Awakening the unknown

My legs moved fast as I ran through the dark woods. Growls echoed behind me as I sprinted for my life. I glanced back, and immediately, my foot caught on a rock.

My eyes shut tight as my body collided with the hard ground. The growls grew closer, sending shivers down my spine.

Two wolves appeared in front of me, both black with red eyes, their fangs snapping together, drool dripping from their mouths. My heart pounded against my ribs. Instantly, the larger one lunged at me. I screamed.

My head ached terribly as I woke up, sweat dripping from my body. My heart still raced from the nightmare. It had felt so real.

My eyes darted around the room, trying to make sense of my surroundings. I remembered losing consciousness on the highway.

Had I been kidnapped again? The thought of being held captive made me tremble. But I wasn’t bound. Who would leave a captive unrestrained?

The space was beautiful—white curtains adorned the windows, and a gold chandelier hung elegantly from the ceiling. I pushed myself off the soft mattress and walked toward a mirror near the door. My clothes had been changed into a simple pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

Panic surged through me, and my mind raced back to the injury on my ankle. Quickly, I checked my leg.

A bandage was skillfully wrapped around the wound, and to my astonishment, the pain had lessened considerably.

Whoever had rescued me must be wealthy—this place screamed luxury. Uncertain of my surroundings or my host, I decided to rest and regain my strength. I had no idea how long I had been unconscious or if I was even still in the same country.

A few hours later, the sound of the door unlocking jolted me from my light slumber. My gaze fixed on a girl in a short skirt sauntering into the room.

Behind her, a boy dressed in a chef’s uniform pushed in a tray filled with food.

The aroma of the meal hit me instantly, making my stomach churn with hunger. My mouth watered, and embarrassment flooded me. I hadn’t eaten in what felt like forever.

"It’s good to see you up. You seem much better now, Kara," the girl said with a cheerful smile.

My brows furrowed. "How do you know my name?"

"Let’s just say I know more than your name."

Her response unsettled me. "Who are you?"

"Trust me, you’ll understand everything soon."

"How can I trust someone when I don’t even know your name?" My eyes scrutinized her. A pair of reading glasses sat on her nose, giving her a tech-savvy look.

"I’m Gigira, but my friends call me Gigi."

Her name sounded unusual, but I kept that to myself. "Thank you for the meal," I said sincerely.

"Take your time. If you need a refill, let me know. I put some spare clothes in the closet—you can change into whatever you like. I’ll come back when you’re ready."

Her words made me wonder who the hell she was. She spoke so well for her age, and just by looking at her, I could tell she wasn’t more than nineteen. I watched them leave after the chef served my meal.

Quickly, I devoured the delicious meal. For clothing, I picked simple black pants and a red T-shirt, tying my hair up in a bun.

Just as promised, Gigi returned, signaling for me to follow her.

My gaze scanned the place as we walked. The house was nothing short of luxurious, boasting exquisite interior decor.

We walked for two minutes before stepping outside.

A pool with crystal-blue water stood in front of us. Under a shaded area, a small group of people sat together. Gigi and I made our way toward them.

My body felt… different. My gums ached, and my blood felt oddly cold. I realized I could now walk without any pain in my injured ankle, which surprised me.

Maybe a physician had attended to me while I was unconscious. I shook the thought away.

When we reached the group, I took in the three individuals seated at the table—one girl and two young men.

"Guys, this is Kara," Gigi announced. The girl waved with a warm smile, while the boys gave me curt nods. "Kara, this is Malia, Zayn, and Zurich."

I merely nodded in acknowledgment.

"Hi, Kara. I’m Malia, and these are my twin brothers," the brunette introduced. She had an upbeat energy that suited her beauty, while the twins had an entirely different aura.

"Come on, take a seat," Gigi urged, settling into a chair. My patience was running thin. I needed answers. Where was I? Who were these people?

My mind drifted to Kelly. She must be worried sick. I hadn’t reported back to Zach Bills, my boss. I had no clue what was happening.

"You said you’d explain what’s going on," I cut through the silence, directing my gaze at Gigi, who was busy typing on her notepad.

"Just a little more time. He’ll be here soon."

My brows knitted together. "He? Who?"

"You’ll see."

Frustration clawed at me. "Look, Gigi, I don’t even know where I am, who I’m with, or how long I’ve been gone. I need to leave."

"If you can at least tell me how I got here and how I can get back to my city, that would be great."

The sooner I got out of here, the better. I needed to get back to work.

"Just be patient, Kara. He’ll be here soon."

"You don’t understand—"

Malia suddenly cut me off, her voice giddy with excitement. "He’s here!"

The sheer admiration on their faces confused me. Who was this person? I followed their gaze, searching for the man they were referring to.

A figure, clad in black, approached. The sun’s glare made it hard to see his face. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets as he strode toward us with an air of dominance.

Time slowed as he drew closer, anticipation thick in the air. My heartbeat pounded erratically. Then, as he finally arrived at the table, my breath hitched, and my entire world tilted.

How was this possible? What was he doing here?

Our eyes locked, an unspoken intensity passing between us. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Welcome back, boss," Gigi said, still fixated on her notepad.

I sat frozen, my mind struggling to process the reality before me.

He pulled out the chair opposite mine, his dark hazel eyes fixed on me.

"How do you feel now, sweet Kara?" His voice sent a shiver down my spine.

My gaze bore into his, my breath hitching.

"Rodrigo?" I whispered in disbelief.

He leaned back, amusement playing on his lips. "In the flesh."