Chapter 57
Byron quickly averted his gaze, his dark eyes deepening with a hint of darkness. After a moment, he finally replied, “My grandpa set up that stall
just to mecT VOIL
Hr thought. Now that he’s met you, there’s no need for him to keep doing it
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner that your grandpa wanted to see me? Making an elderly man go through all that trouble for me feels a bit embarrassing” Marve mumbled.
was planning to tell you after he got out of the hospital, but he was too impatient to wait,”
Hearing the slight frustration in his tone, Maeve couldn’t help but smile. “By the way. Mr. Mcdaniel, since I’m staying here, how much should I pay you in rent each month?”
Already eling a bit on edge, Byron’s brows furrowed at her question. “Who said anything about you paying rent?”
Tran’t just live here for free.”
“I’m not in need of money. You can pay with your cooking skills instead
Macressed her lips together, thinking. The vase in the living room is practically falling apart, yet he claims he doesn’t need money! Still, does this mean he actually likes my cooking now?”
Thinking back to how he used in flailyfuse to eat her food, Maeve couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Noticing her slight smirk. Byron shot her a sideways glance. “What’s so funny!”
“Nothing” Marve quickly denied it, then asked, “Mr. Medaniel, is this apartment something you bought or are you renting?”
Thought L
She thought. “No wonder the place has so little furniture, and what’s here is so outdated. He probably poured all his savings into buying this place
Even if he was not charging rent, she figured she should at least contribute something to make it feel more like home.
Im going to sleep now. There’s a lot to do tomorrow. Goodnight, Mr. Mcdaniel.” She pulled the blanket up and closed her eyes
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Byron’s eyes as he looked at the blanket cocoon she made for herself. He replied quietly, “Goodnight.”
The next morning. Maeve woke up early. Finding nothing in the fridge but bottled water, she went downstairs and bought some pasta.
When Byron was ready, they sat down across from each other to have breakfast before heading back to Pinehurst Apartments.
Just the plants from her balcony filled up the entire trunk, and it took a second trip to get everything moved into his apartment.
After returning her keys to the landlord and getting her deposit back, Maeve finally felt like the move was real.
“I need to head to the office soon. You can organize things however you like, just stay out of the study. Byron said, glancing at his watch.
“Got it” As Maeve arranged the plants on the balcony, she noticed him dressed sharply in a suit, ready to head out, and couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Mcdaniel, aren’t you a driver? Why do you go to the office every day?”
Byron paused slightly. “It’s what my employer requires
Marve nodded, suddenly understanding. ‘So, he’s following his employer to the office. It sounds like an easy gig, but considering how busy he always is, it’s probably not as simple as it seems.
“Drive safely and take care”
“I will
After Byron left, Maeve quickly fished organizing everything and gave the whole place a deep clean.
The previously bare balcony was now filled with lush greenery, adding a sense of life to the space.
But it still felt like something was missing. She headed out to the mall and returned with several bags in hand.
She laid down a cream–colored rug in the living room, swapped out the sofa covers for warm, soft ones, and added some patterned placemats to
1/2
Chapter 57
the coffee table.
She placed a new vase beside the TV, filled it with water, and arranged some roses so they’d stay fresh longer.
ast as she finished, the furniture delivery arrived,
Just
Not long after the movers left, Maeve stood in the bedroom, taking in the sight of the cream–colored round bed and the matching furniture, her eyes wide with delight.
She thought. This bed is so cute! It’s exactly my styleľ
Byron didn’t charge her any rent and even got
got her new furniture. She decided she’d repay him by cooking some delicious meals.
This is so cornfy, she muttered, rolling around on the bed. She quickly snapped a picture of the room and sent it to Byron.
Maeve: The new furniture arrived. Thanks for going through the trouble, Mr. Mcdaniel. I love it!).
Maeve What do you feel like having for dinner tonight? Feel free to request anything.]
