Chapter #64

Caught off guard by Declan's sudden appearance, I hastily tucked the rose back into the file. In a flustered attempt to appear nonchalant, I leaped into my seat, grabbing my phone and pretending to be engrossed in a call.

Declan looked at me, a surprised expression on his face. He studied me for a moment before a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're holding your phone in the wrong direction," he pointed out, his tone teasing. "At least work on your acting skills."

His words left me feeling a bit embarrassed, but I couldn't help but chuckle at my own clumsiness. Declan's gaze was sharp, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. "What are you hiding?" he asked, his voice steady. I could tell he was trying to read me, to decipher the thoughts behind my flustered demeanor.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, a bit too quickly perhaps. "I've just been really busy with work these days." I tried to sound convincing, hoping he would buy my excuse.

But Declan was not easily fooled. He