Chapter 11: I’m not asking
Ella hesitated in the grand foyer, her body stiff with tension. Nicholas seemed to notice her discomfort, his teasing demeanor softening as he gestured toward the curved staircase.
"You’re soaked through, and you’ll catch a cold if you stay like that," he said gently. "Why don’t you take a hot shower? I’ll lend you something dry to wear."
She blinked, surprised by the offer. "I—uh—"
"No arguments," Nicholas interrupted, his tone leaving no room for debate. "I’ll have one of the staff bring you clothes. You can leave them here later if you’re worried about returning them."
Ella’s lips parted to protest, but she closed them again. The thought of warm water washing away the chill from her bones was too tempting. "Okay," she murmured reluctantly.
"Good choice." He nodded in approval before calling for one of the staff members. Moments later, a woman appeared, holding a neatly folded set of clothes. Nicholas gestured for Ella to follow him upstairs, leading her to a guest room with an attached ensuite bathroom.
"Here," he said, setting the clothes on the bed. "Shower’s stocked with everything you’ll need. Take your time."
She looked at him skeptically, unused to this kind of treatment. She asked again "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Nicholas paused, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Maybe I’m just not as bad as you think," he said with a small smirk before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.
Ella stood there for a moment, staring after him, before shaking her head. "What have I gotten myself into?" she muttered under her breath.
The bathroom was as luxurious as the rest of the house, with gleaming tiles, a rainfall showerhead, and a selection of high-end toiletries. She turned on the water, letting it run until steam filled the room, then stepped under the spray. The hot water was blissful, washing away the cold and tension that had gripped her since her car broke down.