Chapter 40 Unexpected Visitor
Derek leaned back slightly. "Maybe we could have date days."
Her head snapped up. "Date days?" She asked in alarm.
Why would he suggest dates? Wouldn't that make them have to act like they're in love?
"Not romantic dates," he clarified immediately. "No candlelight or grand gestures. Just planned outings. Like just going for normal lunch and dinner. You could consider it as just an outing instead of a date if calling it a date makes it serious. We could go for walks and do other things that look… normal."
Rebecca didn’t answer right away. She expected herself to feel irritated or resistant, but instead, she felt something else, uncertainty mixed with curiosity.
"I can take you out for dinner tonight," Derek continued, sensing her hesitation. "Somewhere quiet. No pressure. That's if you're up for it."
She looked away again, her eyes drifting back toward the window. After a moment, she nodded once. "That’s fine."
Derek felt a subtle wave of relief wash over him. He had expected an argument. Or at least a long debate. "Good," he said softly.
"And tomorrow," he added, encouraged by her response, "we could go to the beach."
She turned back to him, surprised. "The beach?" When he'd said casual walks, she hadn't expected a beach to be among them.
"Yes," he said. "Fresh air. Open space. It’ll look good to my grandfather, and it gets us out of the house, and out of his scrutiny."
Rebecca considered it. The idea of sand, waves, and distance from everything weighing on her didn’t sound terrible. "Alright," she said. "That could work."
Derek leaned further back in his chair, growing more relaxed now. "We can also do things during the day. Workshops, maybe."
She raised an eyebrow. "Workshops?" She echoed surprised. It was as if he had thought of everything, as if he knew a day like this would come.
"Cooking classes. Art sessions. Fitness programs. Anything that keeps us busy together without making it awkward."
That made her let out a small laugh before she could stop herself. The sound surprised both of them.
Derek glanced at her. "What?" He asked surprised by her laughter.
"You’ve really thought this through," she said, shaking her head slightly.
"I had to," he replied honestly. "If we’re doing this, we might as well do it in a way that doesn’t drive us both crazy while also making it look convincing enough."
For the first time since they walked into the room, the tension eased. They started throwing out ideas casually, morning walks, bookstore visits, pottery classes, movie nights. Nothing dramatic. Nothing forced.
And without realizing it, they were talking easily and feely. It felt… normal.
They were still mid-conversation when a sudden knock came at the door and both of them froze.
Derek stood up. “I’ll get it.”
He walked to the door and opened it to find the butler standing neatly in the hallway, hands folded in front of him.
"Sir," the butler said respectfully, "there’s a lady in the sitting room asking to see you and Mrs. Hemsworth."
Derek frowned slightly, he was not sure either him or Rebecca was expecting any visitors.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Derek asked, turning to Rebecca, but the frown on her face told him what he needed to confirm.
“No. I'm not. Who's that?” she asked, but Derek shook his head.
His frown deepened as he turned to the Butler. "Did she give a name?" He asked, curiously.
"Yes, sir," the butler replied. "She said her name is Vanessa. Vanessa Smith."
Rebecca’s heart dropped the moment the butler said Vanessa’s name.
For a second, the room felt too small, the air too tight around her chest. Her mind raced with questions, Why was Vanessa here? How did she even know where the mansion was? What was she planning now? Instinctively, she turned toward the door, ready to speak.
"Please," she was about to say, her voice already forming the words, 'don’t let her in.'
But Derek spoke first.
"Bring her in," he said calmly, almost casually. "Why would you leave my in-law standing outside?"
Rebecca’s head snapped toward him in shock, Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She watched as the butler nodded respectfully.
"Yes, sir," he said before excusing himself and walking away.
She felt a knot twist painfully in her stomach. In-law, she thought with a scowl, the word echoed mockingly in her head. If only Derek knew the truth, if only he knew what kind of person Vanessa really was maybe he wouldn't have thought of her like that.
Derek who had locked the door and turned back to her, and noticed the sudden change in her expression. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
“I don't want to see her. You shouldn't have let her in,” Rebecca said before she could stop herself.
“Why? What's going on? Did she do anything?” Derek asked, narrowing his eyes.
Rebecca opened her mouth to speak but the words felt heavy in her mouth. She couldn't even bring herself to say anything.
"Never mind. I'm fine," Rebecca replied quickly, forcing her face into something neutral. She couldn’t afford to show anything. Not now. Not in this house.
“Are you sure?” Derek asked still not sure if she was really fine.
“Yeah. Let's just go,” Rebecca said, standing up.
They left the room together and walked toward the sitting room. With every step, Rebecca felt her anxiety grow heavier. She could already imagine Vanessa’s fake smile, her soft voice, her practiced innocence. She braced herself as they walked over to the sitting room.
When they entered the sitting room, the sight before them made Rebecca pause.
Vanessa was already there, She was seated close to Mr. Edwards, laughing softly at something he had just said. Her posture was relaxed, her body slightly angled toward him, her hand resting lightly on the arm of his chair as if she belonged there. She looked elegant, dressed in a well-fitted outfit that screamed seduction.
Rebecca felt her stomach churn, as she took in the sight in front of her.
Edwards looked pleased, clearly enjoying the attention of the younger woman. "Ah, here they are," he said warmly when he noticed Derek and Rebecca. "Vanessa was just telling me how worried she’s been about you, Rebecca."
Vanessa turned, her face lighting up the moment she saw them. "Rebecca" she exclaimed, standing quickly. "Oh my goodness, I’ve missed you so much."
Before Rebecca could react, Vanessa had already stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a sudden hug.