“This is new,” he observed. “It seems as if you are trying to make a revenge dress, especially with this choice of color.”
“You notice everything, don’t you?” I said quietly.
“I do.”
“I have noticed something too. You never enter our room without knocking if you know I am inside. You also keep rotating the guards, and I recently found out that you have brought in a new chef.”
“Anya isn’t exactly a cook. The new chef is good. Besides, I want you to keep eating and finish your food rather than leaving every meal midway.”
“You noticed that?” I asked, staring at him in disbelief.
“I notice everything, Elisse.”
“Is that why you adjusted the lighting in the hallway?” I continued slowly. “Because I kept squinting.”
“Yes.”
“You moved the security camera near the balcony slightly higher.”
“You kept glancing at it. I could see it bothered you to have it so close.”
I swallowed.
“So you’re constantly watching me.”
“Yes.” The honesty should have unsettled me, but instead, it did something else. Something far more complicated.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you’re here.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is.”
He stepped closer to the table, picking up one of the fabric swatches between his fingers.
“Emerald,” he murmured. “I like this color.”
“I am changing the colors of the cushions as well. I believe emerald will suit the room better than beige.”
“It suits you better, too.” I rolled my eyes.
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant to be. It was simply a fact.” He placed the fabric back down.
“So you’ve decided to stay busy by finally designing your own collection, I believe. Is that why my men are running around buying fabrics in every color?”
“Yes, I have decided not to rot and simply work.” A faint, almost imperceptible curve touched his mouth.
“That makes me happy,” he said.
“This doesn’t mean I’m staying.”
“We’ve had this conversation already.”
“And I’m simply reminding you so you don’t forget.”
