23 – Cypress Mosaic

The ​overhead ​door ​leading ​to the underground ​parking ​lot ​opened, ​and ​Lorenz’s car glided down ​the ​gentle slope.

Sitting in ​the backseat, Lorenz’s ​expression ​was ​stiff ​from ​a ​headache. The pain, ​which ​had ​started in the ​afternoon, was gradually worsening.

However, ​his gaze, ​which had ​been sharpened ​by irritation, ​suddenly ​shifted.

He ​lifted his upper ​body from ​the backrest and stared ​intently at one spot.

Standing ​in the parking lot, ​where several ​vehicles ​were neatly displayed, was Elian Bellotti. ​A man who drew ​the ​eye ​more ​than ​the white lighting ​that brightly ​illuminated ​the interior.

Elian was ​watching ​Lorenz’s car as it slowed ​down and ​approached.

Could ​he possibly have ​come ​to ​meet ​me?

No, ​that can’t ​be ​it.

But if ​not, why is he in the parking ​lot..?

Whatever the reason, ​a slight sense ​of exhilaration made him ​nervous. For ​a moment, he ​even ​forgot his headache.

As ​soon as the ​car stopped, ​Lorenz ​opened the ​door ​himself and ​stepped ​out.

In front ​of ​a ​car parked opposite, ​Elian ​was still ​looking ​this ​way. ​He gave a slight nod of greeting, and Lorenz responded in kind.

Slowly, step by step, as if marking points, Lorenz approached him with cautious strides.

“It’s been a while.”

At Lorenz’s dry greeting, Elian let out a soft laugh.

Lorenz could feel that Elian was also feeling awkward.

“It feels strange to hear you say that when we live in the same house.”

“What were you doing here?”

“I was helping Mr. Carter wash the cars.”

“Washing cars..?”

Washing cars. He couldn’t understand what that meant. Lorenz frowned and shifted his gaze.

Now that he noticed, there was one other person in the parking lot besides Elian. It was an employee dressed in a jumpsuit-style work uniform with rubber boots.

Lorenz glared at him.

“Did you make Mr. Bellotti wash the cars?”

It was a reprimand bordering on horror, as if such a thing were unthinkable.

Flustered by Lorenz’s sharp interrogation, the man’s gaze scattered erratically.

“Well… I told him he absolutely couldn’t because his clothes would get dirty, but…”

The man, who had a youthful face, stammered out excuses, not knowing what to do. Feeling sorry for him, Elian stepped in on his behalf.

“I was bored after work. So I insisted on helping…”

“No! It was my fault, Mr. Lorenz!”

The man, who had been mumbling excuses in a crawling voice, suddenly changed. Perhaps moved by Elian trying to cover for him, [visit our site]he took a [unauthorized copy]bold step forward. He even blocked Elian with one arm, as if trying to visit our sitehide him behind his back to protect him from Lorenz. His tanned face, staring straight at Lorenz, looked almost solemn.

Hah, Lorenz scoffed.

He felt like a thug interrupting a peaceful couple to play a malicious prank.

Is that it? Is that how it is, Elian Bellotti?

Lorenz’s gaze toward Elian turned cold once again.

“Everyone has their own role in this mansion. It would be problematic if the laundry staff did the cooking, or if the cook managed the garden. Mr. Bellotti is here for Lucas.”

Not only his gaze, but his voice and tone were more resolute and cold than when he had first greeted him. His clipped manner of speaking and low voice were laced with a hint of condemnation.

“Then it is my fault. Because I insisted. If that is the rule here, I must follow it. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

At Elian’s compliant answer, Lorenz’s frozen gaze visit our sitesoftened [unauthorized copy]slightly. However, [visit our site]his displeasure remained.

“Mr. Lorenz, no. It really was my fault…!”

As the employee tried to step forward and shield Elian again, Lorenz raised his hand. It was a clear signal to stop right there. His headache seemed to have faded, but a sudden wave of fatigue washed over him. Lorenz turned his head and spoke quickly.

“As long as you say you’ll be careful in the future, then that’s enough.”

