Theron Cox had lit it himself

“You’re late.”
That was Logan’s first remark as soon as she arrived at the hotel’s coffee house.
Selene nodded.
“I had to stop by somewhere.”
“Where?”
“On a street in the city.”
“For no reason?”
Logan was like a soldier interrogating a spy.
But Selene was not such an easy subject to interrogate.
“Logan, I was 10 minutes late, so I’d like you to end today’s conversation 10 minutes earlier. I only have a total of 30 minutes to spare for you.”
Logan clicked his tongue.
“I wasn’t the one who was late, but you’re quite demanding.”
“You’re busy too.”
“I’m not busy. I’ve cleared my schedule for today.”
Selene tilted her head as if she couldn’t understand Logan.
“To rest?”
Or was this also a rebellion against his father?
But an unexpected answer came back.
“To spend time with you.”
“With me…?”
“Yes. I told you I found a decent piano and would let you know first. For that, we have to see it in person.”
‘The schedule to see it in person was included?’
‘Then he should have written that in the letter too.’
Selene did not particularly like her plans to deviate.
Still, since it was about the piano, it wasn’t to the point where she wanted to get up and leave right away, but her mind was in turmoil after accidentally meeting Theron’s secretary.
At the silent Selene, Logan glanced at her.
“Judging by your expression, you don’t seem to like it.”
Selene, who was contemplating between seeing the fascinating piano in person and going back to the mansion, finally answered.
“I don’t want to today.”
Although there were many other reasons for that decision, it was probably more so because the other person was Logan.
Because the reason Theron had been so angry was because of Logan.
Since the place they were in was also a hotel located in the financial district, she was worried that Theron might see them if they were unlucky.
‘…But why do I have to worry about that?’
While wanting to avoid a hypothetical situation, she also wondered what there was to be timid about when she wasn’t cheating on him.
And surprisingly, this agony continued even as Logan was explaining the wonderful piano.
“Wellington’s pianos are so delicate that tuning is a bit more difficult… you’re not listening to me right now, are you?”
Finally, Selene, who had heard Logan’s remark, flinched her dazed eyes.
“I heard you. The case is made of rosewood and the keys are made of pure white ivory. And there are four additional keys in the bass section.”
“Nine additional keys in the bass section.”
“Yes, nine.”
Logan, who had taken a sip of coffee, looked at Selene.
“Tell me.”
Logan spoke as if he were giving an order to his secretary.
“What.”
“What’s on your mind.”
Selene seemed to have thought for a moment.
Because Logan, unlike his indifferent expression, had a side like a rabid dog that wouldn’t let go once it bit, and he often bothered Selene immensely.
Because he was also quick-witted, it was not easy to get away with a clumsy lie.
To get away, she would have to cover it up with a perfect lie, but unfortunately, Selene was not good at making up fictions she had not experienced.
But if she were to confess what she was thinking now, the things that would follow would be troublesome.
Just as Theron was sensitive to Logan, Logan was also overly concerned about Theron.
However, while she was contemplating, Logan guessed the correct answer first.
“It must be Theron Cox, of all people.”
“…”
“Isn’t it?”
‘Should I be glad that Logan mentioned it first?’
“That’s right.”
As Selene calmly admitted, Logan’s expression hardened for a moment.
“I thought you were over with that man.”
“I thought I was, but Theron demolished a building for me.”
Logan’s eyebrows tilted as if to say, what kind of crazy talk is that?
“…Tell me in detail.”
“He said he had done something wrong to me, and to prove his sincerity as an apology, he demolished the second building of Cox Corporation, which was nearly completed.”
‘He’s a complete madman…’
Logan, who rarely used profanity, muttered as if he were dumbfounded.
Selene chimed in.
“Yes, that’s the problem. Theron Cox sometimes seems to be out of his mind, so it’s impossible to keep up with him.”
‘That’s why he would stir up my mind whenever it was about to become quiet. Just like now.’
“Then the reason you suddenly postponed your study abroad must be because of Theron Cox.”
Logan read the ensuing situation without difficulty.
Since he had been figured out right away, Selene didn’t need to make any lengthy excuses.
“Yes.”
“Why? Are you going to meet him again?”
“I’m watching him.”
‘Although we’ve been cut off since the art museum visit.’
But since she had learned from Theron’s secretary that he was waiting for her in a withered state, it couldn’t be said that they were completely cut off.
The thread of their relationship was still connected.
