First night at the Mansion

The house was quiet, just the way Devon liked it. He stood in the hallway, watching Elliot carry in Clara’s bags one after the other. He barely said a word, just gave a short nod.

“Take them upstairs. Get one of the guest rooms ready,” Devon said, his voice calm but firm.

Elliot nodded and walked off without a word.

Devon turned and headed into his study. He went to the couch and then suddenly, a thought hit him, He remembered when he saw Clara at the hospital gently touching the flowers Sarah brought. She sniffed them, smiling softly like they meant something. Then he remembered the flower pots Elliot had picked up for her. Then it dawned on him that she is a flower lover, after all she is a florist. He wanted her to feel at home and comfortable.

Without thinking, he grabbed his phone off the table and dialed a number.

“I want to order some exotic flowers,” he said when the person answered. “Deliver them first thing tomorrow morning.”

He ended the call, dropped the phone, and went back to work like nothing happened.

Somewhere across the city, Yvonne was lounging by her pool. The breeze danced lightly on her skin as she sipped red wine from a glass too fancy for the moment. She wore a tiny bikini, not because she planned to swim but because she felt good in it.

She smiled to herself, her red lips curling with wicked satisfaction.

“I’m sure of it now,” she said under her breath. “That baby is gone. Even if she’s still breathing, that child is not.”

She took another long sip, then sat up and placed the glass on the table.

“No one’s standing between me and my man anymore.”

She grabbed her phone and dialed her stylist.

“I need something fresh, something hot. Something that’ll make my man freeze when he sees me.”

Then she ended the call and laid back down, already dreaming about the look on Devon’s face.

Back at the hospital, Sarah was zipping up Clara’s hospital bag.

“Are you sure you packed everything?” she asked.

Clara nodded. “Yeah, just one more thing,” she replied, folding a blanket.

But Sarah kept glancing at the clock, again and again.

Clara noticed. “What’s with you? Got a date or something?”

Sarah chuckled. “No. But you girl, don’t pretend like you’re not waiting for him.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “What? Who?”

“Oh, please,” Sarah said, rolling her eyes. “Don’t act clueless. Devon. You’ve been stealing looks at that door every five seconds.”

Clara looked away, shaking her head. “Stop saying nonsense. Why would I miss Devon? That man is so... so cold. So stiff. Always acting like the world owes him silence.”

“I don’t know,” Sarah teased. “You tell me. I mean, you’ve barely spoken all morning and I’m here. Who else are you expecting?”

Clara was about to fire back when there was a knock on the door.

And then he walked in.

Devon.

He wasn’t in one of his usual expensive suits. Today, he wore a black Ralph Lauren T-Shirt and dark jeans. Casual. But even dressed down, he still looked powerful. His aura filled the room.

Clara swallowed hard.

He nodded at Sarah. “Sarah.”

She smiled. “Devon.”

Behind him, Elliot came in, also dressed down. Sarah’s smile widened as she gave him a playful wave. Elliot nodded back, still stone-faced.

Devon turned to Clara. “Are you ready?”

She nodded. Again. Words just didn’t come.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You’re usually not this quiet.”

Elliot picked up the bags as they all left the room. In the hallway, Sarah cleared her throat.

“I’ll come too,” she said. “For security purposes. Just to know where my friend is staying.”

Devon didn’t argue. “Fine.”

Sarah got into the front seat with Elliot. Clara and Devon sat at the back. The ride wasn’t long, but it felt like forever. No one spoke much.

They arrived at the mansion.

Sarah’s jaw dropped as they drove in. “Oh wow,” she whispered.

Clara had seen it before but under very different circumstances. Yet, now that she was returning not as a prisoner, it did feel different. Warm, even.

Inside the house, the staff welcomed them politely. Clara’s things were taken upstairs. She followed the maids up with Sarah by her side.

When they entered the guest room, Clara paused at the door.

It was beautiful.

The room had soft cream walls, golden accents, and thick curtains that danced in the breeze. But what caught her attention was the flowers beautiful, exotic flowers arranged carefully in glass vases.

She ran to them.

She sniffed them, smiling to herself. Then she turned.

Devon was standing at the door.

He didn’t speak. He just watched her for a moment.

She smiled at him, shyly.

He gave a small nod and left.

Sarah nudged her. “You see that?”

