Lia shifted uncomfortably as she looked around the expansive entryway, wondering what kind of life she'd just stepped into. The estate, grander and even more imposing than her father's, made her feel out of place, and everything around her felt almost...too pristine, too perfect. The gates had opened automatically, nearly startling her into dropping her luggage. Now, she stood, hesitating, wondering if she should just wait for someone to invite her in. But, seeing no one around, she finally made her way up the winding stone path.
Every step closer to the enormous front door made her stomach twist with unease. Who were these people? Did they even want her here? She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was waiting on the other side of that door was anything but welcoming. She gave herself a mental pep talk—whatever awaited her couldn't be worse than her mother's unpredictable moods.
As she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open with a soft mechanical hum, making her jump for the second time in a minute. Great. More automated doors. Tentatively, she stepped inside. If the outside had been grand, the interior was almost surreal. The foyer was larger than any room in her old house, the ceiling soaring high above, chandeliers sparkling with unnatural brilliance. Everything looked as if it had been pulled from a luxury magazine—polished floors, spotless white walls, and golden accents gleaming everywhere she looked.
"Are you Lia?"
A cool, detached voice startled her from her thoughts. Lia turned to see an older woman emerging from a door near the kitchen, her face completely blank.
"Um, yes. Yes, I am." Lia fumbled with her words, surprised by the woman's unblinking gaze.
"Follow me." The woman turned and walked away without another word, leaving Lia to scramble after her. They went up a wide, marble staircase and down a hallway lined with closed doors and expensive artwork. The silence was oppressive, and Lia tried not to focus on how hollow each of her footsteps sounded in the cavernous hallway. There was no warmth here, no family photos on the walls, no signs that anyone actually lived here.
Finally, they stopped at the end of the hallway. The woman opened the door on the right and stepped aside. "This will be your room. Breakfast will be served in ten minutes. Be downstairs by then." She turned to leave but stopped when Lia called out.
"Wait! I—I have questions." Lia's voice trembled slightly, but she steadied herself.
The woman turned slowly, her movements were robotic. She tilted her head slightly, a gesture that somehow made Lia feel like she was under a microscope.
"I haven't met… anyone from the family. Are they here?"
"They are not." The woman's voice was flat, and she turned to leave again without further explanation.
Lia's mind buzzed with questions, but she couldn't bring herself to ask more. The woman's presence was cold and detached, leaving Lia feeling uneasy. She had other concerns, too. She had lectures later and needed to figure out if she'd even be able to go. This whole place felt more like a prison than a home.
Sighing, Lia pulled out her phone and dialled Ry's number, hoping to hear a familiar voice.
"Hey, Ry. I'm here…" She glanced around, careful to keep her voice low. "But I haven't met the family yet. They just took me to my room and… I don't know, it feels strange here."
"Are you okay, Lia? You sound...off," Ry's concerned voice crackled over the line.
"I'm fine. I think. But could you do me a favor? Send me a message saying the professor switched classes to this morning. Just in case I need an excuse to get out of here."
"Got it. And Lia…take care. Mom's worried."
"I'll be by the shop later. I'll tell her everything." She ended the call, feeling a bit lighter.
Turning her attention to her room, she was taken aback. It was decorated in muted white and grey tones, but everything was shockingly luxurious. A beautiful bed with a plush bunny-themed headboard, there were clothes, shoes in her size, Jewelleries and makeup in her shade in the closet, a gleaming white desk with a sleek laptop tied with a satin bow, and a card that read, For you. Her initial awe quickly gave way to suspicion. Why had they set everything up so perfectly, right down to her clothing sizes? This attention to detail felt unsettling.
Maybe they're planning to keep me comfortable so I won't question anything, she thought, a shiver creeping up her spine. Memories of her mother's manipulations clouded her mind. She half-expected some twisted trick or trap; nothing could be this simple.
Just then, her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten. She stuffed a notebook and her laptop in her bag before heading downstairs.
The kitchen was empty, but a lavish breakfast spread was waiting on the counter—fresh fruit, eggs, pastries, everything she could want. She hesitated, scanning the room for the woman, but there was no sign of her.
"Um…hello?" she called out tentatively.
