Chapter 43

Frederick was so blunt that I couldn't hide anything. "Do me a favor," I said, standing before him. Frederick raised an eyebrow. "What's in it for me?" he asked.

"I wouldn't be here," I replied, copying his expression and raising an eyebrow. "If there were no benefits."

The smile on Frederick's face vanished instantly as he clicked his tongue. "Elbe, are you trying to imitate me?" he teased.

I nodded. "Why not?" I answered.

He scoffed. "You're good at it, but there's a price to pay."

I stood up, resting my arms on the glass table between us, slowly leaning closer. Frederick's usually arrogant expression froze. I could almost feel his breath catch as he held my gaze. As I leaned closer, he immediately tensed. Yet, I couldn't tell what he was nervous about or hoping for.

I burst out laughing. "Frederick, you're not secretly a romantic, are you?" I joked.

His face flushed bright red, and he snapped angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

I grabbed his wrist, amused by how flustered he looked. Before marrying Jonathan, I'd never been in a relationship, but I was pretty good at feigning intimacy.

"Do you want to collaborate with me?" I asked, standing straight and smiling.

Frederick tugged at his collar and glanced at me. "Fine. Whatever good bottles you have, I want them all," he agreed.

"Ten First Love isn't enough to satisfy your taste," I challenged.

"There's never too much good wine," he said, slipping back into his usual cocky mode. "I run a bar, of course; the finer the wine, the better," he added.

I nodded. "Don't worry. If you help me, the benefits won't be small," I promised.

He scoffed. "I didn't want to help you at all, but for the sake of First Love, I'll make an exception," he admitted reluctantly.

I sighed. If he truly didn't want to help, he wouldn't have saved me from the water that day. That act showed there was still some warmth in his heart. I wasn't sure what 35-year-old Elise thought, but 18-year-old me just wanted to be with someone who loved me. Unfortunately, I hadn't divorced Jonathan yet, so I had to keep my distance.

"Well then, here's to working together, Mr. Guzman," I said politely.

"Looking forward to it, Elise," he replied.

After finalizing the details, Gabrielle wanted to take me straight back to Ford Manor. Frederick clicked his tongue. "I thought you were getting divorced. Do you still have curfews?" he asked.

"It's not a curfew," I explained. "His grandfather isn't well, so I'm staying there."

"Aren't you two on bad terms?" he questioned.

I sighed helplessly. "I have no choice. Wealthy families always leave rules, and there are too many hassles."

Frederick suggested, "You rarely go out. Why not have some fun at La Doghouse?"

I glanced at Gabrielle. "What do you think?" I asked.

She shrugged casually. "Anything works. Jonathan probably won't know. We'll just say we're at the hospital," she said.

We quickly agreed. Though noisy, Doghouse's customers were decent. Despite the chatter, there wasn't an unpleasant atmosphere.

"Almost everyone important in Itastwille thinks of La Doghouse first when they want to relax," Frederick said proudly, looking at me.

I sincerely complimented him. "It's pretty great. You must have put a lot of effort into it."

Frederick glanced at me but quickly avoided my gaze, looking uncomfortable. As I looked his way, I spotted someone I never expected to see here.

Chapter 44