When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0369

“Well, then you’re mistaken. I can’t speak for others, but as for me–I’ve got a heart of stone,” Winter declared.

Zach couldn’t help but laugh out loud,

“Tsk, why are you always laughing?” Winter complained.

“Well, should I cry instead?”

“Sure, I’ll hand you some tissues.”

Zach fell silent before taking out his lighter. Winter gestured for him to hand it over. He assumed she had finally shown some kindness and wanted to light his cigarette, but instead, she slapped his hand away.

“I want a cigarette!” she exclaimed. “What am I supposed to do with a lighter? You’re so out of it…”

Zach was left bewildered.

He lit one for himself first and, without waiting for her to remind him, obediently held out the lighter to light her cigarette.

The flame flickered, illuminating her face. She leaned in, trapping the cigarette between her teeth, her red lips leaving a distinct lipstick mark on the filter.

Zach found himself momentarily entranced.

“Hey, put out the flame,” she snapped.

“Uh–right!” He quickly tucked the lighter back into his pocket.

44

They lingered in the bar for about two hours, finishing off a bottle of red wine. By the time they stepped out, it was already past midnight.

Neither of them could drive after drinking.

Winter considered getting a designated driver, but the app showed there were 36 people ahead in line. She stared in disbelief.

“Forget it,” Zach said. “It’s a Saturday night in this part of town, no chance of getting one for at least an hour.”

“Fine, I’ll just grab a cab and come back for my car tomorrow.”

However, the line for cabs was even worse!

Winter stood frozen. Suddenly, her eyes brightened as she turned toward Zach. “How are you getting home?”

He replied casually, “I’m not going home.”

“What do you mean?”

“See that hotel across the street?” He pointed at it.

+25 BONL

Chapter 0369

Winter nodded. “I see it. So?”

“It’s my family’s.”

“And?”

“I’m staying there, obviously. Why head home when there’s a perfectly good hotel right here?”

Winter blinked in realization, then grinned. “Why didn’t I think of that? Alright, let’s crash there tonight.”

Zach coughed.

What did she mean by “we“?

He almost choked on his words. Even so, Winter wasn’t done surprising him.

“What are you standing around for? Let’s go get a room!” she called out.

She was taughing as she crossed the street, her hair flowing in the night breeze. Her legs were long, and her waist was slender. She was just effortlessly stunning.

Zach hurried after her. “Hey lady, take it easy! Watch for cars!”

At the hotel’s front desk, Zach instructed, “Get her a room.”

“Right away, sir,” the receptionist replied.

Winter raised an eyebrow. “And you? Not getting a room?”

“I already have a suite here,” Zach said. “I can come and stay whenever.”

“Then get me a suite too.”

Zach couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re really something, you know that?”

“As the only officially recognized girlfriend of the esteemed Zach Graham, are you saying I don’t have even this much privilege at a Graham family’s hotel? Aren’t you worried people would laugh at you?”

She actually said it with a straight face.

“Fine,” Zach conceded. “Assign her a permanent suite, same as mine.”

Winter smirked. “Now we’re talking.”

They then grabbed their room keys and took the elevator to the top floor. Their rooms faced each other, and they swiped their cards and went in.

After taking a shower, Zach was about to settle into bed when there was a knock on his door.

“Mr. Zach, this is Dani, the new girl,” the hotel manager introduced with a wide grin.

He then turned toward the girl and said, “Dani, be sharp, alright? Make sure you take good care of Mr. Zach.”

“Yes, sir,” the woman responded shyly, her voice soft and sweet, dripping with honey.