Chapter 16
“Oh, it’s Eliana,” Anthony said, his voice gentle and lazy, the kind that drew women in without trying.
Not that it had anything to do with Eliana. “Well, I was just passing by. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two,” she remarked
“It’s fine.” Anthony’s gaze followed her as she moved. Then he added, “By the way, Eliana, Alice marriage yet.”
d and I haven’t congratulated you and Theodore on your
At that, Eliana instinctively glanced at Alice, only to see the blush on her face vanish in an instant, leaving nothing but stark paleness.
Eliana thought, ‘Am I really that scary?‘ She touched her own face without thinking.
But compared to her and Theodore, Anthony and Alice looked much more like a pair of newlyweds.
*****
The first thing Eliana did after returning to Theodore’s
room was pat her still–warm face and let out a breath.
Theodore had just come out of the bathroom when he heard her dramatic exhale, like she’d been spooked. “What, did you see a ghost?” he asked.
“Shh.” Eliana lowered her voice, worried the door wasn’t soundproof. “On my way back, I accidentally walked in on Anthony making out with his girlfriend in the hallway. It was so awkward.”
She thought, ‘Seriously though, can’t they go to their own room? Why do it right outside Theodore’s door?‘
Hearing this, Theodore lowered his gaze and stayed silent for a long while.
Just when Eliana thought he had no interest in gossip like this, she saw him suddenly yank the towel from around his neck and hang it hard on the wall.
Eliana froze, thinking, ‘Is this guy really so sensitive that even mentioning Anthony sets him off?‘
Without a word, Theodore walked straight over to the bed.
Eliana saw the water dripping from the ends of his hair and hesitated for a moment before asking, “Well, your hair’s still dripping wet. Want me to dry it
for you?”
She felt like she was taking care of a giant husky–patience, compassion, and a sense of duty were all essential.
But Theodore, after feeling for the edge of the bed, lay down with his back to her, shutting out the world. “Shut up. I’m going to sleep.”
Eliana thought, ‘He’s going to sleep with wet hair? What if he catches a cold tomorrow? I really can’t be responsible for that.‘
A moment later, Theodore heard rustling behind him. He figured Eliana was probably tidying something again, so he didn’t pay it any attention.
It wasn’t until he felt the mattress dip behind him that he heard her voice. “Mr. Russell, are you asleep?” she asked.
Theodore thought, ‘She actually got on the bed?‘
His whole body tensed, and he almost opened his eyes on instinct. But the next second, he held back, deciding to wait and see what Eliana was up to so he could catch her in the act.
Eliana was now sitting cross–legged behind him, her eyes on the back of his head, holding a hair dryer in her hand. “If you don’t that as you’re asleep.”
With that, she flipped the switch and started drying his hair.
ything, I’ll take
Warm air blew steadily, mixed with the sound of her fingers running through his hair. Theodore’s earlier suspicion faded, though he still frowned slightly
บ./ว
Tue,
Chapter 16
at how unnecessarily helpful she was.
But not long after, the comfort lulled him into sleep for real. Right before dozing off, he couldn’t help but think, ‘How did Grandpa manage to find maa wife who actually knows how to take care of people so well?‘
Meanwhile, behind him, Eliana scrunched her delicate nose and thought, ‘He’s got such a bad temper that even his hair is prickly
