Chapter 41
Upon getting up and opening the door to the master bedroom, I noticed the neatly folded bedding. suggesting he had already left. I instantly felt relieved.
Yet, to my astonishment, Gordon was unexpectedly still seated in the living room as I descended the stairs after freshening up.
This made things awkward.
I paused on the staircase, debating if I should proceed downstairs.
However, Gordon had already heard my approach. He turned and offered me a brief, icy look.
He said coldly, âWhat are you doing standing there? Come down.â
âOh,â was all I managed to reply, slowly descending the stairs to face him.
He sat there in a black suit, his presence as commanding as ever, the disheveled look from last night
gone.
He was once again the impeccably dressed, distinguished Gordon.
However, the dark circles under his eyes signaled a rough night.
The memory of last nightâs events almost made me laugh out loud, but I managed to stifle it, not wanting to seem impolite.
I covered my mouth, pretending to yawn, and asked, âHavenât you left for the office?â
âDo you really have to ask?â
He glared at me, his tone still laden with dissatisfaction.
Feeling slightly guilty, I distractedly played with my hair as I said, âThat⦠That soup from your mom mustâve had something in it. I was merely trying to counter the drug effect, using the same method you
once used on me.â
He looked up, his deepâset eyes darker against his pale skin, and said coldly, âShould I thank you for that?â
I masked the awkwardness with a laugh.
âNah⦠No need for that.â
âIâve lost an entire nightâs sleep because of you, and tonight is the important gala. What compensation do
you suggest?â
Gordon folded his arms, fixing me with an intense gaze.
Compensation?
How could I possibly compensate him?
I suddenly remembered the Helena eye cream in my bag, still sealed and reputed for reducing dark
22
circles.
I quickly retrieved the eye cream and showed it to him.
âThis is a brand new, still sealed eye cream, Perhaps you could give it a try?â
He hadnât anticipated such a form of compensation, his expression turning incredulous.
His expression soured as he looked at me.
Appearing helpless, he pressed his lips tightly together, his tone growing even colder.
âFine, then come here and apply it yourself.â
His words were laced with veiled irritation, showing just how much he was holding back his anger.
Yet, I couldnât help but secretly delight in this.
I couldnât help it, but I found myself enjoying how he loathed yet tolerated my presence.
âFine then.â
I set my bag down, extracted the eye cream out of its box, and crouched in front of him.
He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, drawing closer to me.
I dabbed a small dollop of cream on my finger and signaled for him to close his eyes.
I then gently applied it around his eyes.
His eyes shut, the long lashes resting softly on his cheeks. Up close, his skin was remarkably smooth, at testament to his privileged lifestyle.
I carefully spread the cream in circular motions and softly massaged his eye area, then softly said, âItâs
done.â
He opened his eyes instinctively.
As I stood up to put some distance between us, he suddenly grabbed my hand.