Chapter 31: Keep people
Nicholas’s car glided smoothly through the city streets, its sleek black frame cutting through the post-rain haze like a shadow. Ella sat quietly in the passenger seat, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her gaze fixed on the blurred reflections of neon lights dancing across the wet pavement. The inside of the car was quiet, filled only with the hum of the engine and the soft rhythm of the rain still clinging to the windows.
Nicholas glanced sideways at her. "You’re quiet," he said, his voice calm, almost coaxing.
"I’m just tired," she replied, not looking at him.
He didn’t press, letting the silence settle again, but his eyes lingered on her a second longer than necessary.
As they neared the gates of his estate, the world around them shifted from city grime to manicured luxury. The gates opened automatically, revealing a long driveway lined with trimmed hedges and glowing garden lights. The mansion came into view, a breathtaking sight of glass, stone, and old-world elegance perched against the night sky.
Nicholas brought the car to a gentle stop in the circular driveway, then stepped out. Before Ella could open her door, he was already there, pulling it open with a practiced ease and offering his hand.
"Back home safe and sound," he said with a teasing lilt, eyes twinkling under the overhead lights.
Ella stared at his hand, then raised an eyebrow and got out on her own. "I don’t think I’d call this place ’home,’ but thanks for the ride," she muttered.
Nicholas chuckled and closed the door behind her. "One day you will. You’ll be begging me to stay."
She shot him a look over her shoulder. "In your dreams, Nicholas."
"Every night, sweetheart," he said under his breath as he followed her inside.