Cross Lines

Chapter Sixteen: Morning

When Emily Luo woke up, she was a bit disoriented. Lying on her back, she noticed the ceiling seemed much closer than usual and it took her a moment to remember she was staying at someone else's home. Sitting up and rubbing her temples, she was surprised. Despite being a creature of habit and in a completely unfamiliar setting with lingering thoughts, she had slept soundly and couldn’t recall any dreams. The house was very quiet, and she didn’t hear any sounds.

She wrapped herself in a bathrobe and looked down from the railing, spotting Maggie asleep on the sofa. The deep blue bedding contrasted with her pale face, and her hair was spread out on the pillow. From this vantage point, Maggie's sleeping posture seemed quite peaceful. Emily Luo found herself staring at her, lost in thought.

Suddenly, her phone on the coffee table buzzed, and Maggie stirred slightly, though her eyes remained closed. Emily Luo, feeling as if she had been caught spying, quickly stepped back from the railing, her heart racing. She found her reaction amusing—after all, she wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Once Maggie woke up, she turned off her alarm and, still groggy, slipped on some slippers and headed to the bathroom. Emily Luo heard the sounds of washing up and the toilet flushing. After about ten minutes, Maggie's footsteps moved towards the kitchen, where Emily Luo could hear the soft noises of cabinet doors opening and water being poured, though the movements were deliberately subdued.

Feeling out of place on the second floor, Emily Luo carefully walked downstairs. Maggie, seeing her, greeted her with a smile, “Good morning.”

Emily Luo nodded, “Morning.”

“How did you sleep?”

“Very well.”

“Your towels and toiletries are in the bathroom. Breakfast will be ready shortly. In a hurry?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Maggie returned to preparing breakfast, and Emily Luo headed to the bathroom, glancing back at Maggie’s retreating figure.

When Emily Luo emerged from the bathroom, Maggie had already opened the balcony door, letting in fresh air and sunlight that brightened the room. Emily Luo took a deep breath, feeling her mood lift.

Maggie turned off the soy milk maker and set cups on the bar counter. The breakfast included a ham and cheese sandwich and a microwaved egg on each white plate. The food looked appetizing. Emily Luo asked, “Soy milk?”

Maggie, pouring steaming rice porridge into a glass, replied, “No, rice porridge. You mentioned limiting soy products, so I switched from soy milk to rice porridge.”

Emily Luo smiled slightly and said nothing more. Maggie closed the window and advised, “I opened the window for some fresh air. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Then she glanced at Emily Luo’s legs exposed below the bathrobe and asked, “Ready to eat?”

The aroma of the food made Emily Luo’s stomach growl, and she nodded in agreement. Maggie noticed how relaxed Emily Luo seemed, which was exactly what she hoped for. Maggie had felt an affinity for Emily Luo from the first meeting, and it had only grown over time. It wasn’t just her refined appearance but also the genuine feeling of wanting to know her better without any impatience.

The simple breakfast suited Emily Luo’s taste well. Having spent many years abroad, she was used to this kind of quick meal. Maggie’s kind and natural attitude, with thoughtful yet unexaggerated gestures, made Emily Luo feel comfortable, even a bit reluctant to leave.

After breakfast, Emily Luo, still in her bathrobe, sat on the sofa, gazing at Maggie with her beautiful eyes. Without makeup, Dr. Luo had fair skin, lively eyes, and her long hair was loose and full of charm. The collarbone visible beneath her slender neck was quite alluring, making Maggie, who maintained a composed exterior, have a fleeting wicked thought.

Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. Maggie dried her hands and asked, “Do you have work today or are you off?”

Emily Luo pouted reluctantly, “I’m working.”

“Then—do you want to borrow some of my clothes? I have disposable undergarments, and you can wear one of my outer garments.”

“Huh? My—”

“Your clothes are hung up, but you shouldn’t wear them after getting wet in the rain. There’s a dry cleaner downstairs—”

“Just find a bag to pack them up,” Emily Luo interrupted, “and if it’s convenient…”

Maggie smiled, “As long as you don’t mind.”

Maggie responsibly saw Emily Luo off to the hospital. Emily Luo thanked her sincerely as she got out of the car, and Maggie waved goodbye with a smile. It seemed best to avoid complicating the newly eased relationship.

Over the next two days, Maggie encountered Qiqi once at the office. Qiqi’s expression didn’t seem unusual, so Maggie didn’t dwell on it. With the year-end workload piling up, Maggie didn’t have time to speculate about personal relationships.

After the weekend, Maggie received a large package at work. Inside were Emily Luo’s clothes, neatly folded in a dry cleaner's bag, along with a brand-new silk scarf from an international brand. There was no note.

Maggie wasn’t sure how to feel. Clearly, Emily Luo’s attitude toward her wasn’t as positive as she had hoped, but her gesture was polite and well-mannered. Maggie sighed deeply, tapped the box, and focused on work.

Poppy came in with a cup of hot milk tea, holding a piece of paper, and exclaimed, “Boss! Maggie, come quick!”

Maggie, frowning as she tossed the box under her desk, asked, “What’s up?”

From afar, Zachary turned his head, looking puzzled. Poppy leaned closer to Maggie, showing her the paper.

It was a company announcement about a New Year’s Eve party. It mentioned that departments should prepare performances, and both the manager and assistant manager were expected to attend a high-level company dinner afterward.

The company’s New Year’s party had evolved from a simple dinner into a lively performance event. Despite the lavish venue, many designers, who often found such events beneath them, preferred to stay home. Maggie looked at Poppy and said, “Looks like it’s your turn this year.”

Poppy pouted, “They don’t want me!”

Poppy’s face scrunched up in frustration, “I was asked last year, but didn’t even make it past the initial selection. So embarrassing!”

Poppy had mediocre singing skills and was overshadowed by better performers. She was too shy to be extravagant and thus failed to make an impression. Zachary and Maggie didn’t take it too seriously; it was just a game. However, Poppy was determined.

Maggie shrugged and glanced at Zachary, who took the paper, pointed to a line, and said, “The top prize is a luxury reef vacation for two.”

Maggie blinked, confused.

“Oh!” Zachary sighed contentedly, looking at the ceiling. “This season, diving and surfing should be nice, don’t you think?”

He then looked at Maggie, “Isn’t this something you’ve always wanted?”