"Get down."
"Huh? What?"
I asked softly, still crawling on the comfortable seat and wrapping his coat tightly around me.
The Young Master's voice was low and smooth as he opened the door of the car for me, "We have reached. From now on, you will stay here with me."
—-
(2 hours ago)
After the call ended,
I didn't know for how long I was standing there, weeping loudly. My broken and helpless sobs were echoing in that empty hall until I heard the approaching footsteps along with the familiar gruff voice of the Old Master.
I hastily began wiping my face with the long sleeves of the coat as I turned my head in their direction. My face and eyes turned red from all the weeping and my voice was so choked that I could barely speak in a muffled voice, "I am ready."
"Ready for what? To be my mistress?"
The Old Man laughed mockingly, "You are quite smart, Mrs Richard."
Clearing my throat, I glared at him fiercely, "My husband will be here with the money very soon. I hope that until then you will treat me with respect."
A gleam of interest flickered in his deep and dark eyes as he shrugged, "Very well. You can be my guest until then." He turned to his little bird who was silently standing behind him with a dark face, "Little bird, she will be your responsibility then. You decide what to do with her."
The young guy assured, bowing his head respectfully, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I will take care of everything." He added coldly, "Follow me, Mrs Richard."
I began walking like a lifeless wooden doll, following his steps when the gruff voice of the old man echoed from behind once again, "Be careful with her, Little Bird. A wounded tigress is very dangerous."
Stepping out of the training hall and walking along the pebbled path, I noticed Domino again. This time, he was accompanied by a young man and a young woman, both sharing the same sharp features and silver hair. They were undoubtedly twins.
They were casually chatting, but the moment they noticed us, they hastily bowed.
Domino asked, gesturing toward me, "Should I prepare a room here for Mrs. Richard, Young Master?"
"Woah! She has a damn hot figure. Is she our new hostage?" the silver-haired man blurted out instantly, openly gawking at me with bright, curious eyes.
His companion, the young lady, merely rolled her eyes and muttered, "She is too old for you, Joseph."
Joseph rubbed his chin and replied immediately, "Josy, stop talking like a jealous aunty. She looks so damn perfect."
Both Domino and the Young Master looked visibly annoyed at their conversation.
Shaking his head, the Young Master responded shortly, "No need. I will keep her in my villa."
"Your villa?" Domino asked, clearly shocked. "Are you sure you'll be comfortable with that?"
"Yes," the Young Master answered in his cold voice. He shot Joseph a glare and muttered, "Can you guarantee her safety if I leave her here among these rogues?"
Domino opened his mouth as if to speak, but the Young Master had already walked away.
I was too drowned in sorrow to respond; I simply followed him quietly.
Behind us, I faintly heard Joseph and Josy talking.
Joseph sounded bewildered. "Domino, the Young Master doesn't even allow a single bodyguard or maid inside his villa. Then why her? How did this miracle happen?"
Josy clicked her painted nails against her teeth. "Does he also have weird preferences like you, Joseph? Nah, I think she just owes him a huge sum."
Domino dismissed them sharply in his usual formal tone. "Go and get ready. The Old Master will leave for Liverpool in an hour."
—-----
"With you? Why?"
I asked, confused. "Why didn't you let me stay there?"
He turned toward me while unfastening his seat belt. "Because I thought you might be useful to me."
"How so?" I questioned, though a part of me already felt strangely at ease with him.
I usually grew anxious around strangers.
But even while being held hostage by the infamous Voss Family, sitting next to this young man made me feel oddly safe. I was kinda happy that he didn't let me stay with that terrible old man.
His calm voice, his easy smile, and the warmth in his gaze convinced me he wasn't going to hurt me. That I would be alright around him.
He only curved his lips into a mysterious smirk, "Hurry up and get down."
By afternoon, we reached his villa which was a grand residence surrounded by a garden full of colorful daisies. The parking area held several sleek, modern cars and a row of vintage-style bikes.
A graceful fountain stood in the center of the garden, beside a basketball court. The whole place felt peaceful, far from the chaos of the city. The delicate fragrance of daisies lingered in the air, seeping even into the spacious hall inside.
The interior was simple yet sophisticated with minimal furniture, everything perfectly arranged.
Leading me into a large guest room on the ground floor, he explained,
"This room is yours. That's the kitchen and the hall. I don't have a dining table or room as I eat while watching movies. The laundry room is next to yours, and that door leads to storage. There's also a small library on the other side if you're interested. You can use anything on this floor and walk around freely. But don't go to the first or second floor."
"You stay on the first floor?" I asked curiously while checking my surroundings with great interest.
"Yes."
"So I'll be living alone on this floor?" I asked, a spark of hope flickering. A rebellious thought began forming in my head.
He chuckled softly, as if he could read my mind.
"No, you can't run away, not when I'm here, and not when I'm not. The entire property is under surveillance of multiple cameras, except for your bedroom. I hope you won't do anything stupid."
I sighed and turned to open the room door when he added, "And don't go to the backyard either. My men live there. They aren't ummm- well, particularly good at dealing with women."
The room was spacious but almost empty, just a large soft bed and an empty wardrobe. Even the windows had no curtains.
I was still wearing the black coat, without proper clothes beneath.
On the bedside table sat a vase filled with fresh white daisies.
A small, involuntary smile touched my lips, reminding me of my teenage days.
Someone used to give me daisies every day in my last year of college, a kid. Yup, that kid was kinda weird. I forgot his face totally but not his actions and words.
"Jeez… I feel so dirty."
Dried blood clung to my skin. My swollen, bare feet were covered in dust.
Without wasting another second, I walked into the washroom and turned on the hot water, desperate to wash away the nightmare of last night