Chapter Seven

Vanessa had been living in Ryan's house for almost two months now, and somehow, the place no longer felt as strange as it had in the beginning.

She had settled into a routine. Ryan had enrolled her in a new school, made sure she had everything she needed, and never allowed her to worry about money or anything else. Clothes, school supplies, books, food—if she needed it, it somehow appeared before she even had the chance to ask.

For someone who had lost her parents so suddenly, Vanessa was surprised by how little time she had actually spent feeling alone.

A lot of that was because of Ryan.

He was not exactly the warmest person in the world, but he was always there when she needed him. He listened when she complained about school, helped her whenever she had a problem, and somehow always knew when something was bothering her.

There was only one thing about him that annoyed her.

He was hardly ever home.

Most days, Ryan left early and returned late at night. Sometimes Vanessa would already be asleep before she heard the sound of his car arriving. She didn't understand what kept him so busy, and whenever she asked, he usually gave her a short answer that told her absolutely nothing.

Still, she couldn't complain too much.

Ryan had been good to her.

She had even made two friends at her new school, and one afternoon, they came over to visit.

The moment they stepped through the gates, both girls stopped and stared.

"Vanessa," one of them said slowly, looking around the enormous compound, "you live here?"

Vanessa laughed. "Yes."

"Girl, this isn't a house. This is a whole estate."

They spent the afternoon talking, eating snacks, taking pictures and exploring the parts of the house Vanessa was allowed to show them. They were having a great time until Ryan unexpectedly walked into the room.

The atmosphere changed immediately.

He barely said hello before giving them a brief, intimidating look and walking past them.

After he left, the girls stared at Vanessa.

"That is Ryan?"

Vanessa nodded.

"He's scary."

" And hot" the other girl added

She burst out laughing. "He is not scary. He is actually really soft."

Both girls looked at her like she had lost her mind.

"That man?"

"Yes!"

"Hot, understandable under that tattoo, but soft?? Come on"

"Vanessa, he looked at us like we had committed a crime just by sitting on his couch."

She shook her head, still laughing. "You do not know him like I do."

They continued teasing her about it for the rest of the afternoon, insisting that she was the only person who had somehow discovered Ryan's nonexistent soft side.

That evening, after her friends left, Vanessa went through her usual routine.

Ryan wasn't home.

Again.

She ate dinner while chatting with the maid, then went upstairs and watched a movie in her room. By the time it ended, she was already tired.

She decided to go to bed.

As she walked down the hallway, however, she passed Ryan's study.

She slowed down.

She had never really been inside that part of the house before.

For some reason, curiosity got the better of her.

Vanessa glanced down the hallway before quietly pushing the door open.

The room was larger than she expected. A large desk sat near the window, covered with neatly arranged files and documents. Books filled the shelves, and there were several cabinets along the walls.

She walked over to the desk.

Her eyes moved over the files.

She picked one up, then another, but she was too tired to actually open any of them.

"Too much work," she muttered.

Her attention shifted to one of the drawers.

She pulled it open.

Inside were a few documents and some personal belongings.

Then she saw it.

A woman's portrait.

Vanessa frowned and reached for it.

Before she could pick it up, she heard a voice behind her.

"What are you doing, Nessa?"

She froze.

Her heart jumped.

Slowly, she turned around.

Ryan stood in the doorway, watching her.

Vanessa quickly pushed the drawer shut.

"Nothing."

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

She gave him her most innocent smile.

"I was just looking around."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Looking around?"

"Yes."

He said nothing.

Vanessa could tell from his expression that he didn't believe her.

She quickly changed the subject.

"Why are you home this early? I thought you only came home at night."

"I needed to get something from my study." His eyes remained on her. "Who knew I'd find you sneaking around in here?"

"I am not sneaking around." She folded her arms. "I was just checking out your lair."

"My lair?"

"Yes. Very mysterious. Very secretive."

Ryan stared at her for a moment before shaking his head.

Vanessa smiled.

"Anyway, since you're home, I'll be out of your hair."

Before he could respond, she turned and hurried toward the stairs.

"Nessa."

She ignored him.

"Vanessa."

She laughed as she ran upstairs.

"Later"

Ryan stood in the hallway, watching her disappear.

His expression slowly changed.

His eyes moved toward the study.

Then toward the drawer Vanessa had just closed.

For a moment, he said nothing.

He knew exactly what she had almost seen.