Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 132

Orson found Rupert silently nursing a cup of coffee in Chris's office.

"Rupert, Ms. Lloyd has been taken by Mr. Warren."

Rupert narrowed his eyes and pulled out his phone to call Sylvia. It went straight to voicemail.

As the mechanical tone played, the coffee cup in Rupert's grip cracked. A deep surge flickered in his eyes, sending chills down one's spine without the cold.

Chris glanced at him. "Getting anxious? Then why did you push her away earlier?"

Rupert tossed the broken cup into the trash, not bothering to explain.

Chris pointed at a neatly folded sweater on the desk. "You even gave her your sweater. That was something you..."

"Got too much time on your hands?" Rupert interrupted, grabbed the sweater, and left.

By the time he got back to the Garcia family, it was late. Rupert stood in the courtyard, lighting a cigarette for himself.

Orson glanced at the sky. "Looks like rain. Maybe we should head inside?"

Rupert looked up at the clouds covering the moon, exhaling a cloud of smoke. His gaze drifted towards a dark room in Edwin’s courtyard.

He checked his phone again, only to see a new post from Warren.

One line: [Lazy kitty.]

And a photo.

In the photo, Sylvia was asleep, leaning on Warren's arm. Her delicate profile, even marred by a scar, didn't detract from her beauty; if anything, it added a touch of vulnerable charm, soft and delicate, evoking a protective feeling.

Rupert pocketed his phone, took a deep drag from his cigarette, his gaze deeper than the stormy night.

...

The pitter-patter of rain woke Sylvia. Blinking at the dim, warm light above her, she rubbed her eyes.

"Awake? Have some water."

Warren handed her a bottle of water.

She accepted it, offering an embarrassed apologizing. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

Warren chuckled. "It's my fault, really. I wanted to show you the stars from the hillside, but then the rain came. No stars, and even the moon's hiding."

He gestured towards the skylight.

Gazing into the dark sky, Sylvia laughed along with him.

"It's still quite a view."