006: Into His Arms

In a split second, the soft expression on Williams' face was gone, replaced by the same cold distance he had shown Elodie earlier.

Gathering all the strength she could muster, Elodie mumbled a "thank you." Afterward, she got up and quietly walked out of the room.

She staggered into the hallway outside the storeroom, her body trembling and her thoughts a chaotic mess. The dim lighting made her feel even more vulnerable. Her uniform clung to her damp skin from the sweat of fear, and her breaths came in shallow gasps.

She glanced back briefly and saw Williams. His tall, commanding figure loomed in the doorway, watching her. She wanted to thank him properly, to say something more, but the words stuck in her throat.

“I should go,” she murmured under her breath, more to herself than to him.

“Elodie,” his deep voice stopped her in her tracks.

She froze, gripping the wall for support as she turned halfway to look at him. His face was unreadable, his eyes shadowed by the low light, but there was something in his expression that made her hesitate.

“Are you just going to walk out like this?” he asked, his tone calm.

Her hands trembled as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I… I don’t want to bother you. Thank you for… for what you did. I’ll be fine.”

She tried to muster a smile, but it came out weak and unconvincing. She felt small and pathetic standing there, wishing desperately that the floor would swallow her whole.

Williams crossed the distance between them in a few long strides, his sharp gaze raking over her disheveled form. His jaw tightened. “Fine? Look at yourself, Elodie. You’re shaking like a leaf.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, lowering her eyes.

He sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. “You’re not.”

For a moment, she thought he would leave it at that, but then he took a step closer, his voice softening. “Come with me.”

She blinked, startled. “What?”

“I have a room upstairs,” he said, his voice steady but his eyes searching hers. “You need to sit down, and clean yourself up. You can’t go out like this.”

Her breath hitched. “You have a room here?”

He didn’t answer immediately, as if debating whether to explain himself. “I have access to the VIP section. Not that it’s any of your concern.”

Elodie hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. How had she never known he was a VIP at the bar where she worked? Then again, she barely paid attention to her surroundings anymore. Survival didn’t leave much room for curiosity.

“I… I can’t,” she stammered, taking a step back. “It’s too much. You don’t have to....”

“Elodie,” he interrupted, his voice firm. “You’re going.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but the intensity in his gaze silenced her. He wasn’t asking.

With a resigned nod, she followed him as he led the way. The trip up the private staircase to the VIP section felt surreal. Her heart pounded in her chest, every step amplifying the tension between them.

When they reached the room, Williams pushed the door open, revealing an elegant suite with sleek furniture and a warm glow from the dimmed lights. Elodie hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should step inside.

“Go on,” he said, gesturing impatiently.

She entered cautiously, her arms wrapped around herself as if to shield her vulnerability. Williams closed the door behind them, the soft click echoing in the silence.

Elodie turned to him, her voice shaky. “Thank you. I’ll just sit for a moment and....”

“You can use the bathroom,” he interrupted, his tone clipped. “Clean yourself up.”

She nodded and disappeared into the adjoining bathroom. The sight of her reflection made her stomach twist. Her hair was a mess, her makeup smudged, and her uniform wrinkled and stained. She barely recognized herself.

As she washed her face, the cold water stung her skin but helped clear her mind. She had to leave soon before the situation became more unbearable.

When she stepped out, Williams was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. His sharp features were illuminated by the soft light, making him look both intimidating and impossibly handsome.

“Why are you like this, Elodie?” he asked suddenly, his voice low but cutting.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You married a rich heir,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “You’re an heiress yourself. So why are you working in a bar? Why do you look so pathetic?”

His words stung, each one sharper than the last. Elodie lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting nervously. “It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated?” He let out a bitter laugh. “Of course it is. Everything with you always is.”

“I....”

“Save it,” he snapped, his voice rising. “I don’t want your excuses. I don’t want your sob stories. Nothing you say will undo what you did.”

Elodie’s chest tightened. “I’m not trying to....”

“Stop,” he said, holding up a hand. “Just stop.”

The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating. Elodie’s throat burned with unspoken words, but she swallowed them, knowing they would only make things worse.

“I’ll go,” she whispered finally, her voice barely audible.

Williams said nothing, his expression unreadable as she moved toward the door.

But as she reached for the handle, a strange warmth spread through her body. Her fingers trembled, and her knees wobbled. Her vision blurred, and a flush crept up her neck.

No. Something was wrong.

“Are you okay?” Williams’ voice cut through the haze, laced with concern.

Elodie turned to him, her breaths shallow. She started to speak but her words trailed off as her legs gave out beneath her.

Williams caught her just before she hit the floor, his strong arms wrapping around her trembling form. “Elodie!”

Her head lolled against his chest, and the scent of him......clean and masculine......filled her senses. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t tell if it was fear, the effects of the drink, or something else entirely.

Her eyes fluttered briefly. “I… I don’t feel right,” she murmured.

Williams’ jaw tightened as he realized something was wrong. Her skin felt warm....too warm. His mind raced back to the incident in the storeroom.

“Did he… did that bastard give you something?” he asked, his voice low and controlled, but his eyes burned with fury.

She nodded weakly, her head still resting against his chest.

He lowered her onto the couch, his hands cradling her face as he looked into her eyes. “You're safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you."

For Elodie, the room spun wildly, and the heat coursing through her veins became unbearable. Her fingers instinctively clutched his shirt, as she began to lose control.

The minutes stretched in silence between them until Elodie inched her face closer to him, her lips touching Williams' in a soft kiss.