Chapter 32
She rarely wears such revealing clothes, so she feels a bit uncomfortable.
William was already waiting by the hot spring pool. He had changed into dark swim trunks, his broad shoulders and narrow waist creating sharp, defined lines. The usual coldness about him had softened a bit, making him seem more down-to-earth.
Seeing Ophelia come out, his gaze paused for a moment before he looked away, his voice still steady: "The water temperature is just right, come try it."
Ophelia slowly stepped into the hot spring pool. The warm water enveloped her body, instantly chasing away the morning chill and easing the fatigue from the past few days.
She leaned against the rocks at the pool's edge, closed her eyes, and enjoyed this rare moment of relaxation.
William sat across from her, a few meters between them, with only the sound of flowing spring water.
"You seem really tired," William's voice came through the steam, carrying a hint of barely noticeable concern. "You haven't had a proper rest since the anniversary celebration, have you?"
Ophelia opened her eyes and looked at him: "I'm okay, used to it."
Back at Jeffrey Technologies, she'd gotten through even more exhausting days, but back then, she was doing it for someone who wasn't worth it. Now she was doing it for herself.
William noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes, feeling a pang of sympathy: "Work is important, but so is your health. Don't push yourself too hard."
Ophelia felt a warmth in her heart and smiled: "Got it. The same goes for you, Mr. Brown. You can't be a workaholic forever."
William chuckled softly and moved a bit closer to her, the spring water rippling gently.
"Actually, I rarely handle projects personally," he suddenly said, his gaze falling on her face with seriousness. "This time is an exception."
Ophelia's heart skipped a beat. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the rocks at the pool's edge, not daring to respond.
She could feel his gaze, burning hot enough to make her feel flushed, so she could only pretend to look elsewhere.
"Do I scare you?" William moved forward again. The distance between them was now only about a meter. She could clearly smell the faint woody scent on him, mixed with the hot spring's steam.
"No," Ophelia's voice was a bit soft. "I just think Mr. Brown is usually too serious."
"Around you, I can be less serious." William's voice lowered, becoming magnetic, especially alluring in the quiet environment.
Ophelia's cheeks turned even redder. She quickly lowered her head, staring at the ripples in the water.
William looked at her reddening ear tips, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He didn't press her further and instead brought up the project: "The hot spring area needs proper amenities—bathrobes, fruit, everything should be ready. We also need to add some mosquito-repelling plants, or summer will be a nightmare."
Ophelia followed his lead, and her tense nerves gradually relaxed. They talked about the follow-up operational plans, and the atmosphere gradually became more natural.
Occasionally, when she looked up, she would accidentally meet William's gaze. His eyes were deep, as if hiding stars and oceans, making her heart race before she quickly looked away again.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling on the water's surface, creating shimmering ripples.
William reached out to brush away a fallen leaf floating toward him, his fingertips inadvertently touching the back of Ophelia's hand.
They both froze. Ophelia pulled her hand back as if shocked, her cheeks flushing almost to the point of dripping blood.
William's fingertips still held the warmth of her skin, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart. He cleared his throat and said casually, "It's getting late. Let's go check out the accommodation area and then head back."
Ophelia nodded quickly and got up almost as if escaping, hurrying toward the changing room.
When she came out after changing, her cheeks were still a bit flushed, and she didn't dare look William in the eye.
William had also changed back into his clothes, his expression calm, as if the earlier touch had been just an accident.
"The accommodation area is over there," he pointed toward the direction down the mountain. "We'll drive over."
The car drove along the winding path. The cabin was very quiet. Ophelia leaned against the seat back, her mind full of scenes from the hot spring pool, her heartbeat never settling down.
William glanced at her occasionally, seeing her flushed cheeks, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips.
Arriving at the reserved land for the accommodation area, the terrain here was flat, not far from both the hot spring area and the lake.
"We can build a few detached villas here, plus a row of townhouses to meet different clients' needs," Ophelia said, pointing at the empty land. "The villas should have private courtyards, and the townhouses need to ensure good lighting."
William nodded: "We also need to reserve space for a parking lot. Plus, we should build a small supermarket so tourists can buy things conveniently."
They discussed while walking around the empty land, and before they knew it, they'd reached the end, where there was an open lawn with a view of the distant mountains.
"This would be perfect for an outdoor activity area," Ophelia said. "We could set up a camping site, add some swings and hammocks. Young people would definitely love it."
William watched her enthusiastic expression, his heart softening: "You've thought of everything."
Ophelia looked up and happened to meet his gaze. His eyes were gentle, with undisguised appreciation, making her heart flutter.
The wind blew gently, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees. They stood on the lawn, very close to each other, able to feel each other's breathing.
William slowly raised his hand, as if wanting to brush away the stray hair on her face, but his hand stopped halfway and fell back to his side.
Ophelia's heartbeat instantly shot through the roof. She instinctively stepped back, breaking the intimate atmosphere.
"We... we should head back," she said in a flustered voice, not daring to look at him anymore. "I still need to organize the proposal this afternoon."
A flash of disappointment crossed William's eyes, then he regained his composure: "Okay."
On the way back, the cabin was still quiet, but unlike the tension on the way there, it now carried an indescribable intimacy.
Ophelia leaned against the seat back, turning her head to look out the window, her mind in chaos.
She could feel that her feelings toward William were different, but having experienced Jeffrey's betrayal, she didn't dare to let her heart be moved easily again.
William occasionally looked at her through the rearview mirror, seeing her conflicted profile, but didn't say anything more, just slowed down the car a bit.
Arriving in the city, William dropped her off downstairs at the Smith Group.
"Thank you for today," Ophelia unbuckled her seatbelt, her voice a bit soft. "I'll organize the project details and send them to you."
"No rush," William said, looking at her. "Eat properly first."
Ophelia nodded, pushed open the car door, and got out. After taking just two steps, she turned back: "Mr. Brown, goodbye."
William watched her retreating figure, a smile on his lips: "Goodbye."
Ophelia quickly walked into the Smith Group. Even after sitting at her desk, her heartbeat hadn't settled, and her cheeks were still flushed.
She took out her notebook, wanting to organize today's inspection results, but her mind was full of scenes from the hot spring poolside and William's gaze toward her.