ELIZABETH SWAN'S

Chapter 16 - The Man Who Supports Me

That day Elizabeth accompanied by Leila was traveling to the capital to find a good store so that she can make references to renovate her jewelry store.

Count Swan had advised Elizabeth to use the services of an architect, but Elizabeth did not. Because at that time not just anyone can master the science of architects so there are only a few architects whose numbers can even be counted by the fingers in the territory of the Alexandrian empire.

This is what makes the cost of the architect's own design services very expensive. Given the number of stores that he had to renovate, also buy goods for store needs, Elizabeth did not want to spend her budget just for a store design.

"Miss, isn't that store color so pretty?" leila said as she pointed towards a shop not far from where they were standing.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, so that she focused on seeing the shop Leila was referring to.

"Are your eyes in trouble? Why would you squint just to see a store that was even so close?" asked a man with his distinctive baritone voice made the two girls startle.

"Young Duke Meyer?"

"Raymond?"

Leila immediately looked at Elizabeth who called Young Duke Meyer by her name alone, her suspicion turned out to be true, they were both indeed close. Even closer than Sebastian.

"What are you doing here?" elizabeth asked Raymond.

"There's business here, if you're alone? It seems like from what I've seen you're not just walking around here?" said Raymond.

"Hm, I'm a little confused about the renovation of the store. The stores have been neglected for a long time so I want to give a fresh new feel to attract buyers" explained Elizabeth.

"Isn't it better to use the services of an architect for that matter?" raymond suggested.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes lazily, "You know, you sound like my father now. Yeah, I know if the design of the architect will be good. But, you also know that the services of architects are very expensive. I don't want to burn most of my budget just for a design."

Raymond crossed both of his hands just above his chest, "Hmm, so that's the reason. I have an architect friend, if I ask for help on his often he refuses to be paid for his services."

Raymond was surprised to see Elizabeth suddenly pleading with her perfectly rounded and twinkling eyes, "What are you doing?" Raymond pushed his forehead toward Elizabeth with his index finger slowly, "Your eyes are like they're going to come off" she said with a flat face.

Leila couldn't help but laugh at Raymond's recent teasing, the girl chuckled while covering her lips with her right palm.

Elizabeth snorted in annoyance, "You're really insensitive! Normally a man would be withered when stared at like that by a girl!"

Raymond who just understood so laughed, "Ahh, you were just trying to be sweet? Sorry, sorry, I don't know anything like that because I never paid attention to any girl."

"So how? Do you want it or not?" ask Elizabeth suddenly.

Raymond was confused, "You want what do you mean?" ask her while slightly tilting her head to the left.

"Help me ask your architect friend for help, will you or won't you?"

The man smiled, "Let's go there first, we'll talk while sitting down. Isn't the sun pretty hot today?"

Even without being asked by Elizabeth, Raymond had intended to help her. If not for what he told Elizabeth if she had an architect friend. And of course, taking Elizabeth to the teahouse was also just an excuse so she could talk to the girl a little longer.

"So when did your friend get to meet me?" elizabeth asked as she cut her tiramissu cake with a small fork.

"Tomorrow I will ask him to come to your place" replied Raymond.

Elizabeth rounded her eyes, "That fast?" her question followed Raymond's nod later.

Elizabeth stuffed the tiramisu cake into her mouth, "Ah, this is really delicious!" her words were exuberant, "Not too sweet, nor was there too much of her whip cream."

"What's that good?" ask Raymond.

Elizabeth nodded, "You should also try her."

Raymond rubbed the whip cream against the tip of Elizabeth's upper lip with his finger, "Are you a child? Eat slowly." and then he licked the whip cream on his finger in a sensual style, "Hmm, you're right. It's delicious!" his word later.

Elizabeth's cheeks immediately turned red because of Raymond, "You are! Crazyhead! What are you doing in a public place like this?!" he slowly took a mouth wash that was on the table and cleaned his lips so as not to be teased again by Raymond.

Seeing Elizabeth's surprised expression he laughed in satisfaction, "You told me to taste it yourself right? Why are you angry now?" he said while smiling sly.

"You know what I mean?! You were on purpose, right?! Just watch out if you do that again, I'll cut off your finger with this knife." Elizabeth solemnly threatened.

Raymond laughed, "Do you seriously think that dull knife can hurt me?" ledek.

"At least I tried!" he said and then he snorted annoyed.

In Raymond's childhood memories, the girl now called Elizabeth never showed her such an adorable side at all. He used to always be mature and calm because he was not used to socializing with other people. Wherever he went there was always a book he brought to read because he thought that he should be reliable in order to continue the Baron Avellar family business well. Unfortunately he even died horribly without inheriting his business or noble title.

"How far has your plan gone to get close to Peter Bernhard?" raymond asked Elizabeth, the originally relaxed atmosphere turned serious.

Elizabeth frowned, "How do you know if I'm planning on approaching that guy?" ask her.

"Don't we cut off the enemy's head first?" raymond replied relaxed.

Elizabeth didn't expect her plan to be read by Raymond so easily, "It turns out you're pretty observant too huh?"

Raymond became big-headed, "I've said it before, there's no one better suited to me than you. And vice versa." he said with full confidence.

Elizabeth just turned her two eyes lazy in response to Raymond's useless talk, she chose to gulp a cup of chamomile tea.

"Make him like you, I think that's the easiest way that you can extract information about the Marquess from him. But first show your wealth, that guy really likes money. Once he gets into the first trap, the next step will be easy for you" Raymond suggested.

Well, this guy is really a sneaky guy and knows a lot!

"I don't understand, I think you like me. But your words just now were like you wanted me to go with another man." said Elizabeth.

Raymond propped up his chin with his left hand while smiling, "Yes, I do like you. But my liking is not an obsession. You're free to do anything as long as you're happy but I'm the only place you're going back to." Raymond concluded, "And the other one, I'll always support your revenge plan from the side. So you can lean on me whenever you need." she added.

Elizabeth was actually a little shaky because Raymond looked like a mature and understanding man but he hid it well. Elizabeth did not want to make the man in front of her so big head.

"Well, whoa, whoa. There must be so many girls you need to be fascinated by your beautiful words" Elizabeth said, shaking her head.

Raymond stared at her with a flat expression, "Don't I tell you, I've never paid attention to any girl let alone to talk in a teahouse like this."

"Yes, yeah, yeah. Let's just say I believe." said Elizabeth.