Raine

My eyelids sprang awake with the vehicle's abrupt deceleration. In front of me, Moirai Chalet was resting magnificently. My driver, William, opened the door and extended his hand. After I said yes, he helped me to get up and out of the car. With his brown eyes and somewhat dignified gray hair, he had a striking appearance and appeared to be in his mid-fifties. His impeccable suits always accentuated his unexpectedly well-built physique. With a lovely English accent, he inquired, "Do you need me anymore this evening, Miss?" He was a guy of few words, yet I still enjoyed the sound of his voice.

"No, William, I am done for tonight, thank you."

Without saying anything further, he nodded and got back into the driver's seat. After seeing the car go, I proceeded around the building's side and up two flights of stairs to reach a private door. I took a long breath before entering, allowing the aromas of pine, wood, and the refreshing northeast wind to fill my senses. It really was flawless. Romania was a stunning nation. Its people and culture have always captivated me in an odd manner. To the extent that I had thoroughly grasped the Romanian tongue. I was captivated by language in general, and I spoke Romanian, English, French, and Russian fluently.

My breath slowly released, and I felt a profound calmness seep into my bones. I was once again struck by the chalet's breathtaking splendor as soon as I crossed the threshold. One wall was nearly completely filled with a wide, magnificent window that overlooked the Carpathian Mountains. Skilled artisans created each piece of furniture and architectural features by hand. Piles of cushions in shades of deep crimson, blue, and aqua made for a striking contrast of color against the warm wood background of the sofas.

I crossed the great room's wide opening to enter the master bedroom. The softest sheets I had ever touched covered a king-size four-poster bed. I moved toward the closet, running my fingertips over the edge and savoring the feel of the cloth.

I noticed a creaking sound in the adjacent room suddenly.

I halted.

My body was flooded with adrenaline as I strained to hear any sign of an intruder. I was being silly, I knew. I didn't need to leap every time the wind made eerie noises because I had lived alone long enough. My breathing eventually returned to normal.

I exited the red high-heeled shoes that I had somewhat forcefully forced them into and entered the closet, my feet yelling with pleasure. I curled my toes into the plush carpet and flexed softly to ease the pain. I was still worked up from earlier, so I thought that going for a swim would be the perfect way to relax and cool down. Another reason I had taken the full level was the enormous indoor pool on the third floor, which I used quite a bit. Now, eager to explore its crystalline depths, I slid out of my dress and panties. There was total seclusion, so I didn't even bother changing into a swimming suit.

I strolled over to the abundantly supplied linen closet and took out a large, fluffy white towel to use for drying up afterward. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I closed the door. I could feel someone watching me.

I froze once more.

It was not feasible. I was by myself, all alone. What on earth went wrong with me this evening? It was ridiculous. Normally, I wasn't this tense. I slapped on some movement and went into the kitchen to get a bottle of water. Once more, a sense of dread overcame me as I shut the refrigerator door. I whirled around, my eyes taking in every square inch of the ordinary-looking room.

Giving up is so absurd!

I grabbed a huge hanging frying pan from its hook, still not thinking clearly, considering that I had no weapon and it couldn't hurt to have something on hand to defend myself with.

I snorted as I realized I was strolling through an opulent chalet, completely nude, with a fluffy white towel wrapped over my other hand and a hefty black frying pan in a death grip in my other. I walked toward the pool. Yes, that wasn't the best of me, but whatever.

At last, I entered the pool area through the two great doors. The pool was amazing in and of itself. It was deep enough to dive into and rather huge. It featured green lights that sparkled under the water, and it was framed with blue mosaic tiles. It was even more gorgeous than the ceiling. From a distance, I couldn't determine what kind of material it was, although it appeared to be well-carved copper.

I put down my cooking pan and towel. I simply lighted a few elaborate table lamps since I didn't need the harsh overhead lighting and thought a much softer ambiance would fit my mood better. Then, I walked to the edge and dived into the hot water.

It was magnificent.

I loved submerging myself in the warm liquid and feeling every nerve end in my body tingle. The room was filled with dancing shadows from the water's movement and the warm glow of the lamps, but I no longer cared. My body felt at ease; I was just feeling rather than thinking.

And I was feeling great.

I swam for almost thirty minutes, switching up my strokes every now and then as my body moved fluidly through the water. When I was finished, I moved toward the edge.

I saw a little movement in my peripheral vision as I emerged from the water. I abruptly turned to face a dimly lit area of the space. I could clearly see the form of a guy sitting back in a chair—Cage—despite the fact that he was obscured by shadows.

I trembled as I stood on the brink. How had he entered? How could he have moved so stealthily that I was blind to his presence? For what duration did he remain seated and observe me? My mind was filled with a jumble of questions. My heart began to swell, and I let out a scream.