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Chapter_67
Whitney pushed Ludwik away in a fluster, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Okay, enough already. I’ve been sitting here so long I’m practically boiling.”
Ludwik’s eyes glinted with amusement. “Seems like our little Miss Denial has finally come around, huh?” His thin smile curled up like a spider’s web, and his gaze held her captive, like a bee caught in the snare of his charm. Whitney’s heart skipped a beat as she stared up at him. There was no denying it—she was more than a little smitten.
A man like him—handsome, aloof, wrapped in an air of mystery and prestige, exuding control and cunning wisdom—what woman wouldn’t be drawn to him?
Ludwik had come to her aid in moments of need. His identity was shrouded in secrecy, but his background was undeniably powerful. The walls Whitney had so carefully built around herself were starting to crumble.
She turned away, her lips curving into a reluctant smile. “All good now? So, I can go, right?”
But before she could move, Ludwik scooped her up effortlessly in his arms. “Consider this our first date. Maybe a little massage afterward?”
Whitney gasped, her mind racing. Why did something as simple as a massage sound so provocative when he said it?
The next thing she knew, she was carried into a stylish suite. Two therapists were already waiting. Ludwik set her down gently—being pregnant, she could only get a foot rub. He, on the other hand, stretched out on the bed, where a male therapist attended to him.
Whitney quietly dismissed her masseuse, then moved closer to him, attempting to adjust his position. Even in sleep, his brows were furrowed in tension. She instinctively reached to smooth them out, but her fingers brushed against his silver mask. Her heart skipped a beat. This was her chance to finally uncover the mystery behind him.
With bated breath, she lifted the mask, revealing a chiseled face—but it was nothing like Ludwik’s! A scar marred the eye socket, and Whitney froze in shock. This wasn’t the man she thought she knew.
“What are you doing?” His cold voice sent a chill through her. Before she could react, he gripped her wrist and pinned her down. His eyes flashed a dangerous red, softening only when he recognized her. Whitney winced in pain. “L…”
“Getting this close while I’m asleep is dangerous. And did you ask for my permission?” His voice was icy, laced with anger.
Whitney’s face went pale, and she stammered, “I just wanted to see you…”
“See what? I don’t like being looked at.” He shot her a hard look. “Don’t ever be this rude again, got it?”
“Okay…” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, tinged with hurt.
He released her and lay back down, his gaze cold but thoughtful. He knew she’d try something like this. He touched the mask on his face, a silent hope that his deception had been well-managed. Noticing her silence, he wondered if his anger had frightened her.
Turning to her, he almost chuckled before pulling her close, his voice softening. “What’s the matter? You don’t like the scar?”
Whitney shook her head, not wanting to admit that she was more surprised than anything. “I didn’t expect you weren’t Ludwik…”
“Ah, so you think I’m ugly?” he teased.
Whitney was momentarily speechless. “I haven’t even seen all of you. You’re not as handsome as I imagined,” she blurted.
Ludwik shrugged nonchalantly, his rogue charm evident. “Too bad, you’ve already agreed to give us a try. No returns now.”
Whitney crossed her arms, determined. “If we’re going to date and try this marriage thing, don’t you think you should show me the real you? I don’t even know your full name, your identity, or what you do… It makes me feel so insecure.”
His lips curved into a knowing smirk as he pulled her onto his lap. His voice was like a deep caress. “All that’s superficial. Wouldn’t you rather feel the man in front of you right now, hmm?”
Her face flushed at the implications of his words. “Put me down!” she protested.
He held her closer, admiring her beauty. “Security, my dear, is something I can provide. You’ll get to know me. As for my identity? You’ll find out the day you fall in love with me.”
Whitney blinked, caught off guard. “Fall in love with you?” she scoffed inwardly. Was this man seriously that full of himself? Right now, she was simply attracted to him. Love was still a far-off question.
She pouted playfully. “Then you might pray for God’s help to give you an immortal life.”
Ludwik gritted his teeth, a playful edge in his tone. “Looks like you need to be taught a lesson!”
Before things could escalate further, his phone on the bedside table rang. The caller ID read “Elaine.”
Whitney wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help overhearing Elaine’s panicked plea on the other end. “Bro, could you come over? Mr. Lutz is being terribly inappropriate at dinner…”
Ludwik’s voice grew cold. “Is it serious? Do you have someone with you?”
“My assistant’s passed out drunk. Bro, I didn’t want to trouble you and Whitney, but…” The call abruptly ended.
Ludwik immediately sprang to his feet, assuring Whitney as he made calls to his secretary and bodyguard. “I’ll go check on the situation. She did call me after all.”
Whitney nodded, though part of her was curious. “I’ll wait for you to come back.”
He flashed a soft, approving smile before he left quickly, though his swift exit stretched into three long hours. Whitney lay in bed, lost in thought, wondering what could be taking so long—after all, the dinner was at the resort, wasn’t it?
Finally, three and a half hours later, Ludwik returned. His shirt was tidy but slightly wrinkled, and his eyes softened when he saw her curled up in bed.
“Why aren’t you tucking yourself in?” he asked, concerned.
He explained, “Elaine got hurt. I drove her to get checked out and waited for her IV until her assistant arrived. She even rushed me back, worried you would be mad. Said you girls like this drink.”
He handed her a cup labeled “Pregnancy Safe,” but Whitney merely glanced at it and didn’t take it. The man seemed clueless about women, and she didn’t make a big deal out of it. Still, she teased him, tugging at his tie. “Mr. L, you should keep your social distance from your sister. After all, I’m going to be your favorite soon, right?”
He was taken aback, his voice a deep rumble as he leaned closer. “We’re just trying out this courtship, and now you’re claiming to be my favorite already, huh? How about a kiss first?”
Whitney’s foot pushed him away through the sheets. She rolled over, burrowing deeper into the bed.
Seeing she refused the drink, Ludwik tossed it in the trash. It was a typically clueless guy move, but Whitney couldn’t help but find it oddly satisfying.
She narrowed her eyes, not judging him harshly. She was still getting to know Elaine, and her feelings were unclear. How could a powerful woman like Elaine be bullied to the point of injury at a party? Calling her boss for help in the middle of the night seemed a bit like a cry for attention.
