Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 91: Just Bacon, Not Feelings

[157 Days Left to Live]

Zephany stirred awake at the faint buzz that came from under her pillow. Her brows furrowed, still caught between the fog of sleep and the insistence of the real world.

The buzzing came again.

A notification.

Without opening her eyes fully, she reached beneath the pillow and pulled out her phone.

The screen lit up her face in the still-dark room. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she blinked a few times before the words registered.

"Notification from The Archive."

Now fully alert, Zephany sat up quickly. Her eyes scanned the screen, heart beating faster. She tapped on the message.

Congratulations on successfully completing Mission Null48mp. You have received 100 null points and a $40,000 monetary reward. The other half has been allocated to your ally, Obscura.

"What the—" Zephany gasped, grinning. Her eyes widened. "Forty grand?!" she whispered in disbelief.

She bounced slightly in place on her bed, the mattress creaking under her. Joy bubbled up in her chest as she swayed from side to side, giggling softly like a kid who just found out school was canceled.

How she wished she could give the money to Kendrick, but she didn’t know how.

She raised her phone again and tapped into her profile.

Code Name: Eclipse (Level 4)

Total Null Points: 100

Alliance: Partnered with Obscura – Team Bacon Status: No current mission

Access Granted To: Private data (sensitive personal details, private events, financial records)

She exhaled a long breath, feeling proud. The words on the screen didn’t just mean success—they meant progress, trust, and power. A soft smile tugged at her lips.

Still giddy, she got out of bed. Her toes touched the cool floor, and she stretched her arms high. She felt awake, clean, and renewed, as if the success had washed away all her stress. Humming to herself, she made her way to the bathroom. A long, warm shower later, she stepped out wrapped in a soft towel, her hair damp, skin glowing.

Once she was dressed in her usual soft cardigan and light jeans, the smell hit her.

Something fragrant. Savory.

She paused, sniffing the air. Her brows lifted slightly. Bacon? Eggs? And was that coffee?

A smile spread slowly across her lips. "Kendrick?" she murmured under her breath, then hurried out of her room.

As she reached the kitchen doorway, she stopped.

Kendrick was already seated at the dining table, one hand wrapped around a ceramic mug, his posture relaxed. The morning sunlight poured through the kitchen window and framed him in golden light, casting a warm glow on his face. He looked calm, collected—almost regal. His soft black shirt clung just right, and his eyes, half-lidded from the sip of coffee he just took, carried the calm of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

Zephany stared, momentarily stunned.

"When did he become this... this good-looking?" she thought, blinking slowly. "I mean, sure, he’s always been handsome but—what the heck? Why is he extra ridiculously handsome today?"

She stood frozen until Kendrick’s lips curled up slightly, and without even turning to look at her, he said in that annoyingly smooth voice of his,

"Is the view so good, dear wife?"

Her face instantly heated. Her nose scrunched up as she stomped into the kitchen.

"What view? You’re just blocking the window, that’s all," she mumbled, not meeting his eyes as she slipped into the seat opposite him.

He chuckled lightly but didn’t push further. Zephany crossed her arms for a moment, trying to hide her embarrassment, before her attention was caught by what was laid out on the table.

A mug of steaming hot chocolate sat right in front of her, its surface topped with a tiny swirl of whipped cream, just the way she liked it. Next to it was her favorite breakfast—two slices of toasted bread filled with fried egg and crispy bacon.

She blinked, surprised.

"You made this?" she asked, peeking up at him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, I figured you’d be up soon. Thought I’d make something before your stomach could start making a scene."

Zephany snorted softly and muttered, "So dramatic." Still, she picked up the sandwich and took a bite, trying to look unbothered.

But it was good. Too good.

She tried to keep a straight face, pretending to be unimpressed, but the corners of her lips twitched. Kendrick leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his hand, watching her.

She didn’t notice right away, but the longer he watched, the more he smiled. She looked so serious while eating. But her eyes lit up at every bite. He shook his head faintly.

"You’re really that easy to please," he said under his breath.

Zephany glanced up. "What?"

"Nothing," he replied, still smiling.

Just as she reached for her mug, her phone rang. She frowned and quickly checked the caller ID.

Mr. Davidson.

Her boss.

She picked up with a small, polite voice. "Good morning, sir."

"Zephany," came the urgent voice from the other end. "I need you in the office as soon as possible. You’re the only one I trust to handle this."

Her eyes widened. "Right now?"

"Yes. Get here as soon as you can."

The call ended before she could say more.

Zephany sighed and looked at Kendrick, her shoulders drooping a little. "I didn’t even help with anything and now I have to run off. Sorry."

Kendrick shook his head and waved a hand casually. "Don’t worry about it. Really. It’s not like I did much. Go do your thing. Just be safe, alright?"

She nodded, standing up quickly and brushing the crumbs from her clothes. "Thanks... and thank you for the breakfast. It was really good."

He tilted his head slightly. "Do you want me to drive you?"

She paused at that, then shook her head firmly. "No, no. You might have things to do too. I’ll be fine."

He stood up too and walked her to the door. "Text me when you get there. Just to be sure."

Zephany looked back at him and gave a small smile. "Okay. I will. Bye, Kendrick."

"Bye, Zephany."

As the door shut behind her, Kendrick stood still for a while, then glanced back at the kitchen table, where her half-finished hot chocolate still sat.

He smiled again, softer this time.

Meanwhile, Zephany hurried down the stairs, her thoughts already switching to journalist mode. Still, her cheeks were warm. That man really knew how to get under her skin.