Maria was still in Bernard's room, sitting quietly on his bed, lost in thought. Her mind circled around the housing issue and the mystery of the missing documents.
"I need to find a way to meet Mr. Frederick," she thought, biting her lip. "He must have something to tell me. Why else would he choose to stay in our apartment instead of one of his many other houses?"
As she drifted deeper into her thoughts, she didn't notice when Bernard left her side. She only snapped out of her daze when she turned to find the bed empty.
Just as she was about to stand up and leave the room, the bathroom door swung open—and there he was.
Bernard emerged half-dressed, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Water trickled slowly down his broad, hairy chest, catching the light in a way that made Maria's breath hitch. Her eyes, helplessly drawn to the sight, lingered too long.
She quickly averted her gaze, mentally scolding herself.
But it was too late.