A few moments later, the same woman reappeared, emerging from a door in the kitchen that seemed to lead to a storage room. She held a large package of frozen meat and looked at Lia, expressionless.
"I have to leave for my lecture this morning," Lia said, trying to sound assertive. "My class was moved up, so I need to be at the university now."
The woman paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pulled out her phone. After a quick call, she hung up and glanced back at Lia. "Your class schedule says you're free until this afternoon. If there's been a change, I'll need confirmation."
Lia took a deep breath, feeling the walls close in around her. She showed the woman the message Ry had just sent, hoping it would be enough.
The woman's face remained blank as she dialled another number. "Yes…she says her class was moved to the morning. Should I allow her to leave?... Understood." She hung up and placed her phone on the counter.
"While we wait for an answer, please eat."
The woman didn't wait for a response before disappearing back into the storage room. Lia felt trapped. She took a seat, poking at the breakfast laid out in front of her, her appetite nearly gone.
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The week had drifted by with Lia still living in an unusual silence, surrounded by luxury but void of the warmth of any real human connection. The house was immaculate, tended to daily by the poker-faced woman who ensured that Lia ate, slept comfortably, and had everything she needed. But despite the comfort, Lia felt an unease she couldn't shake.
When she met Ry after class, she didn't hold back her thoughts.
"So, have you met anyone in this family yet?" Ry asked, taking a sip of his iced tea as they settled at their usual café.
Lia shook her head, sighing. "Not a soul. It's been a full week, and I don't know who's even in charge here. And the woman who's been taking care of me? I don't even know her name! She's so robotic, Ry, like she's on some kind of script."
"That's bizarre. How are you living there without knowing anyone's name? It's like a haunted mansion," he replied, half-joking but visibly concerned.
"Honestly, it's beyond weird. I stay out late, come home just to sleep, and leave early the next day. But it's getting tiring, you know? Just going through the motions. I need… something exciting."
Ry leaned in, his tone softening. "Do you think the family will treat you well when they finally show up?"
She paused, folding her hands around her ice tea cup. "They've done a lot. Luxury clothes, gadgets, even bank accounts—it's like they're trying to give me this perfect life, but it feels… strange. I can't help but worry what the cost is. I don't even know what they look like or why they're doing all this."
Ry nodded thoughtfully. "Be careful, Lia. I hope their money doesn't come from… shady means."
She met his eyes, understanding exactly what he meant. "I've wondered that, too," she admitted.
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Meanwhile, across town, an elegant mansion buzzed with excitement as a young man finally returned from a long trip.
Inside a lavishly decorated drawing room, Rose waited eagerly, pacing as her excitement built up.
"Where is he?" she asked, glancing at her head of security, Obi, for the fifth time.
Obi smiled patiently. "He'll be here any moment, ma'am."
When the door finally opened, Rose's eyes lit up, and she briskly made her way over, practically launching herself into her grandson Rhys's arms. "What took you so long to come visit me?"
Rhys chuckled, embracing her. "I missed you too, Gammy," he said, squeezing her tight.
They settled into the plush armchairs in the sitting room, where Rhys poured them both a drink, his face softening as he observed his grandmother. She may have been nearing eighty, but she radiated energy and poise that belied her years.
"So, Vienna?" she probed, sipping her drink with a sly smile.
Rhys raised his glass, a playful grin stretching across his face. "Just met up with some old friends, Gammy."
"Old friends?" she asked sceptically, raising an eyebrow. "And here I was expecting something a bit more… lively."
He chuckled, brushing her off. "Come on, Gammy. I can't give away all my secrets."
She eyed him, amused. "Well, how about this—I've been thinking about something I want from you."
He leaned back, a curious glint in his eye. "What's that?"
Her expression softened. "It's time, Rhys. You're twenty-seven. When will I get to meet a girl you plan on settling down with?"
Rhys sputtered, clearly taken off guard. "Gammy, where did this come from?"
She shrugged. "You're a man now, a successful one at that. But all this… work, these friends—isn't it time to think about family?"
Rhys smiled, shifting uncomfortably. "I know you mean well, but it's just not on the agenda right now. I don't see myself with anyone." He gave a wry smile. "Not because of anyone, or anything, in particular."
Rose tilted her head, a faint sadness crossing her face.
"Have you heard from your father lately?"
