Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I couldn't believe that Troy was physically in front of me at this very moment. Despite having said goodbye to him earlier, I couldn't deny the overwhelming relief I felt. "You should be more careful," His voice, rough and raspy said. Unable to speak, he embraced me tightly as we stood by the roadside. The driver approached us, checking to see if I was alright. Since I couldn't communicate, Troy spoke with the man on my behalf.

Taking me to what I assumed was a restaurant, Troy guided me into a place that seemed cheap restaurant due to its worn appearance. Silently, I followed him to a chair where he instructed me to sit. He ordered a glass of water for me before returning to my side. The events from earlier were still fresh in my mind; I couldn't shake the feeling of terror that had paralyzed me.

If Troy hadn't arrived, what would have become of me? Though I knew I possessed the strength to avoid the oncoming car, the shock had rendered me immobile. "Drink this," Troy handed me the water, and I stared at it momentarily before taking a sip. I must have appeared disheveled and distressed. As I placed the glass back on the table, Troy sat in front of me, his gaze fixed upon me. I didn't want to feel this way, but the impact of the incident continued to affect me in a strange manner.

"Why were you running like that?" he broke the silence that hung between us. I lifted my gaze to meet his emerald eyes as if they could delve into the depths of my soul or decipher my thoughts. It was mesmerizing, almost intoxicating, to lose myself in his eyes.

"A pervert was chasing me. I got so caught up that I didn't even notice the car," I admitted, still feeling disoriented. Leaning in closer, he peered intensely at me from across the table. Overwhelmed, I averted my gaze; I couldn't bear the intensity of his eyes any longer.

"Where's your mother? Weren't you supposed to meet her there?" he questioned. Nervously, I bit my lower lip and lowered my head, unsure of how to proceed. I no longer possessed the ability to lie, nor did I know what to say to him.

"It seems like you lied about it, huh? Maybe I was right all along? You ran away from home," he surmised. My teeth ground together in frustration. As I glanced back up at him, I found it impossible to discern the emotions hidden within his eyes. Yet, my admiration for those eyes extended far beyond mere fascination. Damn!

"I-I'm not—" I began to protest, and he swiftly interrupted me with a gentle yet firm tone. My lips parted in surprise; for some reason, it had a profound effect on me when he called my name. "You don't have to lie, Eli," he remarked.

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I struggled to find the right words. "Why did you run away? And what is your plan? You can't simply escape without a plan," he stated matter-of-factly. I felt even more at a loss, uncertain of how to provide satisfactory answers. If I were honest, I didn't have a concrete plan when I made the impulsive decision to flee from the confines of the palace. I was overwhelmed, suffocated, and tired. I yearned for a life of my own, free from the constraints of royal obligations, constant surveillance, and the impending marriage I was expected to comply with.

All I wanted was a taste of normalcy, devoid of the perpetual chaos and warfare that plagued my world. I didn't want to witness the loss of someone dear to me ever again. The only way to achieve any semblance of those desires was to escape from that realm entirely. My voice wavered slightly as I responded with a mixture of reluctance and uncertainty, "I do have a plan. I was just... caught off guard earlier. That's all..." It was as if, in admitting this to him, I had acknowledged the truth behind my hasty departure.

“Really? With what happened earlier, I doubt that you have a plan," he said, clearly doubting me. I shot him an angry look. Why was he opposing me? I appreciate his help, but if he gets in the way of what I want in life, we won't get along.

"It's none of your business anymore. Thank you for your assistance, but this time, I'm leaving," I declared, standing up, ready to walk away. However, he interrupted me with his words. "And where do you think you're going? Back to that park again?" His tone carried a mocking undertone that only fueled my irritation further. I turned to face him, giving him a sharp glare.

"I can take care of myself, and if you don't believe me, it doesn't matter to me anymore," I stated firmly, about to turn away when he suddenly stood up as well. I felt myself shrinking even more in his presence. He towered over me, making me feel small and vulnerable. My heart raced as he moved closer to me, and I nervously swallowed. "However, I do have a proposition for you," he said, his tone suggesting something exciting. I furrowed my eyebrows, feeling skeptical about what he was about to propose.

"And what is it?" I asked, cautiously hopeful that he might have something to offer, despite my previous statement about not wanting his involvement in my life. I felt a pang of self-doubt, thinking I must seem pitiful.

"For the time being, you can stay at my house and have everything you need, until you figure out how to live independently," he explained, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. Suddenly, a wave of nervousness washed over me. What was he planning? Why did this feel like a potential trap?

"And how exactly would that work?" I managed to ask; my nerves evident in my voice.

"Come... live with me," he said earnestly. I blinked, feeling momentarily deaf to what he had just proposed. Did he really say I would have to live with him?

"Are you out of your mind?" I blurted out, needing confirmation because no rational person would agree to such an offer from a stranger, right?

He chuckled, a glint of delight dancing in his eyes. My heart skipped a beat. "I assure you, Eli, I am perfectly sane. And please, don't misunderstand me. I'm not some pervert or anything, although I can understand why you might think that. I have no ill intentions. I simply thought that while you figure things out in your life, you could stay at my place for a while. But it wouldn't be without a cost," he clarified.

"You mean it has something in return?" I sneered, feeling skeptical. He smirked mischievously.

"What? Did you think I would let you stay in my home without expecting something in return? You see, Eli, nothing in this world comes for free anymore," he playfully remarked. He really was a cunning man. Beneath the occasional kindness, there lurked a shrewd and sinister side to him.

"And what exactly would I have to do in exchange?" I mustered the courage to inquire. Damn it, if I didn't desperately need this, I wouldn't even entertain his words! Drawing nearer, he crouched down, his face close to my ear. I felt his breath, a ticklish sensation coursing through me. A warmth beside me sparked an unexplainable flutter in my stomach. My heart raced like I was in a marathon, though I couldn't fathom why I felt this way.

"You'll be my... maid... you will obey my every command... for as long as you stay in my house..." he whispered, an evil edge to his voice.