In the Lap of Luxury

Shawn was very practiced with his movements. He disinfected the area, then sprayed some medicine on.

He rubbed his hands to warm them and began to massage her ankle. His movements were gentle and slow.

Grace could feel the pain in her ankle receding quickly.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"You're very experienced. Have you ever learned professionally?"

Her legs were slender and fair, and slightly reddened from the sprain. Shawn concentrated on his actions, and did not let his gaze linger.

"Yes, I've studied this. I often got injured because of my job, and after some time, I became almost as good as a doctor."

He was still wearing a mask and baseball cap at this hour, and the only thing she could see were a pair of gentle eyes. Grace was curious. "What did you do before? Why did you get injured so often?"

Shawn's movements paused. "I don't have a good education, so I mostly did physical labor."

Grace was startled, and suddenly felt that she shouldn't have asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose. I had no idea."

Shawn suppressed a grin at how flustered she was. "It's okay. It's nothing that can't be said."

His hands were calloused, unlike Xander's smooth, clean fingers. It was clear that he had done physical labor in the past.

"Isn't the tea house closed at this hour?" She was trying her best to find something to talk about.

"Yes. All eight of my employees, including Spencer, are so tired they can barely stand. But it can't be helped. All the guests want to get a photo at the tea house Ms. Lewis visited."

There was a teasing note in his voice.

Grace laughed, and her eyes curved into half-moons.

"Isn't that a good thing? I made a bet with Xander that your tea house would definitely be crowded with people! Mr. Griffin, I think that we have a win-win situation on our hands. You earn money, and I win my bet."

Shawn's movement slowed unconsciously when he heard her. "What did he bet?"

"Hmm... he said that your tea house wouldn't have many patrons. How could that be?"

Shawn stopped what he was doing completely, and seemed dazed for a moment.

Grace caught on. "Oh, we... we weren't betting on your business on purpose..."

"It's okay. Both of you have an eye for such things. I'm also very curious about which direction my tea house will develop in."

Shawn put on a different medicine

"The swelling will go down

ow. It'll probably take another

two days for it to stop hurting completely."

"You're a great doctor." Grace thought for a moment before she said, "If I win, then let's split the winnings 50-50!"

"That's generous of you. What did you bet on?"

"We haven't decided yet. However, Xander's things are all of high quality."

Grace hugged her knees as she spoke. She looked pleased.

Shawn glanced at her, and saw that she was completely immersed in the honeymoon period of her romance. SJust like a little girl with a crush.

"Are you very happy in this relationship?" He blurted out.

Grace was confused. "Yes, I'm happy. Oh right, I haven't told him that I'd reached yet. I've been too busy."

Then, she picked up her phone and tapped on it, smiling from time to time.

Shawn looked down and bandaged up her ankle. Then, he went to wash his hands.

Xander seemed to have called her. She said piteously, "I sprained my ankle as I was going upstairs. It hurts so much."

There was an anxious noise from the other end. It seemed like Xander had asked her how she was.

"I'm fine." Grace glanced at Shawn, but in the end, she did not say anything. "I got up myself."

It wasn't appropriate for her to let Shawn come to her home at this hour.

She wouldn't have let him come if he hadn't

apnsisted. It would be better et

not

Xander, in order to avoid

misunderstanding.

Xander was reassured when he heard her say that she was fine, and reminded her to take care of a few things.

It went in one ear and out the other, and when Grace mentioned how she had met Jake that day, her voice was filled with anger.

Shawn stared at the headlights outside the villa as the tap ran continuously. He felt like something was weighing on his chest.