Chapter 13: Fun to tease
Ella reached the bottom of the stairs, her damp hair now dry and soft, falling loosely around her shoulders. She was still adjusting the oversized sweater Nicholas had lent her when an older man in a crisp uniform approached her with a polite bow.
"Miss, dinner has been prepared. If you would please follow me to the dining room," the butler said with practiced grace.
Ella blinked, taken aback. "Dinner?"
"Yes, ma’am. Mr. Nicholas insisted," he replied, motioning toward a wide archway leading to a beautifully set dining area.
Ella stepped into the dining room, her fingers still combing through her freshly dried hair. The faint scent of Nicholas’shampoo lingered on her, a reminder of how surreal her day had become. She paused, her eyes widening as she took in the lavish spread laid out on the long dining table. Plates of rich pasta, roasted vegetables, fresh seafood, and a basket of warm bread filled the room with mouthwatering aromas.
The butler, a composed older gentleman with a slight bow, gestured toward the table. "Hope you enjoy, miss," he said politely, stepping aside.
Ella blinked, her gaze darting between the food and the butler. "This... all of this is for dinner?" she asked, incredulous.
"Of course," came Nicholas’ smooth voice from behind her. She turned to find him leaning casually against the doorway, his hands in his pockets. He had changed into a casual outfit—dark jeans and a simple gray sweater that somehow made him look even more effortlessly attractive. "Don’t tell me you’re shy about eating. I’ll be offended."
"I—" Ella hesitated, glancing at the table again. It wasn’t just the quantity of the food; it was the quality. Everything looked expensive, decadent, and meticulously prepared. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had a proper meal, let alone something this extravagant.
"I’m not even hungry," she said weakly, her voice lacking conviction.
As if on cue, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl, the sound echoing in the quiet room. Ella froze, mortified, while Nicholas’ lips curved into a slow, mischievous grin.