CHAPTER 123: NOTES OF THE NIGHT

Night Came

Mr. Brentford stood as he lit the candle gently and placed it inside the lantern. Night had just come, and the other lantern that had been turned on wasn’t providing the best light he needed for reading his newspaper.

His face was calm, he couldn’t wait to read today’s paper. It had come with free bread, surprisingly which he had dropped and left behind when he was about to go to work after meeting a man. The newspaper was still folded neatly, showing that it hadn’t been opened since morning. He didn’t even know its contents yet.

"Oh my, my," he muttered after a yawn—something he usually said after yawning.

He sat down on the sofa, his face calm. He moved slowly, opening the wrapper of the bread while sipping his tea calmly before taking a bite. His face remained neutral and calm as he picked up the newspaper and began unwrapping it gently.

Once he opened it, he brought the cup to his lips again, sipping lightly. His eyes now rested on the newspaper—but then he almost choked when he saw the headline.

Queen’s Delivery...

Cough..cough..

His eyes widened, and a smile formed on his lips.

"My daughter has finally given birth... oh," he smiled joyfully and laughed despite his eyes, which were slightly watery and red from the earlier choke.

"Oh, finally. Let’s see what Mrs. Luria has to say about this now," he rejoiced. His real happiness wasn’t just about his daughter giving birth—it was also because of his job and workplace. He wanted to show it off wherever he went.

✵✵✵

Stephanie stepped out of the bathroom in her sleeveless silk singlet night top and matching shorts—something comfortable she wore for bed. She walked toward the table, grabbed a pen, and made her way gently to her bed. Just as she reached her bedside table ahenopaced the paper and pen gently, she finally jumped on the bed with a small giggle.

She was happy—now she had her nighttime for note production. She was working on her composition and was almost at the end. All she needed to do was check it on her violin tomorrow to see if it sounded just as perfect as it did in her mind.

She reached for the pen and paper from the bedside table, her lips curling into a smile. She folded her knees and closed her eyes to think.

The moonlight was brighter tonight, and the light from the window made the room feel soothing—not to mention the soft wind.

Everything was perfect.

That was why Stephanie enjoyed doing this at night.

She shut her eyes as the wind blew more, brushing against her face and pushing her hair back.

A small smile remained on her lips as a note began to form...

"I had no idea smiling was part of meditation."

Stephanie jolted up, her eyes stretched wide. She immediately moved, clamping her legs shut. Her clothes were so thin and small that almost everything could be seen—but thankfully, it was nighttime, and a little dark.

Her eyes stared at him in horror.

Her door had been locked. So how did he come in? she wondered in shock.

It was then she realized...he must have come in through the window.

B..But how?

She hadn’t scented his wolf—or anything. And it couldn’t be a wolf. She had heard no growl.

"What are you doing here? I’m guessing they must not have taught you this, but there’s a word called privacy. You can check it in the dictionary at the library," Stephanie spat annoyingly.

She didn’t know why this man liked getting under her skin. She stood, and Zekel just remained by the wall, nonchalantly resting his back against it, his eyes just staring at her, eyes that were partly covered by his hair making him look...even moresexy.

"Oh, sugar, you have to calm down. You avoided me the whole day—and didn’t even ask if enjoyed my dinner after not seeing me," he spoke with a calm teasing tone.

Stephanie couldn’t believe this man’s words. He hadn’t spoken to her for months, yet now he was saying all this—just because they hadn’t seen each other for a single day?

Or was it because she avoided him?

"I hope you choke," Stephanie whispered, but Zekel had heard her clearly. His lips just curled into a sinister grin, his eyes still glinting toward her.

Stephanie, who couldn’t even look him in the eyes, simply spoke:

"And do not call me sugar... Trust me, I’m not as nice as you think."

"And who says that’s what I’m thinking? You assume things a lot and that’s what increases your dumbness by one percent every day." Stephanie could not believe his words that cold deep voice of his.

Throughout today, after Lady Emberg had left, Stephanie had not stepped out of her room. Her food had been sent up, and she hadn’t really left because she didn’t want to see Zekel.

He hadn’t met her for months and expected her to act like nothing had happened? Not even a letter of concern? She had expected one—yet nothing was sent. Her face moved into a deeper frown just thinking about it.

Why was I even expecting a letter?

"Leave my room, Zekel," she said calmly, pointing at the door.

"But I used the window. It would only be right for me to leave the same way I came in," he replied casually.

Stephanie moved toward the door to open it, but before she could reach the doorknob, Zekel was already in front of her. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, now full of surprise and questions.

"I can’t just leave, sugar... Your grandmother would want a reply. And I wouldn’t want you to make a choice you’ll end up regretting."

"Like yes," Ariana said, but Zekel only laughed louder and mockingly as he replied,

"No."

Ariana didn’t know if he was answering her... or telling her what she would regret.

"You are deranged," Stephanie spat. She knew this man was annoying, but she never imagined she would call someone such harsh words just out of anger and hatred. But... did she hate him?

"If me being deranged means you would say yes, then I am sure your deranged husband, Mrs. Zekel," he said with a cocky grin.

Stephanie’s heart began thudding as her stomach flipped with a soft, sweet frenzy. Zekel’s calm, steady gaze rested on her as he noticed her sudden loss for words.

She looked at him defiantly and spoke:

"You know... I feel you want to seduce me, because why would a man be in a lady’s room at this time of night?"

"I came to seduce you," he admitted, as Stephanie froze...completely not expecting that. "And I want to touch you, sugar."

Stephanie fell speechless at his words. She didn’t believe what she just heard.

She just stared at him, wide-eyed, as Zekel’s eyes moved down to her full chest. He smirked.

He raised his hand and pointed at her nipples, which were showing through the very thin fabric.

"Your nipples tell me all I need to know," he spoke calmly, his tone deep and husky as he held her waist, pulling her to him. A soft gasp escaped Stephanie’s lips as Zekel leaned in and whispered:

"Allow me... I heard you were practicing your note."

His hands lowered from her back, slipping into her thin silk nightshort his hands now on her bare butt. He moved his hands, squeezing them so gently.

Stephanie’s eyes widened.

As if that wasn’t enough, his hands moved to the middle of her butt, and he lightly pressed his fingers against it. Stephanie’s body jolted.

"Ahhhh~," she moaned sharply at the unexpected touch.

"Good girl... tonight, your moans will be the notes."