Phoebe trailed Lilah, her gaze curious and observing. Upon reaching a distinct aircraft, different from the familiar commercial Liners she knew, she asked, "Miss Phillips, is this one of those private charter planes?"

Lilah, amused by her innocence, responded, "No, it's my client's very own jet."

Phoebe's astonishment was evident; Gerard seemed to shimmer with an opulence she had never encountered. Yet, there was also an undercurrent of aloofness that made her instinctively move closer to Lilah. Was this how the rich usually were?

The plane's interior was like a lavish mini-~apartment, boasting plush sofas, tables, chairs, and even a cocktail bar.

It was luxury on wings, and for a brief moment, Phoebe tasted the high life.

By the time they touched down in Eleywood, night had cloaked the city. Outside the airport, Phoebe leaned closer to Lilah and whispered, “Isn't your client a bit... hard to approach? You must have your hands full."

Lilah raised an eyebrow. Was that so?

She watched Phoebe hail a cab and depart. Shortly after, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up for Gerard. He held the door open for Lilah, motioning her inside. As she settled in, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her.

Jerrold slouched in the car, showing signs of fatigue; it seemed sleep would claim him soon. Lilah ran her fingers through his hair, a soothing motion, and before long, he was asleep.

With Jerrold lost in dreams, only Lilah and Gerard remained awake.

Gerard, absorbed in his phone, tapped out responses to incoming messages. His silhouette, sharp and forbidding, cast an unsettling shadow in the dim car light.

Lilah felt a nagging sensation, a whisper of unease, but couldn't discern its origin.

Upon reaching Gerard's apartment in Starlight Mansion, she tenderly carried Jerrold to his bedroom and settled him in. Returning to the living room, she found Gerard, an isolated figure, his eyes Locked onto her with an intensity that made her shiver.

She hesitated, then ventured, "Is something bothering you?"

As he closed the distance between them, his formidable aura seemed to consume the room. Without warning, he cornered her, his eyes, heavy with unspoken emotions, bore into hers.

“So I'm merely a client to you?" he questioned.

Lilah, caught off guard, blinked. Had Gerard been stewing over this for the entire journey?

A laugh escaped her, light and carefree. "So you've had that on your mind? I was just being careful. Who knows how people would react if they found out we know each other?"

“And why's that?" Gerard pressed.

She shrugged, her tone casual. “You're the talk of the town, Mr. Billionaire. I figured if word got out about us, I'd be swamped with unwanted attention, and you'd be saddled with my unintended baggage."

The storm in Gerard's eyes seemed to wane. "Is that all you think?"

She nodded, her tone earnest. "Given your stature, I'm aware of the tightrope you walk in the public eye."

Gerard leaned in, voice low. "Trust in me. I've got your back."

His fingers, surprisingly warm, grazed her cheek, sending a tingle down her spine. Flustered, she looked away. "It's getting late. You should go to bed, and I should retreat."