Sherina's POV
Time had slipped quietly past midnight, and while the rest of the grand mansion lay in silence, I found myself alone on the balcony of Delly's room, cradling a warm cup of tea between my palms. The night was calm, painted in deep indigo and hushed winds, and I embraced the rare stillness, my body still resisting the shift in time between Edenia and Masahi Island. They had suggested I might find more comfort sleeping in Delly's room, and as I stood among the gentle pastels and familiar warmth, I realized they were right—everything here whispered her name in soft echoes of presence.
Setting the teacup down with care, I leaned my elbows against the cool iron railing and rested my cheeks on my hands, smiling faintly. "Delly, you told me you hated the color pink, yet your room is completely drenched in it," I muttered with a sarcastic giggle, letting the irony comfort me like an old friend.
As I savor the moment of peace around me, I suddenly hear the large gate of the mansion creaking open. It's difficult to see clearly because the gate is quite far from the mansion, and the area outside is somewhat dim.
'It might be the butler, or the family driver...'
The roar of the motorcycle engine pierced the quiet evening, drawing my gaze as it raced towards the imposing mansion. In mere moments, it reached the grand entrance, tires kicking up dust as it skidded to a halt, leaving a trail of anticipation in the air.
The man is clad in a sleek, full-faced helmet that glistens under the moon, concealing his features in an aura of mystery. His leather jacket, unzipped and flaring wide, showcases a snug black tank top beneath, contrasting sharply with the rugged exterior. The dark fabric of his pants hugs his form as he abruptly halts the engine's roar. In a swift, practiced motion, he dismounts from the motorbike, every movement exuding a blend of urgency and confidence.
As he released his grip on the bike's handle, it toppled over, and he crashed down beside it. My heart sank at the sight, a wave of panic washing over me. The suddenness of his fall left me breathless, and my pulse quickened as I watched him struggle to regain his balance.
A wave of anxiety washed over me, gripping my chest as I hurriedly descended the stairs. My heart raced in a frantic rhythm, and before I fully processed my thoughts, I burst through the door and sprinted outside. The cool night air hit my face, urgent and sharp, as I dashed toward the man on the ground, desperate to see if he was fine..
I sprinted towards him, adrenaline surging through my veins, and gently cradled his head, lifting it just enough to ease the weight of his helmet. As I slowly lifted the visor, I could see the glimmer of exhaustion etched on his face, his eyes flickering with the last remnants of strength. He had fought valiantly, shifting the bike off him after it had toppled, the effort evident in the way his muscles tensed and then relaxed. I quickly scanned his body, heart racing, searching for any signs of injury or bruises, but much to my relief, he appeared physically unscathed, his breathing steady amidst the chaos.
I leaned in closer to his face. His breath came in shallow, labored gasps, each barely perceptible and mixed with the pungent aroma of alcohol, lingering heavily in the air. The intoxicating scent was almost overpowering, hinting at a night of excess.
"Hey! Are you okay?" I asked, voice rising with panic. No reply. Only a soft groan, drunk and distant. His face, though marked by exhaustion, carried a kind of rugged beauty that made my pulse skip.
"errr.." I paused for a moment, exhaled and calmed myself.
'he's just drunk' I whispered.
As I gently peeled away his helmet, a profound shock washed over me. The man before me possessed a strikingly different visage than the cherubic boy I had glimpsed in the faded family portrait earlier. The boy, with his tousled blonde hair glimmering like strands of sunlight in summer, exuded an innocent charm, while this man's dark hair, thick and unruly, framed a face etched with the hardships of life.
'Maybe ill think about it later, for now, I have to carry this giant monster inside the mansion'
'and come to think of it, there is also one room next to Delly, maybe that's his.'
I wrapped my arm around his broad, muscular shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin under my touch. With a gentle but firm effort, I began to lift him up, focusing on the strength in my legs as I sought to help him rise. His body felt solid against mine, and I could sense the strain of his weight as I tried to pull him upright, hoping to offer the support he needed in that moment.
