aback and asked tentatively.

    Edward just stayed silent, his hand suddenly clenching into a fist at his side.

    Just then, the elevator finally arrived, almost at my floor.

    Those few seconds felt like I was waiting forever.

    Honestly, whether he came in or not, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

    Having someone worry about you so much they rush over just to make sure you’re safe… That kind of care is honestly sweeter than any cheesy love confession.

    I think… I’m really starting to fall for him.

    Love is the kind of thing that hijacks your mind–once your brain crashes, all your logic goes out the window.

    “Ding…” The elevator doors slid open.

    Edward, standing with his back to me, suddenly froze.

    “Mr. Jennings…” I called out softly.

    It was like my voice caught his attention–Edward turned to look at me, and the storm in his eyes finally calmed down.

    “Fine,” Edward replied in a deep voice, then turned and stepped into my apartment.

    As soon as we walked in, I spotted ine’s bra and robe draped over the couch.

    If it was just me at home, I wouldn’t have cared–sometimes I even picked up after her myself.

    But now, I jumped in surprise and rushed to snatch up all the clothes from the couch, hurrying them into the bedroom before Edward could get a good look.

    Edward sat down on the couch, shrugged off his jacket, and rested his head in his hand, quietly watching me scramble around tidying up.

    I folded

    up

    ine’s clothes, gently closed her bedroom door, and came back out.

    “I’ll go put on some water,” I said, heading into the kitchen.

    I looked around but realized we didn’t have any tea–ine and I always just drank in water.

    ???

    b13:20 /bbWed/bb, /bb17 /bSept

    So I ended up just bringing him a ss of water and set it down in front of him. “Thanks for checking on me. It really means a lot to have a friend like you when I’m so far from home.”

    “Cut the pleasantries,” Edward said, sounding a bit tired, his eyes closed as he gave me a faint, almost teasing smile.

    bAD /b