Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Suddenly learning the inside story behind Eugenie's engagement, and understanding how it had come about, Nicholas felt genuinely pleased.

Nothing to do with feelings—it was entirely coercion. This was good news for him, but saying so right now wasn't appropriate. He buried his joy deep in his heart.

Seeing the lingering worry in her brows and eyes, he held the hand resting on her knee and asked warmly, "So what are you thinking?"

Thinking of her grandparents' fate in her previous life, Eugenie knew she had to go back no matter what, so she answered without hesitation. "I plan to go visit, and since things here have just wrapped up, I want to get away for a bit."

Hearing her listless tone, Nicholas felt a pang of worry. "Are you planning to come back?"

Eugenie couldn't understand why he would even think that. She reached out with her other hand and poked his cheek, half-amused. "What kind of question is that? Everything I have is here—how could I not come back?"

Learning she wasn't leaving for good, Nicholas gripped her hand tighter, as if afraid she would disappear the next second.

"Have you booked your ticket? When are you leaving? I can drive you to the station." He proactively offered to help, exceptionally eager.

Eugenie was touched but still shook her head. "No need. It's the neighboring city—the high-speed rail is quick."

Besides, she had seen tonight just how busy Nicholas was—busier than before, as if there was something tricky he needed to handle. Otherwise, he wouldn't have worked this late. But since he hadn't brought it up, she couldn't very well ask. Such a small matter wasn't worth making a fuss overby asking for his help.

"Then when are you planning to leave?" If she wouldn't let him drive her, at least he could ask about the timing.

Eugenie didn't give a definite answer. "Probably within the next couple of days. Don't worry about it—I know you're busy. Your assistant was in and out several times today."

Nicholas thought of something and didn't push further, squeezing her palm. "Fine. Then I only have one last request—let me know when you've arrived safely."

He had taken the initiative to back off. How could Eugenie bring herself not to agree? She said yes without hesitation. "Deal. You'll be my first text."

"That's more like it."

Back in her room, Eugenie couldn't settle into sleep, spending the night in restless dreams where she couldn't reach her grandparents, no matter how hard she tried. That helpless feeling of not being able to touch them jolted her awake.

She woke in a cold sweat, sticky and uncomfortable, and had no choice but to shower again. When she came out, she picked up her phone, all traces of sleep gone.

Her desire to see her grandparents had reached its peak. Only after booking a noon train for the next day did she feel at ease.

The next morning, Nicholas was getting ready to leave, and Eugenie had also packed and come out of her room—though she hadn't brought out her suitcase.

"I thought you would want to go to the office later, so I didn't wake you." Nicholas had intended to let her sleep a bit more, figuring he could handle the company side of things anyway. He hadn't expected her to be up this early.

Eugenie smiled and walked over, sitting beside him to put her shoes on, only for him to press her hand. "There's time—breakfast is on the table. Want to take it to go?"

She glanced at the dining table and nodded. "Then wait a moment."

"Take your time. I'll wait." Nicholas sat back down, eyes fixed on her retreating figure.

Eugenie found a bag to pack it in, changed her shoes, and headed out with him. In the elevator going down, she brought up:"I'm not going to your office today. I haven't been back to the Williams Group in a while. Could you drop me off there?"

Though reluctant, he agreed anyway. "Of course. When are you going to stop being so polite with me?"

That faint undercurrent of formality really did grate on him, if he was being honest. Nicholas wanted her to feel comfortable being more demanding—it would mean real progress between them.

"I just don't want you to think I'm being pushy." Eugenie found his reaction somewhat exasperating.

Nicholas had a minor grievance and complained, "How would you even know I don't like pushy? Please, feel free to be as possessive of me as you like."

Eugenie noticed the shift in him and grew genuinely curious just how much of her "pushiness" he could handle. The elevator held only the two of them right now—her mischievous thoughts kicked into gear.

Nicholas was still wrapped up in his minor sulk and didn't notice the change in her. Emboldened, Eugenie reached out, pushed him against the elevator wall, and braced a hand beside his shoulder, trapping him between her and the wall. "Is this pushy enough?"

The sudden reversal of positions caught him momentarily off guard. Then he caught up, and became entirely, suspiciously cooperative.

"Not enough. More like this." Noticing the gap still between them, Nicholas simply hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her forward. The space between them vanished instantly, and under that unquestionable grip, they pressed together.

"Are you sure you're not just taking advantage of me?" One hand still braced on his shoulder, Eugenie reached back with the other to pull at the hand resting on her lower back. She tugged several times and found it wouldn't budge at all.

Nicholas tilted his head down, the tip of his nose brushing hers in a suggestive touch. Feeling her breath falter, his gaze deliberately skimmed across her lips. He kept his voice low. "Want to find out what it really looks like when I take advantage of you?"

He was getting more and more shameless. Mindful of the elevator and the camera above them, Eugenie didn't dare push things further. "No, I don't. Let me go—someone might get on and see."

Nicholas was supremely confident. His palm traced slow circles at the curve of her waist. "It's early. No one's coming."

Perhaps even God couldn't stand watching him be that smug—the elevator paused on its descent, the doors behind Eugenie slid open, and a sharp-looking elderly woman in morning exercise clothes stepped briskly inside.

She glanced at the couple in the corner and tactfully looked away. "Young people these days really don't care where they do this sort of thing, do they?"

Hearing the elder's perfectly-delivered observation, Eugenie's face burned. She wanted nothing more than to disappear into Nicholas's chest.

Feeling the person in his arms dying of embarrassment, Nicholas broke into a satisfied grin and shamelessly held her even tighter.

The moment they were out of the elevator, Eugenie moved fast—she dove into the passenger seat before he could even open the door. The second Nicholas got in and wasn't yet settled, he caught a punch.

"I told you someone would come. Why didn't you let go of me sooner? I wanted to die."

Nicholas buckled his seatbelt, a smile still playing at his lips. "What's embarrassing about it? She didn't even see your face. Shouldn't I be the one who's embarrassed?"

Eugenie buckled up beside him with a huff, muttering under her breath. "Your skin is so thick you probably don't even know what embarrassment feels like."

He dropped her off at the office, and Nicholas spent the entire day replaying that hug in his mind. It was rare for Eugenie to be the one to make a move. He glanced at the empty office next door several times, his urge to see her hitting its peak.

That evening, he wrapped up work early and headed home, only to open the door to an unsettling silence. Her room was empty too.

On the living room coffee table sat a handwritten note.

[Headed back to Grandma's. Don't miss me.]

Oh no. Had he pushed too far?