I'm really really really sorry . The exam dates had postponed, it took longer than expected. And I ended up procrastinating . 😥😥😥 I'll make sure to update more frequently from now on .

I hope you like it.  Enjoy ❤️❤️

Alyssa's Pov :

I woke up in Arestair's room. I don't remember falling asleep. At least that scary man isn't here, that's a relief .

I look towards the balcony and all I see is darkness. It' already night . How long had I been sleeping for?

I get up and walk to the door. Surprisingly, it’s not locked this time! Yay! I tiptoe outside the room only to find two guards standing right there.

Of course,  that guy just has to make my life miserable in every single way possible. I try to walk out but they stop me.

" Mam, you are not allowed to leave this room"

" But I just want to go downstairs "

" No mam . You can do that only after sir comes here. "

" This is so unfair! I just wanna go down! Why can't I even do that! "

" Alyssa?" a familiar voice reaches my ears.

" Jordan? OMG!  JORDAANNN ! " I run past the guards before they can react and hug him.

I never thought seeing a familiar face amongst all these scary unknown ones could bring me this much joy.

Jordan was startled by the sudden hug that's for sure . But after a second of staying still, he gently hugged me back.

" Heyy, nice to meet you too" he patted my head as he broke the hug. But he suddenly looked at me all confused.

" What are you doing here though?  This is not exactly a place I would like for you to be at"

" Trust me, I don't wanna be here either. Your stupid boss literally snatched me away in front of my mom.. " I huffed.

" He did? But that's not.... " Jordan stopped mid sentence. He looked serious and deep in thought. And in a way, that made him look so handsome..  I mean he has really pretty face to begin with. But.. I never gave much thought to it until now.

I'm ashamed to admit it but my heart literally just skipped a beat ..   Oh lord..

" Don’t worry. I'll talk to him for ya okay? He usually isn’t this irrational or unjust.  I'll see what I can do " he patted my head while crouching a bit .

These darn tall people.

" By the way, where were you?  You weren’t here the past few days . And where's Luke? I haven’t seen him either.  "

" I was handling some work outside the city. I just came back and saw you on my way. Luke is in Italy, for some...stuff..  It'll take about a week for him to return "

" Oh. I see . At least You're here now. I don't have to see only unknown faces anymore. Give me company sometimes?  " I gave him my puppy eyes.

" Sure will kiddo. No need to ask for it" he laughed as he patted my head again. Not gonna lie, I was actually liking it. It made me feel cared for in a way...

" Oy, let her go out. Follow her around if you think she'll try to escape or something . If anything happens, just use my name and blame it on me " he ordered the guards.

Surprisingly they nodded immediately. I thought they would at least hesitate a little. He then gave me a wink before walking away.He looked so cool just now!

" You heard the man. Let's go" I started sprinting down the stairs with the guards on my tail. I started looking and wandering around the mansion aimlessly.

Before I realised it, I didn’t know where I was anymore. I was lost...

And here I thought I could memorize each and every door in order to make my escape. Clearly overestimated myself.

Also there are just men everywhere. Scattered like bugs,big black bugs. And they all either look at me or give me a slight nod of acknowledgment whenever I pass them.

I don't like the attention I'm getting... I hope other floors don’t have this many people.

" Where's she going? " the guard behind me whispered.

" Don’t know dude. She's probably lost" the other guard replied, mockery present in his voice.

" Clearly not the brightest one, that's for sure" the first guard laughed a bit.. Wow, they're talking about me right behind my back.. Literally..

" Oh yes, I'm suree you guys could viviiidlyy memorize this whooole mansion and all it’s directions and get around it just fine on your very first day " I turned around and looked them dead in the eyes.

They looked taken back.

" And how about helping me a little if you geniuses finally figured out that I'm lost?" I raised an eyebrow at them.

" We apologise mam. That was rude of us. " they both bowed. What in the heavens! 

"Heyy hey, It's not a big deal. Why are you bowing! Don’t boww. It’s okay! Get up get up " I gushed at them.

"Please don't tell sir"

" Sir? Oh, Mr. Arestair? No.  Why would I tell him? Don't worry about it. Now stop bowing ! " they kinda looked relieved about it.

Just how much power and fear does that man hold over these people.. I shook my head.

" Now, would kindly show me around, dear sirs " I gave them a small smile.

" Apparently. Where would you like to go first?" one of them replied.

------****-------

It's been about an hour and we've finally finish the tour around the whole house. Except for a few "forbidden " rooms.

Rooms I'm sure I'd never wanna enter anyways. Some things are probably better off left unknown.

