Chapter 22 Lover in the Shadows
Elizabeth exchanged a quick greeting with Tony and the others before following Tom into another car.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Tom asked once they were settled.
For years, Tom had assumed Armando's heart belonged to Elizabeth. But recent events had made him question that. Now, he suspected Armando had always loved Sherry.
"I'm fine, really," Elizabeth replied with a genuine smile. "If one day they end up together, I'll wish them well."
Tom could tell she meant it. Relieved for her, he gave a short laugh. "That's the spirit. Men are everywhere."
By a little after seven, the car pulled up to the hotel.
Elizabeth said goodnight to Tom, swiped her card, and stepped into her room.
She flicked on the light—and froze. Timothy was lounging on the sofa as if he owned the place. Startled, she quickly shut the door.
Timothy's dark eyes lifted to meet hers, his voice low and rough. "You're back."
"Why are you in Oceancrest City? No—how did you even get in?"
Leaning back, one arm draped casually over the sofa armrest, his white shirt undone at the top, Timothy looked every bit the picture of lazy elegance edged with aristocratic pride.
He glanced at her. "Swiped in. This hotel belongs to the Robinson family. I'm here to perform surgery for a patient." It was, technically, an answer.
"Come on. Don't just stand there—I'm not going to eat you."
His lips curved faintly. "Not until I've had dinner, anyway. Otherwise, where would the energy come from?"
"Elizabeth, come have dinner with me."
On the coffee table sat two boxes of food—fried chicken, fries, and a bottle of cola.
Elizabeth hesitated. She hadn't expected him to eat something so… ordinary.
She changed her shoes and walked over. "I'm not hungry. I already had plenty tonight."
Timothy didn't press her. He washed his hands, returned to the sofa, and began eating with an ease that made even the simple act look refined.
"Was lunch to your liking?" he asked between bites.
"It was good, thank you." She poured him a glass of cola.
Once he was full, Timothy peeled off his disposable gloves and pulled a strawberry lollipop from his pocket, holding it out to her. "For you."
Elizabeth blinked. "A lollipop? From a man? And only one?"
His expression said, "How many did you expect?"
"I saw Armando and Ms. Scott downstairs. In the elevator, I charmed a little girl into giving me one of her lollipops so I could give it to you. If I'd taken more, she would've cried."
Elizabeth was speechless. That little girl was far too kind.
Seeing her stunned expression, Timothy chuckled under his breath, caught her chin, and kissed her—hard, with a possessive edge.
When they finally broke for air, his voice was husky. "Ms. Penrose, millionaire… remember to pay me for that."
Before she could respond, the doorbell rang.
"I'll see who it is," she said, straightening her clothes and heading to the door.
It was Tom. Elizabeth quickly gestured toward the bathroom for Timothy to hide.
Timothy nearly laughed in disbelief. He had never hidden in a bathroom for anyone. But with a cool expression, he stood and walked inside.
Elizabeth opened the door. Tom glanced into the room. "Armando asked me to check if you were alright."
Apparently, Della—Sherry's agent—had told Armando she'd seen a man enter Elizabeth's room. Armando had called Tom to make sure she was safe.
Elizabeth frowned. "I'm fine. What's going on?"
Tom explained. "Della saw a man go in. Armando wanted me to check."
"It's fine. He's a friend."
Satisfied, Tom left to report back to Armando.
When Tom delivered the message, Sherry wasn't in the living room.
"Ms. Penrose said he's a friend," Tom reported.
"Friend?" Armando repeated coldly. "Alright, Tom, go rest. Thank you."
Tom sensed Armando's displeasure but didn't comment.
Back in her room, Elizabeth called out to Timothy. When he didn't emerge, she opened the bathroom door.
"Oh!" She slammed it shut again, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Why didn't you lock the door?"
Timothy laughed softly. "Why call out? It's not like you haven't seen me before."
She had, and touched him too. Elizabeth flushed, ears burning.
She turned to leave, then paused. "Mr. Robinson, what exactly are you doing in there?"
The sound of running water was answer enough—he was showering.
The doorbell rang again.
Elizabeth frowned. Who now?
This time, it was Armando. He rang, then called her directly when she didn't answer.
"Mr. Johnson," she said into the phone. "What is it?"
"Where are you?"
"Showering. Not convenient."
"I'll come by later. We need to video call Grandma."
Elizabeth glanced toward the bathroom. Timothy clearly intended to spend the night. On Armando's side, Sherry was probably there too.
She decided going to Armando's place was safer. "I'll come over in a bit."
At that moment, Timothy emerged from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips.
Elizabeth moved fast, covering his mouth with her hand. Into the phone, she said, "That's all for now. I'm hanging up."
Timothy's eyes gleamed with amusement as he licked her palm. "Why so tense? Didn't you say if he cheats, you'll cheat too?"
She withdrew her hand with an awkward smile. She couldn't exactly tell him he was… not the kind of man she could parade in public.
Timothy's status—and the Robinson family—were far above hers. He would never marry a woman of her standing.
Reading her thoughts, Timothy tilted her chin, eyes narrowing. "Elizabeth, are you asking me to be your secret lover?"
"No, that's not what I meant. Let's just… keep our distance."
She wanted a clean break. The longer she stayed around him, the more she feared she'd fall. And Timothy had the kind of charm that made falling inevitable.
He smirked. "Elizabeth, do you really think I'm as useless as Armando? I can be your secret lover… for now."