Chapter 190: What if I Say Yes

“Did you miss me?” Derek asked.

Vivienne rose gracefully, crossing to the sofa. She picked up a cherry, its deep crimson hue contrasting beautifully with her delicate fingers. Tilting her head slightly, she popped it into her mouth, her lips parting with effortless elegance.

Derek watched intently on the screen, his eyes darkening. He swallowed, his throat tightening as if her every gesture held a physical pull. Vivienne deliberately spat the pit into her hand, her gaze meeting his. “What if I say yes?” she teased.

Her words resonated in his mind, simple yet sweeter than any confession he’d ever heard. A wave of warmth washed over him, and for a moment, he was lost in the joy of her response. His eyes remained fixed on her, unguarded and almost possessive. He didn't even notice his own foolish grin.

Vivienne sensed the silence stretching between them and sighed softly. So, Derek was that easily pleased. For once, she relished having the upper hand, the one who had rendered him speechless.

Then, his voice, low and husky, broke the silence. “That makes me feel a lot better.”

“Hmm?” Vivienne raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“After all, I’ve been thinking about you constantly,” he continued, his tone deepening, almost possessive.

Vivienne was caught off guard, her pulse quickening. Derek watched her closely, a playful glint in his eyes as he admired the faint blush on her cheeks. “To be fair,” he added with a teasing smile, “I allow you to think about me all the time, without stopping.”

“In your dreams!” Vivienne scoffed, lifting her chin. But reaching for the fruit platter, she misjudged the distance, knocking it over. Her phone slipped, the camera angle shifting to focus inadvertently on her chest. The top two buttons of her blouse were undone, revealing her neck and collarbones. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically, her curves subtly visible beneath the fabric.

Derek’s gaze darkened, his eyes narrowing. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone. “Vivienne.”

The way he said her name was almost hypnotic, rich with desire. She looked at him, confusion flickering in her eyes.

“You know I can’t stop thinking about you,” he continued smoothly. “And yet you still tease me like this? Did you do it on purpose?”

Vivienne glanced down, realizing the camera was trained on her chest. Her cheeks flushed crimson. She scrambled to pick up her phone, her voice stumbling. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Yes. You did it on purpose,” Derek interrupted firmly, almost accusatorily.

Vivienne bit her lip, speechless. She couldn’t talk her way out of this.

“Don’t worry,” Derek murmured, his eyes lingering on her blush. His lips curled with satisfaction. “I’m great at waiting for the perfect moment to settle scores.”

He paused, his gaze softening with amusement. “It’s getting late. You should head to bed. Good night.”

Reluctant to end the conversation, Vivienne glanced at him, her heart racing. Too embarrassed to say more, she simply nodded. “Good night.”

“Alright,” Derek replied, his voice warmer.

After hanging up, Derek immediately called Milo. “Who did she meet today?”

A frown darkened Derek’s expression. Vivienne’s troubled look earlier had unsettled him. He couldn’t think of anyone in Lyhaton who could disturb her—except the Mitchell family.

Milo sensed the tension in Derek’s tone. He didn't need to ask who Derek meant and replied without hesitation, “Miss Hayes ran into Warren and Natalie earlier today.”

A long silence followed.