CHAPTER 101: Cat Out Of The Bag

　　As the car sliced through the night, my eyes met Julian's in the reflection of the rearview mirror. His gaze was unreadable, a stoic mask that gave away nothing.

　　A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. Surely, he must have reported my transgression to Nicola by now. After all, the entire household staff that surrounded Alexander seemed to answer to her. Did he have some ulterior motive for keeping silent? The question gnawed at me, adding another layer of worry to the already tangled mess of my emotions.

　　Alexander, on the other hand, remained thankfully oblivious to the storm brewing within me. He was on a business call, his voice a low murmur punctuated by pauses for the person on the other end. His hand was linked through mine, his thumb absently tracing circles on my palm, a gesture that sent a warmth radiating through me despite the circumstances.