9:00 a.m. at Palm Crest.
"You will have to wear yesterday's clothes again since there isn't another one," Lucien said to Elowen as he ran the handheld shower through her hair.
They were in the bathroom, and just like the night before, he was helping her bathe. He would later place her in the bathtub, but first, he was washing her hair at the hair-washing basin.
"Hmmm," Elowen hummed in agreement.
Her eyes were closed, her body relaxed as he washed her hair. The gentle movement of his fingers through her hair calmed her soul.
"Done," Lucien said after a few minutes, hanging the hose back in place.
He was done washing her hair, and now she would take her bath. He walked to stand in front of her to help her remove the clothes she was wearing—the oversized shirt and joggers he had given her the night before.
Elowen's breath hitched. Her heart started beating hard the moment she heard him say he was done. Last night had been very awkward. She inhaled deeply and slowly removed her shirt.
Lucien helped her out of the joggers. His face was straight, showing no expression, as though removing the clothes of a grown woman meant nothing to him.
After Elowen was completely out of her clothes, Lucien lifted her gently from the chair and placed her into the bathtub.
"Let me know when you're done," Lucien said, handing her the shower head before leaving the room.
Outside the bathroom, Lucien placed her clothes from yesterday on the bed. He had washed them earlier, and they were already dry.
He then sat at the edge of the bed to wait for her.
Today was his day off from work. Normally, he spent it alone or with family and friends, but he wouldn't be able to today because he would be taking Elowen shopping.
It seems life will no longer be the same, he thought.
"Detective Lucien," he heard Elowen call from inside the bathroom.
She had finished bathing.
Lucien walked back into the bathroom and helped her out of the bathtub and back into the wheelchair. He handed her a towel, which she used to dry her body.
He pushed her into the bedroom, dried her hair, and helped her get dressed.
"What's wrong?" he asked when he heard Elowen sigh tiredly. His eyes flickered with concern.
"Nothing," Elowen said quietly.
She had only sighed in relief. She hadn't thought he would hear it.
Lucien said nothing more as he tied her hair. He knew she was very uncomfortable with him seeing her bare body. Even he was uncomfortable—it didn't sit right with him—but what could he do? Since he had decided to care for her, he would do it to the end.
"You should feel free and relaxed with me," he said after he finished tying her hair, wheeling her out of the bedroom. "We will be living together."
Elowen nodded.
Lucien left her and went to his room to get ready.
A few minutes later, he walked out dressed in casual clothes—a shirt and a pair of jeans.
He wheeled her out of the house to his car, as though it was already his responsibility.
It didn't take long before they arrived at the mall. Lucien turned off the engine, opened the car compartment, and brought out his large eyeglasses.
Elowen watched him put on the glasses and realized he was trying to hide his blue eyes from too much attention. His physique alone was enough to draw eyes, and considering he was a famous detective, it made sense. With his eyes covered, he looked different—almost nerdy. People wouldn't easily recognize him.
"Is your caregiver under an agency?" Lucien asked as he helped her out of the car.
"Yes, she is," Elowen replied softly.
"What's her name, and the name of her agency?" Lucien asked again as he wheeled her into the mall.
"I don't know the name of the agency, but her name is Cecilia," Elowen replied.
"Okay," Lucien said.
He paused briefly, took out his phone, typed something, and placed it back into his pocket.
"Attend to her," he said to the shop attendants as they entered a clothing and shoe store that welcomed them.
It wasn't a very luxurious shop that sold extremely expensive items—just an average brand that sold good clothes, shoes, and bags.
"Get everything you will need here. I'll be right back," Lucien said to Elowen, handing her his credit card.
Elowen took the card and nodded. She wasn't happy that he was buying things for her. She felt like she had become his burden. She had even asked him not to bother with her necessities, telling him she could go back to the Whitemere mansion to get her things.
But he had simply replied,
"Didn't you say you don't want to go back there?"
She had argued. Then he said again,
"Are you afraid that I won't meet your demands and taste as a daughter of a wealthy family?"
Which daughter of a wealthy family? Elowen had thought.
She didn't know if he was mocking her or not, but she didn't argue again. She decided to accept his generosity.
"Which type of clothes do you prefer?" the attendant asked.