šValtoria
~ATHENA
As the car pulled up to the mansion, I felt my jaw drop in awe. The building loomed before me, a majestic structure that seemed to stretch up to the stars. The artificial lights illuminating the exterior made it look like a fairytale palace, and I couldn't help but wonder how breathtaking it would look in the daytime. I thought back to my experience just over an hour ago, I had flown on Master's private jet which felt surreal to me. I've always wanted to go traveling with my parents, go on vacations with them through planes but we never had enough and I understood their situation.
The clouds had seemed so close at that moment, like I could reach out and touch them, and the houses below had looked like tiny toys which made me awed in adoration, earning me irritated looks from Master.
I continued to gaze at the mansion before me which made Enzo chuckled, noticing my admiration expression. "Impressive, isn't it?" he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
I nodded, still taking in the grandeur of the mansion's exterior. Master had already exited the car, leaving Enzo and I alone in the vehicle. I couldn't help but wonder if it was my presence that had driven him away.
As I stepped out of the car, I felt a rush of excitement. The air was crisp and cool, filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers. I breathed it in deeply, feeling a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced in years.
Enzo led me into the mansion and I followed behind, my eyes scanning the opulent interior almost in a scrutinizing way. The foyer was massive, with a high ceiling and a stunning chandelier, adorned with shiny stones that seemed to be made of crystal. I felt like a small, insignificant speck in the grand scheme of things. 'I definitely do not belong here.' I thought to myself.
Enzo didn't say much, he just smiled and gestured for me to follow him. We walked through the corridors, my feet echoing off the marble floor. I felt like I was in a dream, half expecting to wake up at any moment because I never would have thought my life would take a drastic turn in just one night.
Finally, Enzo stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. "This would be your room." he said, gesturing for me to enter.
I gasped as I stepped inside. The room was a palace in its own right, and just like the exterior of the house, the room was decorated with black and golden accents with a bed that seemed to stretch on forever. I felt like I was in some sort of mystical realm, surrounded by luxury and beauty.
I turned to Enzo, my eyes filled with unshed tears mixed with gratitude. "Thank you." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I jumped into his arms, wrapping my arms around his torso which caught him off guard. Slowly, I felt his arms wound its way around me and I felt safe and relaxed.
When I pulled back, Enzo smiled and said, "Make yourself comfortable. I'll get you some spare clothes to sleep in."
I nodded in response, feeling a sense of wonder. Who was this kind stranger, and why was he being so nice to me?
As Enzo left the room, I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. What lay ahead for me in this big, new world?
He returned back after a while, handing over two pieces of clothings to me which I appreciated a lot, because he had shown me more kindness than I had gotten all together in six years.
I closed the room door behind Enzo, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, like I was finally alone after a long, tiring journey. The soft click of the door seemed to seal away the chaos, leaving me with just my thoughts and the gentle hum of the mansion's silence. I leaned against the door, my eyes scanning the room, taking in the opulent decor once again, the luxurious furnishings and the massive bed that can fit in five people comfortably. My gaze lingered on the bed, and I felt a wave of thankfulness crash over me. This was my room, at least for now, and it was a palace compared to the underground cavern I've been trapped in for years.
I pushed myself off the door and gently removed Master's suit, the one he had given me to help cover my body. I smiled as I thought about how nice and considerate he was, even though he only shows that side of him very rarely, it was still something to be spoken about because the little things matter to me.
I held his suit jacket to my face, inhaling deeply. His scent still lingered on the fabric, a heady mix of cedarwood and spice that made my heart skip a beat. It calmed me, like a warm hug on a cold day, and I felt my eyelids grow heavy with the weight of exhaustion. I folded the jacket carefully and placed it on the desk that was placed at the side corner of the room, feeling a sense of reverence, like I was handling something precious. I did the same with the flimsy dress they had given me at the auction house, folding it neatly and placing it on the desk.
Now, I was bare, and I felt a flutter of embarrassment, but I pushed it aside reminding myself that I was alone. I headed to the bathroom, my feet padding softly on the marble floor. The bathroom was a marvel with a massive tub and a shower that seemed to rain from the ceiling. I felt like royalty as I brushed my teeth, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
I stared into my eyes, a harsh reminder of how imperfect my face was as they seemed to hold a world of questions, and I wondered, why? Why had Master paid so much for me? I wasn't special, I wasn't beautiful, I was just... me.
After I was done showering, I felt refreshed and renewed as I put on the clothes Enzo had given me, a soft T-shirt and shorts that were huge on me, but I didn't care. They smelled like Master's suit, and it was comforting. I climbed into bed, feeling the softness of the sheets, the pluffiness of the pillows, and I let out a sigh, a deep, contented sigh. I was grateful, so grateful, for this day, for this chance to escape the cavern, to be in a comfortable space, in a comfortable bed. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I thought about the future, about what lay ahead, but for now, I just let myself drift, feeling the softness of the bed, the comfort of the darkness, and the gentle hum of the mansion's silence.