Semua Bab The Unexpected Roomate: Bab 21 - Bab 30

A year later, Max arrived home from work with a bag from the pricey grocery store downtown and an expression she couldn't quite read, while Grace was arguing with her laptop.The woman said, "Please tell me you didn't spend our entire food budget on truffle oil again," without raising her eyes from her screen."I didn't spend our entire food budget on truffle oil.""But you did spend some of our food budget on truffle oil.""A reasonable amount of our food budget on truffle oil."When Grace looked up at last, she saw Max unpacking ingredients that most certainly weren't from their typical frugal shopping excursions. Fresh lobster, authentic saffron, what appeared to be wagyu beef, and, yes, a small bottle of truffle oil that likely cost more than their monthly Netflix subscription."What's the occasion?" she inquired."Can't I cook something nice without there being an occasion?""You can and do. But you don't always look like you're going to vomit while doing it."Max stopped in his

Agent Santos consented to meet them in a coffee shop in Federal Plaza downtown, the type of impersonal chain store that seemed perfectly impartial for a discussion that may lead to charges of federal wrongdoing.Grace needed time to calm down and gather her thoughts, so she arrived fifteen minutes early. Still wearing his chef's coat and bearing the weight of a hectic lunch service, Max arrived home from work right away.As he moved into the booth across from her, he questioned, "You sure about this?""No, but I'm sure I need to know the truth."Santos showed up at just the right moment, looking older than Grace had recalled but maintaining the assured demeanor of someone used to being the most intelligent person in the room. He started right away after ordering a black coffee.He said, "I read your father's book," without introducing himself. "I assume that's why we're here.""Is it true?" Grace inquired. "Were you aware that Derek was getting worse? Three days ago, could you have ar

Grace entered the kitchen, where Max was waiting. His demeanour was deliberately neutral, as if he had been practicing this moment ever since she left. She could see he had set the table with their nice plates, the ones they typically saved for rare occasions, and the flat smelt of herbs and garlic.He remained standing at the stove and enquired, "How did it go?"Grace placed the mail and her purse on the counter, giving herself a moment to think of a way to describe a discussion that had completely changed the way she saw the world. "It was complicated.""Good complicated or bad complicated?""Both. Not at all. Mason turned off the hob and faced her directly. "Do you wish to talk about it now or after dinner?""Now, I think. Before I lose my nerve.They sat at their modest dining table, the perfectly prepared food getting cold between them as Grace struggled to express what she had learnt. She told him about her father's reasons for authoring the book, his fears about Santos' techni

Three weeks later, Grace sat across from Agent Santos in the same impersonal coffee shop, but their talk felt different. She requested for the meeting and wrote down questions that needed to be answered before she could start."Thank you for coming to see me again," she told me.Santos stirred his black coffee while scrutinising her face. "You look different. "More settled.""I've made some decisions about my father's book and your investigation.""And?""I won't testify against you if this goes to trial. But I am not going to defend your ways."Santos nodded slowly. "That seems fair.""I need to comprehend something, however. Did you ever think we may fall in love while you were keeping an eye on us? Not only a trauma bond, but true concern for one another?"Honestly? No. "I expected the relationship to end once the immediate danger had passed.""But it didn't.""No, it did not. This shows I was mistaken about the nature of your connection."Grace experienced a strange sense of vindi

They had precisely four days to get ready for the most straightforward wedding either of them had ever organised, as the courthouse wedding was set for Thursday morning at ten-thirty. On Wednesday morning, Grace awoke to the sound of a persistent knock on their flat door. Max's voice came from the kitchen, expressing uncertainty over who could be paying them a visit at seven in the morning.With a tone that suggested he was already mentally listing possible emergency situations, he yelled, "Grace, are you expecting anyone?"She retorted, "No," putting on a robe and stumbling to the front door. She saw a familiar figure through the peephole, carrying what looked like a small luggage and numerous food bags.She told Max, "It's Lyla," and he instantly displayed a mixture of delight and worry.Lyla, Grace's elder sister, had a knack for showing up at the exact times when her presence would provide the most nuance. She was prosperous, well-meaning, and utterly unable to comprehend why othe