His sudden words caught Marina off guard. She turned to look at Daron, who was clearly annoyed, her eyes wide with panic.
“Did I talk in my sleep just now?” she asked.
‘Crap! Did I blurt out something I shouldn’t have, and he heard it?‘ Marina thought, her heart racing.
She was dying of embarrassment inside.
Daron didn’t answer. He simply turned his gaze away from her and slipped his sleep mask back on.
Marina went quiet for a moment. For some reason, she felt a lump in her throat and her nose tingled.
She averted her gaze as well.
After a while, Daron’s deep voice broke the silence, his tone cold.
“We’re past the
point of no return. Trying to back out now would just be dumb,” he said.
Marina nervously bit her lip at his words.
She figured out why Daron had asked her that question. He must’ve thought she’d been dreaming about Lavern just now.
That was probably why he looked so upset.
Still, Marina had to admit he had a point.
They’d come this far. Turning back now would just be stupid.
She wasn’t good enough for Lavern ten years ago, and she was even less worthy now.
‘You have to know your own limits, Marina thought to herself.
Marina looked away from Daron’s striking face, her eyes drifting to the window as she murmured softly.
“Mr. Zamora, you misunderstood. Lavern wasn’t in my dream. I’m not going to backtrack now. I’ll help you win Ross Group, no matter what,” she said.
Daron didn’t move. He just leaned back in his seat, looking like he was asleep.
After Marina finished speaking, she didn’t say another word. She leaned her head against the seat, her bright eyes turning glassy with emotion.
The plane landed in Vrufield.
By the time they touched down, Marina had managed to pull herself together,
Daron still had his sleep mask on. Marina couldn’t tell if he was awake or asleep.
She reached out and gently nudged his arm.
“Mr. Zamora, we’re here,” she said softly.
Daron finally lifted his sleep mask, glanced out the window, then let his eyes sweep over her clear, pretty face. Seeing she wasn’t upset, he turned his gaze away.
After grabbing their luggage, they headed out together through the VIP exit.
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Chapter 132
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Garret was waiting at the door. When he saw Marina and Daron coming out together, he hurried over to take Daron’s luggage and gave Marina a polite nod.
“Ms. Finley,” he greeted.
Marina nodded with a smile. “Good evening, Mr. Lopez.”
“Good evening,” Garret replied, but as soon as he said it, he could tell Daron was giving him a look like nothing he did was right.
Garret gave Daron a quick smile.
“Cousin, I’ve already booked the restaurant. Do you want to go straight there, or swing by your place first?” he asked.
Daron strode toward the car and said in a deep, commanding tone.
“Straight to the restaurant,” he said.
Garret quickly loaded the luggage into the trunk. “Got it. Let’s head straight to the restaurant.”
Marina scanned her surroundings, walking slowly.
Even after Daron was already in the car, she still hadn’t reached it.
Noticing this, Garret quietly reminded her.
“Ms. Finley, please get in the car,” he said softly.
Marina finally tore her eyes away from the distance and walked over to Daron’s car, speaking softly, “Mr. Zamora, Kara said she’s coming to pick me up, so I’ll head out with her instead…”
Daron glanced up at her and replied coolly, “Suit yourself.”
He said yes so fast that Marina didn’t even have time to process it.
He shut the car door in one smooth motion. Garret, still holding the handle, was left standing there, a bit stunned for a few seconds before he lowered his voice and whispered,
“Yeah, he’s definitely mad,” Garret muttered.
“Ms. Finley, maybe hop in first? Kara can always join us for dinner at the restaurant later,” Garret suggested.
Marina shook her head right away. Kara was always kind of scared of Daron.
Having her eat with Daron would totally freak her out–she’d honestly rather die than sit through that.
“Better not,” Marina replied.
Garret was about to say something else when Kara’s flashy red sports car pulled up right behind Daron’s. As soon as she spotted them, she started waving her arms around like she was in/a parade.
“Marina, over here!” Kara called out.
Marina’s eyes lit up, and she grinned back. “Coming!”
She turned to Garret and said in a low voice, “I’ll head out now.”
“I’ll head out now,” she said.
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Chapter 132
Garret blinked and nodded, still looking a little lost.
Just as Marina was about to leave, Daron’s car window rolled down.
She was about to greet him when she saw Daron, looking serious, turn to Garret.
“Are you going to drive or just keep chatting?” Daron said coldly.
Garret arched his brow at Daron, then finally climbed back behind the wheel.
Seeing this, Marina braced herself and called out.
“Mr. Zamora, I’m leaving now,” she said.
Daron lifted his gaze to her.
“What, hoping I’ll ask you to stay?” he said, his voice dry.
Marina choked a little at his words, then forced an awkward smile. “No, no, that’s not it.”
Daron looked at her with detached indifference, his gaze lingering on her serene face.
“Then go on, what are you still doing here?” he said coolly.
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Marina was caught off guard by his words, and before she could say anything, Kara’s impatient voice called out, urging her to hurry up.
“Marina, get in the car! We’re leaving!” Kara called out.
Marina snapped out of it and quickly replied to Daron.
“Mr. Zamora, I’m leaving now. Bye,” she said softly, then hurried over to Kara’s car.
She hadn’t even made it to Kara’s car when Daron’s ride zoomed past her, barely missing her side.
He was out of there in a flash.
Marina sighed to herself, walked up to Kara’s car, and pulled open the door.
As soon as Marina sat down, Kara pulled her into a warm hug and buckled her seatbelt for her.
“I booked us a whole feast at Silkwind Kitchen–let’s hurry up and go stuff/ourselves!” Kara said, practically bouncing with excitement.
Marina’s face lit up with a smile, and she made a playful gesture. “Go, go, go!”
Kara started the car and sped off toward Silkwind Kitchen.
Up ahead, Garret spotted Kara’s flashy red sports car sticking close behind them in the rearview. No doubt, they were headed to the same place.
Silkwind Kitchen was the restaurant Daron had personally picked out. It was obvious whose favorite spot this was.
Daron sat in the passenger seat, his face expressionless but cold, staring out the window with a frosty look.
Garret could spot a hint of defeat on his face.
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Chapter 132
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Garret had been by Daron’s side for years, and it was always Daron making others squirm. Nobody ever dared give him attitude.
Seeing his usually unstoppable cousin looking so down, Garret thought to himself, ‘No way I’m letting Marina off that easy.
‘If I do, who else is ever going to give Daron a taste of his own medicine?‘
‘You almost never see Daron like this,‘ Garret thought. ‘It’s a rare sight, for sure!
As he drove, Garret sent a message to the manager at Silkwind Kitchen, canceling their reservation without missing a beat.
When Marina and Kara walked into the restaurant together, Garret walked right up to them, grinning.
“Ms. Gross, Ms. Finley, we had a little hiccup with our reservation. Mind if we crash your table?” he asked with a playful smile.
Marina shot Kara a quick glance, then caught sight of Daron standing not far off.
His face was set in a grim line–he was clearly in a foul mood.
Even though Kara was kind of nervous around Daron, she didn’t even hesitate to nod.
“Sure,” she said.
Kara was always easygoing, and since everyone here knew each other and Daron and her brother were close. There was no reason for her to turn them down.
——–
Besides, Kara could feel that something was up with Marina. From the moment Marina got in the car, she kept up the smiles and conversation, but it was clear her heart just wasn’t in it.
مر
شما
田
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
