Chapter 18
1045 Words
Thankfully, he hadn't noticed, so Amelia decided to keep quiet for the rest of the drive. She reached into her bag, took out her earbuds, and was about to put them in when Travis finally spoke.
"All I meant was that work was stressful. Sometimes I honestly wish I could take a break."
Amelia closed the earbud case and absentmindedly twirled it between her fingers. She nodded slowly.
"I wish I could say I understood," she admitted with a small shrug, "but I don't. I'm just an intern."
That earned a genuine laugh from Travis. Amelia found herself laughing too.
"I'm sure being an intern is stressful in its own way," he said.
Amelia immediately sat up straighter.
"No, it's not! In fact, it's so boring." She threw her hands up dramatically. "I sit at my desk for hours answering emails. It gets frustrating."
Travis glanced at her, one eyebrow lifting with interest.
"Really?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed. "I wish I could do something more. I don't want to spend the whole day replying to emails."
"What would you rather be doing?" Travis asked curiously.
"I don't know... maybe something more important. Attending meetings, for example. We interns are hardly ever allowed into meetings. Some of us actually want to learn how the company works instead of just sitting behind a computer."
Travis considered her words for a moment.
"So, if I'm understanding you correctly... you want more responsibility?"
"Isn't that why I'm here?" Amelia asked. "I could've skipped this internship if I wanted to. I'm here to gain experience, and we barely get any."
By now, Amelia was practically ranting. Travis simply watched her with quiet amusement. She looked so passionate that he doubted she'd even realized how animated she'd become. Most people complained about having too much work. She was the first person he'd met who complained about having too little.
"Fine," he said after a brief pause. "Something will be done about that."
Amelia blinked.
"Really?"
He nodded once.
She could hardly believe her ears. Excitement bubbled inside her, and for a split second she wanted to throw her arms around him in gratitude. Instead, she settled for the widest smile she'd worn all day.
"Thank you!" she squealed, unable to contain herself.
Travis only nodded, his expression returning to its usual seriousness. Amelia leaned back into her seat, still smiling to herself. As she looked through the windshield, she realized the car had slowed to a stop in front of a beautiful cottage style apartment.
She frowned, the building looked elegant and expensive, surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and warm exterior lights.
She turned to Travis, confusion written all over her face.
"Uh... where are we?"
Travis switched off the engine and relaxed against his seat before turning toward her.
"My place," he answered simply.
"Huh?"
Amelia's eyes widened.
This wasn't where she'd imagined someone like Travis would live. She looked from the house back to him, dozens of thoughts racing through her mind.
Seeing her expression, Travis sighed.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand," he said. "I just thought it would be nice to have dinner somewhere comfortable... away from the cameras."
He hesitated before adding,
"Besides, everyone believes you're my fiancée. It only makes sense for us to have dinner at my place."
Something about that explanation irritated her more than she expected.
"Oh... so that's why?" she asked, folding her arms.
Travis frowned.
"No, that's not what I—"
"So you just decided for me that I'd want to come here?" she cut in.
He looked genuinely caught off guard.
"No. That's not it. I just..."
"You just what?" Amelia demanded. "This is basically kidnapping!"
Travis stared at her for a second before deadpanning,
"But you got into the car willingly."
Amelia searched desperately for a comeback.
"Even so! You never told me we were coming here. That's... that's a breach of contract!"
Travis couldn't stop the amused smile that tugged at his lips.
"What contract?" he asked. "We haven't even signed one."
"That doesn't matter!" she protested helplessly.
He sighed in surrender.
"Fine. Let's just go to a restaurant instead." He reached for the ignition.
"...No need," Amelia mumbled.
Travis paused. A teasing smile crept onto his face as he leaned closer, stopping just inches away.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't quite hear you."
Amelia placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back.
"Don't make me change my mind."
A laugh escaped him, he stepped out of the car, opened the low decorative gate, drove into the compound, and parked properly. Then he hurried around to her side and opened the passenger door.
Amelia stepped out while he went back to close the gate, he unlocked the front door and gestured for her to enter first. The moment Amelia stepped inside, she froze and a soft gasp escaped her lips.
The interior was way better than she had imagined, she stepped inside her eyes roaming over every corner of the house. On the outside, the place had looked surprisingly simple, almost plain she certainly hadn't expected this.
The interior was breathtaking, everything was decorated in a timeless black and white theme that somehow felt both elegant and welcoming. The marble floors gleamed beneath the warm lighting, while modern furniture blended effortlessly with soft touches that made the house feel lived in.
Floor to ceiling windows allowed the evening light to spill inside, making the entire space feel even more spacious. Whoever had designed the interior had done an incredible job. Amelia slowly turned in a circle, she had seen countless beautiful places but this was breathtaking.
Every detail seemed carefully chosen, from the artwork hanging on the walls to the neatly arranged shelves and fresh flowers that added just enough color to brighten the room.
"It's beautiful," she murmured under her breath, almost forgetting Travis was standing nearby.
Completely absorbed in admiring the house, she failed to notice the small step separating the entrance from the living room.
Her foot caught against the raised floor.
"Oh!"
She stumbled forward, her balance disappearing in an instant, her heart lurched into her throat as she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for the painful impact she was certain was only a second away.
- Writer
