Chapter 108: Chapter 108 Sleepless Nights
Elara
I found myself drifting into memories of the past when Hannah’s voice pulled me back to reality.
"Elara, what are you thinking about?" Hannah asked, concern evident in her voice.
I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Nothing important. That’s quite the coincidence."
From the corner of my eye, I caught Dominic watching me with those intense eyes of his. His gaze seemed to pierce right through me, as if trying to read the thoughts I was hiding.
Heat rose to my cheeks as I deliberately avoided his burning stare. "Hannah, let’s go together tomorrow. It’s in the afternoon, right?"
"Yes, in the afternoon," Hannah confirmed. "After visiting Professor Williams, we’re all getting together for dinner."
Dominic remained silent throughout our conversation, hands casually tucked in his pockets.
His weird quietness continued even after Hannah left and through dinner with Orion back at home.
Orion leaned close to my ear, whispering excitedly, "Aunt Elara, I think Uncle Dominic seems unhappy!"
I had noticed it too, but couldn’t figure out why he was in such a mood.
"Don’t worry," Orion giggled. "Uncle Dominic is often grumpy. He loves to scowl."
The little troublemaker seemed to enjoy teasing his uncle behind his back.
I couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"Alright, time for bed. I probably won’t be home for dinner tomorrow night," I told him. "You’ll eat with Linda and Dominic, okay?"
"Okay! Have fun at your party, Aunt Elara!"
I shook my head in amusement. "It’s a class reunion, not a party!"
"Oh, I see," Orion nodded with exaggerated understanding. "So Uncle Dominic is jealous because you’re going out without him. Maybe he wanted to be your date!"
I laughed at the kid’s logic. "Orion, married couples don’t need to do everything together."
But as I tucked Orion in, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe the little guy was onto something.
[Was Dominic really bothered by me going out alone?]
I didn’t take the boy’s words too seriously and retreated to my bedroom.
Dominic never came to bed that night, at least not before I fell asleep.
When I woke the next morning, his side of the bed looked untouched.
Had he slept in another room?
Just as I was wondering, the man himself appeared, sporting dark circles under his eyes.
"You..."
"I..."
We both started speaking at the same time. Dominic pressed his lips together and gestured for me to go first.
"Did you sleep in the study last night?" I asked.
He shook his head. "No, I had work stuff to take care of downtown. I wasn’t home."
"I need to catch up on some sleep," he added. "Are you getting up now?"
I’d thought he might be sulking about something, but clearly he’d just been working. "Oh, I’m getting up. I have plans this afternoon. You should rest."
I got out of bed and gathered a few things before heading to the closet. As I passed by Dominic, something caught my eye. "Your shirt is stained."
There was a splash of red stain on the sleeve and elbow of his white shirt. What had he been doing last night?
Dominic quickly moved his arm behind his back, avoiding my gaze.
His jaw tightened slightly before he spoke. "There was some trouble at the territory border last night. A few rogues tried to cross into our land."
My eyes widened as the reality hit me.
"Are you hurt?" I stepped closer, instinctively wanting to check him for injuries.
"I’m fine," he said firmly, though his voice was gentler now. "It’s not my blood. We handled the situation."
"I’ll ask Linda to wash it separately," I offered.
"Thanks," he replied simply.
Something about his explanation felt off, but I was too tired to dig deeper.
--
I hardly thought about that small morning exchange as I prepared for the reunion.
I chose a white silk blouse with an A-line maxi skirt, adding a beige cardigan for the evening chill.
The outfit gave me a soft, gentle appearance.
Hannah’s driver came to pick me up, and I could see her waving from the backseat.
"Elara, hurry up!" she called excitedly.
I smiled as I slid into the car beside her.
"Look what I found!" Hannah beamed, holding up an old photograph. "I spent ages digging this up yesterda. See? We’re standing in the back row with the other girls. You were so adorably chubby back then, not like now. You’ve lost all your baby fat!"
My cheeks flushed as I playfully swatted her arm. "Stop it!"
Hannah gave me a teasing look. "Elara, if you used that cute little pout on Dominic, he’d probably melt into a puddle! If I were gay, I’d definitely be competing with him for you!"
Hannah ’s teasing kept me blushing all the way to the school.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, a familiar voice called out."Well, well, if it isn’t Elara!"
The words sounded like a greeting, but the tone was anything but friendly.
Hannah immediately went into protective mode. "And if it isn’t Charlotte! Where are you making your fortune these days?"
"Charlotte has taken over her mother’s investment firm," one of Charlotte’s followers chimed in. "The company went public a few years ago. She’s doing quite well for herself."
Hannah just smiled slightly, not bothering to engage further. I didn’t see any need to respond either.
Jessica, our former class president, quickly stepped in to ease the tension. "Everyone who brought flowers, don’t forget them. Let’s head inside."
As we walked, the questions began.
"Elara, what company are you with these days?"
"We haven’t heard from you in ages."
I glanced at the short-haired woman. "I work at a private company."
"What private company?" someone asked with a smirk. "Maybe our families’ businesses have connections."
Hannah frowned, ready to defend me, but I tugged at her sleeve to stop her. I was here to see my professor, not to get into arguments.
"A luxury hotel," I replied calmly.
"Oh, are you working the front desk? Or in sales?" someone asked with clear malice. "I’ve heard hotels can be... sketchy environments. Especially in sales, where you have to wine and dine clients."
I met her gaze coolly, my voice level as I replied: "Owner."
"What?" Several people froze, and someone who hadn’t heard clearly asked me to repeat myself.
I allowed myself the smallest hint of a smile. "The hotel is my family’s business. My position is owner. Did you hear me clearly that time?"
