Elena's breaths came in uneven gasps as she tried to process everything. The sting of humiliation from her stepmother's words and actions still lingered in her heart.
Ford could see that her thoughts were far gone with her. He could see the trembling of her hands and her bath habit of eating her nails when she's nervous was still intact.
"Elena" he called again, this time taking her jaw in his hands, he gently tilted her jaw to face him. Smiling he asked again "Are you alright?".
Surprised at his actions she immediately removed her jaw from his hands. "I am fine. Thank you " she added with a little cough coming later on to clear the tensed air.
Elena couldn't help but be grateful. What would she had done if ford had not arrived. At that moment she felt shadowed by the warmth of Ford's presence beside her.
Elena was grateful but yet it pained her that she was thrown out of her home. A place she grew up with her mom and dad. She could help but wonder why her dad he'd changed to much. Deep down doubts crept in of him not being her father.
Ford glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his jaw tightening as he noticed the tears staining her face. He let out a soft sigh, his own emotions stirring as he watched her struggle silently. Without a word, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek to wipe away the tears that had fallen.
"Elena," he murmured, his voice low and soothing, filled with an unmistakable tenderness. "You don't have to cry anymore. I've got you now."
His words, though simple, made her feel a little better. She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. His eyes, steady and unyielding, searched hers as if he could see every ounce of pain she carried. The intensity of his look made her breath hitch, and she felt an unfamiliar warmth bloom in her chest.
Ford's hand remained on her face, his thumb gently caressing her cheek as though to reassure her that she wasn't alone anymore. Slowly, he leaned forward, his movements deliberate and unhurried. Elena's heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching as the space between them closed.
And then, he kissed her.
The kiss was soft, tender, and filled with passion. It wasn't rushed or demanding—it was comforting, a kiss from him to comfort her.
Elena's eyes fluttered shut, her body relaxing into the moment. She felt the tension, fear, and sadness she had carried for so long begin to melt away, replaced by a fragile yet undeniable sense of hope.
When Ford finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, his hand still cradling her face. "You don't have to face anything alone anymore," he whispered, his voice firm yet gentle. "I'm here for you, and I always will be."
Elena's lips trembled as she tried to smile, yet still confused. She still wondered what the kiss was for even though it comforted her a little.
But deep down Elena feared. It was hard for her to trust anyone much less someone she hadn't even known for long. There had been may disappointments in her life. The pain from her past crept in through her thoughts immediately she pulled back.
Clearing her throat, Elena said hesitantly, "Mr. Ford, you know you don't really need to help me. I can manage on my own. And that kiss… it was unnecessary," she blurted out.
The moment the words escaped her lips, regret flooded her chest. Deep down, she longed for the help she claimed she didn't need. If Ford were to leave her now, she had nowhere to go, yet her pride refused to allow her to rely on anyone. And as much as she tried to deny it, it had been a long time since she'd experienced an actual kiss.
Shaking her head in an attempt to clear her racing thoughts, she heard Ford's calm voice break through. "I'm sorry for kissing you without your permission, but please, let me help you," he pleaded, his tone earnest.
Elena met his gaze, her curiosity piqued despite her reservations. "So… where are we going?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.
Ford smiled softly, as if her question amused him. "My house—no, our house," he corrected, his words filled with certainty. Turning the ignition, he started the car and drove off.
Elena turned to steal one last glance at the house they were leaving behind. She inhaled deeply, bracing herself for whatever lay ahead, and slowly exhaled as she resigned herself to the moment. She sat silently as Ford sped down the road.
When they finally arrived at Ford's house, Elena was taken aback. Although she had been inside the house before, she had never paid much attention to its exterior. Now, standing outside, she couldn't help but admire its beauty. It was just as striking as the interior.
As they walked in, her attention was drawn to the butler, who was conversing with several workers.
The butler immediately paused when he noticed Ford's presence, ready to dismiss the staff.
