Now that Jayson had left, Ariel could finally relax a little. She set the towel down on a chair and slid into the water.
The heat soothed her muscles, dulling the discomfort in her body.
But she hadn’t been in the water for more than a few seconds when Nancy’s voice rang out from outside. “Jayson, is someone in there? Why’d you come out?”
Jayson’s reply came calm and even. “No’one’s in there. Let’s go.”
Nancy said something else, but their voices faded quickly as they walked off together.
Ariel rested her arms on the edge of the hot spring. She cast a glance toward the door before turning back.
It seemed like Jayson and Nancy had planned to meet here.
If she hadn’t made a last–minute decision to come here, they probably would have had their little romantic night right here.
Ariel mulled over it for a moment, then dropped the thought entirely.
She absently ran her fingers across the faint scar on her lower belly.
It had happened the year Lucas got into serious trouble at the company. Before he ended up in prison, someone had targeted her in revenge.
She had ended up hospitalized for more than two weeks. And after that, her chances of getting pregnant had dropped significantly.
Ariel closed her eyes. She stayed in the hot spring for a long quiet while.
The next morning, Ariel packed her things just as Janice came to knock on her door and invite her to breakfast.
When they got to the dining area, Chad looked up and said, “Jayson and Nancy left earlier. They skipped breakfast.
Ariel didn’t respond. She just walked over and ordered a flat white.
The food here at the resort was excellent. Ariel genuinely enjoyed it.
After eating, they waited in the lobby for the car to arrive.
That was when Perry approached them from the other side of the hall.
Ariel was a little surprised that he hadn’t left with Jayson and Nancy.
“Mr. Houston.” With Perry already right in front of them, Chad had no choice but to greet him.
Perry nodded. “I had a few things to deal with. Since we’ve met, let’s leave together.”
Neither Ariel nor Janice objected.
Chad raised a brow. “Sure.”
Perry’s gaze flicked briefly toward Ariel, then shifted back to Chad. “Mr. Hockney, feel free to drop by whenever you like. We can arrange a room for you anytime.”
Chad knew this resort villa wasn’t easy to book. Smiling, he said, “I wouldn’t want to owe you a favor, Mr.
Houston.”
But Perry didn’t seem to be joking, “Oh, please, Mr. Hockney. It’s nothing. Honestly, if it means staying on good terms with Faye Tech, it’s my pleasure.”
That made Chad arch an eyebrow. He gave Ariel a quick glance.
This wasn’t the attitude he expected.
Given how rocky things were between Nancy and Faye Technologies lately and how tight their circle tended to be, Perry shouldn’t have been so friendly.
But Ariel didn’t comment.
Chad smiled along, all diplomacy. “You flatter me, Mr. Houston.”
Perry checked his watch, then said casually, “I heard you’ve got some good news coming up, Mr. Hockney.”
Chad raised a brow. “That depends on what kind of good news we are talking about. I’ve got a few lined up.”
Perry paused, his eyes cutting sideways toward Ariel.
Yesterday, after hearing Matt’s take on Chad’s feelings for Ariel, even mentioning the possibility of marrying her, he just wanted to know if that was really the case.
However, he couldn’t exactly ask outright.
But Chad didn’t give anything away.
After a second, Perry just shook his head. “It’s nothing specific. You’re just glowing lately, Mr. Hockney. Must be doing well.”
Chad blinked, thoroughly confused.
Fortunately, the topic didn’t go any further.
When the cars arrived, Perry got into a different one.
After thinking it over for a moment, Chad turned to Ariel and asked, “Don’t you think Mr. Houston’s attitude toward me was a little weird?”
Ariel looked at him, curious. “Weird how?”
Chad couldn’t quite pin it down. He raised a brow and let out a dry laugh. “I don’t know. Just feels like my popularity lately is getting a little creepy.”
