Chapter 58
“I know,” Gideon responded
He wasn’t much of a talker, but I knew what he meant. He still wanted me to get in the car. And so, I climbed in after him with Lucky in my arms.
This time, Gideon wasn’t working in the car. Instead, he leaned back against the seat with his eyes closed and massaged his temples.
A faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy tone of pinewood. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it was strong
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and locked onto mine with an intensity that telt almost invasive. Yet the sharpness faded just as quickly.
For a moment, I wondered if 1 had Imagined it–or perhaps the alcohol had loosened the control he usually kept over himself.
Gideon was no ordinary man. He was the head of the Jackman family and had single–handedly built a business empire. It was so vast that even after days of dierine. I couldn’t uncover everything
There was no way a man like him was as approachable and unassuming as he seemed on the surface.
1 knew exactly who 1 was dealing with Negotiating with Gideon was like malding a pact with the devil. One wrong move and I’d be nuned.
At that moment, his hand moved toward me. Startled, I flinched instinctively, only to freeze when I realized it paused in mid–air. A moment later, he lowered his hand to gently pat Lucky’s head.
It was strange. In my past life, Lucky hated Samuel. It had even bitten him once, earning itself a scolding
But now, with Gideon’s touch, Lucky seemed calm and obedient. It closed its eyes and basked in the attention like a content pop
“This puppy seems to like me,” Gideon remarked.
Afaint smile rugged at my lips. “It sure does.”
This time, it was Gideon who
“What’s is UNT ?” he asked.
froze. I looked at him in confusion. Then, he averted his gaze, chickling softly.
iheutated. The name Lucky was already on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Naming it that might just bind its fate to me again.
In the end, I answered, “I just found it today. So, Thaven’t decided on a name yet.”
“Well, you’d better give it a good one,” Gideon replied, still stroking Lucky’s fur. However, his eyes never left me.
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I couldn’t tell it he was drunk or if something else was at play, but his gaze unsettled me. It felt as though he could see right through me, and it seemed to carry a hint of judgment. Yet there was more beneath the surface, something I couldn’t quite articulate.
*I’ll call it Beame.” I blurted.
Bearde. Not a bad name.”
I was caught off guard by his response. Was he serious?
Soon, the car rolled to a stop in front of a villa.
Gadeon then handed me a set of keys and said, “This is one of my villas. I don’t stay here often, but it’s fully equipped. You can stay here for now, Ms. Sutton. It’s well–guarded, so you’ll be sair- on your own.”
Thank you, Mr. Jackman, forlielping me time and again.”
1 took the keys before adding, “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask ”
Gideon turned to look at me only then did I realize how close we were.
With a serious expression, he replied, “As a young lady, you shouldn’t make promises like that to a man. It’s dangerous,”
Istraightened and tuet his eyes with equal gravity. “But you’re not just any man, Mr. Jackman You’re a good person.”
His gaze ligeted one for ment. I wasn’t sure if he was being distant or if he had regained his composure in the next second, he pulled back without maming, treating soune sjpace between ui
“You ton, Mr jacknen Goodni
With that, I stepped out of the rat with beande in my arms and closed the door behind me. Then, I made my way toward the villa
Grived than dugi will the keys tadeongave
– Once inside, I used my plume’s laskiliplu totummon the lights lare ed out the window. Only then did Gideon’s car slowly pull away.
type to meddle in other people’s business, nor was he one to entertain advances. However, for the past fewals
past few days, he had gone out of his way to he
help
bid that mean we were closer now? At the very least, I wasn’t a stranger to lilin anymore.