Taking a deep breath, Ford felt a sense of satisfaction that he had succeeded in making her wait. "Won't you have something to eat and take a bath?" he asked cautiously, hoping his question wouldn't offend her.
"No, I'm alright. Just drive me home, please. I really need to get home," Elena replied, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her gown. Her eyes, however, remained fixed on Ford.
Ford noticed her persistent gaze and wondered what on him had caught her attention. Tracing the direction of her eyes, he realized her focus was on his chest.
Apparently, one of his buttons had come undone while he was sleeping. As soon as she realized he had caught her staring, She quickly averted her gaze, shifting it awkwardly to the floor.
Ford smiled but decided not to press the matter, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Still, he couldn't resist teasing her just a little. "Give me a minute; let me take my bath," he said, pulling off his shirt without hesitation.
Elena gasped audibly, her reaction a mix of shock and embarrassment. Turning around abruptly, she exclaimed in a flustered tone, "Mr. Ford, you should have told me you were going to remove your shirt!"
"I did. I asked you to give me—" Ford began, but he didn't get to finish. A knock at the door interrupted him.
The knock came again, louder this time. "Who is that?" he asked, irritation lacing his tone. The disturbance had disrupted the small bit of amusement he was having from Elena's clear discomfort.
"It's me, sir," the butler responded from behind the door.
"Come in," Ford said immediately, though his annoyance lingered. He was sure Mr. Morgan, the butler, had come because of the medication.
The elderly man entered, carrying a small nylon bag containing the prescribed drugs. "Apologies for disturbing you, sir," Mr. Morgan said respectfully. "These are the drugs you requested, and I made sure to bring them before she left." He glanced briefly at Elena before focusing back on Ford.
Ford took the bag from the butler and waved him off with a curt, "You can leave now." Though he appreciated the man's diligence, he couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed at the timing. He had been enjoying the chance to tease Elena, and now the moment had been interrupted.
Turning back to her, he held up the bag. "These are your medications. The doctor was very clear that you need to make sure you take them," he said in a firm yet meticulous tone.
However, Elena remained turned away from him, her back stiff and unmoving. "Elena," he called gently, but she still didn't respond.
Puzzled, he stepped around to stand in front of her. To his surprise, her eyes were shut tightly, as though she were bracing herself for something.
"The last time I checked, you weren't wearing a shirt," Elena said calmly, her voice steady despite the awkwardness of the moment. "You know what? I'll just wait for you outside," she added, opening her eyes and turning to leave.
But as she moved, she collided directly into a solid, masculine frame. She froze, realizing too late that Ford was standing right in front of her. Her face accidentally pressed against his bare chest.
A wave of embarrassment swept over her like a tidal wave, leaving her rooted in place. She couldn't summon the courage to step back or even lift her face. Her cheeks burned as she muttered under her breath, "Oh no," shutting her eyes tightly in humiliation.
Ford, on the other hand, found the situation amusing. A small, mischievous smile spread across his lips as he looked down at her. He couldn't help but notice how she trembled slightly against him, her lips inadvertently grazing his skin whenever she shifted.
"My, my, Mrs. Elena Lugard," Ford teased, his tone laced with playful sarcasm. "My darling wife, why didn't you just tell me sooner that you needed me?"
Elena's embarrassment peaked at his words. Flustered and desperate to escape, she pushed him away with both hands. "That's not what I meant!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly in her panic. Covering her face with her hands, she turned and bolted out of the room before he could say another word.
Once outside, she stopped to take deep, steadying breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. The cool air of the corridor was a welcome relief, and her mortification slowly began to fade.
Her attention drifted to the sheer beauty of Ford's house, which she hadn't taken the time to notice earlier. The décor was both luxurious and elegant. The chandeliers hanging along the corridor were massive, far larger and more opulent than the one in her father's sitting room. For a moment, Elena's nerves settled as she marveled at the grandeur around her, letting it distract her from the embarrassing encounter she had just fled.
Elena paced quietly, her curiosity growing as her eyes darted around the house, taking in every intricate detail. She turned her head from side to side, marveling at the grandeur of the space. Her steps eventually led her to a door at the far end of the corridor. Something about it piqued her interest, and before she could think twice, her hand reached for the handle.
Just as her fingers brushed the metal, a voice interrupted her. "Miss, that door is prohibited," the butler's voice came, firm yet polite.
Startled, Elena trembled slightly as she withdrew her hand, her heart skipping a beat.
"Apologies if I startled you," the butler continued, softening his tone. "But my boss would be quite displeased if he found out someone entered that room." His words were kind, but there was a clear undertone of caution, as if to ensure she understood the seriousness of the matter.
Feeling a bit awkward, Elena nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry about that."
The butler offered a reassuring smile, gesturing politely toward the stairs. "Please, follow me, Miss. Your breakfast is ready," he said, positioning his hand to direct her downstairs.
It was obvious to Elena that he didn't want her anywhere near that door making her more curious to find out why.