Bound to the Alpha

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jhune's POV

I was left speechless when we stepped into the condo he said I’d be staying in. I couldn’t hide my amazement as I took in the surroundings.

Damn. I knew he was wealthy, but I’m still blown away by how extravagant everything is.

I gazed up at the large chandelier hanging in the center of the expansive living room. To the side was the staircase leading to the second floor.

Holy crap. This place exudes both luxury and coziness; the exterior's masculinity perfectly complements the interior’s elegance.

"Jhune," he called. "Hey." When I turned to him, he was already frowning.

"H-huh?" I stammered in surprise, realizing I might have spaced out and not heard him call me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, stepping closer, which made me instinctively step back. He frowned at me once more.

"You seem out of it," he said, gazing intently into my eyes as if trying to read my mind. "You seem troubled."

I looked away. "I'm fine, just lost in thought." I scratched my cheek and laughed awkwardly.

He took a step back and told me to wait downstairs while he prepared the guestroom upstairs.

I nodded in agreement and continued to survey my surroundings. Aside from the luxurious items in his condo, there was one particular thing that caught my attention.

It was a large painting on the side of the room. I moved closer to the painting hanging on the wall.

I had an odd feeling that this wasn’t the first time I’d seen it. It seemed strangely familiar.

Then, my eyes widened as I remembered where I had seen it before.

Wow! I couldn’t believe it!

It was the same painting I had once seen at an art exhibition when Sun and I visited an art gallery. Just like the first time I saw it, my reaction was the same.

I was instantly captivated and could hardly take my eyes off it. I felt as if I had fallen in love with it, but when I returned to see it again, it was gone.

I found myself reaching out to touch the artwork when I heard his deep voice behind me.

"What are you doing there?" he asked.

I quickly dropped my hand and turned to face him.

"N-nothing, I was just admiring the painting," I said, trying to cover my surprise.

He nodded, stepping beside me to study the painting as well. I noticed a frown crease his face.

"You like it?" he asked, making me jump.

"Y-yeah, kind of." I replied. He nodded again, his gaze still fixed on the painting.

"That's good. Now I can say that buying this painting wasn't a waste at all." I saw him smile from the corner of my eye.

I glanced at him curiously. "What do you mean? I thought you bought it because you liked it?"

He shook his head. "Not as much as you do. Paintings are like puzzles to me, I don’t like how expressive they are." he said seriously.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I turned away, trying my best not to burst out laughing.

"Are you laughing at me?" He frowned when he noticed me trembling, my shoulders shaking as I struggled to hold back my laughter.