Chapter 104: Elias’s next surprise.
Elena woke up the next morning with a dull ache spreading through every part of her body.
"Uh," she winced as she slowly sat up, rubbing her sore back.
She felt as though a lorry had run her over. "This man... He left me sore all over," she grumbled inwardly.
She didn’t realize he was standing right behind her, watching her with amusement.
Elias smirked when he heard her complaint. Leaning down, he whispered beside her ear, "Missing me already?"
Elena stiffened, her eyes wide. She turned her head. At that instant, their lips collided.
She froze.
Neither of them pulled away.
His lips stretched against hers. "It seems last night wasn’t enough for you." His voice was hoarse and seductive. "Shall we start again?"
Elena gaped at him with bewilderment.
He had been the relentless one, claiming her over and over until she had drifted off to sleep from sheer exhaustion. And just now, their kiss had been nothing more than an accident. Yet he teased her as though she were the insatiable one.
Elena pressed her palms firmly against his chest. "Not again," she protested softly. "I can’t."
Elias couldn’t help smiling at her flushed face. The temptation to kiss those rosy cheeks was almost irresistible.
Instead of retreating, he leaned even closer despite the pressure she was putting against his chest.
"But I’m in the mood," he whispered, his warm breath brushing against her skin. "What am I supposed to do? I can’t resist you."
Elena blinked.
Although every part of her still ached, his closeness stirred unfamiliar warmth within her. Her heart skipped a beat as a tingling sensation spread through her body. Before she realized it, her fingers had curled around his shirt.
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. She wanted to stop him. But another part of her wanted to melt into his embrace once more.
Then Vivian’s words from the previous day suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Don’t you have a seminar to attend?" she blurted, pushing harder against his chest. "Won’t you be late? You should get ready."
Elias raised an eyebrow. He didn’t remember mentioning any seminar to her.
"How do you know about the seminar?"
Elena tensed, momentarily at a loss for words.
She hesitated, wondering whether she should tell him about meeting Vivian. Part of her wanted to keep it to herself, but she decided she shouldn’t hide anything from him.
"I met Vivian the day before yesterday," she admitted. "She told me she came here to attend the seminar."
"Vivian? Seminar?" Elias couldn’t believe it.
That woman had never shown the slightest interest in business. She spent her days shopping, attending parties, and pampering herself. When did she become interested in corporate seminars?
It was obvious.
The seminar was merely an excuse. She had come for another reason.
’Looks like she has not learned anything from my last warning,’ he thought darkly.
He smiled. Despite the irritation brewing inside him, none of it showed on his face.
"I’m not attending the seminar," he said casually. "I don’t need to. I have people who can handle those matters."
"Oh." Elena nodded in understanding.
A man like Elias, who owned a massive business empire, hardly needed to attend every corporate event personally.
"Then..." she paused thoughtfully. "You still have work at the office, don’t you?"
"I’ve already finished everything."
"You’ve finished already?" she asked in surprise, blinking twice.
"Yes." He sat beside her and gently took both her hands in his. "I’m completely free today. We can go out and have some fun."
Elena’s face lit up with a smile. She had wanted to explore the city ever since they arrived.
"Where are we going?"
Elias gazed at her for a moment before smiling. "You gave me a wonderful surprise last night," he said. "And I love it."
At his words, her cheeks instantly turned crimson again. She lowered her head, pressing her lips into a thin line in embarrassment.
"So today," he continued, "it’s my turn to surprise you. I’m taking you somewhere we’ll have a lot of fun."
His mysterious answer only made her more curious.
"I can’t wait to find out where you are taking me."
"Then go get ready. We’ll leave right after breakfast."
Elena nodded, climbed out of bed, and headed toward the bathroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The moment Elias and Elena left the hotel, the news reached Vivian.
"What?" she barked into the phone. "They left the hotel? Why? He has a seminar to attend. Why is he going out with her instead?"
Vivian had always known how seriously Elias took business.
At just twenty-five, he had taken complete control of the company. Within five years, he had built it into one of the world’s largest business empires and established himself as one of the richest men alive.
He had never once neglected work. Yet today, he had skipped an important business seminar just to spend time with Elena.
Jealousy and fury twisted violently inside her.
"Follow them," she commanded through her gritted teeth. "I’m going wherever they are going."
"But Miss... The seminar is about to start," the man reminded her from the other side of the phone.
"Let Micheal handle it," Vivian replied impatiently. "I am going after Elias."
"Miss, please think this through," he urged. "This is your opportunity to earn a position in the company. You promised your father you wouldn’t disappoint him. If you skip the seminar, he’ll be furious. You should prioritize your career. You are the sole heir of the Sterling family. You can’t afford to act recklessly."
"Don’t lecture me," Vivian snapped irritably. "You are not my father."
She was so furious that her whole body trembled.
Yes, she had asked her father for permission to attend the seminar. But it had never been because she wanted to join the family business. Her only reason for coming was Elias. She couldn’t care less about that stupid seminar.
"I’m paying you," she added arrogantly. "Your job is to do as I say without questioning me."
Silence hung on the other end of the line. Finally, the man spoke. "I understand, Miss. I’ll keep you updated on their location."
"Don’t lose them," Vivian warned. "I’m on my way."
She ended the call, quickly changed into another dress, and stormed out of her room.