Chapter 23

For a maid to date her master in front of everyone, there was no faster way to get fired. Besides, with everyone around, there was no need to worry about Winston suddenly making a move.

"That sounds boring, doesn't it?"

"Doesn't it?"

With a confident smile, her eyes twinkling, Winston let out a laugh of disbelief.

"It will probably be so boring that you'll be on edge. Why don't you use this opportunity to practice your self-control?"

"Practice? Am I a dog?"

"You are a soldier, aren't you? Isn't patience a skill for soldiers?"

By emphasizing the qualities of a soldier, she subtly poked at his pride. Did it work? Winston pursed his lower lip and fell into deep thought.

"A boring date... There is a place that fits perfectly."

Without warning, Winston grabbed Sally's waist and lifted her up, pushing her towards the door as she staggered.

"I'll give you five minutes. Change your clothes and come back."

***

As the front gate of the mansion opened, the sedan slowly moved forward. As the car crossed the garden, she pressed her face against the window, hoping to catch the attention of the staff, but unfortunately, no one was around.

Sally stared intently at the gatekeeper, her last hope. The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows when he saw her sitting in the passenger seat but quickly turned away.

Her shoulders slumped. The gatekeeper wasn't a talkative person, so he wouldn't spread the rumor that Winston had taken a maid somewhere.

"You did your best."

"Huh?"

The maid turned her head sharply to look at him. Leon twisted his lips into a smile instead of answering.

A light pink blouse with frills, a brown checkered skirt, and a red cardigan with fluff sticking out. She looked even more disheveled than when she stood in front of the Winsford department store. She had deliberately dressed this way to make the date boring.

'If you're going to do that, at least take off the stockings.'

The sight of her fair skin peeking through the thin black silk was quite a view. Moreover, the frilly blouse didn't tighten around her neck like a maid's uniform. The exposed collarbone and the hollow beyond it kept drawing his gaze.

Even while looking forward, his attention was drawn to the edges of his vision, and he couldn't help but recall the scene from the dim bathroom last night, where she had crouched naked. The predictable reaction between his legs was inevitable.

"So, what's the answer?"

"Huh?"

"You should know the answer."

He was asking why he only had a crush on Sally.

"I don't understand what you mean."

Sally firmly put on a facade and glanced at Winston's hand on the steering wheel. She hadn't seen him drive himself in over a year, and today's change was inexplicable.

'This is ominous.'

She expected the bodyguards and driver to follow, which would make the witnesses at the mansion two. But her expectations were cruelly shattered.

'Is he going to take me somewhere secluded?'

Sally sat stiffly, like a person in full armor, staring straight ahead.

"Where are we going?"

"Winsford pier."

"Huh?"

It was getting late. She thought they would just have dinner in Hailwood or the bustling Winsford area...

'Why the pier?'

She turned to look at Winston, but he was focused on the road. Following his gaze, she saw Peter's mail coach moving slowly ahead.

"Sally."

"Huh?"

"You seemed quite affectionate with that guy last time."

Instead of a denial, a short scream escaped Sally's lips. Winston had suddenly shifted gears and pressed the accelerator hard.

The car raced towards the mail coach. As they got close enough to see the mud on the coach's rear wheels, Sally shouted sharply.

"What are you doing?"

At that moment, Winston sharply turned the steering wheel to the left. Sally's body lurched towards the door.

Peter, who was looking at the car with a startled expression, made eye contact with her through the window. His eyes widened even more when he recognized her. At least there was one witness to her mission.

As soon as they passed the coach, Winston turned the steering wheel to the right. Sally's body swayed and leaned towards the driver's side. Trying not to fall into Winston's arms, she struggled, and he laughed mischievously.

"Shouldn't you leave the driving to a professional?"

Instead of answering, he said something else.

"Is that guy your fiancé?"

"Huh?"

Sally scrunched up her face, showing her genuine displeasure. Winston turned his eyes to her and smiled crookedly.

"I like handsome and kind men."

"Maybe not."

"Why do you get to decide that, Captain?"

"You hate me, don't you?"

How frustrating.

Sally glared at Winston with cold eyes.

His skin was tanned just enough to look good. His sharp eyes and long, elegant eyelashes. His smooth nose and strong jawline.

Damn it.

Despite her contempt, Sally couldn't deny that he was handsome. How could someone with such a perfect exterior have such a twisted and ugly interior?

"Oh, right."

"What's right?"

"Seeing you, I realize I like handsome and kind men."

He was about to sneer, but instead, he frowned and stared ahead. Was he upset by the suggestion that he wasn't kind? His nickname as a vampire wasn't given for nothing, and he didn't seem to know his own nature.

"Handsome and kind men..."

Leon bit his lip and forced out a light laugh.

"Then it makes sense."

***

'What is he up to?'

Sally stood at the pier, unable to close her mouth. In front of her, a luxury cruise ship was lighting up with orange lights. It was too grand for a boring date.

"Get in."

Winston pushed Sally's back, as if anchoring himself to the ground. As she stumbled down the ramp towards the entrance, she felt like she was being led into a luxurious prison by Winston.

"Captain."

"Hmm?"

"When are we coming back?"

"In four hours."

Sally stopped abruptly at the entrance. She was about to turn back and suggest having dinner in the city, but the quick-witted Winston wouldn't let her go. As she was pushed into the cruise ship, he gave her a task.

"Try to make those four hours feel like eight."

A steward approached them immediately.

"Welcome to the sunset cruise, where we will create a fantastic night for you."

Fantastic? More like insane.

The steward's gaze fell on Sally, who stood beside Winston with a displeased expression, and his eyebrows raised slightly. He secretly scanned her from head to toe, surprised by her shabby appearance, which didn't fit the luxury of the cruise ship.

'Why are you looking at me like that? This is just my mission uniform.'

She glared, and the steward averted his gaze, turning to Winston with an exaggerated smile, as if from an advertisement.

"Where would you like to be seated?"

"Restaurant."

The steward led them to the elevator. As they passed by, both passengers and staff gave Sally strange looks.

Although she wasn't used to receiving such attention, it was a good thing. As long as others were watching, Winston wouldn't do anything inappropriate.

When the elevator doors opened, Winston gestured for her to enter first, like a gentleman. He then placed his hand on her back, which wasn't very gentlemanly.

"Good evening."

The elevator operator tipped his hat in greeting. Sally nodded and stood in the corner. Winston followed and stood in the middle, searching his jacket pocket.

He took out two crisp bills and handed them to the operator. The operator's eyes widened, and he nodded slightly, taking the money when Winston winked at him.

'Does he give tips to the operator every time he gets on the elevator?'

Sally frowned at the luxury she couldn't afford, but Winston forcibly pulled her to the center of the elevator. When she tried to step aside, he pulled her back. She glared, and Winston leaned against the wall, smiling.

She soon realized what all this unusual behavior was for. The elevator, which had been moving smoothly upwards, suddenly stopped with a jolt.

"Ah!"

With her arms crossed, she couldn't reach the wall in the middle of the elevator. As her body swayed, she fell into Winston's chest, but a strong arm caught her shoulder.

"Try to practice your self-control, Miss Bristol. Are you trying to attack me in front of everyone?"