CELESTE

I took a deep breath and stared at the white ceiling. Guess I’m in his house.

I tried to get some sleep, but my eyes started to get hurt. Thus, I decided to get out of bed and talk to Elias.

I don’t know how to thank him. If it were not for him, I would be imprisoned for a lifetime.

Knowing what I did earlier if Noah or Jade caught me, I was certain that I would receive the greatest punishment.

I was about to walk toward the door when I glimpsed my reflection in the full-length mirror.

I am wearing a white nightdress. I wonder who changed my clothes… I shook my head and continued to walk towards the door.

I was about to twist the knob when someone pushed it, making me fall on the carpeted floor.

“Ouch!”

“What are you doing at the door?” It was Elias.

I looked up and saw his stern facial expression. “I…”

“Get up,” he said as he helped me.

“T-Thank you,” I replied and felt a little bit embarrassed. I moved away, but he didn’t let go of me.

“Didn’t I tell you to take a rest?” he said as his gaze darted into mine.

I looked down and uttered my apology.

I saw him sigh as he helped me walk toward the bed. He never let go of me until I sat on the side of the bed.

“Are you hungry?”

I bit my lower lip and nodded.

Elias sat beside me and fixed his eyes on me, making me feel a little bit anxious.

“W-What time is it?” I asked.

“Seven.”

I frowned. “Seven? Does that mean I am—”

“Yes, you’re nearly unconscious for a day.”

I gasped and clasped my hand together. “W-What happened? Where am I?”

I saw how the lines formed on Elias’s forehead. “Are you scared?”

Did he sense it?

“I wonder what happened to the daughter of Heron Barlowe. Guess I know that answer without asking you,” he said, moving his hands to his back as he leaned slightly backward.

I bowed my head and stared at my hands. I could feel the cloud of emotions inside my chest. I did it. I escaped.

“How long are they doing this to you?” he asked, making me lift my head and meet his gaze.

“I… I want to forget about it just—”

“I understand.”

“Thank you.”

Elias cocked his brow.

“Thank you… for saving me. If it wasn’t you—”

“I will still do the same even if it’s not you. It was just a coincidence,” he replied. His voice is indifferent. It’s cold and stiff.

After that, he stood up.

“I will send the maids to bring you food. Just stay in bed. And get some proper rest.”

I nodded. “Thank—”

“I have enough,” Elias cut the hum into my words.

I bit my lower lip and nodded once again. After that, he turned his back away.

“One moment!” I raised my hand, and I saw how he frowned. “How do you know my father? How did you recognize me?”

I know I am being too rude, but I can’t sleep well if I have many questions left unanswered inside my head.

“I’m sorry. I just want to—”

“Don’t ever ask about it again. Your father is a well-known businessman,” he replied and left.

Is that it?

I know Dad is great, but how did he recognize me?

I was not in the gentry for a decade. I don’t know him.

All I know is that when we were at the entrance of that hotel yesterday, he appeared and introduced his name to me.

I heaved a deep sigh.

I know I’m safe, but Elias’s enigmatic vibe made me hungry for answers.

After a few minutes of rumbling with my thoughts, I heard three knocks before the door opened and saw two ladies in a maid uniform pushing a gold cart.

“Good evening, milady. Your High—”

“Sir Elias desired you to eat all that we prepared, ma’am,” the woman on the right uttered, making the other stop talking.

For the nth time, I find it weird.

First, Elias smiled at me when he introduced his name during our first encounter. Second, he saved me. Third… he suddenly became cold. I never see his smile again.

So, what’s on earth is happening?

I desired to escape—that was my plan. And I did. But why do I need to fall into understanding weird things?

I smiled at them. “Thank you, ma’am,” I said, making silence evade. I frowned. “W-What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“The title “Ma’am” is not suitable for maids like us. I’m certain that the Al—Sir, Elias, heard it,” the maid with a mole on her left cheek stated.

My lips parted, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Elias will hear us? Where is he? Is he here?”

I looked at them, mystified. And I saw how the taller one glared at her colleague. After that, she looked at me.

“My apology, ma’am. We need to leave. Please, press the black button when you’re done,” the taller one said after she gestured to the circle button near the light switch.

I smiled awkwardly. After that, they left.

-

-

“How long, Elias, do you intend to keep the stray?”

Elias, who was gazing at the stars outside the window, sipped on his glass of whisky and then turned to face Fred.