Tyler and Chase ( the guards )  talked a little here and there. I realised both of them are the calm and gentle type. None of them are much talkative, the exact opposite of Luke.

Even Jordan talks more than them. And that's saying a lot.

From this whole tour, I only realised more and more just how impossible it is to escape.

You'll be noticed by people instantly even if you're just standing around doing nothing at all . In my case its even worse as they would give me a slight nod every single time.

It's like chess board with pieces placed in each of its squares .

Just that each square contains more than just one piece in this case.. And each piece will acknowledge you as if to show respect.

Showing respect to their victim. Oh, The irony.

Each door leading outside  was guarded by at least about 8 people. That also being , people with guns..

This is bad. I don't know what I'm gonna do... It's making me feel only worse knowing my chances of escape are near to 0. It's negative infact.

Even a few hours ago I had high hopes. But at this point, even dreaming of leaving this place would feel like stupidity.

Hope? What is that?

In a span of a few hours this place made me realise just how small and naive I was...

A pair of bandaged hand just came out of no where and hugged me from the back. This made me jump out of my thoughts and squeak a little. 

The familiar scent of cologne and the embrace was enough to make realise who it was. This man really likes back hugs.

Tyler and Chase bow with their right hands placed on their chests and left one behind their backs. 

" I see you're having a tour. I'm kind of sad though, I wanted to show you around myself. " came his husky voice.

But why did it sound like he was suppressing his voice a little. As if to hide his anger or something . Is he angry? The thought of it made me nervous..

Is it because I roamed around without permission..?. Also, were the bandages on his hand there in the morning?

" I..I just.. wanted to look around a little. "

" I see. So, did you like your new home? " I turned my head to look at him, though it was hard as he was behind me.

" New home?" the way he looked at me made my hair stand .

He appeared to be so calm, but his eyes were telling  me otherwise. There was definitely something wrong. I better not make it worse.

" Yup. You'll be staying here from now on. This is your home now. Do you like it" I gave him a tight smile and swallowed down my will to protest .

" Yes. I like it. The mansion is really pretty "

" Good. " And with that, my feet's weren’t touching the ground anymore. He picked me up bridal style!

My shriek came out so high pitched that I'm sure I could break glasses with it.

" I'm taking her now. You're excused " I didn’t realise Tyler and Chase were still bowing. They nodded and walked away.

What is he ?  A king? I understand that he's powerful and all . But making people bow is kinda...too much I'd say.

I looked at him, his clenched jaw and hard glance told me he was just a ticking bomb at the moment.

" Um.. Where are we going?" I managed to say in a near whispered voice.

" To our room of course " No.. I don't wanna be there alone with him. Especially not now..

" B..but.. I'm hungry.. I wanna eat " I blurted out . He just kept walking though.

" I know. Food's on the way. You'll be eating in the room with me. " maybe I should just say sorry first.

" L..listen.. I'm sorry for not taking your permission before leaving the room. I should have asked first. Please don’t be mad " he just stared at me.

His pace became even faster. Why! What did I do! He looks even more mad now! Did I just make it worse.

We reached his room and he just threw me on the bed. Wait wait wait.. Why's he unbuttoning his shirt.

" So,  You're saying sorry for something as trivial as leaving the room, but you don’t even realise the actual thing you should be sorry for "

Why is he getting on the bed!

" Why the fuck did you hug Jordan! " he said clenching his teeth.

" huh? Oh.. That.. I was just happy to see him.. That's why.. "

" Did he ask for it? "

"........ no.. Why would he ask for it .."

" So, you gave free hug to a Fuckin man who Doesn't even want it.  But when it comes to me, the person that actually craves for it, you're always running away.. "

" Look.. I just gave him a hug to show that I was glad to see him. I'm sure he didn’t mind it . Calm down"
I tried to reduce the tension..

" Yeah, he didn’t mind it. But I sure as hell did. And who gave you permission to do it in the first place? " and it didn't work. He kept coming closer to me as I backed up.

" W..why would I need permission . It’s my choice. I can hug anyone I want! "

" Anyone you want? " he straight up paused and stared at me. man he looks scary..

He's really close right now as he's almost hovering over me . And I'm currently pressed against the hardboard with no more space to go to .

I have to make a run for it, now. I look at the door and fortunately it’s still open. I sprint towards it with all my might.

I ran out of the room and reached the stairs. But only on the second step I felt a hard pull on my shoulder and  my arms were locked  in a strong hold just like that.

I was again thrown onto his shoulder, a sense of déjà vu made me feel sick in the stomach.

Something told me that this wasn't gonna be the last time I'll be treated like a sack of potatoes.

And the thought of that most certainly did not make me feel good.