Chapter 58

**Sarah**

"Who is your visitor?" Jakob asked during our video call. To be honest, I was just as stunned as he was. The unexpected visitor left me reeling, especially since I had just seen him embracing Megan in front of Serenity Pines Estate.

"Philip and his two guards," I replied.

"Hmm... isn't it late? What does he want from you?"

"I have the same question."

I felt a twinge of curiosity but was keen on avoiding a confrontation with Philip. Just then, my phone rang, and to my surprise, it was him calling me instead.

Jakob raised an eyebrow. "I think your husband won't leave you alone. You better face him," he suggested.

With an inadvertent thud, I dropped the phone beside the laptop, accidentally pressing the answer button again.

"Hmp! Let him be!" I blurted out. "Let Philip think that Jane and I might already be sleeping."

"What do you mean? I heard you, woman!"

My eyes widened at the faint sound of Philip's voice echoing through the phone. Jakob just shook his head, once again witnessing my antics.

"Jakob, talk to you again tomorrow. Bye!" I quickly ended our video call.

"Open the gate, Sarah. I know you're still awake," Philip demanded.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes before pressing the phone to my ear. "What is it this time? Do you know it's almost dawn?"

"I know, babe. I've got a watch on my wrist. If you knew it was almost dawn, why are you still chatting with Jakob?" Philip's accusatory tone sliced through the quiet.

"We're just sorting out work for tomorrow," I fibbed, but it was the most plausible excuse to fend off Philip's interrogation.

"Open the gate," he demanded.

"Fine!"

I made my way toward the gate, intent on fulfilling Philip's request so I could finally find some peace. Pushing open the smaller door nestled within the towering gate, I was met with Philip's freshly showered figure. Clad in pajamas and a simple t-shirt, he seemed prepared to retire for the night.

As soon as our eyes met, the scoundrel instantly seized me in a demanding kiss. Beside him, Trey and his companion coughed uncomfortably, his cheeks flushing crimson as he averted his gaze. When Philip finally withdrew, my mind still reeled from the intensity of his kiss, leaving me lost in a dizzying haze.

"Hmmm... It tasted like ice cream," Philip remarked with a smirk.

The guard beside him blushed even deeper.

"I was in the middle of eating ice cream when you barged in," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

Philip made a move to enter through the gate.

"Hold on!" I intercepted, positioning myself to block his path. My arms stretched out on either side, forming a barrier to his entry.  It appeared the brute was intent on stirring up trouble. "You realize it's late, don't you?" I couldn't entertain his antics at this hour.

"I do, and I'm exhausted," Philip admitted wearily, his tone tinged with resignation.

"If you're aware it's late and tired, why did you still come here? You should have rested instead of burdening me! I'm preparing for my sleep, too!" I exclaimed.

"Megan is in Serenity Pines. Her villa burned down, leaving her nowhere else to turn. I offered her refuge there temporarily, given the circumstances. It's too risky for her to seek shelter in a hotel after her villa was deliberately set ablaze," Philip explained.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his explanation as if I hadn't already discerned the situation! I had witnessed Megan in his embrace with my own eyes.

Philip continued, "That's why I've made the decision to stay here."

"Whaaat?" I was utterly astonished by his response. "W-what do you mean you're going to stay in my place?"

"Sarah, we're speaking the same language, you know what I mean. I don't have a place to stay because I let Megan use it in the meantime. That's why I'm going to sleep over here. Come on, I'm feeling the weariness in my bones already. Where can I find your room?"

My mouth opened wide with utter shock. "Did I misplace my brain back in Henderson? That's the only explanation for my utter confusion over your actions."

He gave me a soft kiss on my lips. "You refused to stay in Serenity Pines, so I accepted Megan."

"So, you mean, if I'm staying in Serenity Pines the outcome would be different?"

"Yes, because I didn't want you to get jealous."

"Who said I'd get jealous? I refused to live with you, didn't I?"

"That's why I'm the one who will live with you because you refused me!"

Speech failed me.

"Sarah, I'm exhausted. Can we table this discussion until tomorrow morning, please?" he implored.

As he attempted to step inside the gate, I stood firm, guarding it like Gerard Butler in '300'. "Absolutely not! Philip, are you a moron? Who permitted you to crash here? What sane person lends out their home and camps elsewhere? You let Megan stay at Serenity Pines Estate, and now you show up here expecting to stay at my place? I don't have a spare room! Jane is already using the extra space. Go away!"

"I'm not concerned about Jane's accommodations, Sarah. All I'm asking for is the room you were occupying. It's well past midnight, and my companions and I are out in the cold. Do you have no compassion?" Philip pleaded.

His words left me utterly speechless.

Seriously, why was his predicament suddenly mine to solve after he handed his residence over to Megan?

With a swift motion, he hoisted me onto his shoulder, intent on gaining entry.

"Philip!"

One of Trey's associates inquired, "Did Ms. Mitchell just call Boss Philip a 'moron'? Is everything alright with our boss?"

"Seems that way. Guess you'll have to get used to these two," Trey replied.

Once inside Amir's villa, Philip seated me on the sofa and surveyed the surroundings. "Hmm... quite a place!"

His two bodyguards maintained vigilance, scanning the area.

"Where's your room?" Philip inquired, turning his attention back to me.

In a haze of confusion, I gestured toward the building adjacent to the villa's west side. "If you need a place to stay, you can crash there."

"Is that where you sleep?" he inquired.

"No."

"Then why are you putting me in a doghouse?"

"It's not a doghouse! Ahhh!" I protested as he lifted me once more. I clung onto him tightly, afraid of falling, as he ascended confidently to the villa's second floor, carrying me like a human-sized teddy bear.

"Where's your room, babe?" he asked, reaching for a doorknob, but I intervened swiftly.

"Jane's in there."

The corner of his lips lifted in a subtle smile before he opened the adjacent room.

Oh well, exhaustion had claimed me, too! I allowed Philip to take the bed, relishing in his warmth as he cuddled me.

Who in their right mind would pass up the chance to share a bed with Philip? The brute's an exceptional cuddler, after all.

Yet, as morning dawned, shock rippled through me like a sudden storm when Megan leveled the accusation that I was the instigator behind the fire that consumed her villa.