The next morning, Alyssa woke up groggily, still disoriented.


    Her eyes suddenly fluttered open, and she bolted upright in bed. She found herself in a monochromatic


    the scent of incense wafting through the air, making her feel rxed.


    room,


    “This is a man’s bedroom… Jameson’s room?” Alyssa gasped, her head throbbing as if she had been


    struck in the head.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    The only thing she recalled fromst night was the fight with Jasper. After that, her memory nked.


    Heart racing, she quickly left the room.


    In the kitchen downstairs, Jameson was making breakfast for Alyssa. He was wearing a white shirt with


    his sleeves rolled up.


    He was bathed in the morning sunlight that cast a gentle, almost ethereal glow over his features. He


    looked like a soft painting.


    Jameson frequently cooked, but he never bothered with an apron as he never wore the same outfit


    twice.


    “Jameson,” Alyssa called out to him. He cast a gentle nce and said, “Lyse, you’re up. How are you


    feeling?”


    “Jameson,” Alyssa began.


    “Lyse, didn’t we agree on ‘Jimmy’ from now on?” he teased. He busied himself around the kitchen like


    a


    dutiful spouse.


    “You weren’t feeling wellst night and fainted. I think it might have been abination of low blood


    sugar and some moodiness. Don’t worry-although you slept in my room, I didn’ty a hand on you.”


    “I know,” she replied, rubbing her forehead in exhaustion. She wasn’t some inexperienced youngdy.


    She had no idea about her low blood sugar, but one thing was for sure-she had been upsetst night.


    Her past traumas had a way of triggering painful reactions, putting her in agony each time.


    She was quite surprised that she had fainted from the psychological reaction. Jasper Beckett was


    indeed


    a curse.


    “Breakfast is ready. Come, Lyse, Jameson coaxed her gently as he set the table. They almost looked


    like newlyweds, with Jameson ying the part of a devoted husband preparing breakfast for his still-


    sleepy


    wife.


    “It’s okay. I’m not hungry. Thank you for the offer, though, she responded. After spending the night in a


    stranger’s home, she already felt uneasy. Having breakfast together was out of the question.


    She wasn’t an easy woman.


    “Thanks for your hospitality. I need to go home because I have something to do.” Alyssa thanked him


    and pressed her lips awkwardly. She headed to the entrance.


    Feeling his chest tighten, Jameson hurried after her. “Lyse, did I upset you in some way?”


    “No. I’m simply not used to staying the night at some random man’s ce, not to mention having


    breakfast together. That’s not my style,” she exined tly with a forced smile.


    Her words stung him, and he clenched his fists.


    Jameson pondered silently, “Why had she allowed Jasper to hug her but declined to have breakfast


    with


    me?”


    He couldn’t help but wonder what might have unfolded had he not intervened in timest night. Would


    Alyssa and Jasper have kissed? Would she have invited Jasper Beckett to spend the night at her vi?


    Alyssa’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She saw the call from Jonah and answered, “Hey,


    Jonah.”