Chapter 221 We’re close friends, right?

Chapter 221: Chapter 221 We’re close friends, right?

Meanwhile, Daisy’s eyes widened the moment Alessio opened the door to her room.

A large bed stood in the center, covered with freshly changed white sheets and several neatly arranged pillows, while a delicate throw blanket rested across the foot of the bed.

Beside it stood two small bedside tables, each decorated with a simple lamp and a few tasteful ornaments.

The furniture throughout the room was elegant without being overly extravagant, although even the simplest pieces looked expensive enough to belong in a luxury hotel.

Near the far wall was a spacious wardrobe with glossy wooden doors and beside the large window was a comfortable little sitting area with two armchairs and a small round table.

The curtains had been drawn halfway, allowing Daisy to see the beautifully maintained gardens outside.

There was even a small private balcony connected to the room, surrounded by a delicate railing and overlooking the peaceful garden.

Daisy slowly stepped inside.

Her eyes moved from one corner of the room to another, taking in every little detail with open fascination. She walked a few steps farther, her fingers lightly touching the edge of the table before she turned toward the balcony and looked outside again.

She hadn’t expected this.

She had been prepared to sleep in whichever room was available and honestly, she would have been perfectly happy with something much simpler.

Instead, Alessio had brought her to a room that looked as though someone had carefully prepared it just for her.

Behind her, Alessio watched her reaction.

The corner of his lips lifted slightly when he saw the way her eyes sparkled with genuine happiness.

He had been waiting for that reaction ever since he had made sure the room was prepared.

"This was the only clean room available in the house," he casually explained, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe. "The other rooms haven’t been cleaned properly yet."

It was, of course, a complete lie.

The other rooms were perfectly clean.

In fact, the staff had spent the entire afternoon making sure every guest room was ready.

But this particular room was the only one Alessio had specifically chosen for Daisy.

More importantly, it was directly beside his own.

He had quietly instructed the staff to prepare it before they even arrived, making sure the sheets were fresh, the lights worked properly and everything she might need had already been placed inside.

Daisy turned around.

Her eyes were bright as she looked at him.

Then she smiled.

Thank you.

She gestured.

Alessio nodded casually.

But before he could say anything, Daisy raised her hands again.

Thank you...

He blinked.

She gestured once more.

Thank you... and then again.

Her fingers moved quickly, her expression becoming almost comically earnest as she continued thanking him, as though one thank-you simply wasn’t enough to properly express how grateful she felt.

Alessio couldn’t help himself.

A soft chuckle escaped him.

"You don’t have to thank me that much."

Daisy paused.

Alessio stepped farther into the room, his hands slipping casually into his pockets.

"We’re close friends, right?"

He stopped in front of her.

For some reason, saying those words made his chest feel strangely warm.

Friends.

That was what they were.

At least for now.

And yet, ever since Daisy was no longer with Cedric, something inside him had changed. He couldn’t quite explain it and he certainly wasn’t ready to admit it to himself but there was a strange little freedom in knowing she was no longer someone else’s wife.

He found himself looking at her a little longer. Standing a little closer...and feeling a little bolder.

Daisy tilted her head slightly.

Then she nodded enthusiastically.

Yes.

Yes, they were close friends.

A bright smile slowly spread across her face.

Alessio’s thoughts immediately disappeared.

That smile had caught him completely off guard.

He had seen Daisy smile many times before but this one felt different. She looked genuinely happy, completely comfortable in his presence, and there was something so trusting about the way she looked at him that his heart suddenly began beating much faster.

He quickly looked away.

"Great," he murmured.

Daisy blinked at him.

Alessio cleared his throat and glanced around the room as if suddenly finding the curtains extremely interesting.

Then another thought crossed his mind.

"Are you hungry?"

Daisy looked at him.

She hadn’t even realized how hungry she was until he mentioned food.

Alessio frowned slightly.

"You haven’t eaten anything all day."

His expression immediately became more serious.

"Actually, why am I even asking you?"

He pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Wait here."

Daisy watched him curiously as he stepped toward the window.

He called the kitchen.

"Prepare something for her. Something light but enough to fill her stomach. Don’t make it too spicy and make it quickly."

There was a brief response from the other end.

"Good."

He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Then he turned around.

At that exact moment, a very soft sound came from Daisy’s stomach.

Grrrrrrrr.

Both of them froze.

Daisy’s eyes widened in horror.

Alessio stared at her.

Daisy stared back, then her cheeks slowly turned bright red.

She immediately placed both hands over her stomach, looking as though she desperately wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.

Alessio’s lips twitched.

He tried very hard not to laugh. He failed and a melodious chuckle escaped him.

Daisy immediately looked away, her embarrassment increasing.

"Don’t be embarrassed," Alessio said, still smiling. "Your stomach just confirmed that I made the right decision."

Daisy covered half of her face with one hand.

Alessio laughed softly.

"You really haven’t eaten anything since the morning, have you?"

Daisy slowly shook her head.

His smile faded.

Concern returned to his eyes as he looked at her.

"You should have told me earlier."

Daisy lowered her hand and gave him an apologetic look.

Alessio sighed.

"Don’t give me that face."

He walked closer until he was standing in front of her.

Then, without thinking too much about it, he gently lifted one finger and tapped her forehead.

"Food first. Everything else later."

Daisy blinked.

The tiny gesture made her smile again.

She nodded obediently.

Alessio looked at her for another second, and his expression softened when he saw how easily she had listened to him.

Then he remembered something.

"And no more thanking me every thirty seconds."

Daisy immediately nodded.

Alessio relaxed.

"Good."

Daisy waited for a moment.

Then her hands slowly moved.

Thank you.

Alessio stared at her.

Daisy’s lips curved upward.

Her shoulders began shaking as she silently giggled at his expression.

Alessio closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head, unable to stop the smile from appearing on his face.

"I walked right into that one."

Daisy nodded proudly.

For a few seconds, they simply looked at each other.

Then Alessio noticed the little smile still sitting on her lips, which made his smile widen as well.