"oh! I think I'm gonna snap!"
No matter how I try, this man is as heavy as rock, he doesn't even budge!
"Umm.. If you can hear me, please help me! You are so heavy!" I whispered to him before I tried lifting him up again.
As the last words left my lips, there was a moment where I felt he truly sensed my presence. His body seemed to become lighter, as if a sudden surge of energy had coursed through him, and he instinctively shifted his feet, aiding me in the monumental task of lifting him upward. I cast a sideways glance at his face, my heart yearning for a sign of consciousness. His eyelids remained firmly shut, and not even the slightest twitch of his features suggested he was aware of my efforts. For a fleeting moment, as we navigated the winding staircase together, I had the opportunity to scrutinize his visage up close. Despite the heavy scent of alcohol that clung to him, one could not deny the undeniable charm etched into his features—a rugged handsomeness that somehow remained captivating even in such a state of disarray.
'So handsome' I blushed.
'Who is he!? wait, he cant be Delly's big brother. Maybe he is her boyfriend?' I scolded myself for thinking it. 'What if he really is her boyfriend? I'm a horrible friend.'
With a sudden jolt, I broke free from my thoughts, only to discover that we had somehow arrived at the door.
'This room is a few meters away from Delly's room, I sure hope this is his room, whoever this man is.'
"I think I will just let him rest here, whether he is Delly's brother or not." I said
I swiftly swung the door open, ushering the man into the dimly lit room. The atmosphere was thick with a sense of urgency as we approached the grand king-sized bed, its plush covers inviting yet serene. With care, I lowered him onto the soft surface, the gentle rustle of the sheets whispering against his skin. After ensuring he was settled, I let out a long, relieved sigh, the weight of the moment lifting slightly from my shoulders. I placed my hands on my hips, feeling the tension release as I stretched my body, the subtle crack of my joints echoing in the stillness, a precursor to the calm that followed.
'I thought I'm gonna break a bone.' I jokingly said to myself. I cast one final glance at him, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air, before I slowly pivoted to leave the room. Just as my fingers brushed against the cool surface of the doorknob, an unexpected pressure settled on my right shoulder, heavy and undeniably present, as if a silent giant had chosen that moment to make its presence known.
"Wait.."
A deep, gravelly voice resonated near my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I hesitated before slowly turning my head, curiosity mingling with trepidation as I sought out the source of the whisper. The man who stood behind me towered over my frame, his imposing figure radiating an aura of intimidation. With one hand resting firmly on my shoulder, he leaned closer, his other hand propping against the door behind me, effectively cornering me in this moment. His eyes, devoid of life and almost ghostly in their pallor, seemed to spark with an unsettling intensity as they locked onto my face, as if unveiling a hidden depth. There was a palpable pause, a heavy silence settling in the air, before he abruptly gulped, the sound echoing like thunder in the quiet room.
"It's you… What are you do—" he couldn't finish. He grabbed his own head, groaning, as though fighting off unconsciousness.
'Why is he doing this?'
The embrace lingered for a moment, the warmth of his body enveloping me like a heavy blanket. I could feel him starting to loosen his grip, as if he were teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. For a fleeting second, I thought he might release me, but to my surprise, it was quite the opposite. With a surprising strength, he drew me in closer, using his broad back as a sturdy cushion as we both tumbled to the floor in a tangle of limbs. "Wait... please let me go," I pleaded softly, my voice barely above a whisper, as I struggled against his strong hold.
Despite my gentle protest, his grasp remained unyielding, a silent testament to his determination. Even in his unconscious state, he refused to relinquish his grip, as if he were instinctively ensuring that I wouldn't slip away from him. It felt as though he had anchored himself to me, locking me in place until his eyes fluttered open once more.
"Hey! Wake up!!" I shouted urgently, my voice echoing in the stillness as I leaned closer to his ears, but silence enveloped us—no response, just the heavy weight of the moment hanging in the air.
