Chapter 11 I'll Just Ask Him Later Stella had slept like a log - so deeply she didn't even have time to shower . +5 Free Coins When she finally woke up and rolled over in bed , the entire room was pitch black , not a single sliver of light slipping in . Still half - asleep , she wondered if this place had some kind of smart home system Maybe it had sensed the owner had gone to sleep and automatically shut the curtains . A pale arm reached out from under the blanket as she groped around for her phone . She finally found it near the pillow - it felt a bit cold . She brought it up to her face and turned on the screen 4:01 p.m. Stella's almond - shaped eyes widened instantly , her brain kicking into high gear . Good grief. She slept straight through to four in the afternoon the next day ? There were several messages on WhatsApp . Ethan : " All the clothes we bought yesterday are at the villa . Tell Tina if you need anything else . Tll buy the villa next door as soon as possible . Call me if anything comes up.Mr. Nathan is also one of my investors . He's a good guy . Plus , he's not into women , so don't worry - he's not going to try anything . That last message definitely woke her u up . Not that she'd ever been worried Nathan would try anything . She trusted his character , and more importantly , they couldn't stand each other . Last night when she fell on top of him , he didn't even help her up . Learning Lesson by Fourth Marriage : " Nathan's into guys ? For real ? Spill it ! " No wonder there wasn't anything about his love life on the internet . Ethan replied almost instantly : " You're finally awake ! Any later and I was gonna call an ambulance . " Stella : " Stick to the topic . Ethan : " Just rumors and some stuff I noticed last night . I'm not sure . I only said it to give you some peace of mind " Stella frowned . You can't go around guessing people's orientation without evidence . That's not okay . Ethan : " Got it . My bad Stella : " I'll just ask him later . She figured it was perfectly reasonable to be curious about her mortal enemy's orientation . After all , they didn't know how long they'd be sharing a house . Might as well be mentally prepared in case he brought some guy home one day . She stopped replying to Ethan , set down her phone , scratched at her messy hair , and got out of bed Pulling the curtains open with both hands , she winced as bright sunlight flooded the room . It took a few seconds to adjust before she could open her eyes fully . The sky was blue and clear , with scattered clouds . The garden looked lovely , full of seasonal flowers . 1/3 755 AM +5 Free Coins Chapter 11 I'll Just Ask Him Later Masses of bright pink roses were in bloom , and a gardener was trimming the branches . Stretching with both arms raised , she turned and looked around . Last night she'd been so tired she just dropped into the first familiar bedroom she saw and fell asleep . Only now did she notice that the room hadn't changed much at all . Still spotless , still decorated in the French style she used to love . The bedding was a refreshing pale green - fluffy and soft , Looked like Nathan had just treated it like a regular guest room . She opened the door and stepped out . Across the hall , the opposite door was open . A flash of white caught her eye Stella walked over and knocked lightly . " Nathan , you didn't go to work today ? " That room had always been a study . Still was , apparently . The handsome man inside wore a fitted white dress shirt that showed off the lines of his arms , He was focused on his laptop , clearly working . At the sound of her voice , Nathan turned . His gaze landed on her . She looked soft and lazy , still half - awake , with long hair falling over her shoulders and a few messy strands sticking up on her hend . It was kind of cute . Even though he'd stared at her all night , It still didn't feel like enough . Eleven years . No one knew how much he'd missed her . " Got off early today , " he said with a warm smile .. Stella wandered into the room . Up close , she could see the dark circles under his eyes - he hadn't slept well either . She had to admit , his smile was stunning . The little mole on the bridge of his nose shimmered under the light - refined and seductive all at once . Back in high school , she never noticed . She'd been too focused on studying . " Oh right , where are the clothes Ethan dropped off ? I want to shower . " Nathan looked calm . " The maid probably put them in your closet . " Stella grinned . " How thoughtful . By the way , do you like guys or girls ! " The sudden shift clearly threw him off . His brows pulled together . " What ? " Stella blinked , " No big deal . I'm super open - minded . I just want to be mentally prepared . If you bring some big guy home one day , won't be freaked out . " She had always been blunt . Nathan knew that about her . " Girls , " he said , adjusting his glasses . Stella looked curious . " Then how come you've never dated anyone ? You're pushing thirty - total old man status ." That was … unnecessarily blunt . " Haven't met the right person , " he said after a pause . 2/3 P P · Chapter 11 I'll Just Ask Him Later Stella shrugged " Fair enough . I'm gonna go shower . After the shower , Stella felt completely refreshed . She grabbed her phone and saw a message from Ethan on WhatsApp- I'm outside the villa . Taking you to dinner . " Stella replied : " On my way ." +5 Free Coins She stepped out of the room and saw Nathan was still in the study . She leaned in to say goodbye . " Nathan , Ethan's here to take me to dinner . I'll be back later . Don't forget to leave the door unlocked . " Nathan's eyes dimmed slightly , but his voice was still gentle . " Okay . Add me on WhatsApp . Let me know when you're back . " Stella stood in the doorway , " Sure . What's your number ?" After adding him , she waved . " I'm off ! " As her figure disappeared through the door , Nathan stood up . He crossed the hallway just in time to see her vanish down the stairs . He walked into her still - open room and looked out the window . Her silhouette was slim and bright , her long hair tied in a high ponytail that swayed in the breeze . man in a sleek black suit , with a bracelet on his wrist , got out of a car and opened the door for her . She stepped in The Bentley eased onto the winding mountain road and disappeared from sight . Nathan lifted a hand to close the curtains . He turned , walked back to his room , removed his glasses , took off his blazer and shoes . Pulling back the covers , he lay down . His tall frame sank into the bedding . He buried his face in the pillow , breathing in the lingering scent she'd left behind . His long lashes quivered . Only now did it feel real . She's really back . She smells so good …