[Chapter 965: Maybe I'll End Up Refusing to Leave]
Eric took Natasha Henstridge away from the Caesars Palace Hotel. They drove north along the Las Vegas Strip for about four kilometers, then turned east through the Las Vegas Convention Center, arriving at a golf country club.
Las Vegas was nestled in the heart of the desert, known for its arid climate and lack of greenery, which gave the city a rather barren feel. However, once the car entered the country club, it felt like stepping into another world. Though it was still chilly in March, the club was filled with evergreen trees and lush lawns, creating the impression of an oasis in the desert.
As Natasha gazed out the car window, she seemed puzzled. "Eric, isn't this a golf course? Why are you living here?"
"There are residential areas inside," Eric replied, having glanced at some documents but looking out the window at her words. He smiled and added, "But this is my first time here too; you'll see soon enough."
After just a few exchanges, the car rolled along the paved road for several meters. Natasha soon spotted rows of villas surrounded by the golf course and couldn't help but swallow hard, thinking that her earlier question must have seemed foolish.
While most major cities featured residential areas adjoining golf courses, this was the first time she saw villas built within a golf course. Reflecting on it, in a city like Las Vegas, surrounded by desert, constructing villas on a golf course that resembled an oasis truly seemed like the best choice.
...
A few hundred meters later, the car arrived at a luxurious mansion. Eric and Natasha got out, and they were greeted by Caroline and Melanie, who had come ahead.
Caroline's smile quickly faded upon seeing Natasha, replaced by a hint of insecurity on her pretty face. As Natasha approached alongside Eric, Caroline instinctively shuffled her feet, feeling dwarfed by the woman who stood a good thirty centimeters taller in her heels.
"Natasha, this is my assistant, Melanie Gleason, and Caroline Wilson," Eric introduced, noticing Caroline blinking rapidly, clearly feeling intimidated by Natasha's presence.
Natasha smiled as she shook hands with Melanie and introduced herself before reaching out to the petite girl in a white hoodie and distressed jeans.
Even without considering Caroline's outfit, Natasha found it hard to believe that Caroline could be Eric's assistant. The adorable girl reminded her so much of a doll that she felt an urge to pinch her cheek. She couldn't think that Caroline was actually a few years older than herself.
"Hello, Miss Henstridge," Caroline said, her upbringing in etiquette kicking in as she reflexively shook Natasha's hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"Well, let's go take a look at the house," Eric suggested after the introductions, noting a lock of Caroline's hair falling across her shoulder, seemingly caught in the drawstring of her hoodie. He naturally reached out to help her fix it, adding with a grin, "I always said, little Carly, you look best in this outfit."
Feeling the caring gesture from Eric, Caroline couldn't help but glance at Natasha, murmuring discontentedly, "Eric, you can't call me that."
Eric nodded, "I know, I know. Just drop the 'little' part, right?"
Caroline's cheeks flushed a crimson red, and though Melanie wanted to tease Eric for 'bullying' Caroline, she thought better of it with Natasha around. So, she merely rolled her eyes at him as they entered the mansion, losing any desire to give Eric a detailed rundown on the luxury home. Instead, she simply said, "Eric, due to time constraints, we had the furniture replaced with new ones in the original styles. The decorations in the house remain unchanged; if you don't like them, I can have someone come and remove them."
Eric casually surveyed the villa, which was designed quite differently from traditional homes. The layout appeared rather eclectic. The living room wasn't large, with marble flooring, and just ahead was a corridor leading to a spiral staircase. Glancing up, one could see the second floor's terrace. The overall decor leaned towards a Euro-inspired style, dominated by white hues, with abstract paintings on the walls and some potted plants in the corners.
Pulling his gaze away, Eric noticed Melanie's silence and looked at her.
Melanie broke the quietness, "The security team has finished installing a brand-new security system. They are staying at the hotel across from the club. If anything happens, Carter and the others can reach you in two minutes, and the neighborhood security will also get an alert. That's all, Eric. If there's nothing else, Caroline and I will head back to Caesars Palace."
