Chapter 228 You’re going to work?

Chapter 228: Chapter 228 You’re going to work?

Daisy’s cheeks warmed slightly. She picked up her spoon and pretended to be very interested in her breakfast, hoping Eva wouldn’t bring up the subject again.

Unfortunately, Rafael had noticed the exchange.

He glanced at the empty chair where Alessio usually sat, then looked back at Daisy.

"He left early this morning," he explained casually. "I think he had some work to deal with."

Daisy looked up and nodded, indicating that she understood.

She hesitated for a moment before making a small gesture, asking whether Alessio had returned home the previous night.

Rafael considered the question.

"He came back pretty late, I think. I didn’t see him myself, though. He probably had a lot to do."

Daisy nodded again.

Her gaze dropped to her plate and she found herself wondering whether Alessio had managed to get any sleep at all.

He had looked so busy when she last saw him. He had received a phone call during dinner, excused himself and left almost immediately afterward. She remembered how serious his expression had become when he answered the call.

Perhaps something important had happened.

She hoped everything was all right.

Eva noticed Daisy’s thoughtful expression but decided not to question her further. Instead, she began telling her about the mansion, explaining where she could find things if she needed them and which areas she was free to use.

"If you ever need anything, just ask Rika or one of the staff members," Eva told her. "You don’t have to feel shy about it. And if you get bored, you can always come find me. I’m usually around when Rafael isn’t dragging me somewhere."

Rafael paused halfway through lifting his coffee cup.

"Dragging you somewhere? Excuse me, I believe you are the one who keeps asking me to take you places."

"Because you never make plans!"

"I make plans!"

"Name one."

Rafael opened his mouth.

Then he closed it.

Eva smiled triumphantly.

"Exactly."

Daisy couldn’t help laughing silently at their cute banter, her shoulders shaking slightly as she covered her mouth with one hand.

Rafael immediately turned toward her.

"See? Even Daisy agrees with me."

Daisy blinked, confused, before pointing at herself.

Me?

"Of course!" Rafael said confidently. "You laughed at her. That means you’re on my side."

Eva gave him an incredulous look. "Or she simply finds you ridiculous."

Rafael stared at his girlfriend.

Daisy quickly lowered her face, trying to suppress another silent laugh.

For a few precious minutes, she forgot about her awkward circumstances altogether.

As breakfast continued, Daisy gradually relaxed. She even began responding more confidently when Eva spoke to her, occasionally using animated gestures that made Rafael chuckle.

Then, just as the three of them were nearing the end of their meal, a cheerful voice suddenly rang through the dining room.

"Hiii!"

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Mateo had finally arrived.

He walked into the dining room with his hair sticking out in several different directions, his shirt slightly wrinkled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. He looked as though he had spent the entire night fighting with his pillow and had somehow lost the battle.

Without paying much attention to anyone, he dragged out a chair and dropped into it with a tired sigh.

Eva stared at him for a moment before shaking her head with an amused smile.

"As usual, always the latecomer."

Mateo immediately lifted his head.

"I’m not late!"

Rafael, who was finishing his coffee, glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Really? Then I suppose breakfast starts at noon now?"

Mateo shot him an irritated look.

"Can you please eat your breakfast without commenting on mine?"

"I’m already done eating."

"Then go away!"

Rafael burst out laughing at his younger brother grumpy expression, while Eva tried to hide her smile behind her glass.

Daisy watched them with amusement, her eyes moving between the two men as they continued their familiar bickering.

Mateo looked as though he wanted to argue further but then he noticed Daisy watching him.

His expression changed immediately.

"Oh!"

He sat up straighter, ran a hand through his already messy hair and offered her a bright smile.

"Good morning, Daisy!"

Daisy smiled back and raised her hand in a cheerful greeting.

Mateo nodded, apparently satisfied with her response, before turning toward the maid who had approached with his breakfast.

"Thank you."

He picked up his fork and began eating, looking considerably more awake now that he had remembered Daisy was there.

For approximately thirty seconds, the dining room remained peaceful.

Then Rafael glanced at Mateo’s plate.

"You’re eating as though someone might steal your food."

Mateo stopped chewing.

Slowly, he turned his head toward him "Broooo."

"Yes?"

"Do you want me to throw this fork at you?"

Eva covered her mouth, laughing.

Rafael leaned back in his chair, looking thoroughly entertained.

"Such terrible manners at the breakfast table."

"YOU STARTED IT!"

Daisy couldn’t hold back her silent laughter anymore. She bent her head, her shoulders shaking as she tried to calm herself down.

Mateo noticed and immediately pointed his fork toward Rafael.

"Look what you’ve done! You’re making Daisy laugh at me!"

"Then stop being so entertaining."

"I hate you."

"No, you don’t."

"Unfortunately."

Eva laughed again and Daisy wiped the corner of her eye after laughing a little too hard.

After breakfast, Daisy returned to her room to get ready for work.

She had briefly considered taking the day off. After everything that had happened yesterday, she was still emotionally exhausted and the thought of going to the laboratory and pretending that everything was normal seemed a little overwhelming.

However, she didn’t want to sit around the mansion all day either.

Keeping herself occupied might actually help her stop overthinking.

So she took a shower, changed into her work clothes and tied her hair neatly before checking that she had everything she needed in her bag.

Just as she was about to leave her room, her phone vibrated with a notification.

Daisy glanced at the screen before putting it away and heading downstairs.

Rafael was already near the entrance, checking something on his phone while waiting for his car to be brought around.

When he noticed her approaching with her handbag, he slipped his phone into his pocket.

"You’re going to work?"