Chapter 103 Playing Along
Roman stiffened, surprised by her sudden question.
For a moment, silence settled between them.
He cleared his throat lightly.
“When my elder brother was forced out of the Sinclair family,” he said at last, “my father had no one he could trust to steady the company. So he brought me back.”
His gaze lowered briefly.
“I had to leave my field and study business while working under him. Eventually… I took over as the CEO.”
Evelyn listened without interrupting.
The explanation made sense.
She pressed her lips together, then nodded faintly as she capped the ointment.
“Done.”
Roman’s expression softened.
He reached out and helped her to her feet.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
They ate together in silence.
It was calm on the surface. But beneath it, there was an unspoken tension between them.
—
After dinner, Roman went to his study.
He lit a cigarette, pacing the room before finally picking up his phone to make a call.
The call rang twice.
"Boss."
"Where did Evelyn go today? The past few days as well."
A pause on the other end. "Today she went to Grove Street, apartment 4B. Resident name: Lena Wells. Female—"
"That's her friend." Roman cut him off. "Any other locations? Suspicious places?"
"No, boss. Only that location twice. Otherwise, Sinclair headquarters and Rosewood Manor."
Roman exhaled smoke, relief loosening his shoulders.
"Keep tracking her."
He was about to end the call when something caught his mind.
"Hold on." His eyes narrowed. "The shopping trip. At Maison de la Nuit. Did you check the footage there?"
“Yes, boss. All footage has been reviewed.”
“Anything unusual?”
“No, boss. Everything appears normal.”
Roman drew on his cigarette. "You'll receive a bonus."
"Thank you, boss."
The line went dead.
\---
In the bedroom, Evelyn stepped out of the bathroom, her phone pressed to her ear.
“Did you handle it?”
“Yes,” Lena replied. “The footage from Maison de la Nuit is gone.”
Lena scoffed. “Please. If anyone checks, it’ll look like a routine overwrite.”
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly in relief. ‘No matter what, I can't let Roman know about Nathan.’
“Thank you.”
"Are you at home?"
"No, I'm with Rhys. We're still on a date. He just walked out to take a call."
Evelyn's smile widened. "Take pictures."
Before Lena could answer, she added, "I'm ordering you food from your favorite restaurant tomorrow. Eat until you can't move."
"That's why I love—"
Evelyn ended the call before she could finish.
She turned just as Roman walked in.
“Did I interrupt?” he asked.
Evelyn shook her head, smiling.
“No.”
She patted the bed.
“Come here. I want to cuddle."
His eyes glinted. He crossed the room, lifted her from where she sat, and dumped her gently onto the middle of the bed. She bounced with a yelp.
"Roman!"
He leaned over her, bracing his arms on either side of her head.
"You know what I love about you now?"
She frowned, confused. "What?"
He lowered his mouth to her ear.
“Because you’ve started taking care of me properly...”
He let the words linger.
“as my wife.”
Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her slowly.
Evelyn melted into it, her hands finding his shoulders as she drew closer.
The room soon filled with wet kiss sounds, and low moans.
—
The next morning, Evelyn woke to sunlight coming through the curtains.
She tried to rise, but couldn't move. Roman's arms were wrapped around her, his bare chest warm against her back.
She turned her head slightly.
He was still asleep.
A small smile formed as she traced her fingers lightly along his features.
When she reached his fingers, he opened his mouth and bit her.
"Roman!"
He laughed softly, the sound vibrating through her.
"I need to get up,” she said, trying to pull away.
He sighed, then released her reluctantly.
—
An hour later, Roman was setting the table when he heard footsteps on the stairs.
He looked up.
Evelyn was dressed.
He left the dining area and walked to the bottom of the stairs, frowning.
"Where are you going?"
“I’m heading out,” Evelyn said.
His frown deepened. "It's the weekend."
“I’m going to the spa,” she replied. “Maintenance day. I forgot to tell you.”
