CHAPTER 137: CLOSE BUDDIES

After wandering around outside for a bit, they got back to the hotel, and it was almost nine. Lauretta had a bag from the bakery in one hand and a hot cup in the other. "Phew, nearly nine. Juliana's gotta be starving," she muttered. George, trailing behind her, nearly bumped into Lauretta as she stopped suddenly at the hotel entrance. "Whoa, George!" Lauretta exclaimed, surprised. "You good?" George blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Just... lost in thought," he said with a weak smile. Lauretta eyed him suspiciously. "Lost in thought, huh? Following me like a lost puppy isn't quite how I imagined spending my evening." George flushed. "I wasn't following you! We just... happened to be heading in the same direction." Lauretta raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Funny coincidence," she said dryly, unlocking the door. Inside the warm lobby, Lauretta paused, surprised. "Wait, where are you going?" she asked, noticing George heading towards the elevators instead of his room.