Chapter 85
"Yeah, I was wiped out from filming today. Took a shower and crashed right away," Sawyer said, his eyes darting away from Nathan's.
Nathan saw right through the lie but decided to let it slide.
Just then, Nathan felt a wave of dizziness as the familiar scent of orange blossom filled the air again.
He told himself it couldn't be real, but his sharp senses didn't lie. The fragrance was back.
No one else could smell it, but Nathan's extraordinary sense of smell picked it up instantly.
Nathan sank into the couch, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
That scent was always there, lingering in his life.
Sawyer watched Nathan's face change, confused by what he saw.
He knew something was up with Nathan but couldn't figure out what.
Nathan opened his eyes and headed to the study.
Sawyer followed quietly, not daring to make a sound.
The study was connected to the bar, with shelves full of classic books and the latest financial magazines.
The liquor shelf had whiskey, vodka, and a few bottles of red wine.
No orange blossom scent here, just the musty smell of books and the aroma of liquor.
Sawyer couldn't smell these subtle scents, but Nathan could.
Nathan went back to the living room, and there it was again—the orange blossom scent.
He was sure it wasn't coming from the study.
His eyes shifted to the bedroom.
"Which room are you sleeping in?" Nathan asked.
Sawyer pointed to a room. "That one."
"Mind if I take a look?" Nathan asked again.
Sawyer was puzzled. Why was Nathan so interested in checking the rooms? Even if he was in a relationship, it shouldn't matter. Why was Nathan so tense?
Despite his confusion, Sawyer nodded. "Sure."
Nathan walked into the bedroom. It was neat and tidy, even more so than the living room.
The bed was made, clearly unused.
Nathan wasn't surprised. He knew Sawyer had lied about sleeping.
"Actually, I sleep pretty neatly. I really did sleep earlier," Sawyer said weakly.
Nathan stayed silent.
There was no scent in this room, meaning the person hadn't been here.
Nathan felt a strange sense of relief, surprising even himself.
Back in the living room, Nathan closed his eyes to rest again.
The scent was still there, though fainter.
In the closet, Caroline listened intently, praying for Nathan to leave soon.
But Nathan wasn't in a hurry.
He lounged on the couch, eyes closed, like a statue.
Sawyer didn't dare make a sound, wondering if Nathan planned to stay.
After several minutes, Nathan still hadn't moved.
Sawyer wanted to check if Nathan was asleep but didn't dare.
He just stood there, waiting.
In the bedroom, Caroline, hearing no sound for a while, thought Nathan had left. She carefully opened the closet door and stepped out quietly.
Seeing Nathan on the couch, Caroline was so startled she almost stumbled, quickly retreating back into the closet.
Nathan wasn't asleep.
He was lost in the scent, savoring it.
He had once asked Harper if someone could be as obsessed with a scent as they were with delicious food.
Harper's answer hadn't satisfied him, and he had no answer himself.
But deep down, he knew he was hooked on that scent; it was like his mental anchor.
This made him self-critical. As the perfect man in Aurora City, how could he be so dependent on a scent?
Just as Nathan was deep in thought, the scent suddenly hit him like a wave!
He snapped his eyes open and locked onto Sawyer.
Sawyer jumped at Nathan's sudden intensity. "What's up, Nathan?"
Nathan didn't bother explaining. He stood up and followed the scent with determined strides.
His target? The bedroom where Caroline was hiding!
Sawyer's heart sank. This was bad. Really bad.
"Nathan, you look tired. Why don't you crash in my bed?" Sawyer suggested, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
Nathan shot him a cold look. "Is someone in that room?"
If Sawyer admitted it, Nathan might've backed off as he wasn't a nosy man who cared a lot about Sawyer's private life.
"Of course not, it's just me here," Sawyer blurted out.
Nathan didn't buy it. He headed straight for the bedroom.
The orange blossom scent was stronger here, more intense than in the living room.
Nathan was sure the source was in this room.
But the room looked empty, the bed untouched.
Nathan's eyes zeroed in on the tightly closed closet.
Why would a closet in an empty room be shut so tight?
Nathan moved closer, the scent growing stronger with each step.
His heart pounded, his fists clenched.
Sawyer was freaking out. Caroline was in that closet. If Nathan opened it, they were done for.
Nathan stood before the closet, the scent almost tangible, wrapping around him. He knew she was in there, just inches away.
He only needed to pull the door slightly, and she'd be right there.
Sawyer was on the verge of a meltdown. Why had Nathan suddenly zeroed in on this room? He'd seemed half-asleep just moments ago.
"Nathan, this room isn't ready yet. If you want to rest, the other room's better," Sawyer said, his voice shaky.
Nathan didn't respond. The room felt colder, matching the chill in his eyes. Sawyer saw Nathan's clenched fists and didn't dare say another word.
Sawyer couldn't understand Nathan's anger. In truth, Nathan himself was confused.
His mind was a volcano, ready to erupt, but he forced himself to stay calm. His clenched fists were a reminder to keep it together.
Finally, Nathan calmed down. Even on the brink of losing it, he regained his composure. His fists relaxed, and he turned to leave.
In the closet, Caroline felt the tension through the door. She closed her eyes, hands clasped, praying Nathan wouldn't open it.
As Nathan's footsteps faded, Caroline nearly collapsed, her clothes soaked with sweat. She didn't know if it was from fear or something else. Only when the door of the bedroom closed softly did she breathe a sigh of relief, panting heavily.
No one had ever made her feel this way. The craziest part was that Nathan hadn't even spoken to her directly. Yet the pressure was suffocating.
"He's gone, finally gone. You can come out now," Sawyer said, wiping sweat from his forehead and calling to Caroline.
Caroline slowly opened the closet door, stepping out awkwardly.
"That was close. Thank God he didn't find you," Sawyer said, exhaling in relief.
"Why did he make a sharp turn into the bedroom? Wasn't he in the living room?" Caroline asked, puzzled.
"I don't know. I thought he was asleep, but then he suddenly opened his eyes and rushed over. Scared the crap out of me."
Caroline guessed, "Sleepwalking?"
Sawyer shook his head. "Doesn't seem like it. He stopped in front of the closet and looked really pissed. I don't get it either."
"Do you think he found me?" Caroline asked, worried.
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