“What it has to do with you, Fred?”

Fred approached him and took a seat on the one-seater sofa. “She’s a stray—”

“She does have a name, Fred,” Elias responded, sipping from his glass.

“This is a dangerous place for her.”

Elias chuckled menacingly and clenched his jaw as he darted his gaze toward Fred.

“How?”

“Human beings are not permitted here, Eli. And you are aware of this.”

Elias gave an unsettling chuckle. “Fred, we are humans.”

“Partly, Elias.”

Elias rose to his feet and reached for his glass. “Fred, get out of here. There is nothing I wish to discuss with you.”

Fred’s fist was clenched, and he gritted his teeth. “You are the Crescent pack’s Alpha—”

“Are you questioning my position?” Elias’ bottle-green eyes became evident as he dashed towards Fred, grasping the man’s collar in an instant. He gritted his teeth as an aura of rage lingered within him. “Don’t you fucking meddle with my own business.”

Fred locked gazes with him. “I intend to. I am your beta—”

“We’ve entered the realm of humanity!” Elias screamed angrily as he pinned Fred against the wall, causing him to gasp in pain.

Fred was certain he was the one who sparked Elias’ rage.

“You were aware of the dangers that humans posed to us—”

“Silence!” Elias asserted as he clung to Fred.

Fred winced as he sensed Elias’s strength.

“I’m not interested in hearing—” he paused when they both heard a knock on the door from the outside.

Elias clenched his jaw and flung Fred to the floor as if he were some sort of light object.

“That was…” When Elias glared at him, Fred didn’t finish his sentence.

“Get out.”

Fred clenched his fist and took a step forward. He approached the door, and upon opening it, he saw Celeste.

“Uhm… Hi. Can I speak with...”

Fred simply looked at her and walked away.

Celeste thought it was impolite. She pressed her lips together and looked around the room, meeting Elias’s gaze.

“What are you doing here? I advised you to take a rest.”

Celeste enters the room and gently closes the door, fearful of making a disturbing noise. Following that, she confronts Elias, who is standing near her with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

She gulped when she noticed his muscles, which were clearly visible beneath his plain black shirt.

Before meeting his gaze again, she hemmed to clear her throat.

“I… I can’t sleep. I’d like to speak with you. I asked the maid your office—”

“What do you want?” Elias cut in, unmoved.

Celeste clasped her hands together, feeling a little uneasy. “I overheard you earlier, and you appear to be enraged—”

“I believe this is unrelated to your concern. What do you wish to discuss?”

Celeste sighed and never took her gaze away from Elias’s. “I have a lot of questions, but I’m aware you won’t answer them. I am here to offer myself personally—”

“I don’t fuck virgins,” Elias interjected, her eyes widening in surprise.

“W-What…” she chuckled, feeling a little bit humiliated, “it’s not what you think. I’m going to ask you how I can repay your generosity—”

“Let’s avoid discussing it,” he said, lowering his gaze to her as he walked over to the couch and sat.

“I don’t want to go back to them. Please. Let me stay here. I will do anything—”

“Be my assistant then,” Elias replied, and Celeste was slightly enraged at the man’s penchant for cutting her words.

“T-Thank you—”

“Are you familiar with how to operate a cellphone or a computer?”

Without a doubt, interrupting is a habit of his.

Celeste nodded. “Yes. B-But it’s been a decade since I held or attempted to use one.”

Elias’ brow furrowed. “Why?”

Celeste approached him but maintained a safe distance. “I… My stepmother and stepbrother confined me to the house and forbade me from using anything—”

“You are their slave.”

Celeste licked her lower lip and gave a nod.

“It’s not that hard, though. I’ll teach you. However, your job is to organize my belongings at work for the time being. I will send someone to educate you.”

Celeste nodded but exhaled sharply when she considered something. “Whenever my father was still alive, I always helped him. Getting his suit, shoes, and even his neckties ready—”

“I’m not asking.”

Celeste pursed her lips and nodded. “I apologize.”

Elias sighed as he arched his brow. “When you’re finished, you may leave and rest,” he said, reaching for a bottle of whisky on the side table and pouring a small amount into a glass.

Celeste let out a sigh.

She was certain that the Elias she had previously met was not the Elias with whom she was conversing.

“If you think that I am not Elias, you’re definitely wrong. I am still the Elias who held Celeste Barlowe’s hand that night. Now, leave.”

Celeste was taken aback and baffled.