28 Elegance and grandeur

Alexander moved closer to her, so close that their noses were almost touching.

"So what if it's the first day of the month, huh, Abigail?" he asked, staring deeply into her eyes.

"I-It's easier to count the days. To complete the month," she blurted out and Alex laughed.

"Little lamb…" He sighed, still looking amused. "I really have no words left for you." 

Blushing, Abi looked around.

"Is your family not home?" she asked innocently, and Alexander gently lifted her chin with his fingers, redirecting her gaze back to him.

"I live alone, Abigail," he answered. "But it looks like this house now welcomes its new guest."

Abigail's eyes turned wide. W-what? He lives alone in this massive mansion?!

"A-alone?!"

"Oh, well, the butler is here and maids as well. They do count as people living here, too, I guess…" he smiled wryly before his gaze fell on her luggage. 

"You didn't run away from your house, did you?" His brow lifted at her. 

She shook her head. "I talked to my dad properly last night."

"But I bet that you didn't tell him the whole truth, did you?"

Abi pressed her lips tightly, causing Alex's lips to curve up again.

"Let me see… You told him that you're going to stay with that friend of yours, right?" he continued and Abigail flushed. 

"Well, well, well. This good little lamb actually lied to her family. What a gutsy little lamb," he murmured.

"Didn't you sleep well last night?" She abruptly tried to change the topic.

Alexander leaned in, their foreheads coming close to touching.

"I just got home, Abigail. Actually, right now, I very much want to punish you for disturbing my sleep." He smirked playfully and straightened up. "But I'll let you off the hook for now," he added before calling out a name.

The butler immediately appeared as if he was in the corridor this whole time, just waiting for his name to be called.

"Yes, master."

"I'll leave her to you," Alex ordered before he glanced at Abi again and whispered in her ear.

"I'll go to sleep first, Abigail. You rest, too. We'll talk later."

Abi felt her face grow hot, and her heart raced as a shiver ran down her spine from the touch of his warm breath against her ear. Before she could even utter the words 'Rest well' or 'Goodnight,' he was already ascending the stairs.

While she watched Alexander's retreating figures, the butler cleared his throat, diverting her attention. He then proceeded to introduce himself.

"My name is Charles. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Abigail."

"Likewise, Charles."

"Allow me to accompany you to your room. Please don't concern yourself with your luggage; I'll arrange for a maid to bring it up," he said with a tone of utmost respect.

The butler led her towards the grand staircase which led to the second floor.

As expected, it was even more breathtaking than the ground floor. What she saw was another large, and fancy open space. Velvet curtains were tied back to let the sunshine through the windows and she saw antique looking, brass candelabras which hung on the walls in between the windows. Abi immediately thought that if it were back in time, this room would be where grand balls were held.

She also noticed two doors on the far wall and wondered where they led to. She imagined that these would perhaps be the rooms where the men in the past went to play cards or drink or talk business while their wives gossiped in the main ballroom - at least that was what often happen in books and movies.

No words in the English language could adequately capture the essence of this place. It was undeniably a situation where seeing it in person was the only way to truly appreciate it. Once again, curiosity overwhelmed Abi. Why did Alexander choose to live in such a place, and why was he residing here alone? Her curiosity was escalating with each passing moment.

They continued up the stairs and up the third floor. Again, she was met with a large open area in the middle, but this was smaller than the second floor. It seemed to be the lounge area as there were couches and coffee tables neatly arranged by the big window overlooking the garden area. This seemed to be where the living quarters were located because she saw doors on either side, which she presumed, led to the bedrooms.

Charles stopped in front of tall, heavy looking double doors and pushed it open. The room she walked into was so beautiful.

But as she looked around at the cavernous room that was in front of her, she didn't know why but even with all this beauty and display of elegance and grandeur, it felt kind of lifeless and sad.

She could tell since the moment she stepped inside this house that this was a whole different life but what she wondered about the most was if Alexander Qinn had been happy living in this huge and majestic place.