heart pounding with

e, he waved his hand dismissively before snatching the bills from

figurative, I focused on the task at hand-$ 1

om the city, and chillingly shady in more ways than one. The address led me to a remote spo

ness in the air, broken only by the distant howl of the wind. Goosebumps prickled my ski

with a domed roof stood grandly amidst a vast, snow-covered park, adorned with countless trees that s

buildings, including a smaller, one-stor

Seriously, who in their right mind would pick a place like this to live? Was he

ff my jacket and walked towards the iron gates. Confusedly I

gaps between the rails. When no one came, I pull

wo rings. "I'm at the g

he phone in confusion, my mouth open wide. Did he just... h

just told me to come and meet

y lips as I jumped back. For hel

ind the tilted umbrella. I sized him up with suspicious eyes, noting the black suit that covered him from head to toe, devoid of any other colour. A gold watch g

e, he just called me by m

yle's piercing gaze bore into me. His umbrella tilted

ubts, his voice low and commanding,

a nervous smile. "Seraphina..." I managed, my

nsettling in his stare. "You're not Russian," he commented with a hint of disbelief

intimidating than any words could be. He gave me a thoro

ut, cringing inwardly at the sound of my own voice, which resembled a dying hyena more than a confident

ly spoke, breaking the tense silence that hung betwee

rden stretched out before me, serene yet eerily beautiful-something I'd roll on. My eyes were caught by

when I noticed the marble serpent wrapped around her waist, its sinuous form slithering threateningly towards

my core. Why would someone build such a disturbi

statue of a naked woman, that was his business. I was just here to e

nd then the large doors swung open as he pressed a button on the wall and damn when I say rich does know where

g him completely as he disappeared som

he chandelier alone was probably worth more than my entire ex

rails and plush red carpeting. And those windows? Floor-to-ceiling, fr

se towering potted plants. And don't even get me started.... the mar

e other world, and honestly, I was

p but notice his tall, muscular frame as he descended the stairs. With a

sked, recalling that the advertisement had mentioned nothing beyond the need for a caretaker. Perhaps the owners of this mansion were too b

," he finally said cautiously. We walked down hallways with fancy gold and white de

ef. "Toddlers can get handsy

d to hurry to keep up with his long

eeling like I had heard that nam

he showed in half an hour except for his cold glare and

k about it, he abruptly turned aro

bored into me. "The person inside that room is the one you will take care of. Unfortunately, due to an accident, he is left with impaire

losing the means to explore this world, how cruel God can be sometimes. The news was unexpected; I didn't

over me. I nodded with much more fo

amous look and then

knocked on the

ь," Kyle said

она в

oosebumps. It was low and sleepy, and definitely not one that belong

from the door and bobbed hi

ild, but I feared that my assumptions would go to Pacific.

stepped in. Breaths caught in my throat. My heart pounding in my ear

ong the scent of leather and patchouli everywhere, there was a strong smell of tobacco mixed in it, but beyond that, there was a heavy odour of Oud. Somehow, it re

felt like I was goi

nd unconsciously my hold on the bag tightened. I could see silhouettes of furniture against the dim light

ght coming through the small lamp behind him. Swallowing the growing anticipation, I took a st

le looking in the directio

he side of his neck stopping just behind his ear. It was difficult to identify the patterns but I could definitely recognise the s

ty. A cigarette between his lips, and I resisted the urge to recoil at the odour. On the other hand, it w

s its demise. I tried my best not to fee

a wild beast. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this breathtaki

that Kyle lied to me because this man was definitely looking directly at me. Therefore, he c

en us. He dragged in a puff and pulled the cigarette away from his lips, blowing the smo

But with this man, I couldn't help but make assumpt

e closer." He said in English, and I gulped. I watched as he spread his ar

before stopping again. His grin did not falter, instead, it widened. And I watche

nd so intimidating? Against my wish, I w

he chair just adjacent to his and spoke. "I guess y

seat and got closer to my face. Then he pla

on his face, and I forgot the rhythm of my heartbeat. The light edged his

u?" I looked wi

r, his breath warm against my cheek. Attempting to put some distance between us, I shi

an couldn't

calluses rubbed my cheek as his thumb touched the corner of my l

e?" He asked in

phina Rosewood." I cl

fter I had finished a

i," he dragged i

just... wanted to know if you're the

er disabled person

ness even more, but he would certainly not hire me if I asked about it. There was

nt situation. Should I compare him to a snake with a predatory gaze or the m

describe this man's beauty. I felt that i

nnecessary questions, I silently wait

me fingers he had just used to touch me b

ble, and grab

cash and gold bricks carelessly placed on the table. Ignoring it, I walked back

ir

fth para, secon

ha

read the line, Ms. Rose

, the contract feeling sweaty in my hands"Party B must not disclose the personal information of Party A." I frowned. Why would he think I'd sell his personal information? Who wa

trust me

ssible. He didn't say anything for another moment and then dusted the cigarette on the table just on the side

his naked chest from the side, the flesh covered with tattoos. Sneaking to the table, I eyed the gold b

d down and waved the gold brick in front of his face. Of course, his eyes

ost knocking over the table. Placing my hand on my chest I

rick back where it was. I slowly and car

were words that seemed suspicious what could be written more in an em

agr

n satisfact

le feeling something strange. There w

his head back and placing the cigarette between his lips. I noticed ink markings on his hand-again a scary-looking sinister serpent, its mouth parted in a snarl, lower jaw stretc

red my eyes away from his h

uld see me. Of course, I wasn't Russian. Why was

under my nose. He took his time and puffed out the smoke and again dusted the ash outside

ould be your price?"

..

piercing through me. What was asking for the price

I grumbled, adding a mental eye roll for good measure. Was he one of those billio

t's

ing, he ran his tongue over his lips. "I'll pay yo

it. $20,000? In a month? I could send the money to my mother and ask her to hire someone to do h

my mom peace. She would also be able

ead to whisper in a deadly low voice, "Ты будешь по

k eyes- no, pale blue with specks of greens in them with a ring of coal black surrounding hi

*