Page 20 of BillionHeir
I look up to see Chloe still watching me.
“What?” I ask, unable to keep the aggravation out of my voice.
“Maybe you are not as lonely as I thought,” she says quietly.
Then she turns and walks deeper into the house. I hear her shoes tapping on the hardwood floor, but I have no idea what she is doing. A few minutes later, she comes back into the foyer with renewed determination.
“This is quite the ‘house’ you have here,” she says, using air quotes.
“Thank you,” I say, finally breathing a little easier after my earlier exertion.
“Seems like more of an estate to me,” she says as her eyes follow the circular staircase up to the second floor and then around to the third.
“That is fair, actually. There is an indoor pool in the basement, plus the outdoor pool and pool house. Down by the water is a boathouse that stores my boats.”
“Boats? As in plural?”
“They were my father’s. Sailing was a passion of his,” I answer quietly.
Her eyes widen with curiosity at the subject of my father. I expect her to ask me about him, but she wisely chooses to dodge the subject.
“I think we should get you settled on the sofa until your friends get here. Unless you have a better idea?”
“Staying here isn’t an option?” I ask, grimacing at the thought of walking again. My body aches in ways I didn’t think possible.
“I am afraid not. I have shifted things around a bit in the living room. I think we can make you quite comfortable for a few hours, if you would like.”
I nod. That does sound nice. Traveling really took it out of me, even if I was just sitting in the back of the car talking to a pretty woman. It was much more painful than I thought it would be, and all I want to do now is sleep.
“I have some pain medicine for you to take as well. I am sure you are rather sore after that car ride.”
She sure doesn’t miss a thing.
Chloe helps me stand from the chair and guides me carefully into the other room. When we reach the couch, she gently lowers me down onto it.
“I will be right back.”
She bustles out of the room as I lean my head back against the plush material of the couch and kick up my feet, thankful to be out of that moving car and settled in a more comfortable position.
A few minutes later, Chloe is back with a glass of water and a prescription bottle. She hands me the glass, then a pill, and watches as I swallow it. Once I am done, she takes the glass of water and sets it on a side table.
“What is the food situation?”
“I had Ethan get in touch with my chef who comes every other day just after lunch when I am here in town. His name is Roger and he owns a restaurant in town that I love. He usually brings enough food to cover all the meals until he comes back again. We can heat it up as we see fit.”
Chloe looks impressed as she nods.
“If there is anything specific you want, just let Roger know, and he will bring it with him the next day.”
“What about cleaning and the like?”
“I have a housekeeper who comes twice a week when I am here. Usually Monday and Thursday.”
“And clothes?” Her eyes scrutinize what I am wearing. “We are both going to need some things.”
“My personal shopper should have already taken care of that based on the list of things you provided Ethan. Your room is upstairs, second door on the left. Just next to my room, in case I need anything in the night. I think you will find everything you need there, but if not, we can have it delivered tomorrow.”
Chloe’s eyes go to the stairs that lead to the room in question.