Eric understood that Melanie was once again standing up for Caroline in a passive-aggressive way. He felt no anger and simply nodded, "Alright, you two can head back. You should take Caroline around; there are plenty of fun places in Las Vegas."
Melanie smiled formally and nodded, linking her arm with Caroline as they headed out.
...
As they left the villa, Caroline couldn't help but turn back for a last look. "Mel, this isn't right."
Melanie opened the car door prepared for them by the company, slid into the driver's seat, and glanced at Caroline in the passenger seat. "Silly girl, I'm doing this for you."
Caroline bit her lip, feeling guilty, and muttered, "I... I'm just too short."
"You're too timid," Melanie said as she drove away from the country club, her tone tinged with exasperation. "I've never met a twenty-seven-year-old virgin before. If I were you, I would have found an opportunity long ago to jump into his bed. With a boss like him, he certainly wouldn't be ignoring you anymore."
At Melanie's bold suggestion, Caroline immediately turned as red as an apple, avoiding eye contact as she looked out the window, quietly defending, "He doesn't ignore me."
Melanie sighed, taking a moment to ponder, then gently patted Caroline's shoulder. "Honestly, that guy isn't as great as you think. You just haven't been in love before. Girls can give their first time to someone they like too; if you're willing, I can help you. Get closer to him and look at him more; you might slowly come to your senses."
Caroline blinked rapidly, her voice trembling. "Mel, w-what do you mean by help me?"
Melanie smacked the steering wheel. "I mean helping you not become a twenty-eight-year-old virgin."
Caroline finally broke free of her well-practiced lady-like etiquette, exclaiming like a startled kitten, "That's impossible!"
Melanie shot Caroline an amused glance, saying nothing more as she continued to drive.
After a long while, Caroline finally loosened her grip on the door handle, giving up on the idea of jumping out. She curled up in her seat, her legs drawn close against her.
As they neared Caesars Palace, Melanie spoke up again, "Let me ask you one more time; if you don't want to, just shake your head. If you do want to, you don't have to show anything. I'll help you find an opportunity."
Caroline tilted her chin against her knees, lost in thought for a moment before slowly dropping her head.
Melanie parked in Caesars Palace's lot without opening her own door. Instead, she leaned over to hug Caroline lightly, gently patting her. "So, it's settled. If you end up sad, you can come to me to cry, but don't do anything silly."
"I wouldn't do anything silly," Caroline murmured softly.
"That's hard to promise. You're so naive."
...
Back in the luxury home at the country club, after the two women left, Eric took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. He watched as Natasha Henstridge curiously explored her surroundings, hands behind her back. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Um, red tea would be nice, or anything is fine," Natasha quickly blurted out her preference, then caught herself.
Eric chuckled, "Let me check if they have red tea prepared."
"Thanks. Do you need any help?" she asked.
"No, you're the guest," Eric shook his head. "If you're interested, feel free to explore."
Natasha accepted the invitation and watched as Eric headed toward the kitchen. She removed her light gray women's short coat, revealing a fitted knit top and white casual pants as she confidently walked to the spiral staircase in her heels.
Eric, normally not a tea drinker, found that Caroline and the others had prepared some tea. After boiling the water and brewing the tea, he left the kitchen and, calling out to the unseen woman, followed her voice as he made his way up the spiral staircase to the second floor.
When he arrived, he saw a sunny living area with a row of floor-to-ceiling windows. Natasha had gotten up from the sofa and walked over, taking the tray from Eric's hands as they both settled onto the sofa by the window.
Though the second floor wasn't particularly high, sitting by the window offered a sweeping view of the golf course.
Natasha poured tea for both her and Eric, comfortably leaning back into the sofa, her long legs curled lazily. Looking outside, she remarked, "This place is really nice."
Eric held his teacup, "Should I say that it's worth staying here for a few days?"
"Haha, if you dare to say it, I'll dare to stay. Who knows, maybe I'll end up refusing to leave," she replied with a smile.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.