Hellen's eyes narrowed just a touch, sweeping over Emily in a long, careful look that took in her pale porcelain skin glowing faint in the kitchen's warm light. The hoodie made it clear.
She leaned back on her stool at the island, legs crossed smooth and sure, her navy suit sharp and perfect against the cozy feel of Willowbrook Manor. "You look like you haven't stepped outside this house for weeks," she said, her voice even and smooth, like a calm river hiding a strong current. "Ms. Leonhart, am I correct?"
Emily blinked fast, he eyes going wide under her gaze, fingers freezing where they fiddled with the edge of the coffee tray. "What do you mean?" Why was Hellen asking this question to her.
"Your skin is too pale—almost like a ghost's. No colour from the sun, no fresh pink from being out in the air." Hellen waved a hand lightly toward Emily's arms, bare under the hoodie's rolled sleeves.
Emily let out a deep sigh, her shoulders falling as she rubbed her full lips, still tasting the sweet lemon from the cake. A warm flush climbed her neck—she felt caught, like her secret life here was plain to see. She didn't want to say anything, but Hellen was offering such a big deal. Besides, honesty would be good in this situation.
"Okay, fine. Before you came, I wasn't sure if you were real or just some... kind of trick," said Emily. Her voice was soft, and a bit vulnerable, showing her unfiltered side.
Hellen raised one perfect blonde eyebrow, uncrossing her legs with a quiet sound of smooth fabric. "So, you thought I was a scammer? Someone telling stories to fool you into something bad?"
"Yes... sort of." Emily's words came out honest and fast, her emerald eyes dropping to the granite counter where crumbs from the cake sat like tiny stars. "More like part of a plan against me."
Hellen tilted her head a little, looking closer—not mad, just curious like one alpha studying another who seemed small and unsure. "Then why did you tell me your address? You could have said to meet somewhere public, like a coffee shop or a park. That would have been safer."
Emily gave a short laugh, sad at herself, as a strand of raven hair fell over her flushed cheeks like a curtain. "It was greed, mostly. And being scared." She looked right into Hellen's eyes now, a spark of strong fire there even after her shaky start. "Too greedy to say no to a chance that could make my dreams true."
"So, you became greedy."
"Yes. Too scared to go out and face something worse. So, the greedy part won. I gave you my address like it was my last bet." She stopped for a second, her voice quiet and real. "Part of me hoped so bad it was true. I needed it to be."
The kitchen went quiet for a moment, the clock on the wall ticking soft, the wildflowers in the vase on the side table moving a little in the breeze from the window. Hellen's face changed—the cold look warmed up some, her lips curving just a bit in a small smile.
"That's honest talk, Ms. Leonhart. I like that—it's fresh in my world of business." She sat up straight, back to all work and no play, her earrings catching the light as she reached for her briefcase. "And yes, I'm the real deal. I'm here to make you my business partner, not to trap you."
With a slow push, she slid a neat folder across the island toward Emily—the papers inside clean and organized, tabs marking section. "Look at these papers closely. Check every word. Take all the time you need... but tell me yes or no in one week. Time moves fast in this business." She stood up smooth, her heels making a clear click on the granite floor as she moved.
Emily nodded right away, her hands ready to open the folder, her eyes shining with a mix of hope and watchfulness. "Okay. My lawyer will look tomorrow."
Hellen stopped at the door to the entry hall, looking back with a quick, firm nod—like respect between people who had been through hard things.
"Good choice." She opened the door to the light on the porch, where the old wooden chairs sat quiet like guards, and the big oak trees whispered at the edge of the woods. She stepped out, her blonde hair bun glowing orange in the sunset.
Emily jumped up fast, her bare feet hitting the cool floor with a slap, and shut the door hard behind her with a solid click. Her back pressed against the wood, and a big sigh came out—deep and shaky.
She held the folder tight to her chest and walked slow to the big gray sofa, sinking into its soft cushions. The papers fell open on her lap, showing a lot of things for her to work on.
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Human beings are indecisive animals—who tend to go back on their promise. The same goes for me. For someone who didn't step out of the house for a month, allowed some stranger into the house—I don't know what to say.
Maybe the thought of a possibility where Hellen's words could be real... made me do that. Besides, stepping out of the house... or being inside the house—changed nothing. I am pretty sure whoever sent those men must know where I live now. A shiver ran down my spine when I thought of him sending men to kidnap me again.
"How long will I be afraid of this uncertainty?" I whispered to myself. Hellen was a gamble—I was an idiot to send someone my address, but still... I got the result.
Yes, the greed blinded me—made my brain a bit muddled, yet I found something good. This might be my last ticket to board the 'train' and do something about my dreams.
So, yes... I am going to sign the contract.