The city glittered below us, drones zipping past like fireflies, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud. This was my world, my kingdom of blinking lights and whirring gadgets. And yet… something about today felt different.
Jayden had that look—like he already knew secrets he wasn't telling me.
"So… is there anywhere in this castle that's actually… off-limits?" Like I mean in a place like this and a person like your dad. There must be. he asked, tilting his head. Curious. Too curious.
My stomach flipped. Of course he'd ask that.
"Uh… maybe," I said, glancing at Alex, who only grinned like a maniac.
"Maybe?" Jayden pressed. "C'mon, I can handle it. I've seen labs that make this place look like a toy store."
Alex snorted. "She means the Silver Door. Dad says never, ever touch it. Trust me, it's not for humans—only drones and… chaos."
My cheeks warmed. "It's… really nothing. Totally boring."
Jayden raised an eyebrow. "Boring? That's not how people usually describe 'forbidden doors.'"
I sighed, secretly thrilled that he was interested. Why does it feel like he's already dared me?
Later, as we wandered down the hallway toward the lab, I tried to act casual, like I didn't have a pulse that threatened to break every rule of normalcy.
"I wouldn't go there even if I wanted to," I muttered, fiddling with a hovering drone.
"Why not?" Jayden's eyes glinted, playful but sharp. "A secret lab is my idea of paradise."
"Because it's… complicated," I said quickly, but Alex rolled his eyes like he always did when I tried to protect my little secrets.
"Complicated means interesting, Kim. Admit it—you're curious!"
My fingers tightened around the drone. Yes. Very curious.
And then… it happened.
The lights near the Silver Door flickered. A soft, almost musical hum pulsed from the panel, and for a split second, the room felt alive, like it was breathing.
Jayden leaned closer, his eyes scanning every line of the door. "That's not normal. Most of this house reacts to motion or heat—this is… different."
"Different how?" I asked, suddenly defensive. "It's probably just a glitch. The house does that sometimes."
He smirked, clearly not convinced. "You know more than you're letting on."
My heart did that stupid little flip again. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Who's asking?"
Alex, of course, couldn't resist. "Come on, Kim! This is our chance! Open it!"
Jayden stepped in front of him, arms crossed, giving me a look that was equal parts amused and commanding. "Not worth it. Trust me."
I blinked. Trust him? With a forbidden door?
Alex grumbled but backed off, muttering something about missing all the fun. I couldn't stop staring at Jayden. There was something about the way he analyzed the panel, like he was reading a puzzle meant just for him.
"Your dad built a lot of crazy tech, Kim… but this? This feels personal," he murmured.
Personal. That word made my chest tighten. I'd grown up surrounded by inventions and gadgets, but some things—even after twelve years—remained mysteries. And suddenly, Jayden made me realize how little I actually knew about the man who had given me this world.
My perfectly calculated little life, with routines and experiments and drones that never disobeyed… felt like it might be about to glitch.
And honestly? I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.