CHAPTER 34: A PLAN TO TAKE OVER

Daisy’s mind went into chaos. At that moment, she blinked fast, hoping her brain would reboot too.

But it didn’t.

Because Theo... this Theo... was still leaning in front of her, his face just inches away, eyes sparkling with curiosity, like she was the most fascinating thing in the room.

Then, without warning, he reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

She flinched, her breath hitching. "What... what are you doing?"

He tilted his head. "Just fixing your hair. It was a little messy right here..." he said, grinning in a way that made it obvious he was lying. His fingers lingered a second too long near her cheek before pulling back. "There must be something interesting about you... right?"

She froze.

’What is this?’ Her breath caught as she blinked, trying to piece it together. ’He’s completely like a different person.’

"Are you... like, sick?" she asked, hesitantly reaching a hand toward his forehead.

But Theo stepped back before she could touch him, putting space between them as he moved toward the table where his macaron still sat.

"If Miles let her in, there must be something about her..." he muttered to himself, snatching up the sweet and popping it into his mouth.

Then, as casually as if they were discussing the weather, he asked with his mouth half full, "So... how long have we been married?"

Daisy frowned. She wasn’t stupid, something was off. But what? She couldn’t quite figure it out.

"Did something happen?" she asked, stepping down from the bed and walking toward him. ’Okay, fine. Let’s play the good wife card for now. Why not?’

Theo turned to face her, leaning in again until their faces were at eye level. "Didn’t I tell you about my condition before we got married?" he said with a teasing glint in his eye. "I mean... if we married out of... love, I would’ve told you everything, right baby?"

The word ’baby’ sent a chill down her spine, goosebumps rising instantly. That was not Theo Kingsley. Or at least, not the version she knew.

She sighed, then drew in a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Is it work? Stress?" she asked carefully, keeping her tone even. "Is this happening again because you didn’t get enough rest?"

She kept her words vague—safe. Like she knew what this was. Like she understood. Even though her mind was racing, nearly overheating as it tried to make sense of what the hell was going on.

Theo suddenly chuckled. "Ah, you’re cute..." he said, shaking his head as if amused. Then, just as casually, he turned and walked back to the couch. "I plan to stay forever this time."

"Where? Here?" Daisy blinked rapidly, completely thrown off by his words.

He laughed again, clearly amused and maybe even a little smitten. "Don’t blink at me like that," he said with a playful tilt of his head. "I might just walk over and kiss you."

"Ah..." Daisy turned her head slightly, muttering under her breath, "So he’s still the same in that department..." Then she looked back at him with a sweet smile. "Can you ask someone to get me something? I’m starving."

If her brain was going to keep spiraling, the least she could do was feed her stomach. For now, she might as well play the role of a good wife and enjoy the benefits.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked, standing up and walking toward her without hesitation. "Japanese? Italian? Korean?"

"Hmm... what do they serve best here?" she asked, already picturing every possible menu item in her head.

"I have no idea. Never stayed at this hotel before. First time for me too," he replied casually, lips tugged into a smile.

Daisy nodded, eyes rolling upward as she thought. "Then... can I have steak and... and... hmm, you know—"

"I don’t know. You need to tell me," he interrupted with a teasing grin.

She let out a sigh and shot him a sharp look. "Then wait for me to finish. I want cake... hmm... Oweo Cake!" Her eyes lit up just thinking about the rich, creamy texture of it. She grinned to herself.

"Okay..." Theo said, heading straight to the door. He swung it open and was met by Miles’ startled expression.

"Sir?" Miles blinked rapidly, his face full of cautious hope.

"She wants steak and Oweo cake," Theo announced smugly, one brow lifted. "And unfortunately for you... it’s still me."

Miles’ shoulders dropped in disappointment.

"So," Theo continued, resting his arm on the doorframe with an easy smirk, "why don’t you get some rest? Or are you planning to stand guard in front of the room all day like a watchdog?"

"I’ll get them," came a voice from the side.

Marla appeared from the left, holding a plastic bag of food. She handed it to Miles without missing a beat. "Steak and Oweo Cake? That’s all?"

Theo’s grin widened. "Ah, Marla. It’s been a while. Don’t want to greet me first?"

"No, thanks." She didn’t even pause. "At least with you, I can act rude and sleep well at night." With that, she turned and headed toward the elevator without looking back.

"She can sleep well with me around? Why?" Theo tilted his head innocently. Then, as if catching his own train of thought, he shrugged. "Ah, never mind. I hope she can continue sleeping well after this because I plan to take over."

He turned to Miles with a blank expression now, no trace of that earlier smirk. The teasing was gone. "Take a proper rest," he said flatly, and without waiting for a response, he shut the door—Only to nearly bump into Daisy.

"Take over?" she echoed, blinking up at him, her brows slightly furrowed.

Theo looked down at her, and for a second, something flickered in his gaze, something sharp and intense.

"Hmm..." he nodded slowly, his voice dipping an octave. "I plan to take everything. And that..." he leaned in just slightly, "includes you."