Dominic said nothing, his gaze locked on Vespera.
The tension between them was palpable.
Calvert, however, remained blissfully unaware.
To him, Vespera still looked warm and cheerful-like someone who genuinely cared about Dominic.
Vespera stood from the couch and took Snowball from Dominic''s arms. "You should get going. Time won''t wait."
Dominic felt a weight settle in his chest.
There was no reaching her right now.
He gave a slight nod. "Understood. I''ll follow your orders, Ms. Gildon."
With that, he turned and walked away.
As soon as he left, Vespera quietly went back to ying with Snowball.
Taking the chance, Gerard walked over and gently stroked the kitten. "Um... Vespera, Mr. Reid really didn''t mean any harmst night. Please don''t be upset.
"It was all Calvert''s fault-he panicked about getting scolded and lied to Mr. Reid, saying you were already safe and on your way home. And honestly, Mrs. Reid was in real dangerst night="
Vespera cut him off gently. "It''s alright, Gerard. I know. I''m not upset."
"But you don''t exactly look happy either," Gerard thought to himself.
Calvert wandered over too. "It''s my fault. I shouldn''t have left the banquet halfway through to report to Mr. Reid. If I''d just stayed and kept an eye on youdies, none of this would''ve happened. Vespera, if you''re mad, just punch me—I can take it."
Vespera chuckled. "Punch you? I doubt I could even leave a mark."
"Vespera―"
She picked up Snowball''s tiny leg and tapped it lightly against Calvert''s chest. "There. Snowball gave you a punch for me. We''re even now. I''m really not mad anymore."
And she wasn''t. She truly meant it.
Why should everyone be expected to put her first?
It was like offering a gift-giving it was an act of goodwill, but withholding it was simply within one''s prerogative.
By 8:30 am, it was time to head to the airport.
Originally, Calvert wasn''t supposed to join, but eager to make up for his earlier mistakes, he insisted oning along.
Dominic had no objections.
As soon as they reached the car, Calvert eagerly rushed to im the front passenger seat.
Vespera was caught off guard.
With no choice, she took the back seat.
Seated beside her, Dominic had clearly just showered. As she settled into her
seat, he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.
A crisp, clean scent clung to him.
"Mr. Reid, I can buckle my own seatbelt."
"Okay," Dominic said, leaning over her and meeting her gaze. "I was worried you didn''t know how."
Vespera smiled but said nothing.
Instead, she gently pushed against his chest-he was too close forfort.
Dominic didn''t make another move.
For the rest of the ride, though, he kept his face slightly turned toward her.
Vespera turned her gaze to the window.
Up front, Gerard and Calvert sat in silence.
When they reached the airport, they quickly exited the car.
They were about to board the ne, and in just a few moments, they''d be stuck on a 12-hour flight.
It was going to feel like a pressure cooker, with no escape for the entire duration. How unsettling.
Calvert suddenly hesitated. "Gerard, maybe I shouldn''t go after all. I really can''t stand Londarion!"
Just as he was about to make his escape, Gerard tossed both suitcases at him. "Do you think I enjoy it any more than you do? You''re going. If not, I''m never speaking to you again!"
"Damn, what happened to all the good vibes..." Calvert grumbled to himself. The four of them soon boarded the ne.
After takeoff, Dominic ordered four breakfasts to be brought to their seats.
He had nned to ask Vespera to sit across from him, but instead, she went
straight to Gerard and began setting up herptop.
It was obvious—she wasn''t nning on switching seats.
Dominic bit back his words and settled into his own seat.
Soon after, everyone finished their breakfast.
Dominic immediately got to work.
Vespera and Gerard followed suit, diving into their own tasks as well.
When they took a break, the two naturally fell into conversation, moving from updates on the Londarion branch to lighthearted stories from theirst visit there.
Vespera had a talent for keeping the conversation flowing-when something piqued her interest, she knew exactly how to keep it lively and draw others in. Before long, Gerard was fully immersed in the conversation.
Out of nowhere, he felt a sharp, intense gaze on his left. His body tensed, a cold chill creeping through him.
Dominic''s stare was almost tangible, making Gerard feel as though he might be hurled out of the ne at any moment.
"It''s not my fault," Gerard thought to himself.
"...Vespera, I need to use the restroom," he said, standing up quickly.
Trying to salvage the situation, he added, "Why don''t you talk to Mr. Reid for a bit?
He looks like he''s getting a bit bored."
"Better hurry before you pee your pants."
"So much for a sharp tongue-it still feels like a thousand cuts," Gerard muttered under his breath.
Up front, he spotted Calvert ying cards with the flight attendant. Without hesitation, he joined the game. Maybe Calvert wasn''t as clueless as he''d originally thought.
Back in the main cabin, only Dominic and Vespera remained.
Without a word, Vespera opened herptop again, signaling the end of her break. She had no intention of engaging in any more conversation.
Dominic stood and quietly took the seat beside her.
He watched her for a moment, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Vera, I know
Londarion inside and out. You could ask me for a few tips, you know."
Without even ncing at him, Vespera replied, "Please address me as Ms. Gildon, Mr. Reid."
Dominic leaned in slightly. "Vera, it''s not work hours right now."
Vespera shifted away from him. "This is a business trip. That means every minute counts as work."
"I''m the boss," Dominic replied. "If I say it''s not work time, then it''s not."
He leaned in closer, his breath brushing her skin.
Vespera was already backed up against the wall-any further and she''d be halfway through it.
With a snap, she shut herptop and turned to him. "Alright. You''re the boss. You win. But I still don''t want to talk to you."
Dominic was momentarily stunned.
She pointed at his seat. "Go sit down. If this is off-hours, then I have even more
right to decide who I spend it with."
Dominic frowned. "Vera, can we please just talk?"
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