Chapter 169

chapter169

Why didn’t I take a more proactive approach?

Emmanuel couldn't help but glance at Mackenzie again as they stood in the quiet hallway. He had to admit, despite his professional discipline as a doctor, Mackenzie possessed a natural magnetic pull that was hard to ignore. She was perhaps the only person who could make him lose his clinical composure.

However, he quickly checked his thoughts. What am I thinking? This is Mackenzie Quillen. Just because we’re traveling together doesn't mean the boundaries have changed. One wrong move and she’d likely never speak to me again—or worse.

Mackenzie suddenly turned around, her sharp eyes catching his lingering gaze. “Why are you still standing there?”

“What? Oh, right. Here is your keycard. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Emmanuel said quickly, handing over the card before making a hasty retreat to his own room.

Once inside, he leaned against the door, his heart racing. I must be losing my mind.

Despite living together for months, he had always maintained a respectful distance. He had looked after her when she was vulnerable without ever crossing the line. Yet tonight, the quiet atmosphere of the hotel and the way she had looked at him earlier made him wonder if there was an unpoken change in their dynamic. It was an embarrassing thought, and he hoped she hadn't sensed his internal turmoil.

After Emmanuel left, Mackenzie turned to the hotel owner, her expression returning to its usual frosty state. “Sir, do you have any larger suites available?”

“Of course!” The owner, noticing the luxury items they carried, asked curiously, “You two aren't... traveling together? He was quite insistent on separate rooms.”

Mackenzie’s brow furrowed. “That is none of your concern,” she replied coldly, her natural distrust of strangers resurfacing.

The owner fell silent, intimidated by her sharp tone. Mackenzie had never been one for idle small talk, especially with men she didn't know.

She took the keycard and entered her room, closing the door on the world. After a thorough check of the room for any security risks—a habit born from her position as a high-profile CEO—she stepped into the bathroom to freshen up.

Standing before the mirror, she caught her reflection. She had carefully chosen her attire for this trip, opting for something a bit more sophisticated and intentional than her usual work suits. She had wondered if Emmanuel would notice the effort she had put into her appearance, but his hurried exit left her feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment.

Is he really that disinterested? she wondered, her gaze drifting. Or is he just being overly cautious? She knew her grandfather and mother were anxious for their relationship to progress, often dropping hints about the future of the Quillen legacy. Part of her felt the weight of those expectations, while another part was simply trying to navigate the confusing feelings she had for the man in the room next door.

The next morning, Emmanuel was already waiting in the hallway when Mackenzie’s door finally opened.

She stepped out, still wrapped in the hotel’s white bathrobe, her hair slightly damp from a morning shower. She handed him the keycard.

“You head down and handle the checkout. I’ll finish getting ready and meet you in the lobby,” she said.

As she reached out to pass him the card, the movement caused the robe to shift slightly. Emmanuel caught a glimpse of her poised, elegant silhouette, and he felt a familiar tension return.

Mackenzie noticed his momentary hesitation and narrowed her eyes. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Emmanuel jumped slightly, quickly looking away. “Sorry, Ms. Quillen. I was just... thinking about the schedule. You look very refreshed this morning.”

A small, rare smile played on Mackenzie’s lips. She appreciated the compliment, coming from him. If any other man had stared at her with such intensity, she likely would have responded with a sharp rebuke—her martial arts training ensured she was never truly defenseless.

But with Emmanuel, the attention felt different. It felt sincere. She enjoyed the fact that she could still unsettle the usually calm doctor, and with a slight nod of acknowledgment, she stepped back into her room to change, leaving him to head downstairs with a racing pulse.