Novel Catalog
Chapter 169
As soon as Hera opened the black bag, her expression froze in horror.
Inside were contraceptive products—dozens of them. The sheer quantity, combined with the fact that they had been purchased on her behalf by the company’s marketing director, made her entire body burn with embarrassment.
Her voice faltered. “M-Mr. Wilson…”
Hans waved his hand quickly, his smile tinged with mischief. “Don’t worry, Ms. Lewis. My lips are sealed. I’ve got to run!”
Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and briskly walked away.
Hera stood there, stunned, gripping the humiliating bag in her hands.
Just then, Nash stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand, drying his hair.
“Who were you talking to just now?”
Startled, Hera spun around and hid the bag behind her back. “I-It was the delivery guy!”
Nash chuckled. “Food delivery at this hour? Didn’t we already have a big dinner at the hotel?”
She bit her lip, cursing Skadi in her heart. “It wasn’t for me. Skadi ordered it…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Your best friend sure takes care of you.”
Nash waited for her to move ahead of him, but Hera remained still, her hands awkwardly tucked behind her.
His gaze narrowed with amusement. “Why are you hiding your hands like that?”
“I-It’s nothing,” she stammered, avoiding eye contact.
Nash shrugged and strolled toward the living room. Hera let out a sigh of relief and followed.
Her mind raced.
What should I do?
What if he sees what’s inside?
Would he think I was planning something shameless?
But just as she was lost in anxious thoughts, Nash suddenly turned and snatched the black bag from behind her.
“Nash! Y-you—give it back!” Hera lunged forward to grab it, panic surging through her.
But in the struggle, the thin plastic tore—
Everything spilled out onto the floor.
Silence.
Hera stood frozen, her cheeks aflame. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could disappear.
Nash, too, was momentarily speechless. Then, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
“Hera…” he said slowly, “were you… thinking of… doing something tonight?”
“No!” she blurted out, waving her hands. “I didn’t plan any of this! I didn’t even know what was in the bag!”
“Then why do you have these?”
Tears welled up in Hera’s eyes as she fumbled for words. “It wasn’t me! Skadi bought them! I… I had no idea what she ordered!”
Nash stared at her for a moment before letting out a helpless laugh. “That Skadi… she really went overboard this time.”
Later, they sat quietly on the bed, each with a phone in hand, though neither was truly focused.
The room was silent. Tension hung lightly in the air.
Forty minutes passed in utter stillness.
Then, as if by accident—or perhaps not—Hera’s soft toes brushed against Nash’s.
Startled, she instantly drew her feet back.
Nash yawned and looked over. “Getting sleepy? Should we go to bed?”
Hera nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
He set down his phone and switched off the lights.
Hera lay down carefully, her back to him, heart still fluttering from earlier.
Time ticked by.
Half an hour later, she turned, propping herself up slightly to peer at Nash.
His face was peaceful in sleep. His lips—those same lips that had once kissed her—looked soft and still.
That kiss…
She remembered it vividly. It had felt shy, hesitant—just like hers. Could it have been his first kiss, too?
The thought made her lips curl into a small, quiet smile.
Skadi ruined it last time, she thought with a quiet huff. Should I… try again?
Her heart thumped in her chest.
Swallowing her nerves, she whispered, “Nash… are you asleep?”
No reply.
She watched him for a few more minutes. His breathing was steady.
Hera hesitated… then slowly leaned in, her lips inching closer to his.