Chapter 116 Just Let Me Hold You
Catherine wanted to say something, but Alexander had already grabbed the quilt from Neil. He made her bed first and then set up a makeshift one for himself.
The more Neil watched Alexander, the more pleased he felt. 'Look at how well he takes care of Catherine! Elodie would be so relieved!'
Neil, holding a kerosene lamp and rubbing his hands, spoke up. "Miss, there's one more thing. The bathroom in the building is broken, so you and Alexander will have to go outside to bathe and use the facilities."
When Catherine was young, the mountain area was very poor, and every household's toilet was outside, built together with the pigsty.
Later, Elodie said it was inconvenient to go outside to use the bathroom, so she specifically had a bathroom built upstairs for Catherine.
"Broken?" Catherine asked.
"Not exactly, just a bit of a leak. I got some cement, but the construction crew hasn't come yet," Neil said.
Indeed, there were a few unopened bags of cement at the bathroom door.
Catherine nodded, "Got it. You should go rest too."
Neil left with a smile, glancing back at Alexander and Catherine's small room several times before he did, thinking, 'Alexander, despite being a billionaire tycoon, is willing to stay in such a house with Catherine. It seems he truly cares for her!'
Neil quietly wiped his tears and walked to the family altar in the hall, saying, "Elodie, rest assured, Catherine is doing well now!"
The courtyard gate closed, the entire small courtyard fell silent, with only the sound of the night breeze.
Catherine looked at Alexander, a bit embarrassed, "Is it okay to bathe in the small house in the courtyard?"
Alexander stood up from the makeshift bed and answered, "No problem, it's better than staying in the hospital these past few days. I have some clothes in the car; I'll go get them."
"I'll go with you," Catherine said, thinking she might as well take a bath after getting the clothes, so she wouldn't have to go downstairs again.
Alexander smiled, gently curling his lips, and tenderly took her hand. "Be careful."
The old house used to be just Elodie and Catherine living there. After Catherine grew up, she rarely came back, and the stairs that seemed spacious in her memory now felt narrow.
Alexander walked in front, holding Catherine's hand firmly, taking each step steadily.
Catherine remembered when she was little and almost died from food poisoning after eating candy given by the Brown family. Elodie carried her up and down these stairs repeatedly, anxiously seeking medical help.
Elodie's hands, like his, were warm and steady, making her heart feel warm too.
During the days waiting for Matthew to wake up, Catherine stayed in the hospital. Alexander occasionally left to handle other matters but would also stay with her in the hospital.
Compared to the hospital, Cloudscape Villa at least had some semblance of home.
With the clothes in hand, Catherine walked to the small house in the courtyard, looking at the rickety wooden door, speechless. She thought, 'How do I remember that the door is fine in the afternoon? Why does it now look like it is about to fall apart?'
The wooden door of the small house couldn't close properly in one corner, needing someone to hold it from the outside to prevent it from being blown open by the night wind!
Catherine looked at the wooden door, feeling that if she tried to fix it, the door would immediately be broken.
Alexander propped his hand against the door, slightly bending over to look at her, his forehead almost touching hers. "Go in, I'll watch from outside. No one will come, and the door won't open." His voice was low and smooth, making Catherine's ears turn red.
Luckily, it was dark enough that even if her face was a bit red, it wouldn't be noticed.
She patted her face and held the clothes tightly. "Okay, I'll be quick."
"No rush, I'll be right here, not leaving."
Cloudscape Villa at least had a water heater, making bathing convenient.
Catherine turned on the shower, and soon the sound of water filled the room. The wooden door's soundproofing was pretty much non-existent, and Alexander felt like he could hear every move she made inside.
'So this is why Neil insisted on breaking the door!' he thought.
Alexander's hand blocked the door, keeping the wind out.
His mind wandered, imagining her every move as if it were happening right in front of him.
In the quiet mountain village, with no entertainment at night, every sound seemed louder.
He could even imagine her steps, suddenly feeling parched.
Alexander, who always prided himself on his self-control, found himself a bit flustered.
Luckily, the deep night hid his reddened ears from view!
Soon, the sound of clothes rustling came from inside, the fabric brushing against her body, making Alexander's Adam's apple bob up and down.
Catherine bathed quickly, coming out in just a few minutes.
She still had some warmth on her, her cute little face flushed, her hair slightly damp, with crystal water droplets hanging from the tips.
"Thank you, your turn. I'll watch the door," Catherine said.
"Okay."
Inside the bathroom, the scent of body wash lingered.
The steam and fragrance clung to him, carrying a hint of Catherine's unique scent.
Alexander reached out and turned the faucet to the cold side, to calm himself down!
Catherine leaned against the door, using a towel to wipe the water from her hair, listening to the sound of water.
This was her living place, but the person beside her was not someone she was familiar with.
It made Catherine feel a bit itchy inside to stay at Cloudscape Villa with him and to be forced to listen to him bathe outside.
It felt like Elodie was watching, making her a bit embarrassed.
Alexander quickly finished bathing and took her hand, leading her upstairs.
Catherine looked at him and asked softly, "Don't you think the conditions here are poor?"
"It's fine. You should know as well as I do what life is like on the border," Alexander said.
'To say the least, those days are precarious. Now, with her by my side, how can I complain about the living conditions?' he thought.
Catherine lay on her small bed, and Alexander lay beside her.
As she expected, his body on the narrow makeshift bed left no room to turn.
"Maybe I should check my grandmother's room? You must be uncomfortable here," she advised.
If there were really mice in the room, she could deal with them easily.
Alexander grabbed her wrist, gently pulling her into his arms.
Catherine lost her balance and fell onto him, her nose filled with his scent, cologne he always used.
"What are you doing?" she asked in shock.
Alexander's hand wrapped around Catherine's waist, and he chuckled softly, his voice deep and magnetic. "Just let me hold you for a bit, no need to check."
His hearing was always exceptional, and so far, he hadn't heard any mice in the next room.
Neil probably made up an excuse to give them some alone time.
Catherine's face turned red as she said, "Let go of me."
"Just for a moment, consider it a small favor for being your driver for so long, as interest," Alexander said.
'Holding me is interest? What will he ask for when he wants to claim the principal?' Catherine thought.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
