Unsure if it was because she had Daemon's arms around her, Derila felt exceptionally secure and thus slept very well that night.
Undisturbed by dreams, she rested all the way till she roused on her own at dawn.
Feeling completely invigorated, Derila habitually stretched her back and let out a yawn.
Then, she flipped her body around like an indolent little feline.
That was when she discovered the absence of the person next to her.
When she opened her eyes, she realized that he was really gone, and as far as she could tell, the water in the bathroom was not running either.
"Daemon! Daemon Lierger!" Derila called.
"Are you here, you rogue?"
That yielded no reply.
Okay.
I suppose he must have gotten out of bed early.
She could sense that he had not managed to sleep well the night before.
Although he hardly moved, his body felt stiff and tensed against hers, as though he was unable to relax.
Conversely, she had slept quite soundly herself; it was as though his presence had a hypnotic effect on her.
In a jolly fine mood, Derila hopped out of bed to freshen up.
At that moment, someone came knocking at her door.
Norah's voice emanated from the other side.
"May I come in, Ms.Riri?"
"Please enter!"
In the midst of brushing her teeth, Derila's mouth was bubbling with froth.
Enter Norah at the lead of two maids to tidy the room and also to bring Derila some ginger tea to warm her belly with.
"Please come downstairs after you have finished your drink, Ms.Riri.Mr.Lierger is waiting to have breakfast together with you."
"Okay."
Getting her own attire in order, Derila then went along with Norah.
Seated prim and proper inside the dining room, Daemon was helping himself to some breakfast.
On the table was a generous spread of offerings in the Chanaean style, all of them Derila's favorites.
"Good morning!"
With a pep in her step, Derila bounded into the dining room and sat down to eat, almost childlike in her exuberance.
"Morning!"
Daemon regarded her smilingly and with affection in his eyes.
"There's no rush.It's not a contest."
"This is so good.That one too..."
Derila stuffed her mouth and spoke while she ate.
"Come to think of it; I think I haven't had anything to eat last night."
"Haha..."
Daemon could not stifle a laugh.
"That must have been hard on you!"
Rolling her eyes at him, Derila resumed with her feasting.
Elegantly sipping away at his tea, Daemon looked rather pleased while he watched her eat, as though it was enjoyable for him to do so.
"Ms.Pakison has requested an audience, Mr.Lierger!"
At that moment, a subordinate approached to report.
"Tell her that I'm busy right now."
Daemon took a glance at his watch.
"Have her come back in the evening instead."
"Understood."
The subordinate went to relay his message.
Come back in the evening...
Those words jutted against Derila's throat like fish bones, and she found them hard to swallow.
Having lost her appetite, she placed down her utensils, wiped clean the corner of her lips, and glared at Daemon.
"Huh? Are you done already?"
Daemon's brows perked at her.
"Planning to hook up with someone else while I'm away?"
Derila looked askance as she called him out.
"You got it all worked out, haven't you?"
"Umm..."
Stunned at first, Daemon subsequently broke into a boisterous guffaw.
"Is this jealousy I'm seeing from you?"
"Hmph!"
Derila shot him a look as she set herself upright and looked to storm off.
Daemon immediately reached out to grab ahold of her before he instructed his subordinate, "Tell her not to come over at night either, and send Harrison over to inform her of my decision in the afternoon."
"Understood."
The subordinate then promptly went out after her.
"Happy now?" said Daemon, looking gleefully at Derila.
Sitting back down, Derila then became self- conscious of her own overreaction.
Considering that he would not have said what he did in front of her otherwise, it occurred to her that it might be more probable that Daemon had no interest in Penny whatsoever.
Perhaps it might be work related? The thought of that made her change her tone.
"Actually, that was not what I meant.You're just going to meet with her to talk business.I get that."
"What business has she and I have to discuss?" said Daemon casually.
"She's in no position to talk business with me, to begin with."
"Does that mean that it's personal, then?" asked Derila in displeasure.
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