Verena frowned. "This… isn't this a bit much? I mean, Little Benny can come see me anytime. I don't need to—"
Louis pressed a hand to his forehead, his expression calm but firm.
"I can't let the world know about his existence yet. I have a lot of enemies right now. With my position, it isn't convenient to keep bringing Little Benny out either." He paused, looking directly at her, his tone softening. "I know this puts you in an awkward spot, but as Little Benny's father, I must make this request. I hope you can agree."
Verena felt a headache starting to form.
She would have walked away immediately if Louis had used his power or status to force her hand but he wasn't doing that. He wasn't pressuring her, just… asking.
With sincerity in his dark, impossibly handsome face, it was hard for her to outright refuse.
"I… I don't know," she murmured, twisting her fingers nervously. "It just feels… complicated. I can manage him fine without moving in—he's always happy with me."
Louis stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to reach only her ears.
"Verena, I trust no one else to calm him the way you do. He feels safe with you. Please."
Verena bit her lip, she wanted to say no, but part of her couldn't deny the truth in his words.
She recalled her time with Little Benny. The distinct sweet scent unique to children wafted up from his body. This threw Verena emotions into turmoil.
She was obviously used to avoiding little kids, but why was she unable to hate Little Benny?
"Okay. I will start staying in this house with him." She agreed.
Louis frowned when he heard her say she will start staying with him. He was also in this house so she could say… never mind.
"Thank you." Still Louis relaxed.
"You should go sleep. Good night." Verena said and walked towards her own room.
"Verena." Louis called her name making her stop. She watched Louis walking towards her and she felt herself getting anxious a little.
"These are the house keys," Louis said, handing her a small keyring. "The main door is locked with a password: 280918."
"Mr. Louis… aren't you worried I'll bring men over while you're gone?" Verena's eyes narrowed playfully as she held the keys.
"Men…?" Louis blinked, momentarily confused.
She gave him a pointed look, as if to say, you know exactly what I mean.
Louis's lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw tightening.
His imagination ran wild; her laughing with strangers, flirting, throwing a party in his house, him storming in and throwing punches at anyone who dared get too close to her. His chest burned with irritation.
Suddenly, someone clapped in front of him, breaking his spiraling thoughts.
He turned sharply to see Verena, smiling and calling his name.
"Huh?" he muttered, shaking his head, trying to clear the image from his mind.
"I've been calling you," she said lightly, laughing. "I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Louis exhaled slowly, realizing he had been lost in a half-imagined scene, and forced himself to shake his head again, trying to banish the irrational jealousy that had crept in.
Louis stepped closer, his eyes burnt with possessiveness.
"You know. If you do bring men here… I might have to come home early and make them regret ever thinking they could be near you."
"Oh?" Verena arched a brow, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "And how exactly would you do that?" She wanna know.
"Depends," he murmured, leaning slightly closer. "Could be a warning… or I might make sure they remember me, every single time they think of you."
Verena laughed nervously, shaking her head, but a shiver ran down her spine.
"You're impossible," she teased, trying to mask how his words affected her.
"Am I?" he replied, stepping even closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Or maybe… you secretly like it when I'm a little… unreasonable?"
Verena's playful smirk faltered just a bit, and Louis noticed the faint flush rising on her cheeks.
He let his hand brush against hers lightly as he handed her the key.
"Don't worry," he whispered, his tone dark yet intimate, "I'll only be unreasonable… for you."