The question hung in the air, and Rhys's drink froze halfway to his mouth. For a moment, he sat perfectly still before he downed the rest of his glass in one bitter gulp, hissing softly as the burn hit his throat.
"Why should I hear from someone like that?" he replied coldly.
Rose sighed, the weight of his anger settling over her. She knew why he felt this way—she'd been there through it all, after all. Ten years ago, Rhys had been a different person. He was seventeen, his mother was still alive, and his baby sister was barely two. How quickly things had changed. In the blink of an eye, here was her grandson: grown, hardened, and still filled with a resentment she feared he'd never let go.
She reached for his hand, her fingers curling gently around his. "Rhys," she said softly, "don't you think it's about time you let go of that anger? It's been ten years, child. Carrying that pain around for so long—it must be exhausting."
Rhys's jaw tightened. "Gammy, between that person and me, there will never be reconciliation. I'm telling you this now in case you have any ideas. The day you try to make us meet would be the last time you'd ever see my face."
The sharpness in his voice struck her, and she sat back, realising this was more than just a fleeting grudge. "You… you don't really mean that, do you?"
He met her gaze, unflinching. "Look at me, Gammy, and tell me if you think I'm bluffing."
She inhaled deeply, searching his face. His eyes held a chilling resolve that sent a shiver through her. She'd seen Rhys's ruthless side, knew all too well what he was capable of when he set his mind to something. The hate ran deep, tangled with memories and pain he wasn't ready to release.
"Gammy," he said, breaking her thoughts.
"Yes, dear?" She kept her tone soft, hoping he might open up just a little more.
"There's something you should know." He leaned back, his face shifting from anger to something more resigned. "I didn't come back because of him, and I'm not putting off marriage because of him, either. He's irrelevant to me." He exhaled, rubbing a hand across his forehead. "While I was in Vienna, I had a full check-up… and it turns out I have HSDD. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder."
A pause stretched between them as Rose processed his words.
He went on, his tone clinical, detached. "It means I don't have the desire to be intimate with anyone, and honestly, I think it's a good thing. I have no drive, no interest, and no reason to be involved in that part of life."
"Oh, Rhys…" she murmured, squeezing his hand. "But surely, there must be a way—"
"Gammy." His voice was gentle, but the look in his eyes warned her not to push. "This is the way it is. Don't waste time worrying. I'm not broken—I just have a different path."
Rose nodded slowly, biting back her response. She knew better than to force it, but she couldn't ignore the pain in her heart. Watching him struggle with such a burden, unable or unwilling to reach out to anyone, tore at her. But as he held her gaze, she nodded, even if it broke her heart.
"Well," she whispered, resting her hand on his cheek, "if this is the path you choose, I'll support you. Just… know I'll always be here, whatever you decide."
Rhys softened, just a fraction. "Thank you, Gammy." He placed his hand over hers, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
"Family… probably isn't happening for me. It's not a big deal, Gammy. I'm good. Really."
Rose set her glass down. "Oh, darling…"
He gave her a reassuring look.
But as he left, Rose's mind spun with an idea. If he wouldn't change his mind on his own, maybe it was time for a little intervention. A sly smile played on Rose's face as she picked up her phone, scrolling to a familiar contact with a plan already forming in her mind. She dialled the number, waiting as it rang before a cheerful voice answered on the other end.
"Hello, Jasmine, my dear! I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about your grandma Rose."
There was a bright, surprised laugh from Jasmine's side. "Grandma Rose! It's been too long! I've been busy, you know."
"Busy? Pfft," Rose scoffed lightly, though her smile stayed firmly in place. "Well, if you're back now, isn't it about time you come for a visit?"
There was a brief pause. " How did you know I was back and a visit? Is something going on?"
"Oh, I've just missed you," Rose said casually. "And it would give you a chance to see your fiancé. You know, the one you've neglected all this time?" She chuckled, waiting for Jasmine's reaction.
Another pause. Then, an awkward silence. "Fiancé? ...…..Grandma Rose, what are you up to?"
Rose grinned wickedly. "I'll see you soon, dear."
Hanging up, Rose leaned back in her chair, satisfied. The wheels were set in motion, and soon, her stubborn grandson wouldn't know what hit him.