Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, soft yet persistent.
It slipped past the curtains and fell gently across her face.
She stirred.
A small frown formed as the light touched her eyes, forcing her to squint before slowly opening them. Her vision was hazy at first, her lashes fluttering as she tried to adjust.
For a moment—
She forgot.
But only for a moment.
Reality came rushing back.
The room.
The mansion.
Him.
She pushed herself up slowly, sitting on the bed, her fingers gripping the soft sheets beneath her. Her gaze moved around the unfamiliar room again, as if confirming that none of it had been a dream.
Everything was still there.
Exactly the same.
A quiet knock broke through her thoughts.
She stiffened slightly.
Another knock followed.
Quick.
Polite.
Careful.
She hurriedly smoothed out the creases of her dress, subconsciously trying to make herself look presentable. Her fingers trembled just a little before she walked toward the door.
Taking a small breath, she opened it.
And there he was.
The same man from last night.
Tall.
Broad.
Silent as ever.
But this time, he held a tray in his hands.
The faint aroma of fresh food reached her instantly, warm and inviting.
"Ma'am," he said respectfully, lowering his head slightly. "This is your breakfast. If you need anything, just let me know."
His tone was polite.
Carefully controlled.
But beneath it—
There was something else.
Something firm.
Unyielding.
She stared at the tray for a second longer than she should have.
Because this—
This was unfamiliar.
No one had ever brought her food like this before.
No one had ever checked if she was alright.
Her throat tightened.
"T-thank you…" her voice came out uneven, betraying her emotions.
She quickly looked down, blinking away the sudden tears that blurred her vision.
She couldn't cry.
Not here.
Not now.
Forcing herself to steady her voice, she added softly, "Uh… where is—"
"Boss has business to attend to."
The answer came immediately.
As if he already knew what she was going to ask.
Her words died on her lips.
A faint warmth spread across her cheeks.
Of course.
Why wouldn't he?
He wasn't someone who had time to linger.
He had a world to control.
A life far beyond hers.
And she—
She was just someone who had been brought here.
For reasons she still didn't understand.
She pushed the thought away quickly, forcing a small smile.
"If I need something… how should I call you? I don't know your name."
For the first time, something shifted in his expression.
A faint, almost invisible smile.
"I'm Alex, ma'am."
She nodded politely.
"Okay… Mr. Alex."
Carefully, she took the tray from him, her fingers brushing against the edge.
Warm.
Real.
She turned slightly, about to step back inside—
When his voice stopped her.
"Ma'am."
She paused.
Turning her head slightly.
"Boss has given a strict order," he continued, his tone more serious now. "You are not allowed to leave the mansion."
Her expression stilled.
"Even the balcony," he added after a brief pause.
The words settled heavily in the air.
Not harsh.
Not loud.
But firm.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the tray.
For a second, something flickered in her eyes.
Not anger.
Not exactly.
Just—
A quiet realization.
A boundary.
"I won't go outside," she said softly.
"I promise."
Alex studied her for a brief moment before nodding once.
Then, without another word, he stepped back.
Giving her space again.
Returning to his silent watch.
She stood there for a second longer before slowly stepping inside and closing the door.
The soft click echoed in the room.
She leaned against it lightly, her gaze dropping to the tray in her hands.
Breakfast.
A simple thing.
Yet it felt heavier than it should.
Her eyes slowly moved toward the window.
The sunlight still streamed in.
Bright.
Free.
So close.
And yet—
So far away.
Because deep down—
She understood something clearly now.
This place might feel safe.
It might feel gentle.
But it still had rules.
And every rule—
Belonged to him.