Chapter 62 WHO IS HE?
POV: ELISABETH
I woke up with a start, looking around and trying to identify where I was. Had I fainted? The room was luxurious, with dark walls and soft lighting from crystal chandeliers. The imposing furniture stood out, featuring a large canopy bed with a dark wooden headboard. The room was decorated with classical artworks, an elegant fireplace, and exotic collectibles. As I got out of bed, my feet touched a Persian rug, reinforcing the atmosphere of luxury and mystery.
I looked for my heels but couldn't find them. Carefully, I opened the door and heard male voices. Following the sound, I reached the stairs and noticed two men conversing while drinking. Greg was the first to notice me and whispered something into the CEO's ear before leaving.
“I'm glad you're awake,” said Patrick, extending his free hand toward me. I descended the stairs and was led by him to the sofa. “Are you feeling better?” I nodded, still a bit nervous. “I'm sorry for getting you involved in all this mess…I...” My eyes filled with tears, and I bit my lips to hold back the sobs forming in my throat. “I'm so sorry...”
“You warned me, Mrs. Lis; there's no need to apologize, but now you understand the importance of giving me your ex-fiancé's name!” Morgan kept his tone firm and his eyes sharp on me.
“I already said I don't want you to go...” I was interrupted by a warm kiss on my lips. With the back of his finger, Patrick caressed my face, breaking the moment. “Elisabeth, with or without a name, I will find out who he is.” He smiled gently. “There’s much to teach you, and I don't want you to run away...Besides, we're dating now, remember?” I quickly looked at the ring on my finger, completely forgetting the madness in Cuba. I smiled, shaking my head, determined to remove the jewel from my finger. “Don't even think about it!” The CEO's authoritative voice echoed in the room, sending shivers down my spine. “You don't break commitments like that, and I won't allow it; you and your grandmother will stay at my house.”
Patrick stood up nervously, stepping away.
“Where are you going?” I asked, quickly standing up and grabbing his arm. “Don't be mad at me, Patrick...Please try to understand my reasons.”
“Elisabeth, are you refusing to reveal his name out of fear or because you're still attached to the past?” His eyes burned with a mystery I had never seen in him before. “Well?”
“Think carefully about what you're insinuating, Patrick. I told you about the hell I lived through at the hands of that monster, and I didn't even reveal a third of what I suffered!” I clenched my fists, letting the tears fall. “So, don't you dare point a finger at me with such repulsive insinuations!”
Sighing deeply, Morgan pulled me by the waist, pressing our bodies together and brushing our lips.
“You're right, forgive me...I just want to protect you.” He lifted my chin with a finger. “Will you tell me everything one day?”
“There are traumas that should be buried and remain in the past.” I sighed, standing on my tiptoes and pulling him by the neck into a gentle kiss, running my hands through his hair and softly caressing his nape. “Thank you for wanting to protect me and for taking care of my grandmother.”
“It's the least I can do for my favorite apprentice and writer!” He smiled daringly, biting my lip and sucking the lower one deliciously. “By the way, how about having some afternoon tea with your grandmother? Maybe she's already awake.”
“And you?” I teased, whispering in his ear.
“I need to check on the nurse's children, inform their parents about what happened, and provide as much support as possible.” He sighed. “I won't allow more innocent people to be hurt because of that psychopath!”
I shuddered, stepping away, with images of Caroline taking her own life—the messages, the fear, the tension...
“The phone, did you manage to get it?” I asked anxiously, trying to contain the fears in my body. “I should talk to her children and parents; she killed herself because of me!”
“Greg took the phone to unlock it and try to trace where the messages came from,” he replied vaguely. “Try not to think about that now; just focus on this: you're safe, and I want a beautiful, sensual story before we sleep together.”
“How can you think about that after the day we've had?” I frowned, irritated, and rubbed my temples. “I'm not in the right mindset to write.”
“Just try to relax, okay?” Patrick sighed, moving closer and inhaling the scent of my hair. “Being with you always makes me think about it.”
I let out a low chuckle. “You never change, Mr. Morgan.”
“I'm an incurable romantic, Mrs. Elisabeth; I never denied it.” He winked and stepped back a bit. “My staff has been vetted and is trustworthy. They will take care of your accommodations and stay here. I've asked them to bring meals to your grandmother's room, but if you prefer, I have a beautiful, secure garden where you can stroll.”
“I think, for today, just some tea and hugs will be perfect.” I twisted my hands nervously, still feeling vulnerable.
“I'll take care of it, Lis.” Patrick smiled before leaving the room, leaving me there. I looked toward the stairs, ready to go up and find which room my grandmother was in, when a maid appeared with the afternoon snack tray. “Oh, is this for me?”
“Yes, for you and your grandmother,” the maid replied formally. “Please follow me, and I'll show you where Mrs. Eva is staying.”