Forbidden Passion
Chapter 42 Still love him

Vanessa's eyes locked onto the blush staining Phoebe's cheeks, her expression twisting momentarily with an envy that scorched her insides. What had they been doing before she knocked? Could it have been...

"Miss Ziegler, I'm looking for Theodore," said Vanessa, her voice betraying none of the envy she'd ground down and swallowed, opting instead for a facade of calm as she addressed Phoebe. Phoebe's brow knitted slightly. Vanessa was hardly discreet about her intentions. "At this hour? What do you need Mr. Fitzroy for?"

"My door won't lock properly; I was hoping Theodore could take a look," Vanessa explained.

Phoebe glanced at the room across the hall. She had just been inside with Lucy, and the door had locked without issue. Was Vanessa suggesting to Theodore that she'd leave her door open for him? "There's no need to bother him with that; I can fix it," Phoebe said before squeezing past Vanessa and firmly shutting the door behind her, blocking her view.

Vanessa gritted her teeth, a hint of sarcasm edging her tone. "I wouldn't have pegged you as the handywoman type, Miss Ziegler."

"There's a lot you wouldn't expect about me." Phoebe headed over to the problematic door, testing the handle several times, confirming that it was indeed broken-sabotaged, more likely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Vanessa avoiding her gaze, evidently rattled by Phoebe's insight.

"It seems like a loose spring. I'll grab my toolbox," Phoebe stated before setting off.

Another bite of frustration from Vanessa.

Phoebe returned shortly with a toolbox from the attic, where a set was always kept for common issues like this. It didn't take her long to fix the door. Vanessa's demeanor darkened even further.

Toolbox in hand, Phoebe offered a parting piece of advice, "Get some rest, Miss Fitzroy. Make sure your door is locked tight to keep the riff-raff out."

Vanessa was silent, glaring at the repaired door, her eyes burning with resentment.

When Phoebe got back to her own room, Theodore had finished his shower, dressed only in a pair of black boxer-briefs and a loose black T-shirt-his well-built thighs constrained by the fabric of his shorts, his legs long and toned. Phoebe let her eyes linger just a moment before turning away, her cheeks flushed with a hint of crimson he seemed not to notice.

He sat casually on the vanity stool, legs propped up. "What were you up to?"

"Helping Miss Fitzroy fix her door," Phoebe replied, carefully avoiding a direct glimpse of his sculpted legs.

"Did you?" Theodore pressed.

"Yep. And I reminded her to lock up, keep out the troublemakers," said Phoebe indirectly hinting to Theodore as she moved to her bed.

He let out a light chuckle, "You sure are full of surprises."

As Phoebe slid into bed, she caught Theodore toweling his hair in her peripheral vision. She reached for her tablet and began to catch up on the latest season of a reality talent show.

Noah Myersarter had the makings of a star, and given the current trends, he was poised for celebrity status. After negotiating with the production team, he managed to secure more screen time for himself.

Phoebe felt a sudden weight beside her, accompanied by the faint scent of body wash and a warm presence. She quickly turned her head to find Theodore had climbed into the bed without her notice.

There he was, sitting right beside her, peering at the tablet in her hands. "The kid's got some good moves. Are you thinking of pushing him to the top?"

"Yep, if QUEEN Entertainment wants to solidify its place in the industry, we need our own A-listers..." Phoebe trailed off.

Theodore, however, was less focused on the conversation. Resting his chin on Phoebe's shoulder, his gaze dropped and noticed her pajama top slightly ajar. Instantly, his eyes darkened.