Chapter 114

Wealth truly was a marvelous thing. The world bent over backward for those with deep pockets. Lucien still possessed some gentlemanly manners—since her room was on a lower floor, he escorted her there first.

Vanessa’s brows knitted the moment she pushed open the door.

The room was a standard suite—spacious by ordinary hotel standards, but far from what she had envisioned. A bed, an ensuite bathroom, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a sink. Functional, yes. Luxurious? Hardly.

"Vanessa, your belongings are all here. Rest well. I’ll head to my room now." Lucien gave her shoulder a light pat, his smile easy.

She caught his wrist before he could leave. "Wait!"

He paused, glancing back with a silent question in his eyes.

"Um..." She hesitated, fingers twisting together. "I’m not really tired yet, and you’ve got luggage. Mind if I tag along to your room for a bit?"

Lucien didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studied her, his gaze heavy with unspoken meaning. Heat crept up her neck, and she looked away, suddenly fascinated by the carpet.

"Of course," he finally said.

Vanessa trailed behind him into the elevator, her pulse quickening as the numbers climbed. She knew she shouldn’t—this wasn’t proper—but curiosity gnawed at her. She had to see what the top floor looked like.

Ding. The doors slid open. Lucien didn’t move. "Vanessa?"

She blinked, snapping out of her daze. "We’re here?"

With an amused smile, he stepped out, and she hurried after him.

This floor was nothing like the one below. Fewer doors, wider hallways. Lucien swiped his keycard, and the door clicked open. Vanessa slipped in behind him, then froze as he moved aside, revealing the room beyond.

Her breath caught.

Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a panoramic view of the city—emerald treetops merging with sapphire ocean, the horizon bleeding into a sky so vast it felt divine. It was like standing at the edge of heaven.

The suite itself was a masterpiece. Plush leather sofas, a gleaming wet bar, a wine cabinet stocked with vintages she couldn’t pronounce. The living area alone dwarfed her entire room.

She swallowed hard, fingers curling into her palms. She wanted to explore further—needed to—but propriety held her back.

"Aren’t you going to look around?" Lucien’s voice was low, teasing.

Vanessa shook her head, though every fiber of her being screamed to stay. "No, I—I just wanted a peek. I should go."

But her feet refused to move. The thought of returning to her cramped, ordinary room made her chest tighten. She drifted toward the windows, pretending, just for a moment, that this was hers. That she belonged here.

Then warm hands settled on her waist. Lucien’s breath ghosted over her ear as he pulled her against him, his arms wrapping around her shoulders.