Chapter 39: Chapter 39

LEXI

After Lexi showered, she looked for an outfit for dinner. Reece didn’t pick out much that was appropriate for company, but among the outfits, Lexi managed to find a halter-top dress that almost reached her knees. She didn’t put makeup on, but she applied moisturizer to her face and lips.

“This will have to do,” she said to her reflection in the mirror.

Lexi knew that Daniel was busy because he stayed in the office while the food was being prepared. He didn’t even react to her flirty “I’m going to take a shower” statement before she went upstairs.

Now Lexi descended the staircase and heard a voice far too raspy to be Daniel’s and not deep enough to be Jackson Sr.’s. Her steps slowed as she headed to the living room. There, a tall, handsome man about the same age as Daniel’s father stood up to greet her.

“Hello. I’m Chris Lannister Sr. You must be the girl everyone’s talking about.”

Lexi stopped moving.

The man looked like the older version of his son, but he had the same eyes as his daughter. The daughter who had tried to wreck Lexi’s relationship with Daniel.

Seeing that Lexi was frozen, Carlos stepped in to help. “Don’t worry, he’s harmless. Life is far too short to get involved in our children’s drama. We’d never be friends if we let our kids run our lives.”

Despite Carlos’s friendly words, Lexi still felt…odd. Speechless. What could she possibly say? ~Hi, nice to meet you, but your daughter is a bitch.~

No. Saying nothing was best.

Dinner wasn’t any less awkward. Daniel still hadn’t emerged from the study, and it was quiet. Too quiet. Their silverware ~clinking~ on the China plates was the only sound besides the composition “Requiem” by Mozart playing in the background. The heightening music only intensified the tension in the room.

After a few bites of her steak, Lexi thanked Carlos for the meal. She turned to Lannister Sr. and smiled politely before excusing herself to bring Daniel’s plate to him.

Once she reached the study, Lexi cautiously knocked. Hearing no response, she cracked the door open and heard soft snoring travel into the hallway.

Daniel was fast asleep, his head resting on the mahogany desk. He looked so at peace that Lexi did not dare to wake him, so she carried his plate to the kitchen, carefully wrapped it, and placed it into the refrigerator.

She returned to the study with a blanket and a small throw pillow she’d found on the living room couch. She placed his head gently on the pillow, then covered his upper body with the blanket.

Someone cleared their throat, and Lexi looked up. Lannister Sr. was standing in the doorway.

“You really love him, don’t you?” he asked, pushing his hands into his pants pockets.

There was a part of her that wanted to ask, “What’s it to you?” but that wouldn’t have been mature. Of course, neither was it right to tell him how she felt before she even had a chance to tell Daniel. So, she smiled instead.

Lannister Sr. looked straight into her eyes. “I can tell that you do. But that doesn’t mean it will be enough.”

Lexi didn’t have to ask what he meant by that because he kept talking.

“Daniel here…I’ve known him since he was a baby. Literally. I know him better than you. He’ll get bored eventually; he always does. But I admire you for trying to change him, even if it’s for a short while.”

Lexi’s palm felt like it was on fire. She’d folded her fists so tightly that her nails had begun to dig into the flesh.

“I’m not asking him to change. He’s doing that on his own. If he gets bored, I won’t be hurt or surprised. Everyone knows there’s nothing special about me anyway. I appreciate his efforts, and I want to make him happy for as long as he allows me to do so.”

She hated her own words more than anything. Of course, she would be hurt if he got bored. But she would rather die than admit that to Camille’s father.

“You don’t seem like the kind of girl they’re calling you online,” the man said, smiling. “I admire your strength. Don’t let it get to you.”

Lexi wasn’t sure if Lannister Sr. was being sincere or just spouting more things to get under her skin, but she didn’t get the chance to find out. Apparently done with the conversation since he didn’t get the answer or reaction he was looking for, he walked away.

Lexi closed the door to the study and sank to the floor at Daniel’s feet. She hadn’t dared to check the internet since they arrived, but now she had to see how far things had gone.

When she searched her own name, tons of articles popped up. There were countless headlines from e-magazine editors she used to look up to—all bashing her as the outsider who was trying to infect Daniel with the “nobody disease.”

“Camille announced the name of Daniel’s sidepiece.”

“Camille threatens to leave if Daniel doesn’t leave this nobody alone!”

“Trouble with Jackson Corp, now that investors are taking sides.”

“How will things ever be the same for the billionaire after the blow to his stocks this week?”

“Business deals hanging by a thread after the scandal and relationship betrayals persist.”

“Investors stand to choose between Lannister and Jackson Corp.”

They had even managed to find information on a few of the foster homes she spent time in before Reece took her away, as well as the photo of her and Daniel at Josh’s fundraiser.

Lexi couldn’t read another word. Seeing worry lines on Daniel’s forehead, tears began to sting her eyes.

“Is this why you’ve been so busy, why you haven’t touched any food since we got here?” she asked quietly. “All this because I love you? All this because you love me?”

As Lexi continued to sob in silence, she heard Daniel shift. She quickly dried her face before he raised his head.

Daniel frowned at the pillow and the blanket. Then he looked down and found Lexi sitting by his feet. He stretched and groaned.

“Damn, I’m sorry. I fell asleep. What time is it?”

Lexi plastered a smile on her face as she looked up at him. “It’s late. I brought food in for you, but you were sleeping. I can go warm it up.”

He pulled her into his lap and cuddled her tightly, sniffing her hair and planting soft kisses on her cheek. The act was enough to break her into five million pieces.

“I’m not hungry,” Daniel murmured into her neck.

Lexi shifted so that their lips would connect. Kissing him was the best way she could express her turmoil, her helplessness; the act felt cold, warm, and crippling all at the same time, all in the best way. Like there was more to be said, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

She trembled in his arms, and he held her closer, tighter. Keeping her safe, just as he’d done so far to the best of his ability. Even while risking the progression of his own business.

Lexi did not have words to tell him how she felt about that sacrifice, so all she could do was continue kissing him. The kiss continued for so long that her lips became swollen. When they finally stopped for air, she cupped his cheeks with both hands.

“Make love to me,” she whispered.