Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.-Chapter 19: Haters.

Nigel was her friend for a reason —after all, not everyone could get on her nerves without facing the worst as a consequence.

Pursing her lips, she stared at him. Her gaze flicked to his hair before returning to his face.

"Thank your stars," she said, then turned to look around the house. "Your hair is kind of suiting your looks. So, I will spare you for today. Don’t be so bold the next time."

Nigel’s brows furrowed. Pointing a finger at himself, he tried to understand what she meant. "Bold? What do you mean?"

"I mean," Adelyn turned back to face him, pointing at his hair, "red hair is actually looking good on you. You can keep it. There is no need to get bald."

It was then that Nigel noticed his reflection in the glass behind her. Though the dark tint didn’t do justice to his fair complexion, his hair was clearly red.

"You —"

"I like this place," Adelyn cut in. "But are you sure this fits my budget?"

Her eyes moved to scan the house again.

Although the place didn’t look like luxury, nor was it in a posh location, it still seemed above affordable. After all, since when did spacious apartments like this start happening at such low prices?

Her gaze returned to Nigel as she waited for him to answer.

When Nigel saw her like that, he crossed his arms across his chest. "Since when did I become so rich in your eyes?"

"I am asking you seriously, Nigel."

"Lyn," Nigel began, "I can barely manage my own expenses. Do you really think I would lie to you about the rent? From where will I get money to cover the cost?"

What he said made sense. They were both orphans who had met by chance and become family naturally.

So naturally that for once it felt like they belonged to something that existed once.

"Actually," Nigel added slowly, "There is a reason why this place is costing you less."

Adelyn raised her brow, waiting for him to continue.

He hesitated once, but then finally gave in.

"The last tenant ran off overnight, screaming that this place is haunted. Ever since then, the owner had trouble finding another tenant here. So, in reality, he is not giving you for cheap. A part of the cost is being covered by your bravery."

"Say that again?" Adelyn blinked. She felt like she processed something wrong in his words.

Nigel blinked. "You don’t really want me to repeat the haunted story all over again?"

She didn’t wait. She attacked.

Her moves were swift and precise. Her foot pivoted, and her fist cut through the air straight toward his jaw.

Nigel didn’t see it coming, but reacted instinctively.

Leaning back, he barely avoided the first strike. He twisted aside as her elbow followed.

The space between them shrank a little as they exchanged blows in rapid succession.

He blocked one and dodged another —almost like he had memorized her rhythm.

However, his expertise didn’t last long.

As Adelyn shifted her stance mid-motion, feinted left, then struck low. Nigel reacted a fraction too slow.

"Nigel Smith," Adelyn snapped as finally her punch connected, "you want me to move into a haunted place? Is this how you repay the person who saved your life?"

Nigel went stumbling backwards. He lost his footing and fell hard onto his back.

"Time out," he said.

Adelyn stopped, almost immediately, as her intention was never to cause any damage. Her breathing remained steady despite the fight.

Nigel lay there for a second before pushing himself up, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

"I found you a good place," he said between his breaths. "How did you even misread my intentions?"

Adelyn was momentarily speechless. For a second, she felt like they weren’t even on the same page. "A good place? Or a dead place crawling with evil spirits?"

"How could that affect you?" Nigel shrugged lightly. "You don’t even believe in such absurd things. And I live just a house away. Nothing will happen to you."

"Aren’t you being just too confident?" Adelyn didn’t know how she should react. Sure —she doesn’t believe in crazy stuff like ghosts or spirits —but she was still a woman.

Couldn’t she be treated as one at the time like this?

Nigel walked over and slung an arm around her shoulders. "I am not being confident. I just know you too well to know that you can handle something this small."

She turned to look at him, only to hear him add.

"Besides, this place is safe and low-key. Just the way you wanted. Your haters won’t find you easily."

"Haters?" Adelyn asked, not understanding where that was coming from.

Nigel nodded with a hum. "Didn’t you say you are entering the entertainment industry? You might have quite some haters soon."

For a second, she was rendered speechless.

Then, elbowing him hard, she shoved him away. "Shouldn’t you be wishing me more fans? Why are you manifesting haters for me, dumbhead?"

He scratched the corner of his brow awkwardly. "That’s again because I know you. With your personality, you are more likely to attract haters than fans."

"You —!"

"Fine," he cut in quickly. "I will help you sign the rental agreement with the owner then. You can move in by tomorrow."

Adelyn thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay." She glanced around once more. "This place is actually too good to be abandoned. I will take it."

She then checked the time on her watch. "I guess I should leave now. It’s getting late and —"

Just before she could finish, her stomach growled.

She paused, a small frown forming between her brows.

"Didn’t you already have dinner?" Nigel asked, pointing at her stomach. "How are you hungry again?"

Adelyn pursed her lips and looked up at him. She thought for a moment before going straight to the point.

"Didn’t you say you live just a house away? Come. Show me your place."

Nigel opened his mouth to protest, but when she raised a brow at him, he exhaled deeply and nodded.

"Fine. Fine. Since you finally returned after so long, I will be nice and treat you to late night meal today."

Adelyn nodded and then, without another word, turned to walk out.

Nigel watched her from behind, his expression slowly softening. Shaking his head inwardly, a smile of pure adoration curved on his lips.

—————

Later —

Late into the night, at Scott Villa —

Bryer was sitting alone on the terrace with a glass of whisky in his hand.

But given how the amber liquid remained still in the glass— it seemed he hadn’t taken a sip in a long while.

His gaze was focused, yet distant, as though something invisible weighed on his chest.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice anyone approaching until a hand shook his arm.

"Bryer!?"

"Huh?" He snapped out of it and looked up —only to freeze the next second.

The glass slipped slightly in his grip.

"Linnie!"