Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Chapter 42 She Freaks Out
The dream from last night continued to linger in Michaela’s mind, seemingly stabbing right through her heart as the tumult of emotions brewing within her could not calm down even after a long time.
She had long put those immature words she had once said while she was young at the back of her mind as time slipped away.
I have to admit the layout and structure of Shappiray Mansion are exactly like what I’ve envisioned, or possibly even better, and I’m more than glad about it. But again, I’m sure this is nothing more than pure coincidence. Or perhaps, those words I said years ago have inspired him to build Shappiray Mansion in such a manner! Oh well, I don’t even dwell on those ideas, so why will others?
After getting things reasoned out, Michaela swiftly brushed her teeth and get changed. She thought she had woken up quite early, but only to find that Jonathan was already seated on the couch working on his laptop placed on his thighs when she headed downstairs.
As his slender and defined fingers danced across the keyboard, the crisp clattering of the keys sounded rhythmically in the room.
The man had a tall build and long legs. Verily, as he slightly extended his legs and leaned back onto the couch slothfully, there was an inexplicable sense of casualness and attractiveness.
While Michaela was engrossed in what was before her eyes, Jonathan suddenly threw a side glance in her direction. He wore a composed look and had his lips slightly curled upward.
“Good morning, Mr. Jonathan!” She stopped abruptly in the middle of the flight of stairs and obediently greeted him.
“Mmm.” Jonathan withdrew his gaze. She honestly looks good in anything. Despite those thoughts, the words coming out of his mouth sounded extremely serious. “Did you sleep well last night?” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“I-I guess so!” Michaela replied with her eyes lowered.
Being in an unfamiliar environment, she thought she would not be able to fall asleep. Little did she expect that she would have a good night of sleep till dawn, much less a dream.
The thought of how she used to call Jonathan by his name brazenly made her feel a little guilt-ridden. She felt like there was a flame ignited and burning fierily on her chest.
“Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?”
Recognizing that the voice came from above her head, Michaela immediately raised her head. Only then did she realize Jonathan was standing right in front of her, staring at her concernedly.
His warm breath brushed against her face, causing her to blush so much that she looked like a tomato.
“Did you forget to close the windows last night?”
Without getting a response from her even after a long while, the man lifted his hand and placed his palm on her forehead.
Michaela’s body stiffened up, and she almost forgot how to breathe as immense astonishment crept within her. Every part of her skin that Jonathan had just touched felt like they were set ablaze with fire. The temperature of her face remained peak high as her cheeks blushed even wilder than before.
“N-No!” she staggered a few steps backward, deliberately distancing herself away from Jonathan. “I-I’m just hungry and rushed down in a hurry!” She blinked as she gave an excuse.
“Is that so?” It was clear that the man did not believe those words. Nonetheless, he grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her toward the dining room. “The kitchen has finished preparing breakfast. There’s your favorite omelet.”
The sunlight filtered in through the windows reflected off Jonathan’s body, making him radiate a blissful tenderness. His handsome features were further made distinct by the warm glow casting on him.
In the dining room, the butler had been waiting for their arrival. Noticing their intimate behavior as they walked in, he wore a delighted look as he greeted, “Good morning, Ms. Michaela!”
“Good morning, Wayne!” she replied politely.
However, when she caught sight of Wayne’s meaningful smile, she bowed her head even lower.
For some reason, she felt that everyone there was acting strangely.
The housekeepers sized me up curiously; though Wayne is extremely friendly, he has a baffling smile. And not to mention how Jonathan was so intimate by having physical contact with me. Can’t he just talk properly?
While her thoughts were in a jumbled mess, Jonathan’s deep voice sounded from beside her ear. “I haven’t had time to ask you yesterday. What do you think of Shappiray Mansion?”
Ahem, ahem…! Michaela choked on her soup as that question reminded her of her dream last night.
She had managed to convince herself earlier, yet Jonathan’s question only triggered her to rethink the meaning behind it.
Her face was flushed a crimson red, and her tears nearly streamed down.
“Why are you so careless?”
As those words rang out, Michela felt a sudden pressure on her back.
Even with her blouse on, she could feel the warmth from Jonathan’s palm permeating into her skin, leaving her with a burning sensation on her back.
As much as he had patted her back, she felt a numbness creeping up to her head and her body shivering as anxiousness filled her.
“Thank you, Mr. Jonathan. I’m fine now!” Michaela spoke in an apologetic voice after the discomfort in her faded.
However, Jonathan was more concerned about getting an answer to his question earlier. “You have yet to answer me. What do you think of this place?”
“It’s quite cool!” Michaela acknowledged with a gentle grunt.
“Just that?” Those three simple words supposedly were not enough to satisfy Jonathan, which explained why he persisted in getting a longer answer.
Michaela stopped drinking the soup and her exquisite face blanked out as she fell into deep thought for a while before she turned to the man and solemnly said, “And also, you’re just like what everyone says! You’re indeed extremely wealthy!”
Casting a tender look at her, he suddenly inched closer to her while she was unprepared, leaving her jumping in fright that the fork in her hand dropped as she shivered.
His oppressive aura had left Michaela’s body frozen on the spot, not daring to move an inch. Right then, a soft voice rang next to her ear. “Mich, you’re doing it on purpose, am I right? Tell me… what should I do to punish you?”
The man’s voice turned high-pitched toward the last syllable, and there was an indescribable affection and obvious trace of seduction. Listening to that only made Michaela’s ears tickle with embarrassment.
Is this man deliberately trying to seduce me?
At this untimely moment, a voice came outside the dining room. Following that, Walter appeared at the door. “Mr. Xander, Mr. Sullivan is here.”
“I’m not seeing him.”
Jonathan straightened his back and sat back at his original spot.
Then, he swept his grim and frosty gazes at Walter, leaving the latter flinching in fear. In the blink of an eye, he had already ducked out of the room.
Walter had only managed to heave a sigh of relief after making sure that he was out of Jonathan’s line of vision. By now, cold sweat was breaking out on his back, and he was in extreme puzzlement.
Did I do something wrong? Mr. Xander’s gaze was too terrifying. It felt like he was about to kill me!
Because of Walter’s sudden appearance, Jonathan finally returned to normalcy.
Breakfast had been a mind-shuddering experience. Even with Michaela’s favorite omelet, she found it tasteless and unappetizing, almost as if she was chewing on wax.
I’m just stating facts. Why did he think I was teasing him? Besides, I wouldn’t dare to do that!
She thought they could both return to their rooms after breakfast without the need to interfere in each other’s personal lives. Unexpectedly, she heard Jonathan’s clear voice again as soon as she put her spoon down. “Go and pack yourself two sets of clothes. We’ll head out later.”
“Head out? Where are we going?”
Ever since the scandal broke out, Michaela was subconsciously repulsive about heading outdoors.
“To take a break.”
“Huh?”
Unbothered about the doubts Michaela had, Jonathan seemed like he was in a good mood. He looked very relaxed and even had a faint smile as he glanced at the watch on his wrist. “We’ll leave in ten minutes. Go get ready now!”