Just a facade

After leaving Roman's room, Alana went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast for herself.

She poured cereal into a bowl and added milk to the bowl. Making herself comfortably on a stool, she began eating.

A second later, Eren entered, drenched in sweat.

Judging by his attire and the sneakers he was lacing up, Alana could tell that he had just returned from a morning run.

'Could it be that he is also living here?' Alana thought to herself.

With her head no longer clouded with various thoughts, she could now discern the man's distinctive features. His jet-black hair perfectly complemented his dark eyes.

She observed that he was also quite tall, though not as tall as Roman, who stood at least 6'4.

"Alana refocused on her food when she noticed him approaching her.

"Good morning, Miss Gates," he greeted.

Alana raised her head to meet his gaze before nodding in response.

"Would you like me to prepare a proper breakfast for you?" Eren offered, but Alana simply shook her head.

"Thanks, but it's fine," she replied politely.

Eren nodded and was about to leave when Alana stopped him.

"Is it possible for me to have my own room?" Alana asked.

"I don't think I'm in a position to answer that question. You will have to discuss that with Roman," Eren replied.

Alana simply nodded and resumed eating.

The expression on her face revealed her lack of enthusiasm about talking with Roman.

Not wanting to interfere, Eren left without saying anything. He assumed that she and Roman might have had an argument or something.

As Roman's assistant and friend, he was always informed about everything that went on in Roman's life.

What he just couldn't fathom was why Roman did not tell him about his relationship with this girl. He had only been gone for three days, so when and how did this relationship even start.

Was it not only a few days ago that there was a misunderstanding that escalated into an incident with her?

Eren's eyes narrowed as he stepped into his room,he felt like he was missing something.

After finishing her meal, Alana went directly to Roman's bedroom to talk to him. She was completely convinced that there was no way they could share a room.

Once again, she was reminded that morning of his unpredictable nature.

Upon reaching the door, she paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before raising her hand to knock.

The door swung open suddenly, leaving her hand suspended in mid-air.

Roman wore a look of surprise when he saw her standing there.

"Have you been standing here the whole time?" he asked.

"No, of course not," Alana quickly replied, lowering her suspended hand to her side.

Roman's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he brushed past her. Alana hurriedly followed him.

"I wanted to talk to you about something important," she said, trailing behind him.

Roman glanced back at her over his shoulder.

"What is it?"

"It's about the bedroom. I can't—"

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Roman interrupted, cutting off Alana's words.

Alana fell silent.

"I'm sure you heard me, right?" Roman inquired when he didn't get a response from her.

"Um, yes," Alana replied.

"What did you eat?"

Alana stared at his back with a blank expression, puzzled by the sudden question.

"Cereal," she replied simply.

"That doesn't really count as a meal, Alana. I'll make you some pancakes."

Alana shook her head. "I don't really like pancakes."

"What about bacon?" Roman inquired as they entered the kitchen.

"I do like bacon, but as I mentioned earlier, I've already had breakfast," Alana replied.

"And as I also mentioned earlier, that doesn't count," Roman retorted as he began gathering the ingredients he needed. "You're not six, Alana. Cereal isn't a sufficient breakfast. Besides, I need you to gain some weight; you're too thin as you are."

A frown creased Alana's face.

"I'm not thin," she retorted.

"Right," Roman simply said as he heated up the pan.

Alana raised her wrist and examined it before holding and gently stroking it. Perhaps she was skinny after all, but at least she wasn't extremely thin.

Her gaze lingered on Roman's back as he worked. She didn't think he had any plans to go out, given his casual attire.

She took a seat on a stool and propped her right elbow on the counter, resting her chin on her palm.

Her thoughts shifted to her stepsister. Alana was certain that the evil spoiled brat would be terribly bored now that she wasn't around to torment anymore.

Regarding her stepfather, she had heard that he was in New York. The mere thought of him made her stomach churn with disgust.

Lost in her thoughts, Alana didn't notice when Roman placed a plate of bacon in front of her.

"What are you thinking about?" Roman's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned toward his direction before her gaze settled on the plate in front of her.

"Nothing," she replied in a low voice as she picked up a piece of bacon, biting into it.

Roman observed her face as she ate without saying a word.

"You were talking to me about something concerning the bedroom, right?" he finally said after some time.

Alana nodded as she chewed on the bacon in her mouth.

"Can I have my own room, please?"

"Can I have my own room, please?" Alana politely requested.

"No," Roman promptly replied as soon as the words escaped her lips.

"Why?" Alana inquired.

"There are no rooms available at the moment," Roman explained, and Alana nodded in understanding.

"Why do you want a separate room?" Roman asked. "Is the current room unsuitable for you?"

"It's not about that. I don't believe it's appropriate to share a room with you. Besides, our relationship is merely a facade," Alana expressed her concern.

At that same moment, Eren entered the kitchen.

"That is precisely why we should be sleeping together." Roman insisted.

At that same moment, Eren entered the kitchen.

"That is precisely why you should be sleeping with me." Roman insisted.

Alana coughed, almost choking when those words left his lips. She glanced at Eren, who seemed busy finding something in the fridge, but she was certain he had heard what Roman said.

She threw a small glare at Roman, who had a look of indifference on his face.

"I'm sure you agree with me that it is essential in every relationship," Roman said as he poured some milk for himself.

Yes," Alana replied quickly in order to make him shut up.

However, when she realized what her answer implied, she immediately corrected herself.

"No!"

Roman raised an eyebrow at her, his expression as serious as ever, even though he was only teasing her.

Alana immediately stood up, her face red with embarrassment.

"I'm full. Thank you for making me breakfast, Mr. Ashford," she said, and left without another word, as if she were being chased from the kitchen.

Roman smirked wickedly as he watched her scurry away like a frightened kitten. His smirk quickly disappeared when he felt a pair of questioning eyes on him.

"What?" Roman glanced at Eren, who had just taken Alana's previous seat after clearing her plate.

"Nothing," Eren replied with a shrug as he picked up the plate of pancakes in front of Roman and began eating.

Sitting opposite Eren, Roman rested both elbows on the counter.

He didn't mind at all that Eren had taken the food he had prepared for himself, as he had no intention of eating that morning. He simply didn't have the appetite for food.

"You clearly have something on your mind, so go ahead and say it," Roman prompted, looking at Eren intently.

"Why didn't you tell me about her before yesterday?" Eren asked.

It had come as a shock to him yesterday when Roman instructed him to pick up the young woman.

Initially, he had expecting to meet someone in her tweenties, but this girl looked like she was barely eighteen.

"Our relationship is just a facade, and it only started yesterday," Roman replied.

Eren paused eating. He could already grasp the situation without needing further details from Roman.

"Does Ryan know about your arrangements with her?" Eren inquired, looking at Roman with a curious expression.

"No, Not yet," Roman replied.

"You should have informed him about your intentions before finalizing the contract with her," Eren remarked, shaking his head. "Ryan will be furious when he discovers this."

"Likely," Roman replied, resting his forehead on his palm, his gaze fixed on the countertop as if he were seeking answers from it.

Eren's phone buzzed in his pocket, prompting him to reach into his pocket to retrieve the ringing phone.

His expression subtly shifted upon seeing who the caller was. He glanced at Roman, who remained in the same position, before excusing himself to answer the call.

Upon his return, Eren wore a slight frown between his brows.

Roman raised his head to look at him.

"Who was it?" he inquired, noticing the expression on Eren's face.

"It's your grandfather," Eren replied.

Roman frowned.

"What does he want?"