Logan, as if his insides were frustrated, looked out the window with narrowed eyes and gestured to his secretary.
“Here you go.”
Then, a cigar was quickly placed in his slender hand.
The shadow-like secretary who had completed his mission quickly disappeared.
Hmph.
Logan, who had let out a short puff of smoke, asked, “What on earth do you like about that man?”
“I don’t know either.”
Although Selene didn’t like vague things, she often found herself answering like this when it came to Theron.
But she really didn’t know.
Why she liked Theron Cox.
It was just that as time passed, the days when she would think of Theron when she woke up in the morning became more frequent, and then she wanted to see him, and when she came to her senses, he had become more important than the piano.
Looking back now, that was really all there was to it.
Love, as Evelyn had fussed, was not like a meteorite that falls with a huge sound one day, but it had gently soaked and dyed Selene like that.
“If you liked him, why did you break up?”
Logan’s question was quite sharp.
So much so that a painful memory that she had almost forgotten pricked her chest.
“It’s a secret.”
Selene knew she had no reason to protect Theron.
But if Logan found out that he had approached her for her money, he would not stand still.
Not only would he put guards to prevent Theron Cox from coming near her, but he might also spread all sorts of malicious rumors about Theron in the social world.
It was a troublesome matter in many ways.
“Do you know that what you just said stimulates me even more?”
Logan raised an eyebrow.
A warning bell rang in Selene’s head.
“Don’t be stimulated by such useless things, and just focus on your education as the heir of the grand ducal family. You’re past the age of rebellion.”
“My heir education ended a long time ago.”
“Learning has no end.”
How long had they been engaged in a meaningless war of words to avoid the sharp question?
Logan suddenly let out a big breath.
“Do you know you’re even stranger because you’re being evasive?”
“No.”
“This won’t do.”
Logan put his cigar on the ashtray and his eyes shone lowly.
“I have no choice but to meet him in person.”
Selene’s brain momentarily stopped working.
It was because the worst words that could come out of Logan’s mouth had come out.
‘The combination of Theron, who hates Logan, and Logan, who hates Theron. It was the absolute worst.’
“…That’s a bad idea.”
“Don’t make me do a background check, Selene.”
“That’s a crime.”
“If it’s related to you, I can do anything.”
Selene knew that Logan was not just saying that to threaten her.
Logan, who had a somewhat twisted side despite having grown up in a respectable family, had investigated Selene’s surroundings with suspicious eyes several times in the past.
It was hard for Selene to get angry because the target had actually been a pervert who had been creepily following her and picking up her things that had been thrown away at the ducal estate.
‘But Theron Cox is not that kind of pervert.’
‘Of course, even if he is a different kind of pervert, he is not a person who would harm her.’
‘So, no matter how long she had known Logan, she could not tolerate him invading her privacy.’
“Logan, that’s enough. You have no right to meddle in my affairs.”
Although Selene warned coldly, Logan just chuckled as if he were not scared.
“Why don’t you just let me meet him once? We’ll run into each other eventually in this narrow Cantora social circle anyway.”
“I can’t do anything about that.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better if you were there, rather than the two of them meeting?”
This time, Selene could not answer firmly.
Because even if she avoided a three-way meeting for now, the words that they would run into each other eventually, and that it might be better for the three of them to see each other, were perhaps not wrong.
However, there was something Logan didn’t know.
“Even if I arrange a meeting to introduce you, Theron might refuse.”
Since he had been so angry because of Logan at the art museum, Theron would never agree to that meeting.
“Just tell me.”
Logan replied nonchalantly.
Even at his calm tone, Selene felt her head throb just imagining the scene of the three of them facing each other.
Selene took out a cigarette in frustration, but belatedly realized she had left her lighter.
“Alex.”
Just then, Logan called a name and gestured with his head.
At his call, his shadow-like secretary quickly ran over and lit Selene’s cigarette.

“I thought you needed a light.”

Suddenly, a similar yet different situation from before came to mind.
‘Theron Cox had lit it himself.’
At the end of the redly burning cigarette, a wet memory came to mind.
Selene did not smoke but just looked at that fire for a moment.