Chapter 118
Audrey's POV:
As Caspar and I stepped into the elevator, I couldn't shake the feeling that something strange had happened in that office.
Every employee had stared at me like I was some kind of rare specimen in a museum.
Even when I handed Caspar his suits, the marketing director had given me a knowing smile.
"Why did you ask me to bring your suits to the office?" I asked once we were alone in the elevator.
"And why was everyone looking at me so... oddly?"
Caspar's lips quirked upward.
"They're probably just stressed. End of quarter tends to make everyone a bit peculiar."
The way he avoided my gaze told me there was more to the story, but I decided to let it go for now.
When we arrived at the Thornton estate, Edward greeted us at the door with his usual unflappable demeanor.
"Ms. Lane's belongings have been arranged as requested, sir," he informed Caspar, giving me a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Caspar turned to me. " I'll show you to our room."
I followed Caspar through the dimly lit corridor of the Thornton estate, my heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
We passed several closed doors before stopping at the end of a dimly lit corridor.
"Here we are," Caspar said, pushing open a heavy oak door at the end of the hallway.
I stepped into what I assumed was the master bedroom and froze.
The room before me was nothing like I had imagined.
The few times I'd glimpsed Caspar's personal spaces, they had always been cold and minimalist—all sharp angles, black, white, and gray.
But this... this was completely different.
The entire room had been transformed into a warm, inviting sanctuary.
Soft cream-colored walls replaced what I imagined were once stark white.
A plush area rug in gentle earth tones covered most of the hardwood floor.
The imposing king-sized bed was draped in luxurious bedding in shades of warm ivory and subtle pink.
"Do you like it?" Caspar asked, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain.
"Did you..." I struggled to find the right words. "Did you redecorate?"
He nodded, studying my reaction carefully. "I think you would probably prefer this style more."
The curtains were a light, flowing fabric that seemed to catch the evening breeze from the slightly open window.
On the nightstand, I noticed a small vase with fresh flowers.
"When did you do all this?" I asked, turning to face him.
"It's been in progress for a few weeks. I wanted it to be ready for when you agreed to move in."
"You were that confident I'd say yes?"
I tried to sound teasing, but my voice caught slightly.
He smiled. "Not confident. Hopeful."
My heart did a little flip at his words.
"Edward has already moved your things," he continued, gesturing toward the walk-in closet.
"Your clothes are hanging there, and your personal items are in the bathroom."
"Thank you," I said, genuinely touched by the effort.
An awkward silence fell between us as we both seemed to realize the implications of sharing this intimate space.
I cleared my throat, looking toward the door.
"I should check on Noah, make sure he's settled for the night."
Caspar nodded. "Of course."
I found Noah's room easily.
I knocked gently before entering.
Noah was sitting on his bed in blue pajamas with stars on them, his hair still damp from his bath.
"Hey, Noah," I said, sitting beside him. "All ready for bed?"
He nodded, clutching his favorite stuffed dinosaur.
"I was thinking," I began carefully, "would you like me to stay with you tonight? It's your first night with me here, and—"
"No," Noah interrupted, his voice surprisingly firm.
I blinked, taken aback. "No?"
"I'm a big boy now," he declared, puffing out his small chest. "I sleep by myself."
"Oh." I tried to hide my surprise. "I just thought—"
"You should sleep with Daddy," he said matter-of-factly. "In the big bed."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "Noah, I—"
"It's okay," he assured me, patting my hand as if I were the child needing comfort.
"Daddy gets lonely too sometimes."
Before I could respond, Noah slid under his covers and pulled them up to his chin.
"Goodnight, Audrey. I love you."
As I left his room, I found Caspar waiting at the door, a smile on his face.
"Did you put him up to that?" I asked suspiciously.
He raised an eyebrow. "Put him up to what?"
"He refused to let me stay with him. Said I should sleep with you instead."
Caspar's lips twitched with amusement. "I assure you, I said nothing of the sort."
I narrowed my eyes, not entirely convinced. "He's never refused before."
"Perhaps he's simply growing up," Caspar suggested, his expression maddeningly innocent.
"Or perhaps he's more perceptive than we give him credit for."
Back in the master bedroom, the awkwardness returned tenfold.
I stood in the room where only the two of us were present. Although I did nothing, the atmosphere felt mysteriously intimate.
"You should take your shower first," Caspar offered, breaking the silence. "I'm sure you'd like to freshen up after the day you've had."
"Oh, no," I replied quickly, the thought of him waiting while I showered making me inexplicably nervous.
"You go ahead. This is your room, after all."
"Our room," he corrected softly, a hint of something mischievous flickering in his eyes.
"And if we're going to be this polite about it, perhaps we should just shower together. Save time. Save water. "
Before I could formulate a response, I grabbed my toiletries bag and practically sprinted toward the bathroom.
"I'll be quick!" I called over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of his amused expression before I shut the door firmly behind me.
I leaned against the door, heart racing.
The bathroom, like the bedroom, had been thoughtfully prepared.
My favorite lavender body wash and shampoo were arranged neatly beside the shower.
Fluffy towels in the same cream color as the bedroom waited on a heated rack.
I took my time in the shower, letting the hot water ease the tension in my shoulders.
When I finally emerged, wrapped in a towel, I listened carefully at the door.
I finally gathered the courage to exit the bathroom, the bedroom was dimly lit by a single lamp.
Caspar was nowhere to be seen.
Relieved, I hurried to the bed and slipped under the covers, turning away from the door and closing my eyes, pretending to be asleep.
I heard the door open a few minutes later, followed by the soft padding of footsteps.