Liesa paused, then smiled. "Mr. Romano paid a high price to hire me. Of course I have to live up to it." She thought, The money meant little, but the annoyance lingered.
"Reeking of money," Angus said coldly, his expression darkening. Even he didn't understand why that answer irritated him.
Liesa only smiled and continued the massage. Soon, his breathing grew slow and steady. When she noticed he had fallen asleep, she quietly reached over and pressed the remote for the curtains. The room dimmed at once, wrapping them both in soft darkness.
When Angus woke up, it was already lunchtime. He surfaced slowly from a rare, peaceful sleep. The first thing he saw was Liesa sitting on a small stool, quietly reading. His right foot was still resting on her lap.
The moment he shifted, Liesa noticed. She looked up and smiled. "You're awake, Mr. Romano?"
Angus didn't answer. His gaze sharpened as he studied her. Liesa felt a little uneasy under that stare. "Mr. Romano?" she asked carefully.
He still said nothing. Up close, his face really was unfair. Sharp brows, deep eyes, a straight nose. Just looking at him could make someone's heart race.
For most people, that would be attraction. For Liesa, it was pressure. She was just about to say something when a restrained knock came from the door.
"Mr. Romano, it's time for lunch," someone called from outside.
Angus finally looked away. Liesa quietly let out a breath. She helped him put his socks and shoes back on with practiced movements, then reached out to steady him.
"Move," Angus said with a frown. "You didn't wash your hands."
"…"Liesa forced a professional smile. She thought,
"Reeking of money," Angus muttered, his tone sharp, his gaze dark. Even he wasn't sure why the thought annoyed him.
Liesa only smiled and continued the massage. His breathing slowed, deep and even. When she realized he'd fallen asleep, she quietly pressed the curtain remote. Soft darkness enveloped the room.
Hours later, Angus stirred. Lunchtime. His eyes opened to Liesa sitting on the stool, quietly reading. His foot still rested on her lap.
"You're awake, Mr. Romano?" Liesa asked, glancing up.
He didn't respond, only studied her with sharp intensity. Liesa felt a twinge of unease. "Mr. Romano?" she repeated cautiously.
Up close, his face really was unfair. Sharp brows, deep eyes, a straight nose. Just looking at him could make someone's heart race. For most people, that would be attraction. For Liesa, it was pressure.
"Mr. Romano, it's time for lunch," a voice called.
Angus finally looked away. Liesa quietly let out a breath. She helped him put his socks and shoes back on with practiced movements, then reached out to steady him.
"Move," Angus said, frowning. "You didn't wash your hands."
Liesa forced a professional smile.
Angus rose with his cane. At the door, he glanced sideways. "What time this afternoon?"
Liesa's heart lifted. "Two, if you're free."
"I'm not. Two-ten," he said flatly. He hated seeing her hopeful expression.
"...Whatever makes you happy, Mr. Romano. I'll be here all day," she said, forcing calm.
Angus caught the flicker in her eyes and scoffed softly before leaving. At the doorway, he glanced back. Liesa watched, slightly smiling.
The door slammed. Alone, Liesa collapsed onto the couch, dramatic but satisfied. Her shoulders were stiff, yet her lips curved upward.
If Angus was willing to cooperate with rehab, it meant he was finally facing the injury instead of running from it. Facing the pain was the first step to melting the resentment inside him.
When Liesa had signed the contract with the core personality, the terms had been crystal clear: three million dollars to resolve one personality, paid immediately. Clear and simple. Once all personalities were healed, a ten-million bonus awaited. Enough to wipe out debts and open her own studio.
The thought of that money eased her frustration over Mr. Romano cutting her salary.
Angus entered the dining room, calm as ever, and sat down. His phone lit up with a live feed from the rehab room. On screen, Liesa sprawled across the couch, rolling from side to side. One second poised and elegant, the next ridiculous, as if performing a solo drama. Even without sound, her inner chaos was obvious.
Angus stared blankly at the screen. Behind him, Sam accidentally caught a glimpse. <…> In over fifty years, he'd never seen someone act so differently in private than in public. Had Liesa not gotten Angus to stay in the rehab room earlier, Sam would have politely shown her the door.