Chapter 586
Chapter 586:
John winked at him and added, “Whatever you say, man p>
“What do you want?” Austin demanded, arms crossed.
John took a step forward. “Well, you booked the two nicest suites in the entire hotel—one for Yelena, one for you. Where exactly am I supposed to sleep?” Austin didn’t even blink. “Try the streets p>
The door slammed shut before John could protest. He stood in the hallway, gaping, then began pounding on the door.
“Austin! You can’t just toss me out like yesterday’s trash p>
A moment later, the door next to Austin’s cracked open, and Yelena poked her head out.
She regarded John curiously, a slight tilt to her head. “Mr. Bowen? Everything alright p>
John felt the color drain from his face. No way he was admitting he’d been locked out.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” he blurted. “Just had a quick discussion with Austin. I’m on my way now p>
He coughed into his hand, desperate to seem nonchalant. “Hope we didn’t disturb you p>
Yelena shook her head. “Not at all p>
“Alright then. Have a good night.” John offered a half-smile and hurried off down the hallway.
Still leaning in the doorway, Yelena watched him go. She glanced at the suite next to hers, lost in thought.
Austin was staying in the room next door?
The next morning, as Yelena stepped into the hallway, the door to the suite beside hers swung open.
Out walked Austin, dressed casually instead of the business attire he had worn the day before. The change was striking—less corporate, more relaxed, and, for a brief moment, almost boyish.
He caught sight of Yelena and paused. For the briefest second, there was a sparkle of pleasant surprise in his eyes, but it flickered away so quickly that Yelena barely caught it.
𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖊: ⸰co⸰m
“Fancy seeing you,” Austin said in an easy tone.
Yelena simply shrugged. After all, he had arranged their rooms. It wasn’t much of a coincidence. “Yeah, morning,” she replied.
“You heading home today?” he asked. “I could drive you p>
She shook her head. “Thanks, but no. I’ve got errands to run p>
Austin responded without thinking. “I’ll tag along.” Then he froze. He realized, for all he knew, her plans might be personal.
Still, he kept his expression neutral, hoping she hadn’t noticed the sudden flicker of doubt.
Yelena glanced at Austin, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Trust me, you probably won’t want to go where I’m headed p>
Austin raised a brow. “How can you be so sure when you haven’t even told me the destination p>
She hesitated. He had a point. “Alright then,” she said with a tiny shrug, relenting.
They ended up in a lively, old neighborhood—crammed with makeshift stalls, small shops, and a constant hum of chatter.
As Yelena hopped out, Austin waited patiently, assuming she had someone to visit in the area. But instead, she ducked into a bustling store, loaded up on snacks and canned peaches, and then slipped right back into the passenger seat.
Austin eyed the bags in the back seat. “I figured you’d be visiting somebody here,” he said, throwing the car into gear. “Didn’t think you’d just pop in to shop p>
Yelena shot him a sidelong glance. “You look like you’ve never been to a place like this p>
Austin lifted a hand in mock protest. “That’s where you’re wrong. My grandfather used to live in a neighborhood just like this. Even after my family struck it rich, he refused to move, saying these old blocks had a warmth you couldn’t find elsewhere—especially not in those high-end gated communities.” A faint shadow crossed his face, as though he were momentarily transported back to simpler days.