THE HOUSE THAT SWALLOWS YOU WHOLE

AURELIA

The massive iron gates creaked open like they didn’t really want to let me in, that low mechanical rumble vibrating through my chest as I walked up the long, winding driveway. Even from a distance, the mansion hit me hard. It was huge, almost ridiculously huge. The place stretched out in every direction with dark wings, sharp black roofs, and towers that faded into the misty hills behind it. I remember thinking you could probably wander around inside for days and still get lost. Hell, I already felt small and swallowed up just looking at it.

The outside was this cold mix of sleek modern lines and old-money menace. Dark stone walls shot through with black marble, massive windows that looked like sheets of polished obsidian, and just enough gold to catch the light. Thick ivy crawled up one whole side in a way that felt deliberate, like even the plants here had been trained to look expensive and slightly threatening.

Bodyguards were everywhere, posted around the grounds like silent shadows. Some stood perfectly still near the marble pillars, suits tailored sharp, earpieces barely visible, hands resting casually near their hips. Others moved slowly along the edges of the property, their silhouettes cutting against the lit-up fountains.

Right by the entrance, two guys leaned against a glossy black Maybach, its chrome shining so clean it almost looked wet. Parked right next to it was a matte-black Rolls-Royce Cullinan and a low, aggressive Lamborghini Aventador.

I swallowed hard. I looked around me already feeling awkward and intimidated. Further down the driveway, a line of dark tinted SUVs sat idling quietly. Those cars alone probably cost more than entire city blocks.

The mansion itself felt like it was watching me as I got closer.

It was three stories high from the front, but you could tell there was way more to it, hidden levels, underground wings, and God knows what else tucked away in the back. Balconies scattered here and there, and way up on one of the towers, a single light burned cold and lonely in the growing dark. It wasn’t the kind of house that welcomed you. It felt more like a warning. I so wanted to give in to my mind and turn back. Everything about this place screamed dangerous.

I turned off the engine, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the cool night air. The bodyguards all turned their heads at the same time, eyes locking onto me without saying a word. The mansion just sat there, massive, beautiful in a terrifying way, and completely indifferent.

This was the kind of place where people could vanish, not because they ran, but because the house itself felt built to swallow them whole.

And I was walking right into it. I passed through the bodyguards and swallowed again, not sure if I was doing the right thing. I wasn't stopped but when I reached the black massive doors I was. A tall built man with blonde hair stopped me.

“I'm here for the interview…” I started. He stared at me without answering me and I looked a bit confused but I forced myself to look confident. If I looked like I didn't know what I was doing it might arouse suspicion. I thrust my chest out and stared at his name tag.

Jade

Head Security bodyguard

I realized after a few seconds he wanted to search me. I looked around for a female representative to come over and ask me to raise my arms but instead he waited patiently as he stared at me.

Don't fucking tell me a man I going to pat his hands down my body.

I sighed and raised my hands. He took a step forward and started patting down my shoulder to my hips down to my toes.

I scoffed, someone as powerful as Zayn should have a metal detector instead of having people rub their hands on other people's bodies.

Jade's hands moved to my chest and I couldn't tell if he was fondling them or he was searching. I stared at him, anger sipping into my veins. I controlled myself and forced myself to stand still as his hands went behind me, aiming for my ass.

“Alright that's enough,” I snapped and stepped away from him. He smirked and was about to reply when we suddenly heard a loud beep. My head whipped backwards and suddenly the bodyguards who didn't stop me when I passed earlier seized up a guy and within seconds guns appeared in their arms.

So there was actually a hidden metal detector. He was dragged away and they kept asking who sent him. I gave one last nasty look at Jade before he gestured for me to go in. The bulletproof doors slid open and I stepped inside. There was a long line of people sitting on the chairs. I sighed . The chances of them already picking who they wanted before they got to me is fucking high.

I sat down, my shoe tapping against the cold marbled floors. Everywhere was silent. From time to time, someone came to call a name and someone would enter and walk out after a few minutes. It didn't take as long as I thought, within 20 minutes it became my turn.

My fake name was mentioned

“Celez Martins.” I stood up about walking in when a voice stopped me.

“Stop!” My blood ran cold. I stood where I was. I heard footsteps behind me and Jade walked up to me, his eyes darkened with suspicion.

“I don't remember filling in your name on the system…” I swallowed.

“But my name was mentioned,” I snapped back, annoyed. Jade glared at me.

“You're getting searched again, and you're leaving until your name is confirmed from the system.” I swallowed again.

Fuck!

I raised my hands, biting my lips as I tried to think of anything I can do to save myself from my dilemma. Jade's hands started their search again and it took a while for me to realize that he was acting feeling me up and he wasn't searching. A few guys seated laughed and snickered at me as Jade's hands grabbed my ass.

That was when I lost it. In a flash, I seized his wrist with both hands. He smirked, expecting resistance he could easily crush. I twisted hard, locking his arm in a brutal angle that defied his raw power. Jade grunted, trying to counter with his superior weight, but I pivoted low, using his momentum against him. My foot swept behind his knee while I drove my shoulder into his chest.

He crashed down onto the cold tiles with a heavy thud that echoed through the room. In seconds, I had him flat on his back, his thick arm hyperextended and twisted painfully in my grip. No matter how skilled or heavily built he was, technique and precision won.

Jade groaned, face twisted in pain and raw embarrassment, cheeks flushed red. The mighty head of security, taken down in minutes by a woman. He strained once more, but I held firm, my hold unyielding. Sweat beaded on his forehead as defeat sank in.

The hallway went eerily quiet and no one dared laugh again.

“What the hell is going on here?” A deep voice asked irritated.