Next, she needed to focus on completing her internship for Imogen and return to her regular life.
In the evening, Zachariasâ convoy pulled into the yard from outside. Freddie accompanied him into the house and said with concern, âSir, please be careful with your wound and try not to injure it again.â
âI understand, Zacharias replied. âPlease send the documents to my study.â
Freddie nodded and went upstairs. At that moment, Shirley heard the car and came out of her room on the second floor. She encountered Freddie near the stairs.
âMr. Hurst.â
âMiss Lloyd, youâre here too!â Freddie greeted her with a smile. She smiled back without revealing her current role. However, Freddie was not one to pry.
However, he did offer some advice. âMiss Lloyd, could you please take extra care of Mr. Flintstone and avoid causing any further strain on his injury?â
Shirley was surprised. âWhat happened to his wound?â
âI donât know what happened last night, but both of his injuries showed signs of strain this morning.
Theyâve been treated, and the doctor warned that further damage could be troublesome.â
Shirleyâs face turned a little red while realizing that she might have aggravated Zacharias wounds when she pinned him down the previous night.
âAll right. I will take good care of him.â She nodded and then added, âMr. Hurst, please keep my presence here a secret.â
Freddie nodded. âI wonât disclose anything to anyone.â
She made her way downstairs and saw a man in the kitchen pouring himself a glass of water. She hesitated and contemplated whether to apologize to him for last nightâs events, as she felt she had been offensive.
Freddie finished delivering the documents and left while Tony was still in his room, absorbed in his video game. With only the two of them in the living room, Shirley cleared her throat to make her presence known to Zacharias.
Zacharias had sensed her presence earlier but deliberately didnât turn around. Instead, he stood alone, sipping water and enjoying the night view of the garden outside.
She moved to stand behind him, gathered her courage, and apologized. âIâm sorry. I was drunk last night. If I have offended you, please forgive me.â
âShow your sincerity in your apology, then. Verbal apologies wonât suffice.â Zacharias turned around.
His face was calm, but his eyes held a touch of pride.
Shirley was taken aback. What more did he want in an apology?
âSo, how do you want me to apologize?â she asked curiously. Inviting him for a meal was impossible since he couldnât appear in public.
âGive me a gift. It must be personally selected by you.â He requested. Shirley thought for a moment and then nodded before saying, âAll right. Iâll pick a gift for you tomorrow and present it.â
Zacharias checked his wristwatch, and holding his glass of water, he turned to leave. He left her standing there awkwardly in the living room.
She followed him upstairs. After he entered his study, she sat in the adjacent living room, picked up a book, and began reading.
She stayed there and accompanied him until around 11.00PM. When she noticed that he hadnât come out of the study, she wondered if he was working the night shift again.
She went downstairs and brewed a cup of herbal tea before going to his room. She knocked on the door gently and then entered.
Zacharias was sitting on the couch while smoking a cigarette. He hesitated for a moment when he saw the girl suddenly entering the room and then extinguished the cigarette in the glass ashtray.
She wrinkled her eyebrows; she didnât like the smell of smoke in the air. She put the tea she had prepared in front of him and said, âIf youâre tired, have a cup of tea to refresh yourself.â
He seemed to be preoccupied with something work-related, so she decided not to disturb him.
âYour father will meet with me tomorrow. Will you join us?â he suddenly asked. Shirley was startled and quickly replied, âNo. I canât let him know that I work for you.â
Zachariasâ lips curled up, and he said, âHeâs already called me.â