Chapter 269
I promised to meet Old Master Hayes with Shawn, but first, the latter told me to go upstairs and change into warm
clothing. Obediently, I went back to the bedroom to see lots of female clothing in the closet. I first put on a base
layer of warm clothing, then added a white sweater on top. Lastly, I cloaked myself with a large jacket and then
wrapped a warm scarf around my neck.
It was only recently that I got sensitive to the cold. Perhaps it was because my body had gotten weaker than before.
After applying a subtle shade of lipstick, I descended the stairs. Shawn was waiting for me at the door, so I went
over and put on my shoes. "Should we buy some gifts?"
Shawn replied, "Yes."
After getting out of the villa, we saw Joseph smoking at the main entrance. When he saw us coming out, he hastily
put out his cigarette, then ran over to us. "Miss, Mr. Xenos, are you going out?"
Shawn reached out a palm and ordered, "Give me the car keys."
Joseph obediently passed Shawn the car keys in his hand. Following Joseph's guidance, Shawn found the car. After
watching me walk over and sit in the passenger seat, Shawn bent over and placed himself in the driver's seat.
Without Joseph or the bodyguards, Shawn and I left the villa on our own. The man took me to the city center of
Espoo.
It was snowing heavily there, so the roads were very slippery. Hence, he drove slowly, reaching the city center
around 3.00PM. He didn't bring me to buy gifts right away. Instead, he took me to a nearby restaurant where the
server handed me the menu upon showing us our seats.
I glanced at the food listed on the menu. I didn't feel like eating anything heavy, so I just ordered some light dishes,
along with two slices of cake and a yogurt fruit platter. After ordering, I asked Shawn, "What would you like to eat,
Sunny?"
"Steak, medium well."
After a pause, he told the server, "And some strawberry juice. Warm, please, and add some sugar to it. Then give
us a bottle of champagne."
The server left with the menu. Out of curiosity, I asked the man seated in front of me, "Sunny, did you order the
strawberry juice for me?"
Shawn looked up at me. "Yes."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh. Do you stay in Finland often?"
I posed this question despite already knowing the answer. Shawn replied warmly, "Yes, I consider this country my
second hometown."
I gave an 'oh', then asked, "Where's your first, then?"
"The place I was born in, Norway. "
Eldham was Shawn's third hometown, but the place he truly cared about was Finland.
He was in Finland most of the time, and the villa was exquisitely renovated. There were many luxurious items
inside, and apart from being close to the Hayes Residence, it was a stark difference from his empty villa back in
Eldham.
"Norway is beautiful too," I briefly commented.
When he mentioned Norway, I remembered Kevin's words that Shawn's biological parents had an ordinary family.
There were three sons and two daughters in that family. The family was huge, but only Shawn was abandoned.
I wasn't sure if Shawn knew about this, but I didn't dare ask, much less wish to disrupt his current mood.
Shawn nodded, casting his gentle gaze at the snowy landscape outside the window. His tone had a seductive hint to
it. "North Espoo is filled with natural forests, and the south is composed of islands. It is a city that mingles with
nature, quiet and majestic. It's a very suitable place to live in."
When Shawn talked about Espoo, there was a brilliant shine in his eyes. Unable to help myself, I added, "Then, I'll
settle down here with you in the future, and bring the two children here so that our family can live in peace and
happiness. However, I'm not good at educating children, so you might have to put in extra effort in the future. You
could help them practice some characters."
Shawn didn't respond to what I said, but he changed the topic instead. "How much do you know about the Xenos
Family right now?"
He averted his gaze and glanced at my two rings that signified the Xenos Family's power. I thought for a bit before
replying, "Quite a lot. I have a general understanding of most things."
"Hm. When we have time, I'll tell you more about the Xenos Family."
Hearing that, I realized then that Shawn knew the Xenos Family more than I did, so I responded with a gentle smile.
"What gifts are we buying later, then?"
"Let's decide after lunch," he said. Shawn seemed no longer interested in chatting, so I decided not to bother him
anymore. While we were eating, he passed his champagne to me. "Have a sip."
I took the glass and sipped, asking, "Why?"
He said, "Another."
I obediently took another sip. It was only then that I tasted hints of brioche in the champagne. "This is my kind of
champagne." I grinned with happiness.
Shawn nodded and said, "Don't drink too much."
It hadn't been 10 days since my operation, and logically speaking, I shouldn't be drinking alcohol. I didn't dare touch
it after the two sips, so I passed the glass back to him.
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" He looked at me.
In the past, Shawn wouldn't ask me if I liked anything. I would think he was trying to test me. I then remembered
what happened just now, when he asked me to help with his desires…
Was he being wary of something by not touching me?
Could it be that Shawn knew of my surgery?
But I already gave strict orders for it to remain a secret. Now, that's weird. I think I should ask Joseph later.
"No, I just don't feel like drinking today."
My excuse was awkward, but after seeing my reluctance, Shawn didn't press further. After the meal, he took me to
the mall. After picking out two bottles of wine, Shawn completed the purchase.
I asked, "Is that all?"
The man replied, "Yes, that's all. Is there anything you want?"
I shook my head and said, "Not really."
I had never lacked clothes or cosmetics, or jewelry, so there wasn't anything I wanted in particular. Nothing caught
my interest anymore.
More importantly, I could afford anything I wanted now.
Hearing that, Shawn reached out and wrapped his arm around my slender waist as we left the mall. A few steps
later, the wound on my abdomen began to hurt.
Enduring the pain, I sat back in the car. Shawn noticed my pale face and lifted his hand to touch my forehead,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmasking, "Are you feeling unwell?"
I replied, "A little tired."
At that moment, I really wanted to take some painkillers.
Shawn didn't go to the Hayes Residence. Instead, he brought me back to the villa. "Weren't we going to see Old
Master Hayes?"
"You're tired, so we're going back to rest first. We'll go to the Hayes Residence later at night, then return to Bryxton
tomorrow. There's no need to rush."
Shawn was being very considerate of me.
Enduring the pain in my body, I hurriedly got out of the car. Leaving Shawn behind me, I hurried back to the room
upstairs. I sat by the bed and lifted my clothes to see blood seeping into the gauze covering my abdomen.
I never expected that the ordeal of these few days would reopen the wound.
I had to find a chance to get out and have my wound dressed.
Every time I went out, Joseph would bring a doctor along.
I retrieved the painkillers from my bag and popped two into my mouth. After lying on the bed for a long while, I
finally felt the pain receding. Just then, someone opened the door from outside. In my haste, I hid the painkillers in
the covers, but because I was too panicked, I accidentally spilled all the water in the glass onto the bed.
When Shawn opened the door, such was the scene that greeted him.
I apologized helplessly, "Sorry."
He frowned, but in the end, he didn't blame me.
Shawn turned around and opened the closet. He took a set of clean bedding, intending to change the covers on the
bed. However, my painkillers were still hidden underneath. Fearing that he might find out, I hastily stopped him and
said, "It was my mistake, so let me clean up after myself."
Stubbornly, Shawn ordered, "You should just rest."
I said hurriedly, "I can do it, really."
"Be good and go sit on the couch for a bit."
Shawn gazed at me with his deep eyes, as if he could see through everything. I felt a little embarrassed inside, but
mostly I was worried.
I feared that he would discover my pills…