'Delly is going to be furious' I thought, frustration bubbling up inside me. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a deep sigh, my heart racing. The reality of my situation settled in: I was stranded in a strange situation, wearing nothing but a flimsy night dress, my phone entirely absent.
As I sat there, something unusual caught my attention; a hard bulge pressed against my legs. Curiosity took hold.
'That must be his phone', I reasoned, and with my one free hand, I reached down, hoping to finally summon help. But as I fumbled around, my heart sank. My fingers slipped into his pocket, only to find it empty—nowhere to be found. Panic flared as I hesitated, then continued my search. My fingers brushed over something firm and unfamiliar, sending a shiver of apprehension down my spine.
'It felt... wrong.' I finally grasped it fully and realized with horror that this was no phone. It was rigid and oddly shaped, unlike anything I had ever encountered.
"Ughh..." I froze, a rush of fear coursing through me, my gaze darting to his face. Though his eyes were shut tight, a faint blush enveloped his ears, and he let out a soft groan, sending my heart racing faster. My own face burned with heat as I involuntarily squeezed it, a mix of curiosity and dread washing over me.
"He... HELP!!!" I shrieked, desperation creeping into my voice, hoping to rouse anyone in the vast expanse of the mansion. But who was I kidding? We were on the third floor of this sprawling estate, nestled in its own world. This place was an enormous maze of luxury and silence, and the odds of anyone hearing my cries felt impossibly slim. "Oh God! Please! Somebody!? Anyone!?" I pleaded inwardly, my mind reeling at the thought of being trapped here until morning, the darkness closing in around me like a suffocating shroud.
End of POV
The morning sunlight streamed through the expansive glass window, enveloping Sherina's sleeping face in a warm, golden glow. She felt the gentle warmth kiss her cheeks, coaxing her to open her eyes gradually. With a fleeting glance at the window to confirm that morning had indeed arrived, she hesitated, opting instead to surrender to the comforting embrace of sleep. The sunlight, now dancing on her skin, became a tempting lullaby as she nestled deeper, mumbling softly to herself. Just as sleep threatened to reclaim her, an unexpected shadow drifted across her face, stealing the sunlight's warmth. A faint smile spread across her lips as she instinctively snuggled closer, reveling in the happiness of returning to her slumber unhindered by the sun's intrusive rays.
But then, a rush of memories from the night before crashed into her consciousness like a tidal wave, awakening her fully. In an instant, she bolted upright, her heart racing as she opened her eyes wide.
There, beside her, was the man from last night, his intense gaze fixed upon her. One of his hands rested gently above her head, shielding her from the sun, while the other hand, steady and warm, lay beneath her head like a reluctant pillow, creating a moment that felt suspended in time.
Awake?" The man inquired, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to echo softly in the otherwise quiet room. Sherina's cheeks flared with warmth as she registered the scene before her. She had been dozing against the man, nestled comfortably on his shoulder. The sheer silk of her nightgown had slipped down one side, exposing the delicate curve of her collarbone and a hint of her cleavage. Her long, slender thighs were barely clad, resting against his legs, and the realization sent a shiver down her spine. 'Did I really snuggle into him like this?' she thought, mortified.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry!" With a panicked gasp, Sherina sprang upright, her heart racing, and bolted for the door, her footsteps echoing as she fled without daring to look back.
The man straightened up, running a hand through his tousled hair, his fingers lingering for a moment as he collected his thoughts. He reached into his back pocket for his phone, dialing swiftly, and raising it to his ear with a sense of urgency.
"It's me," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I need you to ask John to review Fire's data again."
There was a brief pause on the line before the voice responded, hesitant and cautious.
"Young master, it's been almost four ye—"
"Now!" he interjected firmly, cutting off the response before it could finish. "I want an update."
"Y-yes. Right away," came the reply, tinged with palpable nervousness. After hanging up the call with a slight sigh, he reclined back against the cushions, his mind racing. He cast a furtive glance at his palm, the memory of the brief contact lingering like a pleasant heat against his skin. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks as he thought to himself, "I was able to touch her... again."