I sat inside the car, waiting patiently for Raisem to come back. It had been almost an hour.
The silence inside the car was beginning to feel heavy, pressing against my chest.
Jason was nowhere in sight too, and I hadn't heard anything from either of them.
I shifted slightly in my seat, glancing outside for what felt like the hundredth time.
Then suddenly, his phone rang. The sound startled me a little. I leaned forward from the passenger seat and reached for it. His phone was neatly placed on the driver's seat, almost like he had left it there in a hurry.
I picked it up carefully, it was his Grandma.
I stared at the screen for a second, then slowly placed it back exactly where I found it.
Just then, I saw him.
Raisem was walking toward the car park, holding a few files in his hand. His steps were steady, his face unreadable as always.
He opened the door and got in.
"What took you so long? You should have left and not interrupt the couples' romance," I said, folding my arms slightly as I looked at him.
He scoffed under his breath.
"Couples' romance? What do you know about romance?" he replied, starting the engine.
I rolled my eyes and turned my face to the window, refusing to answer. But the memory still lingered… Jason and his girlfriend.
His phone rang again.
This time, he picked it up. But before I could even process it, he hung up abruptly and took a sharp turn. I frowned, gripping the side of the seat slightly.
"Aren't we going home?" I asked.
"It seems my aunt sold me out," he muttered.
I tilted my head. "You mean she reported you?"
"She told her about Jorja." I scoffed softly.
"But don't you feel it's better if they handle it? It's getting out of hand… and considering that she is a dangerous person…" I said quietly, my voice softer now.
"I know," he replied, taking a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the road.
The car fell into silence again. I didn't say anything more. It wasn't my business.
We finally arrived at a massive villa.
It stood tall and elegant, with wide glass windows reflecting the night lights.
Raisem parked the car. Almost immediately, a young man dressed neatly in a fitted suit hurried toward us.
"Mr. Hargrave, it's been ages. What brings you back home?" he said with a polite smile.
"Is Grandma in her room?" Raisem asked.
"It seems you have upset her. She is having a terrible mood swing. I suggest you don't provoke her more," Lyon replied carefully.
Raisem nodded slightly, then turned.
"Take Miss Henderson to her room or show her around the place."
Without waiting for a response, he walked into the house.
"My pleasure," Lyon said with a bright smile.
I followed him.
We walked into the flower garden. The moment I stepped in, I paused.
The garden was breathtaking. Rows of flowers stretched endlessly, blooming in different colors—deep reds, soft pinks, bright yellows, and calming purples.
The air was filled with a gentle, sweet scent, and the soft lights placed around the garden made everything glow beautifully in the night.
"It's so beautiful," I whispered.
"Yes, Miss Henderson. Thanks to Mr. Hargrave, who planted most of the flowers," Lyon said proudly.
I blinked. Raisem did that? I never expected him to be that type of person.
"Mr. Hargrave is obsessed with flowers," Lyon added, sniffing one lightly.
I raised my brows slightly.
"Don't tell him I told you."
"Why?"
Lyon leaned a bit closer, lowering his voice.
"Mr. Hargrave once had a lady who was so obsessed with him. When she found out he loves flowers, she couldn't stop sending them every single day. He got upset and irritated. Luckily, he handled the situation, but… it felt like stalking at some point."
I let out a small breath.
"Is she Jorja?" I asked.
"I honestly don't know who she was. I only heard it from people… but please keep it between us."
"It's a secret," I said with a small smile.
I turned back to the flowers, reaching out to touch one. But I didn't notice the thorn.
"Ouch...." I flinched, pulling my hand back quickly as a small cut formed on my finger. A drop of blood appeared almost immediately.
"You should be careful, Miss Henderson. I'll go get some tissues," Lyon said, looking worried.
"It's not serious. I won't die," I replied, bringing out an alcohol wipe from my mini purse and gently cleaning the cut.
As I looked around again, something caught my attention. A section of the garden looked… wrong.
The flowers there had been uprooted, leaving dry, exposed roots behind. The soil looked disturbed, rough, and lifeless compared to the rest of the garden. It was like something beautiful had been forcefully taken away.
"Those flowers… why were they uprooted?" I asked, curious.
