Chapter 46: CHAPTER 46: Stoic and Endearing

　　Sunlight pierced through a gap in the curtains, cutting through the remnants of sleep clinging to me. I blinked, disoriented for a moment before the events of the previous night flooded back.

　　Panic jolted me upright. Where was Alexander? A quick scan of the room eased my anxiety. The bed beside me was empty, the sheets rumpled, a silent testament to the fact that he had slept beside me.

　　The sound of running water filtered in from the bathroom. The shower. Taking a deep breath, I sat up and surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. My bag was sitting on the plush armchair beside me, my shoes all over the place.

　　Shame flared in my cheeks. What had I been thinking, agreeing to spend the night here? Curiosity had morphed into a strange sense of protectiveness, and before I knew it, I had dozed off.

　　Stealing a glance at my watch, I saw it was already late. I needed to get out of here and head to the office before things got any more complicated.