Chapter 164

Clank!

As the performance reached its climax, the teapot in Ayla’s hand slid down and made an unpleasant sound.

“Ah! I apologize. I lost the strength in my hands… I’ll clean it up right away.”

Owen’s hand was placed over Ayla’s long, white fingers as she reflexively bent down to pick up the broken pieces.

“Oh… Your hand…”

As Ayla blurred her words as if embarrassed by Owen’s attitude, he shook his head from side to side with his mouth tightly closed.

Ayla hesitated at Owen’s somewhat determined attitude and stood up.

‘Just a little bit more…’

Owen let out a small sigh as if he were nervous, rolled up his sleeves, which had been uncomfortable the whole time, and straightened his posture.

He glanced at Ayla, who was standing there blankly, and began to pluck the strings of the mandolin again.

The quiet interior once again overflowed with clear and light melodies, and the performance was gradually heading towards the climax.

Owen, with a resolute expression on his face, swallowed dry and waited for the timing to raise his gaze.

‘Now.’

Click!

At the sudden sound of the door, Owen turned his gaze towards the open door without realizing it.

Perhaps the noise had blurred her focus, as Ayla’s blue eyes gradually found their own color at the same time.

“Grand Duke Arrot!!”

Owen’s olive-colored eyes reluctantly turned to the high-toned woman who entered through the open door of the office.

As their eyes met, Claire’s eyes began to slowly change as if they were waiting.

Just like the day she stubbornly came to his residence.

‘Why did you appear there!’

Owen had no choice but to scream silently as he looked at Claire, who was one step closer to rushing into his arms.

Once again, the subject of delusion was an unexpected person.

***

Contrary to how she aggressively opened the office door, Claire’s cheeks were red as if she had become a shy girl.

The bright yellow dress, resembling a forsythia, was decorated with sparkling jewels, further highlighting Claire’s sophisticated appearance.

‘Are those clothes or an old straw mat…’

Today too, Ayla’s mouth opened slightly at the level of her exposure, as if there was no such thing as decency.

Watching Claire rubbing her body and giving Owen a strange glance, she felt like she was going to be disrespecting the two of them if she stayed any longer.

She didn’t have good feelings for Claire, but she didn’t want to interfere with her love story. Ayla, who was watching the situation, opened her mouth with a burst of awkward laughter.

“Hahaha. Then I will go now. I hope you two have a good time.”

“N-No, Ayla!! It’s not like that…”

Seeing Claire rubbing her face while clinging to Owen’s arms, Ayla nodded her head as if she understood it even if he didn’t say anything.

“Then I will skip the next teatime. I don’t think you’re in a situation to drink tea. Hahaha.”

Ayla walked out of the office while giving Owen a sly smile; and behind her, his voice could be heard, saying, ‘Please, let me go. Young Lady!’

‘You like it but reject it.’

Ayla hurriedly left the office so as not to disturb their good time.

***

Ayla’s expression darkened remarkably as she returned to her room after work.

Ayla, who slowly rolled her eyes to look at Lily’s luggage, let out a deep sigh and threw herself onto the bed.

“I’m tired…”

Muttering to herself while her words lingered, she helplessly lowered her eyelashes.

Ayla, who suddenly turned her gaze out of the darkened window, adjusted her eyes while maintaining a blank expression.

“Where on earth did he go…”

She was worried about Theon, not even knowing where he went or when he would come back, so her sincerity poured out unconsciously.

Tap, tap, tap.

Just as she was spending time meaninglessly, she heard someone tapping on the window.

‘Who is it?’

Ayla, who had slowly turned her eyes as she felt somewhat frightened, held her breath and focused her attention. Why did they leave a perfectly good door and chose the window? That in itself was suspicious.

As the ticking sound of the clock’s second hand echoed in the quiet interior, tension built up on Ayla’s face.

Tap, tap, tap.

The tapping on the window resounded once again, as if they knew she was inside. Ayla swallowed dry at the rising tension.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she turned towards the sound with quiet footsteps.

Thump, thump, thump.

The closer she got to the window, the more frightened she was, and her heartbeat also began to grow louder.

“Ahhhhh!!”

A black object jumped out in front of Ayla’s eyes, who reached out her hand and swung the window open while keeping her distance.

Ayla, frightened by the mysterious shadow she suddenly encountered, stepped back and screamed. If she hadn’t been able to keep her balance, she would have been in a ridiculous situation where she had fallen on her butt. Fortunately, the worst was avoided, but her startled heart did not calm down easily.