Chapter 102: Ask Me for Anything

In the morning haze of the hotel penthouse, Jeanne awoke to the gentle sunlight streaming through the curtains.

Her sleep was deep, with light snoring and drooling. It had been ages since she slept that well.

She turned to see Ethan still lost in slumber, he looked so handsome and peaceful in his sleep. She made no sudden movements, as she didn't want to wake him.

She gently rested her head on her hand, taking a moment to admire every detail of his handsome face.

Ethan had long eyelashes that cast a shadow on his serene expression. His nicely shaped eyebrows framed eyes that seemed to hold secrets and dreams, making his face even more attractive.

His nose was perfectly shaped, adding to the overall charm of his features. With his lips slightly parted, it was as if they were telling untold stories, creating a timeless and beautiful picture.

As he slept, a calmness surrounded him, turning the scene into a quiet tribute to his peaceful nature when at rest. Jeanne couldn't help but be amazed by the beauty and tranquility of the man in front of her, like a living masterpiece.

He was beautiful, but he was no Adrian.

She made to leave the bed, when his strong hands grabbed and pulled her her close.

"Hey, Jelly Bean," he said in his deep morning voice. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a baby."

"I told you," he said, with a smile displayed at the corner of his lips. "Do you mind if I sleep in?"

"Not at all," she said, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for last night. I really needed that."

"Anytime, Jelly Bean," he said, and rolled on his stomach for a more comfortable sleeping position.

Jeanne got up from the bed to take a shower. She left the bedroom to the living area of the suite to make phone calls and work on her laptop.

Ethan woke up a couple of hours later to see Jeanne buried in work. She barely shifted her eyes from the screen when he called out to her.

"Hi Ethan," she said.

"Are you working?" Ethan asked.

"Hmmm hmmm. Just want to tidy up a couple of things," she said, her eyes still glued on her computer screen.

"Come on, Jelly Bean. You need to take a break," he said, burying his face in her cleavage, trying to distract her.

She giggled and told him to go away.

"Work can wait, you need to rest. Come on, no work today."

"Okay, okay...let me just..."

"No," he said firmly and shut her laptop.

"Okay! Fine. You're so bossy."

"What's for breakfast?" he asked.

"What do you want? I was waiting for you," she said, which made him smile.

"Bacon and eggs?"

"Okay, I'll call up the kitchen," she said, grabbing her phone.

"Let me quickly clean up. I'll join you soon," he said and made to exit the room to the bathroom. "No working on your laptop while I'm gone," he said, turning to her at the door.

"Yes Daddy," she said.

She did work on her laptop briefly to tidy up what she wanted to and shut it off before he returned to the room.

The scent of sizzling bacon and freshly cracked eggs wafted through the penthouse suite as the breakfast cart rolled in.

A silver tray held a decadent spread; golden scrambled eggs adorned with chives, perfectly crisp bacon strips, and an assortment of artisanal bread.

Complementing condiments and aromatic herbs infused a gourmet touch. A steaming carafe of rich coffee held the promise of a flawless beginning to their day amid the luxurious surroundings of her penthouse.

"How do we go about this?" Jeanne inquired as they sat at the dining table, enjoying their meal.

"About what?"

"Payment."

Annoyance flashed across Ethan's face. Must she be so black and white?

"I told you not to worry about that. I'm here because I want to be."

"Oh."

"Come on, Jelly Bean. It's not about the money for me."

Jeanne looked at him surprisingly for a moment.

"I've always come to you because..." he began but had no courage to finish the sentence.

She urged him to complete his statement with a look in her eyes.

"I come to you because I really want to be with you," he admitted, a hidden message in his words.

"So what do you do for money these days? Are you still into modelling?" Jeanne asked, changing the subject. Deliberately. Avoiding his feigned annoyance.

She cannot in her mind, register that Ethan could have feelings for her. What he said were just words which carried no weight.

"Yeah. I have a couple of commercials going, and I'm acting."

"Acting? As in movies?" she asked, disbelief evident.

"Yes. You haven't seen my movie on The Flix?" he asked. "I've been waiting for you to bring it up."

"Your movie is on The Flix?"

"Yes," Ethan said, chuckling. "Lead actor and co-producer."

"You're joking," Jeanne skeptically said, giving him a side-eye.

"I'm serious. It's a rom-com."

"Nah..."

"What are you will to stake on it if it's true?" Ethan asked.

"Ask me anything you want," Jeanne casually said.

"Anything?"

"Yes. 'Cos I don't believe it."

"Okay. Remember, you said anything," Ethan warned.