"Grandma had them removed. They are very rare ones, and she took them to the generational museum," Lyon explained.
A museum?
"Would you love to take a look? It's just a few minutes' drive from the villa. We can take Grandma's Range," he added, his eyes lighting up.
"Yes."
Finally, something fun.
By the time we got back, it was already dark.
Lyon and I were laughing, still holding our ice creams as he cracked another silly joke.
But the moment we stepped into the compound, our laughter died instantly.
Raisem stood in front of the mansion. His back was turned to us. I knew this wasn't going to be good.
And yet… my eyes lingered on him. His broad shoulders, the way his white shirt rested against his body, the loose joggers… he looked effortlessly attractive.
"Goodnight, Miss Henderson," Lyon said quickly and ran off.
I blinked.
"Wait, he just left me?" I muttered.
I tightened my grip on my ice cream. Then I walked toward Raisem. Immediately, he turned and our eyes met.
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"Why? Do you have to know?" I replied, licking my ice cream casually.
"You're right. It's none of my business," he said and walked away.
I froze. That… wasn't what I expected.
I quickly ran after him and grabbed his hand.
"I was just joking. Why do you look so upset?" I asked.
He turned sharply.
"Ara, you can't just leave the house without telling me. You almost got kidnapped the other time due to your carelessness. Are you not thinking at all?" he snapped.
I flinched slightly.
"I....I just wanted to see the museum. I was with Lyon… it should be safe," I said.
He stepped closer.
"No one can protect you except me," he said, his voice low. "You are my responsibility, so behave and don't be a burden."
Burden. The word hit harder than I expected.
I actually didn't expect him to feel that way about me.
"…Okay," I said softly. "I am going to bed."
I turned to leave. But suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. We stood there, close… just staring at each other.
"There's ice cream on your lips," he said softly.
"What? Where?" I asked nervously, trying to wipe it off.
Before I could react, be leaned in and kissed me softly.
The kiss was slow and gentle at first, like he was testing it… like he wasn't sure if I would stay or pull away. His hand tightened slightly around my wrist, pulling me just a little closer.
I could feel his breath, warm against my skin. The kiss deepened slightly—not rough, not forceful… but intense in a quiet way.
It made my chest tighten. I liked it, but it felt too fast and rushed. I pushed him back a little. He stared I to my eyes for a few seconds, I just turned and walked away quickly.
He didn't stop me.
I ran into the villa, rushed to my room, and locked the door. Then I threw myself onto the bed. My fingers moved to my lips.
I replayed the kiss.
That wasn't the first time he kissed me… but this felt different. It wasn't just impulse, it felt like something deeper. Like there was something he wanted to say… but didn't.
I didn't even realize when sleep took me.
I woke up in the middle of the night and my throat felt dry. I needed water.
I quietly opened my door and walked downstairs, using my phone flashlight to guide me.
I reached the refrigerator and turned on the light switch. That was when I saw him.
Raisem, he was sleeping on the couch.
His ginger hair was messy, falling over his face.
Why would he sleep here? I took a bottle of water and drank a little. Then slowly… I walked closer.
I crouched slightly and brought my phone closer to his face. A small smile crept onto my lips.
I snapped a picture, ten another. I giggled softly, enjoying the moment, suddenly, he opened his eyes.
"Shit!" I screamed, dropping the bottle as water spilled across the floor.
"Did you just take a picture of me?" he asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
"No," I said quickly and ran.
But he was faster, he grabbed my wrist.
"Delete it now."
"No!"
I pushed him lightly and ran around the couch. He chased after me.
We moved in circles, struggling and dodging each other until my bare feet slipped slightly on the floor. I tripped on the empty bottle and fell.
Instinctively, I grabbed his shirt for support but in the act, I pulled him down with me.
We both hit the floor, he was on top of me.
My head almost hit the ground, but his hand caught it just in time and I landed on his palm.
Our bodies were close, I could feels his breath on my skin.
His face hovered just above mine. Our legs tangled slightly, my hands still gripping his shirt.
The position we were in looked so intimate, like something more than it was.
That's when we heard a loud voice, we both froze.
"What are you two doing?" Grandma's voice echoed throughout the whole room.