Janelle shot him a glance, letting him interpret it for himself.
"I can help you wash," he volunteered.
"No need, Erik. Your back can't get wet. Just wipe yourself down with a towel." Janelle climbed out of bed. She really couldn't sleep without washing up after.
Seeing the girl head into the bathroom, a smile touched Erik's lips. Tonight, he had been a bit rough. But after the explosion, he needed that closeness to feel her presence, to confirm she was real. Yet, she was like opium; once tasted, he was addicted, utterly unable to extricate himself. It seemed he was truly lost to this girl. Seeing her upset made his heart ache; in bed, he wanted to overwhelm her.
Janelle took a quick shower, blew her hair half-dry, and emerged. She was still wearing Erik's black shirt. The black shirt on her small frame created an utterly lethal, intoxicating allure.
"Why are you still here?" Wasn't he tired?
"I wanted to stay with you for a while."
Janelle ignored him. She pulled back the covers and got into bed.
"Janelle, can I sleep with you?" Just sleep. Tonight, he wouldn't touch her again.
"No. I prefer to sleep alone." Ever since her mother's incident, she hadn't shared a bed with anyone.
"Alright. Sleep well, then." Erik conceded.
Janelle closed her eyes. "Please turn off the light."
He had wanted to stay a little longer, but seeing her genuine exhaustion, Erik said nothing more. He turned off the main light, leaving only a soft yellow wall sconce on, then opened the door and left.
His back indeed couldn't get wet. He went to the bathroom in the adjacent room, using the showerhead to carefully wash the accessible areas. After cleaning up, he poured himself a glass of red wine. The sight of a man like Erik, an exceptional specimen, drinking wine was profoundly alluring. Finishing the wine, he finally lay down. Before sleep, he set an alarm – he needed to get up early to make her breakfast. Lately, he'd been studying cooking whenever he had time, watching videos, all for the sake of being able to cook for her himself. The girl had digestive issues; she shouldn't just eat anything outside.
The Rovella Mansion
Lillie and Westin returned to the Rovella mansion well past midnight. Amber was startled to see Westin's face swollen and bruised.
"What happened? How did you get beaten up like this? Weren't you at the hospital? What? Is Janelle not dead? Did she do this to you?" Amber fired off several questions in rapid succession.
Westin didn't want to speak; he hurt everywhere.
"Mom, we didn't see Janelle. But outside the hospital, we ran into some men in black suits. They did this to Dad."
"Men in black? Westin, have you offended someone?" Amber asked warily.
Westin was displeased. What was she implying? Who could he have offended? From the moment he got back, she hadn't offered a single word of concern, only suspicion!
"I haven't offended anyone, Amber. You're really disappointing me." Westin finished and headed straight upstairs, leaving Amber and Lillie staring at each other.
"What's wrong with him? What did I say?"
Lillie shook her head. She didn't understand Westin either. "Mom, I'm tired. I'm going to my room." Lillie didn't want to get caught in her parents' arguments. Besides, Westin loved her mother so much; they'd make up by tomorrow.
Back in his room, Westin received a call from his young secretary.
"Mr. Rovella, I'm so scared living here alone. Could you come stay with me?" The secretary's voice was sweet and pleading. "Mr. Rovella, your son says he misses you. He hasn't seen you all day!"
Hearing the secretary's voice lifted Westin's spirits. Yes! Soon, he would have a son. Once the secretary gave birth to his boy, he could finally hold his head high when he went back to his hometown. Otherwise, no matter how much money he had, the villagers always said the Rovella line was dying out.
"Alright, take good care of yourself and our child. I'll come see you another day," Westin soothed the secretary. She carried his child; he was willing to be good to her. He only hung up when he heard movement outside his door.
Seeing Amber enter, he ignored her and went to sleep.
The Next Morning
By the next morning, no one had managed to find out if Janelle was alive or dead.
At the office, Linda arrived and didn't see Janelle. Anxiety gripped her. It was already work time, and Janelle hadn't come in. Could she really be hurt?
Kevin had also seen the online trending topics. He arrived early too. Their project had finally gained some momentum; Miss Rovella couldn't afford to be out of action now.
"Linda, can't you reach Miss Rovella? Is something really wrong?" Such a huge explosion!
Linda had been calling Janelle constantly, but her phone was switched off. "I have to go find her." Madalyn only had this one daughter left. Miss Rovella had to be okay. If something happened to her, what would become of Madalyn?
"I'll come with you," Kevin immediately followed Linda out.
Other project team members watched their hurried departure and started whispering.
"Is Miss Rovella really gone? Did you see Linda's face?"
"Probably. No news since last night... that explosion was massive."
"You think if Miss Rovella is really gone, will her project be given to us? I heard Mr. Aleen really liked her proposal!"
"Why should you get it? We were the ones originally handling this project before Miss Rovella. If anyone gets it, it should be us!"
"Hah! Give it to you? The proposal you guys made before, Mr. Aleen didn't even like it! Sending you would just hand the project over to someone else!"
As Linda and Kevin rushed out, they bumped into Amber and Westin.
Westin stopped them. "Where are you two going during work hours? Is this how you goof off on the company's dime?" Seeing them put him in a bad mood.
"I'm going out to look for Miss Rovella. The project is waiting for her!" Linda retorted, feeling resentful. Neither of these people probably hoped Miss Rovella would return safely!
"Linda, you don't need to look for Miss Rovella anymore. I'll be taking over this project from now on. Bring all the documents to my office immediately."
"..." Linda was speechless. Miss Rovella was merely unaccounted for, yet they were already scrambling to seize the fruits of her labor?