Clara turned. “What?”

“Those flowers didn’t get here by accident.”

Clara rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”

Sarah plopped on the bed. “You need to start seeing what I’m seeing. This man might not show it, but something is going on.”

Clara sat beside her, folding her arms. “Sarah, please. He’s too... too bossy. Always acting like he’s running a board meeting. And the way he talks? So clipped, like he's trying not to feel anything.”

Sarah laughed. “He’s probably scared of you.”

Clara laughed too. “He’s not scared. He just doesn’t like me.”

Sarah grinned. “He got you flowers. Exotic ones. Just saying.”

They laughed and talked a little longer before Sarah stood.

“I should go. But I’ll be back to check on you.”

They headed downstairs. Devon came out of his study with his hands in his pockets.

Sarah turned to him. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

Devon didn’t flinch. “I’m not doing her a favor. She’s carrying my child.”

Clara blinked.

Sarah gave Clara a look. “See what I mean?”

Clara looked at Devon and said, “Exactly. He’s only doing this because of the baby.”

Devon didn’t say a word.

Elliot and Sarah left.

It was a long night for Clara, being away from home but it didn’t feel like it because Devon made sure to fill the place with all the things that would remind her of home. It was morning and Clara slept peacefully like a baby, the soft beds made her feel she was on cloud nine.

She heard a knock on her door as she sat up and it was a maid, the maid introduced herself as Jemma and she is assigned to be Clara’s personal maid. All of this was surprising for Clara but I mean, this is Devon after all and he is rich, so this is a normal life for him, she thought to herself. She nodded as she introduced herself too, then Jemma said to her. “Mr. Cage asked me to get you ready for breakfast”. Clara nodded as she stood up, went to the restroom, to freshen up.

Downstairs, the mansion was surprisingly quiet. Clara followed the scent of coffee and toast to a large, elegant dining room. Devon was already seated at the head of a long, polished table, a tablet in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. He looked up as she entered, his gaze sharp. He was dressed in a dark, tailored shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. Even in casual clothes, he exuded an aura of power.

"Morning," he said, his voice deep and measured. He didn't smile, but his eyes held a flicker of something she couldn't quite decipher. "Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you," Clara replied, taking a seat across from him. She felt a familiar awkwardness settle between them. "The room is… lovely. And the flowers are beautiful."

A faint nod. "I remembered you like them." He gestured to the array of dishes on the table – fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, bacon. "Help yourself."

They ate in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery. Clara found herself stealing glances at him. He was undeniably attractive, even when he was just staring at a tablet. His jawline was strong, his dark hair slightly disheveled, as if he'd run his hands through it a thousand times.

Finally, he put his tablet down. "We need to discuss a few things."

Clara braced herself. "Okay."

"First, your appointments. I've arranged for the best obstetrician in the city. Your first appointment is next Tuesday. Elliot will take you."

"Okay," Clara repeated, a little surprised by his efficiency.

"Second," he continued, his gaze direct, "your security. Elliot will be with you whenever you leave the house. No exceptions. This is not up for discussion."

Clara's eyebrows shot up. "Security? Devon, I don't need a bodyguard."

His eyes narrowed. "You're carrying my child, Clara. And given recent events, I'm not taking any chances. This isn't just about you. It's about protecting the baby." His tone left no room for argument.

Clara bit back a retort. "Fine," she mumbled.

"Good." He picked up his coffee cup. "And finally, I've had a few things moved into your room. Clothes, essentials. If there's anything else you need, tell the staff. Or Elliot."

Clara felt a prickle of annoyance. He was treating her like a package, a project. "Devon, I have my own clothes. Elliot brought them yesterday."

"These are… an upgrade," he said dismissively, taking a sip of his coffee. "Consider it a gift."

Clara wanted to argue, to tell him she didn't need his "upgrades," but something in his unyielding gaze made her hold her tongue. She decided to pick her battles. "Thank you," she said, her voice dry.

He looked at his watch as he said to her, “I have a meeting to attend, casual but work stuffs, I should be back in the next 4 to 5 hours so relax, and make yourself feel at home. The staff are here at your disposal, use them” she smirked as she murmured, “Use them like they are some toys you play with” he gave her a stern look, “What did you say”, “Oh nothing” she said faking a smile. “Have a great meeting” she said as he nodded and left for his meeting.