Chapter 8: Sharing a Room

Three days later.

News of Joaquin's marriage spread among the elite circles.

That afternoon, Aylin returned to Rosewood Point and was greeted by a loud elderly voice as soon as she entered.

"Don't lie to me. I don't believe you fell in love at first sight! Is she a fairy?"

Joaquin replied, "More or less."

Nathan Beckham was taken aback, surprised to hear his usually aloof grandson acknowledge a woman's beauty.

"Then why not have a wedding?" The old man was still skeptical.

"She hasn't graduated from college yet. We'll hold the wedding after she graduates," Joaquin answered.

"Not graduated from college? How old is she?"

Noticing a figure slowly approaching the door, Joaquin looked over and said, "Twenty."

Following his gaze, Nathan saw an extremely lively and beautiful girl come into view.

Calling her a fairy was not an exaggeration.

More importantly, the girl had a unique temperament, exuding righteousness, unlike those flashy and pretentious women.

Such a girl could indeed inspire love at first sight.

Nathan temporarily approved of his grandson's taste.

"Aylin." Joaquin addressed the approaching girl, "This is my grandpa, Nathan Beckham."

Aylin looked at the old man and smiled slightly, "Hello, Nathan. I'm Aylin Lovelace."

Nathan smiled, seemingly satisfied with his granddaughter-in-law. "A good child. Come on, don't just stand there. Have a seat."

"Okay." Aylin walked over and sat down.

Joaquin had mentioned that Aylin's father had passed away and her mother had abandoned her. Nathan didn't bring up these unpleasant topics and instead asked about her hobbies.

Aylin mentioned a few. Computer science, painting, and chess.

"You like chess?" Nathan's eyes lit up with joy. "Not many young people like chess these days."

Aylin smiled, "I find it interesting."

"Would you like to play a game with me?"

"Sure."

Nathan looked at Joaquin and ordered, "Go fetch the chess set."

Joaquin hesitated for a moment before Gary interjected, "I'll get it. The young Mr. Hector might not know where it is."

"Alright, you go then." Nathan then continued chatting with Aylin.

Joaquin watched the two conversing happily. He now felt like an outsider.

They soon talked about painting.

"It's good that you like painting. Joaquin likes it too. His favorite artist is Aliza Latimer." Nathan was increasingly pleased with Aylin and continued, "If you want to continue learning to paint, let him find you a good teacher."

Aylin glanced at Joaquin before saying, "No need to trouble him. I have a teacher."

"What trouble? It's what he should do." Nathan sighed, "It's a pity Mr. Hector only takes one apprentice. Otherwise, I'd ask him to take you in."

Aylin asked in surprise, "You know Mr. Hector?"

"Yes, you should have heard of him, right?"

"I do. He's a legend in the art world."

The old man smiled, "He is Aliza Latimer's teacher and highly respected in the art world. I'll introduce you in a few days."

Aylin was momentarily stunned but managed to smile. "Okay... Thank you, Nathan."

"We're family now. No need to be so polite."

Gary brought the chess set over, and Aylin played chess with Nathan.

Joaquin watched from the side as Nathan continuously praised Aylin.

One's character could be seen through their chess play.

Aylin played very well. Her moves were calm and steady, reflecting her personality. Joaquin couldn't help but smile unconsciously as he watched her delicate profile, so young yet so composed.

The game ended with Nathan winning.

"You won," Aylin said with a light laugh.

Nathan chuckled, "You let me win by one move. Of course I would win."

Aylin responded, "No, I was just careless."

The more Nathan looked at Aylin, the more he liked her. His gaze shifted between Joaquin and Aylin before he suddenly asked, "Joaquin said he fell in love with you at first sight. What do you like about him?"

Aylin glanced at Joaquin. Their eyes met for two seconds before she answered, "He's good-looking and rich."

Nathan laughed heartily. "You're honest. It's true. No one can match him in looks or wealth. You made the right choice."

He didn't hesitate to praise his grandson.

Aylin smiled slightly, "Indeed."

Before they knew it, night had fallen and dinner was ready.

Joaquin stood up and said, "Dinner is ready. Grandpa, Aylin, let's eat."

"Alright." The old man got up. "Aylin, let's go eat first."

With Nathan's presence, dinner was much livelier than usual. Nathan even drank a few more glasses of wine than usual. He was genuinely happy.

After dinner ended, Nathan glanced at his watch and exclaimed, "Oh my! It's getting late."

Joaquin said immediately, "I'll take you back home."

"I'm not leaving," Nathan said.

Both spoke simultaneously.

Aylin watched them silently without speaking.

Before Joaquin could say anything else, Nathan stood up. "Don't mind me. I'm going for a walk in the garden to sober up."

With that, Nathan left with his butler.

Aylin looked at Joaquin and hesitated to speak.

Nathan's staying meant their separate rooms arrangement might be discovered, but they couldn't send him away either.

Guessing what Aylin wanted to say, Joaquin suggested, "Tonight, we'll share my room."

Aylin frowned slightly. "I remember you said no one could enter your room."

Joaquin replied, "And you said you'd cooperate with me."

Aylin countered, "I agreed to meet your family, but sharing a room isn't part of that."

Joaquin stared at her for a while then suddenly asked, "What? Afraid you can't control yourself?"

Aylin paused before retorting, "Not worried I'll seduce you?"

Joaquin calmly responded, "Not worried."

"You fell for me at first sight?" Aylin teased deliberately.

Joaquin remained expressionless. "Didn't you say you liked my looks and money?"

In the garden,

Daniel Havilland, Nathan's butler, accompanied Nathan on his walk. "Sir, do you think the young Mr. Hector's relationship with the young mistress is real?"

Nathan smiled wisely, "No."

"Then why didn't you expose them?"

"It's not real now, but who knows about later? I really like this girl, and I hope they can stay together."

Around ten o'clock,

Nathan watched Joaquin and Aylin enter their bedroom before returning to his own room.

When they were alone, the atmosphere between them was subtle.

Aylin glanced at the sofa beside her and walked over, her gaze inadvertently catching a small box on the bedside table labeled with the word "contraception".

Her expression slightly changed as she looked back at Joaquin, who was in the process of taking off his shirt.

Joaquin said indifferently, "Just a precaution."

"A precaution for what?"

Joaquin stopped unbuttoning his shirt and looked at her. "In case my grandfather comes in, not to prevent you from getting pregnant."

Aylin glanced at his open collar. "Why are you taking off your clothes?"

"To take a shower." After a pause, Joaquin added, "Or would you like to go first?"

Aylin pursed her lips. "You go ahead." She then shifted her gaze, walked to the sofa, and sat down. "I'll sleep here tonight."

Without a word, Joaquin left a look that was hard to interpret and turned to go to the bathroom.