Just as he had turned to walk away, Lorenz suddenly stopped and turned back.

Wondering what he was going to say, Elian looked at him.

Lorenz’s lips, as dark red as wine mixed with blood, remained closed for a long time.

Over Elian’s shoulder, the freckled face of the employee came into view. After casting a brief glance at him, Lorenz spoke to Elian.

“Would you like to have dinner together?”

Lorenz was the one who made the offer, but strangely, Elian looked troubled and looked back at the employee behind him.

“I appreciate the invitation, but…”

Lorenz’s eyebrows immediately knit together fiercely.

“Another refusal?”

“I already made a promise to Mr. Carter.”

Upon hearing the name Carter, Lorenz’s gaze shifted from Elian to the man once more. It was a fierce intensity that seemed capable of freezing everything it touched.

This time, Noah did not dare to stand his ground and shrank back.

Lorenz said nothing, but the sharp, green gaze alone was an unbearable pressure. His pale green eyes looked as if they held [visit our site]some Read on Read BL Novelswicked and mysterious power. Overcome by baseless guilt and fear, Noah had no choice but to drop his gaze. It felt as if a thunderous command would fall at any moment from the man who was to become the young master of this mansion.

He murmured to Elian in a crawling voice.

“I-I’m fine, so maybe next time…”

“I can’t do that when I have a prior engagement. I’m sure Mr. Lockhart will understand.”

No, he is completely mistaken.

Why should I understand?

To Lorenz, this was an unacceptable choice.

To refuse his invitation to dinner because of a prior engagement with an employee.

For Lorenz, this was a matter of efficiency and priority.

If a more important person requested a meeting, it was only natural for existing schedules to be postponed. The original party would not complain about it either. That was the efficiency and priority of the world Lorenz belonged to.

“I’m sorry. My promise to Mr. Carter came first…”

Elian looked up with an expression of genuine regret. That was the only consolation that soothed Lorenz’s trampled pride.

Lorenz answered with a strained, squeezed voice, like someone whose throat was tightly blocked and unable to make a sound.

“Then it can’t be helped.”

He had never imagined he would be rejected again in this manner. He thought that this time, Elian would surely accept his invitation. He had no doubt.

Even as he turned and walked toward the elevator, Lorenz felt dazed. He felt as if he had been sharply slapped across the cheek by Elian. He couldn’t even feel anger at a situation he hadn’t predicted at all.

Watching his retreating figure, Elian quickened his pace to follow him.

“Mr. Lockhart.”

The man’s steps stopped, and his broad, sturdy-looking shoulders turned toward him.

Lorenz’s face was a perfect blank. A form that was merely a combination of features, with all types of emotion removed from the human face. Because of this, Elian failed to notice the shock he had received.

“If it’s alright, could I see you for a moment after dinner?”

“What is it about?”

“There is something I wish to tell you.”

Lorenz’s eyebrows twitched minutely.

He won’t have dinner with me, but he wants me to make time because he has something to say?

An impulse to torment Elian as much as he had been shocked surged violently through him for a moment.

His lips quirked, wanting to point at Carter and sneer, asking if that kind of man was his type.

But regardless of what taste Elian had or who he dated, it was none of his business. He had no intention of ruining his dignity by spouting such childish nonsense. And yet, why was he so unbearably displeased?

Yes, it’s probably because he rejected my offer due to a prior engagement with someone else. Because I’ve never experienced being pushed down the priority list. Whether in business or in my private life.

As Lorenz’s silence grew long, Elian pleaded once more.

“It’s about Lucas. It will only take a moment, so please make some time. I beg of you.”

The transparent green eyes reflected Elian in a shade darker than usual.

He wanted to make an excuse and visit our siterefuse. By doing [unauthorized copy]so, he wanted to [stolen content]humiliate him and make him feel a small sense of frustration.

However, after staring down at Elian’s face for a long while, the answer that came from Lorenz’s lips delivered a completely different conclusion.

“Let’s meet in the third-floor study at 9 o’clock.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

Before Elian’s greeting could even finish, Lorenz turned and disappeared with fast strides. As if fleeing.

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