Without another word, she followed him down the grand staircase.
As they descended, the sitting room came into full view, and Elena found herself momentarily breathless. The room was massive, with high vaulted ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Intricate crown molding adorned every edge, and the centerpiece was a crystal chandelier that cascaded soft, golden light across the space.
Elena tried her best to maintain her composure, but the sheer beauty of the place overwhelmed her. Her eyes wandered to the grand fireplace, framed in exquisite marble and further embellished with intricate carvings that seemed to tell a story of their own.
"Wow," Elena whispered, the word escaping her lips before she could stop herself.
The butler chuckled lightly at her reaction, his smile warm and genuine. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, clearly pleased by her admiration.
Elena nodded slowly, still lost in the splendor of the room. "It's incredible," she said, her voice filled with awe as she continued to take in the intricate details of her surroundings.
As her eyes landed on a gleaming grand piano tucked elegantly in one corner of the room, Elena's face lit up with delight. Without hesitation, she hurried over to it, her excitement bubbling over. She reached out gently, her fingers lightly grazing the polished surface of the instrument, careful not to press any keys. The piano was a masterpiece—its black lacquered surface reflecting the light like a mirror. She had always admired pianos, always yearned to play one, but the opportunity to learn had never presented itself.
"Can you play?" came a deep, subtle masculine voice from behind her.
Startled, she froze for a moment. The voice was different from the butler's—sexy smoother—and was accompanied by the faint yet intoxicating scent of cologne that now filled the room. She turned quickly, her heart racing, to find Ford standing directly behind her.
The butler, she realized, was nowhere to be seen.
"How did you get here so quickly?" Elena asked, her voice laced with surprise. She hadn't heard his footsteps or even sensed his presence until he spoke.
As she took him in, her words faltered. Ford had changed into a dark blue tailored suit that fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. His hair was neatly combed, and the faint hint of a smile played on his lips. The sight of him was disarming, and Elena couldn't help but remember the earlier moment when her face had been pressed against his bare chest. The memory alone was enough to make her cheeks flush a deep shade of pink.
"Elena? Elena!" Ford called her name a second time, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Yes—sorry, yes. You were asking?" she stammered, quickly turning her gaze away in an attempt to hide her reddened face. She bit her lip, internally chastising herself. "Elena, get a hold of yourself," she mumbled under her breath.
Ford tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You say?" he asked, having caught her whisper.
Elena's blush deepened as she realized he had overheard her. She shook her head quickly, trying to compose herself. "Nothing," she muttered, feeling the heat of his gaze on her.
"No, it's nothing," Elena replied quickly, turning to face him. Her voice was laced with a forced calmness, though she couldn't quite hide her discomfort.
Ford, however, wasn't deterred. He smiled at her with a hint of mischief. "I asked if you could play," he repeated, his gaze fixed on her. He could see how uneasy his presence was making her, and though he found it amusing, he couldn't help but enjoy the effect he had on her.
"Oh no, I love pianos, but I can't play," Elena responded, her voice soft but regretful. She stole another glance at the grand piano, her fingers twitching as if they longed to touch the keys, but she quickly looked back at him. The two locked eyes for a brief moment, neither saying a word. The silence hung heavy between them.
Suddenly, the moment was broken by the sound of the butler's voice. "Sir, your meal is ready and getting cold," he interrupted, bringing both of them back to reality.
Elena quickly averted her gaze from Ford, only for her eyes to catch sight of her phone in his hands. The realization hit her like a jolt. "Is that my phone?" she asked, stepping closer to inspect it, her heart racing.
Ford, a little too late, handed it back to her. "Oh, yes, it's yours," he replied, his tone casual, though his mind was elsewhere.
He immediately regretted the action. He could already sense that she was beginning to calm down, and giving her the phone now might undo that progress, but it was too late. Elena had already begun opening her messages, her brow furrowing as she scanned through them.
She checked her call logs next, and her confusion only deepened when she found there were no calls listed. Her anxiety grew. "Did you delete anything from my phone?" she asked nervously, her voice tinged with worry. The question left her lips before she could stop it, and immediately, she regretted her words but it was already out.
Ford raised an eyebrow, his voice cool but tinged with curiosity. "Why would I do such a thing?" he replied, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry," Elena muttered quickly, realizing how intrusive the question had been. "Let's go and have our breakfast—it's getting cold," Ford suggested, trying to shift her focus and ease the tension in the room.
But Elena, her face pale and her voice shaky, shook her head. "I need to go now. I can't eat," she said, her words laced with fear.
Ford watched her, knowing something had unsettled her. He had no idea what she had seen or what had caused the shift in her demeanor, but it was already too late. Elena, without another word, turned and ran out of the sitting room, leaving Ford standing there, still unsure of what had just happened.