Chapter 685 Desperate
Emelie found his words unbearably harsh. She furrowed her brows and turned around.
William smiled at her. “Your food’s ready. Come, eat.”
Only then did Emelie notice that William took out the food from the self-heating hot pot. He rinsed it all in a glass bowl to tone down the spice.
“It shouldn’t be too spicy now. I’ll warm up some milk for you. It helps with the spice,” he added.
Emelie stared at him.
William was never attentive nor caring. He was an authority figure, a CEO, a privileged rich man. He wouldn’t bother eating if the food was overcooked, undercooked, or just not to his taste. Yet there he was, making a meal for her.
Emelie walked back to the couch. “Mr. Middleton, it’s unsettling to see you so considerate.”
William placed her portion in front of her. “I owe you that much; isn’t it only right to treat you better?”
Emelie gave a cool, faint, and insincere smile. “Oh, I see. So lending me a jacket, helping me rinse some veggies, and warming up milk is your way of making amends?”
Her sarcasm hung in the air.
“Then tell me whatever you need me to do,” William countered.
Emelie wondered what game he was playing. She picked up a pair of unused disposable utensils and tilted his chin up.
“Mr. Middleton, don’t be so desperate. It doesn’t suit you,” she said.
William remained unfazed. “Well, how do you see me?”
“You know…” Emelie let the utensil glide from his chin down to his throat. There was no intimacy, just a cold detachment.
“You’re one of those types of people who want everyone to follow you. And if someone dares go against you, you’ll make them pay the price. You’re the one to make a move first, not the other way around.
“And if anyone challenges you, you make you beg for forgiveness, giving them what they’ deserve’. That’s who you are,” Emelie said.
William swallowed hard.
“So that’s how you see me,” he said in a low voice.
“Isn’t that exactly what you’ve done? It has only been three years. You think I’ve forgotten?” Emelie withdrew her hand. She was done with the conversation.
Suddenly, William clasped her wrist, his gaze intense beneath his single eyelid. “I regret how things went down back then. But I did the best I could.”
Emelie’s expression was flat. “Sure. I believe in you. Killing me to cover up your secrets was definitely your best option.”
William was at a loss for words.
The conversation ended, and they both settled into their meals. Afterward, they found separate spots in the living room to work, and the room lapsed into silence.
Around 10 o’clock, William left the living room. Emelie wondered where he went.
Jodie made a few calls and then returned to Emelie.
“Ma’am, the weather bureau says the snow will last until midnight. It’s still going to snow tomorrow and the day after. It’s not safe to go outside,” she informed.
Emelie furrowed her brows. “Don’t you usually check the weather forecast?”
When Emelie was a secretary, she always kept track of those things.
Jodie apologized, “Sorry, ma’am. It’s my mistake.”
Just then, William returned. “Your room is ready. You can go take a rest. There’s hot water if you want to take a shower. I also put some disposable toiletries in the cabinet.”
Emelie didn’t expect that he left to tidy up her room. Who knew he could actually clean?
Emelie had known William for many years. She found it hard to believe that he would serve someone else.
She walked over in disbelief, wanting to take a look.
In the bedroom, the sheets and pillows were neatly arranged. The desk and chairs were clean as well. They had just been wiped down, leaving some water marks behind.
Emelie looked back at William.
His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. His watch was missing, and his fingers were slightly red. It seemed that he was handling cold water. He had actually been cleaning on a wintery day.