Neurasthenia
1319 Words
Elena exclaimed, "!!!"
She stammered, "I... I live here? Mr. Hayes, there's no need. I... I have a place to stay!"
Elena wasn't lying.
She had her own house, left to her by a few of her teachers.
If it weren't for repaying the Miller Family for funding the orphanage, she wouldn't have agreed to be adopted in the first place.
Now that the Miller Family was no longer tied to her, though deeply hurt, she had finally regained her freedom. Her three years of being a stand-in were over. She could finally return to her original path.
Elena knew she was telling the truth, but Shaun didn't.
He thought she was just being stubborn and said calmly, "You keep saying you want to repay me, but now you won't agree to my first request?"
Elena bit her lip. "But..."
Shaun rubbed his head. "No buts."
This girl was too stubborn, and his head started to ache again.
Shaun was already used to his periodic headaches.
Elena, however, keenly sensed that something was off with him. She asked softly, "Mr. Hayes, do you have a headache?"
Shaun gave a noncommittal response, "It's an old problem."
Elena hesitated for a moment before standing up. "If you don't mind, I could try giving you a massage?"
Shaun glanced at the young girl.
Her brows were furrowed, and her eyes were filled with genuine concern.
Shaun felt a stir in his heart. He had seen many kinds of looks.
Respectful, fearful, flattering, even infatuated, but he had never seen such direct concern.
It seemed she wanted nothing from him, just genuinely worried about him.
Worried? He had power and wealth; what was there to worry about?
"My massage skills are quite good," Elena tried to promote herself.
The butler standing next to Shaun couldn't help but interject, "Miss Miller, the Young Master has had this headache for a long time. The Hayes Family have hired countless top-notch massage therapists, but none could alleviate it even a bit. You shouldn't waste your effort."
Elena hesitated for a moment.
After all, with the status of the Hayes Family, they could find anyone they wanted. Her self-recommendation felt a bit awkward.
Shaun noticed her embarrassment. He smiled gently and said, "It's alright, give it a try."
Elena's spirits lifted, and she quickly agreed.
She had had several teachers before. Even though she had been a stand-in for the past three years, she never forgot what her teachers had taught her.
Especially this massage technique, which she used the most. After all, her mom... no, now it should be Mrs. Miller, also had headaches.
Elena first washed and dried her hands, then walked behind Shaun.
Since this was her first time massaging him, she wasn't familiar with his physical condition, so she could only use some basic techniques.
After a brief moment of thought, Elena decided to use the pressure she would use on Mrs. Miller, but slightly stronger. She began to carefully apply the pain-relief massage on him.
At first, he had only agreed to avoid making the young girl feel awkward, but as soon as she started, Shaun was taken aback.
The pain in his head began to ease noticeably, almost as if it was melting away. Elena's hands felt like the softest sponges in the world, gently soothing all his sore spots.
He felt as if he was being immersed in warm water, so comfortable that he almost wanted to moan in relief.
Shaun resisted the urge to make a sound and slowly closed his eyes.
It had been a long time since he felt this comfortable. As soon as he closed his eyes, he fell asleep.
Elena carefully massaged him for half an hour. Seeing that he had fallen into a deep sleep, she finally let go.
She whispered, "Uncle Fox, Mr. Hayes is asleep now. I'll take my leave."
"Miss Miller, wait!" Uncle Fox hurriedly stopped her, his voice earnest. "The Young Master instructed that you should stay here. If you leave, I won't be able to explain it to him."
"There's no need. I have a place to stay," Elena replied.
"Miss Miller, you should at least wait until he wakes up and tell him yourself."
Seeing that Elena still intended to leave, Uncle Fox almost pleaded, "Miss Miller, if you leave and the Young Master gets angry when he wakes up, I, as a mere servant, won't be able to bear the consequences."
Elena sighed as she saw Uncle Fox's eager expression. "Alright, I'll trouble you then."
Uncle Fox's face lit up with a broad smile. "Trouble? Not at all! Miss Miller, if you can help the Young Master get a good night's sleep, you'll be doing Uncle Fox a huge favor."
Previously, Uncle Fox had only been polite to Elena. But now, he practically wanted to worship her.
Everyone knew Shaun was a high and mighty figure, but few were aware of his severe insomnia. What was a simple act of sleeping for most people was a torment to him.
Uncle Fox couldn't even remember the last time he had seen Shaun sleep so peacefully.
So, even if Shaun hadn't said a word, there was no way he would let her leave!
With great enthusiasm, Uncle Fox showed Elena to the guest room.
"Miss Miller, things are a bit rushed today, and we haven't had time to prepare everything perfectly. Please bear with it tonight. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll make sure everything is arranged for you by tomorrow."
Uncle Fox was so worried that she might suddenly run away.
Feeling a bit awkward, Elena said, "Uncle Fox, this room is already great. There's no need to add anything else."
After all, she was only staying for one night.
His smile became even more sincere.
"Then, Miss Miller, please rest. If you need anything, just call me anytime."
Elena nodded, and only then did he quietly tiptoe out of the room.
Looking around, Elena felt a bit surreal.
Was she really staying at Shaun's house?
This was Shaun Hayes!
She rubbed her temples.
Well, since she was already here, she might as well make herself comfortable.
Tomorrow, when Shaun woke up, she would explain everything to him.
So much had happened during the day.
Elena thought she would toss and turn all night, but as soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep and had a good night's sleep.
The next morning.
Her internal clock woke Elena up.
She was dazed for a few seconds, and when she turned her head, she saw a pair of white shoes silently appear by the bedside.
"Oh my gosh!"
Elena jumped out of bed, startled.
"I'm sorry, Miss Miller, did I scare you?" The maid who had just walked in quickly apologized.
Seeing the maid's concerned expression, Elena patted her chest to calm herself.
"It's okay, it's okay. Just... is there something you need?"
The maid spoke softly, "Uncle Fox said that from now on, I will be your personal maid. It's my duty to help you get up. Are you awake now, Miss? Shall I help you get dressed?"
As she spoke, the maid reached out to assist.
Elena quickly shielded her chest.
"No, no, it's fine. I can do it myself. I don't need any help."
"Does Miss not like it?" The maid looked thoughtful. "I understand. I'll be more careful in the future. Should I step out for now?"
"Yes, yes, please."
Elena nodded repeatedly.
The maid bowed respectfully.
"I'll wait by the door, then. Once you're ready, I'll assist you. Shall we follow this routine from now on?"
"Yes," Elena replied instinctively.
The maid respectfully exited the room.
Elena slapped her forehead.
What routine?
There was no "from now on."
She had no intention of staying here long.
Alright, I need to quickly explain this to Shaun.
- Writer
