chapter ten

Dinner started and ended quietly with Kimmy barely touching her food throughout the meal. Her mind kept returning to everything that had happened since she entered Gabriel’s world,the attack at the hospital, her mother’s sudden trip to Spain, and the fact that she was now expected to live inside the mansion of a man she barely knew.

When they finished, Roy stood and offered Mara his hand.

“Come on. I’ll show you your room so you can rest and start getting ready for the trip.”

“Thank you, Roy.” mara said nodding gratefully.

He smiled and helped her up.

Kimmy watched them disappear up the stairs before slowly turning back toward the dining room.Gabriel was still there alone.Her heart immediately began racing.

She glanced toward the hallway.If she left now, maybe she could get to her room before he noticed.Kimmy quietly stood and took one step then another.She was almost at the doorway when his voice stopped her.

“Where are you going?”

Kimmy froze.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her dress as She slowly turned around.Gabriel was sitting at the table, watching her with an unreadable expression.

“I… I was going to my room.”

“Come back.”

Her stomach dropped.She reluctantly walked back to the table.The moment she stopped in front of him, Gabriel studied her frightened expression.

“You're afraid of me.”

Kimmy said nothing.

“I haven't even done anything yet, and you're already looking at me like I'm about to kill you.” Gabriel continued leaning back in his chair.

“You're not exactly easy to feel comfortable around.” Kimmy swallowed hard as she spoke.

For a brief moment, something almost resembling amusement flickered in his eyes then it disappeared.

“In my world, the strong prey on the weak.”His voice became colder.“If you remain weak, you'll always be someone's target...You need to learn how to protect yourself.”

“Is that why you called me back?” she looked back at him.

“No.”Gabriel stood.“I called you back to explain the rules of this house.”

Kimmy immediately straightened.Rules.She had known this was coming.

Gabriel walked past her and stopped near the entrance to the hallway.“First, you don't leave this house without informing me.”

Kimmy nodded.

“Second, stay away from me.”Gabriel continued without hesitation.“Don't interfere in my business. Don't ask questions about what I do or who I meet.”

Kimmy remained silent.

“Third, you never enter my study.”His expression hardened.“And you stay away from the basement.”

Something about the way he said basement made Kimmy's stomach tighten.

“Why?”

Gabriel's eyes immediately met hers.“I said no questions.”

Kimmy quickly closed her mouth.

Gabriel took another step toward her.“Whatever you see or hear in this house, you don't interfere. You don't investigate. You don't get involved.”His voice dropped.“If you can follow those rules, you'll have nothing to worry about.”

Kimmy simply stood there, listening.There was something unsettling about the rules especially the ones concerning the study and basement But she wasn't stupid enough to challenge him.

When Gabriel finished, silence settled between them.

“Do you have any questions?”

“No.” Kimmy slowly shook her head

“Good." He turned away then he stopped. “And one more thing.”

Kimmy looked up.

“You mean nothing to me.”

The words struck harder than she expected.

Gabriel continued without looking at her. “The only reason you're staying here is because Roy asked me to let you.”

Kimmy's chest tightened.She had no idea why those words hurt.Maybe because a small part of her had believed Gabriel actually cared about keeping her safe.She looked down quickly so he wouldn't see the disappointment on her face.

“Understood.”

Gabriel walked away without another word leaving Kimmy standing there alone.For some reason, the mansion suddenly felt colder than before.She had been brought here because she was in danger.Her mother was being sent away for treatment.She had been given a room, food, and protection.Yet somehow, Gabriel had made her feel like an unwanted guest.

Kimmy quietly turned toward the stairs.She didn't notice the way Gabriel glanced back at her before disappearing down the hallway.

---

Somewhere Far Away,The city lights stretched endlessly beneath the tall glass windows.A man stood alone in a dark room, staring down at the streets below A cigarette burned slowly between his fingers, smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling.

Behind him, the door opened and His assistant stepped inside cautiously.

“Sir.”

The man didn't turn.

The assistant swallowed. “We found her.”

The cigarette stopped halfway to the man's lips.For the first time, his body became completely still.

“She’s staying at Gabriel West’s mansion.” his assistant continued carefully.

The man's back stiffened Only for a second then his body relaxed again.He said nothing.His assistant waited before asking,

“Should we make a move?”

The man slowly brought the cigarette to his lips and took another drag. “No.”

The assistant frowned. “No?”

“It isn't time yet.”The man finally turned away from the window,His face remained hidden in the shadows.“Let’s see what Gabriel is up to.”

“Yes, sir.” the assistant nodded then turned to leave.

When the door closed, the man looked back toward the city.His eyes darkened.

“She's finally where I can see her.”He smiled faintly.

“But she still doesn't know who I am....”