Chapter 67

The next morning, warm sunlight slipped through the gap in the floor-to-ceiling curtains, spilling across the carpet in soft gold.

Elena turned over beneath the covers and slowly opened her eyes. The space beside her was empty. Apparently, Richard hadn’t come back to bed at all.

She sat up and stretched. Considering how eventful the night had been, she actually felt surprisingly fine. Years of dance training had given her better flexibility and recovery than most people. Her lower back and thighs were a little sore, and she was definitely tired, but it was nothing dramatic—more like the aftermath of an intense workout combined with too little sleep.

Elena got out of bed barefoot and headed into the bathroom.

To be fair, before coming over yesterday, she’d still been wondering exactly what kind of relationship she and Richard had.

Then things had escalated rather quickly.

…This was why you shouldn’t feel too sorry for a man.

It was that scar’s fault.

Well.

She didn’t exactly regret it.

Whatever her original intentions had been, looking back at everything now, Elena had to admit that she really did like Richard.

And his promise—that he would learn to get used to having her close—had meant something to her. So had everything that followed.

She wasn’t naive enough to think being in a relationship guaranteed anything. Married people killed their spouses for life-insurance money all the time.

Still, a willingness to make a promise meant something. If nothing else, it showed intention.

After getting dressed, Elena used the open space in the bedroom for ten minutes of stretching and basic exercises. Once her muscles were warm and the lingering stiffness had eased, she finally headed downstairs.

Sunlight filled the dining room, carrying with it the faint smell of coffee and butter.

“Morning.”

Elena greeted the butler as he supervised the breakfast service, then glanced around the room.

“Um… did Richard already leave for the office?”

The butler immediately turned toward her with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Miss Hayes.”

Elena met his eyes for a second.

Why did he look so… pleased?

“Mr. Sterling hasn’t left for the office,” he said. “He spent the entire night working in the second-floor study and hasn’t come out.”

“The entire night?”

Elena immediately forgot about the strange look he was giving her.

“Has he eaten breakfast?”

The butler sighed helplessly. “I went to check on him about two hours ago because I was concerned about him working all night on an empty stomach. He only asked for coffee and told me not to disturb him again unless something was urgent.”

Elena stared at him.

Was that man made of steel?

He’d already done plenty of “overtime” in bed last night, and then he’d gone straight to his study, pulled an all-nighter, and skipped breakfast.

Was he actively trying to collapse?

Stolen story; please report.

“Could you have them prepare another breakfast? Something Richard usually likes. I’ll take it to him.”

The butler’s smile deepened slightly at the casual way she used Richard’s first name.

“Of course, Miss Hayes.”

Ten minutes later, Elena finished her own breakfast and carried a large silver tray upstairs.

She nudged open the heavy walnut door with her shoulder.

Richard’s study was enormous, decorated in cool, restrained tones that made the room feel both luxurious and imposing. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves covered three walls beneath the high ceiling, packed with books, reports, and neatly organized files.

Four large curved monitors glowed above the massive desk in the center of the room. Charts filled the screens—market movements, renewable-energy stocks across several major European economies, and a constantly updating Bloomberg news feed.

Richard sat in the middle of it all.

A pair of thin silver-framed blue-light glasses rested on his nose, and his eyes were fixed on the figures moving across the screens. His fingers moved rapidly over the keyboard.

The moment the door opened, his hands stopped and his brows drew together instinctively.

Then he looked up.

When he saw Elena walking in with the tray, the cold expression disappeared almost immediately.

“You’re up already?” Richard removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice was slightly hoarse from staying awake all night. “Why didn’t you sleep longer?”

Elena set the heavy tray beside the stack of documents on his desk.

“Are you really asking me that?”

Richard was silent for a couple of seconds.

“When things settle down here, I’ll get some sleep.”

Elena eyed him suspiciously. “Really? You’re not going straight to the office?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll sleep first. I promise. I’m not particularly interested in passing out during a meeting.”

That made her laugh.

“All right.”

She studied him for a moment.

Now that he wasn’t staring at the monitors, Elena suddenly became aware of what she’d been wanting to ask him since she woke up. Her heartbeat picked up.

“Can I ask you something?”

Richard nodded.

Elena took a breath.

“Do you like me?”

Richard’s expression grew serious.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, so I don’t have a point of reference.” He looked at her steadily. “But if not seeing you makes me miss you, and seeing you makes me happy…”

Elena’s heart began pounding.

Richard reached for her hand and placed it against his chest.

His heartbeat was faster too.

“And if the time we spend together becomes something I find myself wanting to remember…” His gaze remained on hers. “Then yes. I think that means I like you.”

Elena couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face.

“Okay.” She drew another breath. “Then I’m probably about the same. We haven’t known each other that long, but I… well, I think about you a lot too.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she pulled her hand back and laced her fingers together, suddenly feeling awkward.

Richard looked up at her, his expression unusually gentle.

“Okay.”

He took both of her hands in his, making no attempt to force a bigger declaration out of her.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Elena’s cheeks grew warmer.

“So… about that girlfriend thing you mentioned before.”

She hesitated for half a second.

“I’m saying yes.”

Richard went still.

Elena immediately lifted her chin toward the breakfast tray and adopted her most serious expression.

“And as your newly official girlfriend, I’m exercising my girlfriend privileges.”

Richard’s mouth twitched.

Elena pointed at the food.

“I’m supervising breakfast.”

That finally made him laugh.

He glanced down at the tray. There was crisp golden toast, two fried eggs with soft yolks, thick-cut bacon, sautéed vegetables, and a mug of warm oat milk.

“Thank you.”

Richard lightly rubbed his thumb over her wrist.

“But you don’t need to do this yourself. That’s what the staff is for.”

Elena lightly smacked his hand.

“I’m not here to cook for you. I’m here to make sure you actually eat it. At least take a few bites. Living on coffee is going to destroy your stomach.”

Richard glanced toward his monitors and released her wrist.

“I will. In a minute.”

“Really?”

Elena sighed.

“And you seriously didn’t sleep at all?”

“I rested for a while in here.” Richard paused. “…That counts as sleep.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

She pulled out a wipe and cleaned her hands carefully, then picked up the silverware. After cutting off a piece of egg, she added a small strip of crisp bacon.

“You have time to sit here talking to me, so you definitely have five seconds to eat this.” She glanced at him. “Unless you’re feeling sick? Nauseous?”

“No.” Richard gave her a resigned look. “I’m actually hungry. I just keep thinking I’ll eat after I finish whatever I’m working on, and every time I finish one thing, something else comes up.”

“I knew it.”

Elena leaned down and held the fork in front of his mouth.

“If you’re hungry, then eat.”

Her eyes curved with amusement as she deliberately adopted the tone someone might use with a stubborn child.

“Come on. Open up. Ahhh—”

Richard paused.

He looked up at the girl standing close beside him. Morning light fell across her face, and the concern in her eyes was open and completely unguarded.

Something in Richard softened.

This time, he didn’t argue. He obediently opened his mouth and ate what she offered him.

“Mm.”

He chewed slowly, but his eyes remained on her.

“Not bad.”

Elena nodded approvingly. “See? That wasn’t so difficult.”

Richard’s mouth curved slightly.

“Although I think I enjoyed last night more.”

Elena froze.

“?”

A second later, she viciously stabbed a mushroom with her fork.

“Apparently food still isn’t enough to keep your mouth busy.”