"Is there any chance I can take you out for dinner?"
Jennifer was quickly learning that men who drawled invitations like that should be criminalized.
She shook her head—not in refusal, but because she didn't trust herself to say no out loud.
Adrian had found her back at the landlady's office. By then, Jennifer had already called the landlady, who had tutted sympathetically.
"Oh dear."
And then, brightly, "Yes, such lively boys."
At least now Jennifer knew she had done the right thing by placing the lease and cheque in the inbox. Apparently, that was the correct procedure.
Feeling oddly responsible, she even offered to help as the landlady's assistant.
"Why would I need an assistant, my dear?" the landlady laughed. "I'm retired now."
And before Jennifer could protest—
"That building was my happily ever after. I'm just grateful I found someone willing to take care of it."
And then the landlady sort of drifted into her own thoughts, the way elderly ladies were bound to do, "I've always made this building my home and everyone in it my family."
Jennifer swallowed. Yes, she had been the recipient of so much kindness here.
When Jennifer didn't speak, the landlady promised, "Take care of it, and it will take care of you."
And somehow, after all that, Jennifer found herself seated across the table, at a rather nice restaurant, from a very sexy band manager who looked like he had stepped straight out of a webnovel.
Not just a webnovel.
One of hers.
Specifically, the revenge one.
Was it normal for a band manager to look like this? Had she done something wrong in a past life? Or rather—perhaps she had done something very right.
It turned out that head-turning, sexy Adrian only wanted to discuss the lease.
"These boys work harder than any idol group I've ever managed," he said casually over dinner. "This is their first time living outside the dorms. I'm grateful you were able to empty the building for them. They can't afford distractions."
Jennifer nodded dumbly.
Adrian seemed entirely convinced that she was the landlady. And although Jennifer was an honest woman who would normally correct such misunderstandings, explaining why the deed was suddenly in her name—when she herself didn't fully understand it—felt impossible in Adrian's presence.
Her brain had shut down operations.
There was a quiet pause. Adrian studied her for a moment before saying mildly, "I hope our relationship will be a long and happy one."
O… our… re—re—relationship?
Even Jennifer's thoughts were stuttering.
She kept her mouth firmly shut. Nothing good would come from using it right now.
When Adrian looked her in the eyes, she dropped her fork.
He was very understanding, and the waiter replaced it.
Anyway, Adrian wanted to inform her that despite his reputation for being a hard negotiator, he was a reasonable man. While the boys occupied the fifth floor, Jennifer was free to lease out the first three floors, as long as the tenants weren't problematic.
Jennifer couldn't remember what she answered. She wouldn't be able to tell you what she ate either.
When they returned to the building, there was a young man standing in the lobby.
Which was strange, considering the entrance required keycard access.
"Hey, kid," Adrian said, stepping forward. "How did you get in here?"
"I'm here to rent an apartment." The dark-haired teen held up his phone.
Jennifer squinted. "I didn't put up an ad."
"It's an old one," Adrian said, checking the posting date. "But it's fine."
Upstairs, Jennifer called the landlady again.
"Oh! I must have forgotten to take it down," the landlady said cheerfully. "Check the drawer labeled Leases. If his name's in there, he gets the room."
Jennifer hung up and turned back to the boy. "What's your name?"
"Damien Darkfall."
Funny. Jennifer paused there. Damien Darkfall was also the name of the male lead in her werewolf webnovel.
She shook it off and checked the filing drawer under D.
There it was.
#01-03. Ground floor unit, left side.
Damien had his ID and paperwork ready. "This is my college acceptance letter."
"That's just down the road," Adrian said approvingly.
Why was he still here?
"Thanks," Damien said, pulling out his phone. "I can transfer the money now too."
Once everything was settled, Damien excused himself to his new apartment.
"Good-looking kid," Adrian said. "A little broody, but with his build and charisma, the right training would make him a star."
Yeah, but maybe because he was an alpha werewolf.
Wait—no. There was no such thing as werewolves.
Jennifer placed the signed paperwork into the leather paper tray.
Then she froze.
Wait.
Where was Adrian's lease?
She stared at the empty table.
"Did you misplace something?" Adrian asked.
Why was he still here? She could not function like this.
"Ah… your, um… lease," Jennifer admitted. If she were the landlady, losing a tenant's documents and cheque would look very bad. Hypothetically.
"Did you file it?" Adrian asked.
No. This wasn't really her office—
But Adrian raised an eyebrow and smiled, and Jennifer panicked. She pulled open the lease drawer and found his lease neatly filed inside.
Stamped PAID in red.
She was rewarded with another lethal smile.
He might as well have shot her. She was already brain-dead.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Adrian asked casually.
Illegal. Absolutely illegal. Arrest this man immediately.
Jennifer blinked. "What?"
Adrian shrugged. "I think I've just become a convert."
"Okay," Jennifer said, nodding.
"I must admit, I'm curious." Adrian sat himself on her desk. Do not imagine this. It was detrimental to one's sanity.
"On one hand, you're very shrewd." He lifted the newly signed lease. "Did you already know I would allow you to take in other tenants?"
Jennifer shook her head.
Until this afternoon, she hadn't even known she owned the building.
"I believe you." Adrian dropped the document back into the tray and stood.
"Do not betray my trust. I promise it would break my heart."
"Okay."
Jennifer was absolutely certain that once he left—and her brain regained full function—she was going to hate herself.