If you only knew...

45.Three in a bed

Ana's POV

As we drop our bags at the door, a wave of warmth from the softly lit living room washes over us, instantly stealing away the fatigue of our long flight. The thrill of our new adventure buzzes in the air, keeping sleep at bay. But a pressing question hangs over us: with only two bedrooms available, how on earth will we decide who sleeps where? The thought makes me chuckle. Honestly, I couldn't care less if the three of them end up crammed into one bed—I'm claiming the other for myself and Xavier!

"Guys, I can't believe you brought me along on this trip!" Lisa bursts out, her eyes sparkling as she examines every nook and cranny of the living room. She collapses onto the couch, sinking into its cushions with a satisfied sigh. "But seriously, how are we going to figure out our sleeping arrangements? This is going to be one hilarious adventure!"

Nate shoots us a weary look, shaking his head with a smirk. "Honestly, girls, I don't mean to come off rude, but I'm not about to settle for a couch. I need a proper bed!" He bursts into laughter, clearly enjoying the moment.

Xavier, on the other hand, keeps it mellow, his voice low and steady. "I find it hard to believe you could be that much of a jerk, Nate."

Then, out of nowhere, Lisa chimes in, "I wouldn't mind sharing a bed with you, V!" Her bold declaration catches me off guard, and before I can process it, she adds with a grin, "Or should we all just start calling you Xavier?" She bursts into laughter, the sound vibrant and infectious, clearly entertained by the discomfort etched across his face.

In that moment, Xavier's gaze lifts to mine, his expression a blend of surprise and disappointment that stops me cold. I'm equally struck, a rush of anger boiling within me directed at Lisa for her careless words. I can see the shock in his eyes—he didn't expect me to reveal his real name without his consent.

"Yeah, that's my name," he murmurs, his voice heavy with a mix of seriousness and hurt. "I think someone introduced me before I even had a chance to..."

"Oh, come on! We're going to be living together for an entire month. You really don't have to keep secrets!" Lisa demands, her tone light but peppered with insistence.

But before she can press him further, I cut in, my voice steady and firm. "Lisa, that's enough! Let's just take a breath..." My words linger in the air as I watch her playful smile fade, replaced by surprise at my sudden outburst.

I'm feeling incredibly frustrated and betrayed right now. I never gave her permission to blurt out our private conversations so openly. This really puts me in a tough spot with Xavier, and honestly, I'm shocked that she could do something like this. I just didn't see it coming from her.

Nate sinks onto the couch, exhaustion etched on his face. "Alright, let's take a break, everyone. Our boss must find this quite amusing—setting us up to test our patience. But enough about that; we need to sort out our sleeping arrangements because I'm so tired," he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, I think I should be sharing the bed with you, Nate, don't you think? I'd much rather prefer your company over the girls!" Clara laughs playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she glances at Nate, seeking his approval. "I totally get it—no one wants to end up on the couch. It lacks that cozy intimacy, especially with so many of us under one roof. But don't you guys think Nate and I deserve a little privacy?" she adds with a teasing chuckle, scanning the room for our reactions.

"Wait, are you saying I should share a bed with Xavier and Lisa?" I blurt out, a mix of confusion and surprise coloring my voice.

Nate bursts into laughter, clearly enjoying my shock. "You're all friends, right? It's just a little sacrifice to make!"