"Oh my god, it really works like an elevator!"
I pressed the buttons for the second and third floors while holding on to Lando's wheelchair with my other hand so he wouldn't roll back.
"I use this elevator every day. Of course it works," Lando replied with a sigh.
"What floor is your room on?" I asked, smiling at him.
"Third."
Oh? That was unusual. Most people in a wheelchair wouldn't choose a room on the third floor. But since he had an elevator, I guess it wasn't much of a problem for him.
"Then … where's my bedroom gonna be?" I asked, bouncing a little on my toes, trying not to show how excited I was. "Can I stay on the third floor too? Please? I love the view around this mansion, and I bet it'll look even better from the top floor."
I quickly added, "Even if it's just a tiny room, I don't mind, as long as it has a big window!"
Every time I moved to a new place, I always chose the room with the best view, whether it overlooked the city or green landscapes. But the most important thing I wanted was a big window, something that made me feel safe.
That was because I always felt scared sleeping in a room with small windows, or no windows at all.
Maybe it was because I used to be locked in the basement back at the orphanage whenever I misbehaved. But honestly, I wasn't sure if I was really being that naughty.
I just liked to talk a lot, and sometimes I couldn't stop myself from chattering. When the caretakers got tired of hearing me ramble around the house, they would lock me away in the basement.
Anyway, maybe it really was my fault for being too noisy, so I never held too much resentment toward my caretakers. After all, they were the ones who raised me.
Still, I couldn't help but feel a little worried that Lando might also find me annoying. After I left the orphanage, I had always lived alone, so no one ever scolded me if I talked too much anymore, and no one got upset when I filled the silence with my rambling all the time.
But now, I suddenly had to live with him.
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open on the second floor, revealing a long, spacious hallway that seemed to go on forever.
Well, maybe I didn't need to worry so much about Lando thinking I was too noisy. This place was enormous, so my voice would probably get lost before it even reached him!
"I'll ask the housemaids to prepare your room on the third floor," Lando finally said. "But for today, you can sleep in the guest room on the second floor."
"Really?!" I asked, almost bouncing on my toes. "I don't mind starting with a guest room. As long as the window is big, I'll be happy!"
I gently pushed his wheelchair out of the elevator and onto the second floor, deciding it would be fun to explore this level before heading up to the third. My eyes kept darting left and right, trying to take in every detail of the mansion's endless hallway.
"So … which room can I stay in tonight?" I asked, my voice bubbling with excitement.
"Whatever you like," he said shortly.
In the end, I dragged him along to explore the second floor with me. The hallway seemed endless, with doors on both sides that made me curious about what was behind each one.
Just as I was about to invite him into a room with a particularly large door, Lando stopped his wheelchair with his hands.
"I need to work now," he said. He continued, "You can look around on your own."
"Oh … okay." I finally let go of his wheelchair and stopped pushing him to explore the house with me.
If he really was the founder of ZENTRA Media, then of course he had to be busy, and here I was, unknowingly keeping him from his work.
"You can ask the housemaids to clean the guest room once you find one you like," he said as he turned his wheelchair, preparing to head back toward the elevator. But before leaving, he lifted his face to glance at me. "This is your first day out of the hospital, so … don't wander around too long."
I blinked several times. I didn't expect him to say that much, let alone show that kind of concern for me. For someone who seemed so cold at first, his words warmed me more than I wanted to admit.
After all, he was the first person to offer me a few kind words since I woke up in this body.
"Got it!" I waved both hands at him with a big smile. "Good luck with your work! And don't forget to take a break!"
For a brief second, I caught him widening his eyes slightly, as if my words had genuinely surprised him.
But … why? That was just a normal thing I said to people all the time.
Could it have sounded offensive somehow?
[Lando's favorability has increased to +3%]
Holy crap!
This was literally my first day meeting him, and his favorability had already gone up by sixteen percent!
The funny thing was that I hadn't even tried that hard! And I was just being myself the whole time.
At first, I thought it would be nearly impossible to raise his favorability because he looked so cold and untouchable. But after spending a bit of time with him, I was starting to realize … he wasn't cruel, just terribly awkward.
If that was the case … maybe I could ask him for something?
"Oh, Mr. Brixton! Can I ask you something?" I jogged a little to catch up with him, blurting, "My phone broke during the accident, so … would you mind lending me a laptop? Even an old one is fine. I just need it to look up some things online."
The lucky buff given by the system only lasted for seven days, and I wasn't about to waste even a single day without gathering information.
I could probably buy a new phone tomorrow, but for today, I just wanted to search for casting calls using a laptop.
"Alright," Lando said simply, without a single question. "I'll have someone bring it to you."
I smiled brightly again. "Thank you! You're really kind, Mr. Brixton!" I dropped another candy onto his lap like it was some sort of grand offering. "Here, have another sweet! I don't have much to give right now, but one day, I promise I'll repay you with something far more valuable."
If it weren't for Lando, I'd probably still be stuck in the Davenport residence, suffering through endless days surrounded by those wicked witches.
I didn't even have high blood pressure, but I was sure I'd develop it if I had to deal with the Davenport family for too long.
"No need," Lando replied flatly, not even looking at me. "I do things because I want to, not because I'm trying to help you."
I scrunched my brows. Yeah, right. He could say that all he wanted, but I knew better. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have gone along with every little thing I asked.
Maybe he just didn't want me to feel burdened by a debt of gratitude.
This young master is way too kind! If anyone dares to call him a cripple again, I swear I'll break their legs without hesitation!