Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Shoving those thoughts aside, I grab a messenger bag and drop the two bottles into a zippered compartment. Then I move on to pick out my clothes for the day. After twenty minutes of hesitation, I settle on a basic white blouse and skinny jeans, deciding the rest is too complicated to navigate. I’ve spent years in my thrift shop clothing, and I’m almost afraid to touch some of the nicer items. It comes back to me not deserving things like this, and I can only imagine what Narcissa would say if she saw me now.
After showering and braiding my hair, I wander into the kitchen to find Lisbet has already set out an assortment of items on the table.
“Is it okay to eat in here?” she asks with a curious gleam in her eyes as she studies me. “Or do you prefer outside?”
“In here is fine.” I offer a smile. “You’ve already set the table.”
“It’s no trouble to change it,” she says quickly.
“I’m happy to eat inside,” I insist.
After a minute of hesitation, she nods and then points out the array of food she’s gathered. Fruit, yogurt, cereals, and bread.
“Thank you very much, Lisbet.” I give her an awkward little bow because I’m honestly not sure how I’m supposed to address her. Nobody has ever waited on me like this before, and I feel a little guilty that she has to. “This looks amazing.”
“Let me know if I can get you anything else,” she says, the tightness in her features loosening up a bit. “His Royal Highness left a phone for you as well. Just there.”
I pick up the familiar cell phone and take a seat. Lisbet disappears, and I bring the screen to life, noting that it’s fully charged. I wonder if Thorsen has been through my phone, but then again, it only makes sense that he has. He knew about Charlotte, obviously from my list of contacts, which really only consists of her and Olivia.
While breakfast looks delicious and my stomach is already rumbling, I’m anxious to get my phone calls in while Thorsen’s still in a giving mood. Who knows what the weather will be like when he returns today?
The first person I call is Olivia, and she answers on the second ring.
“Ella?” I can practically see her smile through the speaker. “Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me.” I smile back even though she can’t see me.
“Oh, my God. What on earth is going on? I’ve been getting deposits every day. Is that really from you?”
I pause for a moment, considering the best way to answer this question. “Yes, I’m… working for someone,” I explain. “And it’s a two-month contract, so you should see plenty more where that came from.”
“Ella, I can’t even begin to thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“I don’t want you to say anything.” I reach for a slice of bread and add it to my plate. “I just want to make sure the animals are taken care of. That’s all.”
“Well, thanks to you, they have food in their bellies,” she says. “And if things continue at this rate, I should be able to pay off the vet bills in a week.”
“That’s great news.” I sigh in relief. “You’ll be able to keep things going then?”
“If this continues, then yes,” she answers cautiously. “But I have to ask, Ella. What kind of job are you doing where you’re earning this much money every day?”
I break off a corner of the bread and crumble it between my fingers. I don’t want to lie to Olivia, but I can’t exactly tell her the truth either.
“I can’t say much about it. Only that I’m working for a wealthy man, who’s been very generous.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and Olivia’s voice is filled with obvious concern when she speaks again. “Is it legal?”
“Yes.” I swallow.
“Are you keeping any money for yourself?” she asks.
“I really don’t need very much.”
“Ella,” she scolds. “You have to keep something for yourself.”
“The only thing I want is Alfred,” I tell her. “Please just take care of him for me until I can see him again.”
“He’s not going anywhere,” she assures me. “He misses you very much.”
“Thank you, Olivia. I should let you go. I have to call Charlotte too while I can.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Check in as soon as you can. You know I worry about you.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
“Oh, Ella.” She stops me before I hang up. “Can you at least tell me the name of the ship you’re working on? Just in case I don’t hear from you, or if there’s an emergency?”
My eyes dart around the room, seeking out inspiration for a ship name when it hits me. “God of Thunder.”
“Huh,” she murmurs. “What an unusual name.”
“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay, darling. Take care of yourself.”