Chapter 100: Sleeping beauty
Elias looked down at the sleeping beauty resting against his shoulder. He chuckled softly.
"Wake up, Elena," he murmured, gently brushing his fingers across her cheek.
Her eyelashes fluttered open. Still drowsy, she looked up at him. "Have we arrived?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep.
She glanced out the window and realized the private jet had already landed.
"We’ve been here for a while," Elias replied with a smile.
Elena blinked in surprise. "How long?"
"About half an hour."
"What?" She sat upright instantly. "We’ve been on the ground for thirty minutes, and I slept through all of it?"
He simply nodded, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Why didn’t you wake me?"
Instead of answering immediately, he gazed at her with unmistakable affection.
"Because," he whispered, leaning closer, "you looked too adorable while sleeping. I didn’t have the heart to disturb you."
Her heart skipped a beat. The tenderness in his eyes sent butterflies fluttering through her stomach.
"We... we should get off the plane."
She stood up, but before she could take another step, Elias caught her wrist and gently pulled her onto his lap.
"Elias..."
The next second, his arms circled her waist.
"What are you doing?"
"If you are still sleepy," he said, nodding toward the door across the cabin, "there is a bedroom right there."
Heat rushed to Elena’s face. She remembered the luxurious bedroom he had proudly shown her before takeoff.
Gently pressing a hand against his chest, she shook her head. "I’m not sleepy anymore."
A hint of disappointment crossed his face. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
She knew exactly what he meant. "Remember what I told you. Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet."
He let out a dramatic sigh. "Oh, God, Elena... you are torturing me."
She cupped his cheek gently. "Don’t you want your surprise?"
His eyes brightened immediately. "I’m dying to find out what you’ve planned."
"Then be patient."
Unable to resist any longer, he slid one hand behind her head and drew her close. His lips met hers in a slow, lingering kiss.
As always, he never rushed. He never demanded. He simply kissed her with endless patience, waiting for her to respond on her own.
That gentle consideration made her feel safe. It made her want him even more.
She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Feeling her response, Elias pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
When they finally parted, both of them were slightly breathless. Their foreheads rested together. Neither spoke for several long moments.
Elias still didn’t loosen his embrace. Every instinct urged him to kiss her again, to lose himself in her completely.
His breathing grew heavier. Desire burned fiercely inside him. Yet, in the end, he forced himself to let it go.
"Since you insist on making me wait," he rasped, "I guess I don’t have a choice."
Elena could clearly see how difficult it was for him to restrain himself. The realization filled her with both warmth and guilt. For a brief moment, she almost leaned forward to kiss him again.
But she stopped herself. She wanted their first time together to be unforgettable.
"Thank you," she whispered with a smile. "I promise you won’t be disappointed."
That only made him more curious. "Now you’ve really got me intrigued."
She laughed softly. "Let’s get off the plane first. Didn’t you say you have an important meeting today?"
Elias scratched the back of his head. He had almost forgotten about it. He reluctantly released her.
"I have to head straight to the office. Someone will escort you to the hotel. Wait for me there, and we’ll have dinner together tonight."
"Alright."
Soon afterward, Elias left for his meeting while Elena headed to the hotel.
She was escorted to the presidential suite.
The luxurious suite was elegant and spacious. The living areas were furnished with plush cream-colored sofas and an elegant coffee table. Modern artwork decorated the walls. Fresh flowers filled the room with a delicate fragrance.
Everything about the room spoke of luxury.
As Elena stepped into the bedroom, she stopped in her tracks. Her breath caught. She slowly walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the restless sea.
The afternoon sun bathed the horizon in brilliant shades of pink and gold, painting the waves with shimmering light.
A man wheeled her suitcase into the room before respectfully turning toward her.
"Madam, do you need anything?" he asked politely.
Still admiring the breathtaking view, Elena replied, "I’d like to go out for a while."
"Certainly, Ma’am. The car is ready whenever you are. Just tell me where you’d like to go."
She turned to the man. "I don’t need the car. I simply want to look around the hotel."
"Of course." He nodded. "There is a recreation center on the ground floor with various indoor games. We also have a rooftop swimming pool, a beautiful courtyard garden, and a bar on the next floor if you’d like to relax."
"I’ll stroll through the garden."
"Very well. Please let me know if you need anything. I’ll be available at all times."
"Thank you, Austin."
Austin returned her smile before quietly leaving the suite.
After unpacking her luggage and arranging everything neatly in the wardrobe, Elena changed into a light sundress.
Leaving her hair loose over her shoulders, she took the elevator downstairs. The moment she stepped outside, a vast green lawn welcomed her.
Luxury cars lined the driveway while elegantly dressed guests came and went through the grand entrance.
Drawn by the fragrance of blooming flowers, Elena wandered toward the garden.
It stretched beautifully across the property, filled with vibrant blossoms. She followed the winding stone walkway.
A cluster of blooming peonies caught her eye.
She stopped. A distant memory resurfaced. Her father had once grown peonies in the small garden behind their old house.
As a child, she had loved helping him water and care for them.
Even after moving into Noah’s villa, she had transplanted those flowers into the backyard and spent countless afternoons tending them.
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she gently brushed her fingertips across the soft petals.
"What a surprise." A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. "I never expected to see you here."
Elena turned immediately. The moment she saw Vivian, the smile disappeared from her face. Seeing the smug expression on Vivian’s face, an uneasy feeling crept into her heart.