Chapter 17

Elena’s pov.

I was in the kitchen, lost in the oats I was stirring, that I hadn't realized when someone walked in.

His scent travelled to my lungs pulling me back to reality. Then, I felt his body. Rock-hard, against mine.

Following his fingers over my arm, brushing down until they reached the food, he used his middle finger to scoop a little.

Against my mind's warnings, I turned to watch him as he took his finger to his mouth, licking it off slowly while holding my stare down.

My mouth went dry as my gaze lingered on for a tad too long.

My throat swallowed.

I wanted to look away, but my body seemed to have been stuck. My eyes watched as he repeatedly sucked on his fingers in an unholy manner for what seemed like forever, never once looking away from me.

I felt hot all over my body, and slight itchy sensations prickled my skin in dangerous places.

I managed. Forced myself, really, to finally look away.

My head was filled with so many profane thoughts, I had to force myself to stir continuously without a break.

After a few minutes, the meal was ready to be served.

I noticed the plates were up on the shelf. I looked around for a means to reach them, finding nothing, so I proceeded to stretch.

I put in all my effort, stretching far to reach the shelf, but to no avail.

Then, just when I was about to give up, I felt his body over mine again, this time stronger and more daring. It wasn't like the airbrush movement he had done moments earlier; rather, he leaned his weight into me without holding back.

My body tensed. I tried to get out of the position, but quickly realized that I was stuck because he was completely pressed into me.

And I mean with everything he had.

I raised my head slowly to see if he knew what he was doing, and sure enough, his hand was up on the shelf, but his face was downwards. On me.

With a complete smug over it.

He knew what he was doing.

His face seemed to come closer to mine, like he was leaning in. I quickly looked away, pushing the pressure coursing through to my hands and watching as they tightened around the spatula.

His lips found my ear, his hands on either side of me, holding onto the countertop.

“All you had to do was ask, little miss professional. I would have done it regardless.” His hot breath brushed against my ear with the most sensual voice I had ever heard.

Then, he dropped the plate in front of me and pulled back slowly, brushing his hand against my lower back.

“Tch.” I scoffed, my body threatening a revolt.

The audacity of this man. I thought.

“Thank you.” I managed to mutter.

“You’re welcome.” He replied, coming back to stand beside me but facing the opposite direction, his arms crossed over his chest.

“I could get used to this, you know.” He said sheepishly.

“Used to what?”

“You know, you, in my kitchen like this. Though it’s a shame you decided not to wear that robe of yours today.” He smirked.

I scoffed. “Well, we don’t always get what we want, do we?”

He laughed. “Alright, sure. What is the occasion anyway?” Pointing at the food.

“It’s for Ethan, specific foods he’s meant to eat before the surgery.

“Oh.” He paused. “Thank you, Lena, for your support and care for him. It means the world.”

I smiled, moved by his words. “Don’t worry, it’s fine.

My mind went back to that night, so I decided to try again. “So, uhm. That night in your office, would you like to talk about it?”

He looked away quickly, understanding my words. “No. It’s nothing. At least not one I want to talk about, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring it again.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I just thought to lend a hand.”

“And I appreciate it. But it’s just not something I want to get into.” He replied calmly with a smile.

“Alright, it’s fine. Could you go get Ethan downstairs, please?”

“Sure. Anything for you, beautiful.” He smirked, walking away. Like he wasn't just moody.

I sighed. I really couldn’t shake off the state I saw him in that night.

He brought Ethan down, sitting him on his chair, and watched as I fed him gradually.

His eyes were on me most of the time, but I decided to play the fool. I wasn’t going to look.

I had almost made a mistake that morning, and I wasn’t going to entertain another reason that would pull me closer to such a mistake again.

Just then, we heard the door slam shut, followed by a figure hastily barging in. Monica.

“She’s playing you, Boss.” She yelled.

Shocked, we both turned to her with questioning looks.

She turned to me, “Oh, don’t look at me, surprised, Elena. I know your game and I’m about to expose it.” She spat before slamming a document on the table and pacing back and forth.

Turning to Horace, “We can’t have her perform surgery on Ethan; she’s a fraud.” She continued.

“Okay, what the hell is going on, Monica. Can you settle down and explain yourself?” Horace bit out.

“Oh, I would also like to know.” She turned to me, hands on the table. “Why don’t you tell the room how you failed medical school and had to pay for your license, Elena Marie, huh, tell us.”

My heart dropped. My mouth fell open.

“What?” Horace yelled, “What the hell is that supposed to mean, Monica?”

“Oh, that’s what I would like to know as well, what the hell does that mean, Elena?”

“Elena, is this true?” He turned to me.

I tried to say something, but my words got stuck in my throat.

“Elena, can you please say something. What does Monica mean by those words? Are they true?”

He asked again, reaching for Ethan and holding him close like I was some devil that could bring him harm.

“Elena, come on, I need words. Not silence. Can you explain yourself?” His voice grew louder, more hasty.

I got up, feeling dizzy and exhausted.

My eyes darted to the wench.

How the hell did she manage to dig up such news?

It was supposed to be buried deep and away from the reach of anyone.

How did she manage to find out