chapter 11

Paulo led Lewis down another long hallway after leaving Derek’s room. The mansion felt even larger in the morning light, though the heavy curtains kept most of the sun from entering. Their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished marble floor.

Lewis' body remained stiff as he walked behind Paulo. His mind racing with different scenarios. But the reoccurring question was “what will happen to him now?”

Eventually, Paulo stopped in front of a closed door and Lewis, who was not looking ahead, almost slammed his head into Paulo's back.

“Rather than your mouth, your eyes should be open,” Paulo said.

Lewis' irritation was enough and he was not ready to add to it. Moreover, Paulo's boss had done enough damage. What else could Paulo do that could provoke him? Nothing.

After opening the door, Paulo gestured inside.

“Go in.”

Lewis took a step inside cautiously.

It was a bedroom. Though it was smaller than the one Derek had slept in, it was still luxurious. A large bed stood against the wall, and there was a single chair near the window. He felt nothing suspicious and nothing strange.

It was just a room assigned to him.

Leaning against the doorframe, Paulo studied Lewis as he looked around the room.

“So…” Lewis said slowly, turning back toward him. “Since you’re just going to keep me here, this will be my own room, right?”

Paulo could sense the sarcasm in his voice but he just shrugged slightly.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” he replied.

Running both hands through his curly hair, he sighed out in frustration. “You know this is insane, right?”

Paulo remained silent.

Lewis stepped closer to him. “Listen,” he said, lowering his voice. “My family will start looking for me.”

Raising his eyebrow, Paulo listened with amusement on his face.

“They will report me missing. Even my colleagues at work won't stay still.”

Still no reaction from Paulo

Lewis pressed on. “And when they do, the police will start asking questions. Once the police start asking questions, that will bring attention to Derek's business. And you know what that means, right?”

Paulo looked at him for a moment. He almost laughed at the excuses Lewis was making to get himself out.

He said calmly, “Don’t worry about Derek.”

A frown appeared on Lewis' face as he realized that his plan wasn't working on Paulo.

“Then who should I worry about?” he asked.

Paulo pushed himself away from the wall slightly. “You should worry about yourself,” he answered.

Now Lewis was staring at him as if he had two heads.

“I am worried about myself,” he snapped.

Paulo tilted his head thoughtfully. “Is that why you slept with Derek?”

“What?” blinking, Lewis asked.

“Did you crawl into his bed to win him over?” Paulo rephrased his question.

Lewis’s mouth falls open. “How could you accuse me of that? You know that's not what happened!”

Paulo flashes him a skeptical look.

A loud groan escapes Lewis' mouth. “I got lost while trying to find my way out. And I’m not even gay! I have a sexy girlfriend and she turns me on regularly.”

Paulo folds his arms, “But you seemed very enthusiastic last night. I didn't even know it was you while I watched from across.”

“That was the alcohol!” Lewis protested quickly. “He spiked my drink and I lost control of myself. Don't blame me, blame the alcohol and Derek.”

Paulo let out a quiet humming sound. It was clearly written on his face that he believes nothing.

Lewis points toward the hallway. “And for the record, I didn’t even know who he was!”

Paulo raises his eyebrow again. “You didn’t?”

“No!”

Lewis throws his hands in the air. “If I had known he was Stygian, I would have run in the opposite direction!”

Paulo watches him carefully.

“You seem to know more about him since you found out his identity.”

Lewis stares at him in disbelief. “Who doesn't know Stygian in the city?”

“Really?” Paulo said with a high pitched tone, prompting Lewis to continue.

Lewis realises what Paulo intended, so he straightens his shoulders. “Well… I mean… people talk.”

Paulo didn’t respond.

Lewis crosses his arms defensively. “I swear, I didn’t know it was him.”

Before Paulo could reply, another man walks in and stops at the doorway. He was wearing a plain black shirt and moves with quiet confidence.

“Paulo,” the man said.

Paulo turns toward him. “What?”

“Madam Stygian is awake,” the man answered.

Paulo’s expression changes slightly. “That's good news,” he said to the man.

“Finally,” he said as he turned towards Lewis. “You have to work now.”

“What?” Lewis asked with a frown on his face.

“Come.”

Lewis blinks. “To do what?”

Losing his patience, Paulo answered. “To check on your patient.”

“You mean… the old woman?” Lewis asked.

“I don't remember bringing anyone else in here.”

“Who knows who you have kidnapped after me and the old woman?”

Paulo didn't reply. Instead, he leads the way down the hallway again. Lewis follows behind him, still unsure of what was going to happen next.

After a short walk, they enter another room.

The elderly woman was sitting up slightly in the bed now, several pillows supporting her. Her silver hair was neatly tied to the back, and despite looking weak, her eyes were sharp and aware.

Immediately, Lewis steps forward.

“Good morning,” he said gently.

The woman smiles faintly as she responds. “Good morning.”

Lewis notices his medical bag was sitting beside the table. He takes it, places it on the table and begins checking her pulse.

“How are you feeling?” he asked with a comforting smile.

No one will believe that he was being forced to work.

“Better,” she replied softly.

Lewis nods while listening to her heartbeat.

“Any dizziness?”

“A little earlier,” she said. “But it’s gone now.”

Next thing, Lewis checks her blood pressure.

“That’s good,” he said. “You fainted yesterday. Your blood pressure spiked suddenly.”

The woman nods in agreement. “I remember feeling heavy hearted.”

Lewis finishes his quick examination before flashing her a reassuring smile.

“You’re recovering well.”

She reaches out and lightly touches his arm. “That's because of you. Thank you for helping me.”

Lewis gives her a small smile. “You’re welcome.”

For a brief moment, a thought creeps into his mind. What if he explains things to the old woman? If he tells her what had happened, if he explains that he was kidnapped, maybe she can help him.

She was Derek’s grandmother, after all. Surely she will have influence over him.

This was his chance, he thinks as he smiles internally. Just as he opens his mouth, Paulo flashes him a warning glare.

Ignoring Paulo's death glare, he tries to continue. Before he can pronounce the first word, the bedroom door opens.

He doesn't even have to turn around to know who had just entered the room.

The temperature in the room seems to rise as Derek steps inside slowly. His attention-demanding presence instantly fills the space. He was wearing a dark shirt now, his expression as stern as ever.

His eyes moved first to his grandmother. “Mama, you're finally awake.”

The old woman’s face softens immediately. “Are you happy about it?”

“Why will I not be happy, Mama?”

“Since you want to kill me yourself,” she retorted.

Lewis stands frozen beside the bed, praying that Derek doesn't notice him. As if his prayers are answered in the opposite way, Derek gaze lands directly on him and his expression becomes hard.

Lewis swallows repeatedly as his chance to speak vanishes right in front of him.