She stepped closer, lifting her hand to his face before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Last-minute decision. Lena and I are going together." She smiled. “I’ll be back soon.”
Roman didn’t respond immediately.
He just watched her.
Evelyn turned towards the door.
“But it’s the weekend,” he said quietly. “You’re supposed to spend it with me.”
Evelyn paused.
“This is the only time I get you the whole day. And I made breakfast." He continued.
She immediately turned.
"You made breakfast?"
Her expression softened.
Looking at this powerful man, standing in the middle of the dining area, looking genuinely put out, something melted in her chest.
"I thought you were just starting to—"
She frowned.
“Wait…”
She sniffed the air.
“Roman… something’s burning.”
She dashed toward the kitchen.
Smoke greeted her immediately.
She quickly turned off the burner, coughing. Roman pulled her back by the waist, dragging her out.
He sighed when they got out.
"Forget breakfast. I want to spend the whole day with you. Alone."
"Roman, I already made an appointment. I need to do my nails. My toes. My hair—"
She kept talking, listing things.
Roman simply watched her. Contemplating.
"We can do that together’” he said finally.
She paused. "What?"
"You want to go to the spa. Fine. We'll build our own spa here."
She stared at him. Then shook her head.
“I’m going.”
She turned, and suddenly yelped.
“Roman, what are you doing? Put me down.”
Evelyn protested as she hung over his shoulder, her hair falling loosely down his back.
Roman didn’t respond.
He simply adjusted his hold on her and continued walking upstairs as if he heard nothing.
—
A few minutes later, Evelyn sat frozen, as she stared.
Her mouth slightly open.
Roman sat on a low stool in front of her, his posture unusually serious.
Her bare foot rested across his thigh while he leaned forward, holding a tiny brush with extreme focus.
On his phone, propped up beside him, a how-to video played.
Evelyn didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or just accept whatever this is.
“…Roman.”
He didn’t respond.
She watched as he carefully applied polish, missing the nail completely and painting more of her skin instead.
Evelyn dropped her head into her palm.
“You have to remove the old polish first.”
Roman paused and looked up at her.
“…Hmm?”
She lowered her hand and pointed.
“The old one. You’re painting over it.”
He glanced at her toes. Then back at
the screen. Then back at her.
“…Oh.”
With a quiet sigh, Evelyn slid off the chair and went to grab her nail kit, returning with a small box filled with tools.
She sat again and reached for his hand.
“Give me that.”
He let her guide him this time.
She showed him how to clean the polish properly, how to file the nails, and how to shape them.
Roman followed carefully. Like he was learning something important.
When it was time to apply the polish again, he slowed even more.
The brush hovered. Then he adjusted.
It hovered again.
A minute passed. Then another.
Roman exhaled frustratedly
“Why are your toes so small?”
Evelyn turned to look at him. Speechless.
Without another word, he stood up and walked away.
Evelyn frowned.
“Where are you going?”
He returned seconds later with his gold-rimmed glasses.
He put them on, then adjusted it.
He sat back down and resumed.
Evelyn couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing.
“Stay still,” he said without looking up.
She pressed her lips together, trying and failing to hold it in.
Her phone buzzed.
Lena.
She had already bailed on their salon appointment. And Lena wouldn't believe what is happening to her right now.
Evelyn glanced back at Roman.
A slow smile spread across her face as she figured out a way for Lena to believe her.
She lifted her phone quietly and snapped a picture of Roman and her foot resting on his lap.
Then sent it to Lena.
—
On the other end, Lena had just taken a sip of water, when she saw the image.
She sprayed the water straight out.
“What happened?” Rhys asked from behind her, startled.
Lena wiped her mouth quickly, trying to compose herself.
“Nothing,” she said, grabbing a napkin. "Just keep going. Make sure you get the roots."
Rhys raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He pulled on a fresh glove and continued applying dye on her hair.