"No, Morgan," Ford interrupted, holding up a hand to stop him. "Call them back. I need to speak with them."
Ford's sharp eyes scanned the interior as though assessing the very essence of the space. Running his index finger along a nearby surface, he checked for dust. Finding none, he smiled in satisfaction before turning his attention back to Morgan.
Morgan, noticing Elena's presence, gave her a polite bow and smiled warmly. Elena, slightly startled but trying to remain composed, returned the gesture with a faint smile and a small bow of her own.
"I hope everyone is here," Ford said, his sharp eyes scanning the line of house staff that had assembled in front of him. His tone was authoritative, leaving no room for hesitation.
Once satisfied that all the household staff were present, he continued. "From today onwards, Elena will be staying with us," he announced firmly, gesturing toward Elena, who immediately averted her gaze, feeling too self-conscious to meet anyone's eyes.
"I want to make myself very clear," Ford added, his voice carrying a note of gravity. "On no account should she be disrespected. Treat her with the same level of respect that you would give me. Ensure she is well taken care of—feed her, prepare her baths, and attend to her needs as required. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," the staff responded in unison, their voices filled with obedience and precision.
Ford turned to Morgan. "Assign someone to be her personal attendant," he instructed.
Morgan gave a deep bow in acknowledgment of the order.
Meanwhile, among the maids, a quiet wave of curiosity spread. They exchanged discreet glances, wondering who Elena was. It was rare for their usually stoic and reserved boss to speak with such seriousness about anyone, let alone a stranger.
Suddenly, Ford's phone began to ring, cutting through the quiet hum of thoughts. Reaching into his pocket, he answered the call.
"Good morning, sir," came the voice of his assistant on the other end of the line. "Your father is at the company, along with your brother and stepmother."
"What?" Ford's tone shifted instantly, his calm demeanor giving way to evident shock. "What are they doing there?" he demanded.
"I'm not entirely sure, sir," the assistant replied, sounding cautious. "Your father just instructed me to call and inform you to come to the office."
Ford clenched his jaw, his mind already racing. "I'll be there in the next ten minutes," he said curtly before ending the call.
Turning to Elena, Ford offered a reassuring smile. "Relax and make yourself at home. I'll be back very soon," he assured her, his tone calm but slightly hurried. Without waiting for a response, he turned and left, walking briskly toward the car.
As the car drove off, Elena stood in the doorway, watching him leave. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. His expression during the call had shifted noticeably—his brows had furrowed, and his usually composed demeanor had given way to visible unease.
Meanwhile, inside the car, Ford's thoughts were a whirlwind. His father's unexpected visit to the company, accompanied by his brother and stepmother, weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn't figure out their motive, and the uncertainty left him unsettled. But another thought nagged at him—Elena.
She was now alone in his house, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. While he trusted Morgan, his butler, to manage the household, he couldn't ignore the fact that Elena was likely feeling overwhelmed and out of place.
Then, another problem struck him. He suddenly remembered that he had told Elena to leave her old clothes behind, promising to replace them with new ones. But he hadn't yet arranged for anything. He was certain there weren't any women's clothes in the house—except for his late mother's belongings, which were off-limits.
The realization brought an uneasy weight to his chest. Rubbing his temples in frustration, he contemplated his options. He couldn't trust Morgan, or anyone else for that matter, to handle something as personal as buying clothes for Elena.
For a brief moment, he considered leaving her to manage until he returned, but he quickly dismissed the idea. There was no telling how long his meeting at the company would take, and there was no way Elena could go without proper clothing. She couldn't even take a bath without something to wear afterward.
"Oh yes, Lily!" Ford exclaimed, relief washing over him as her name came to mind. She was the perfect solution to his current dilemma. He was about to press the call button but paused, his finger hovering over the screen.
How was he going to explain Elena to her? What could he say about who Elena was or why she was now living in his house? Would Lily understand, or would she bombard him with endless questions he wasn't ready to answer? And more importantly, how would Elena feel about Lily finding out?