Behind the Forbidden Door

Chapter 04

~~~Same Day~~~

Kingsley’s eyes couldn’t move away from the disaster standing before him.

Was she stalking me? he thought, disbelief flashing across his sharp features.

“What are you doing here?” His tone rose, cutting through the air like ice.

Tessa folded her arms. “Obviously not stalking you. I told you, I’m not one of your crazy fans.”

“Daddy, do you know her?” Luna asked innocently.

Kingsley cleared his throat, forcing his expression to soften for his daughter.

“Teresa!” he called. The young maid rushed in immediately. “Take Luna to her room.”

“Yes, sir.” Teresa scooped the little girl up and disappeared down the hall.

“Follow me,” Kingsley said coldly, turning toward his study without another glance.

Tessa trailed behind, her eyes widening the moment they stepped inside. The room was lined from floor to ceiling with books.

He doesn’t look like the type that reads, she thought, her gaze drifting over the tower of neatly stacked volumes.

“I asked a question earlier,” his deep, commanding voice broke her thoughts.

She sighed, folding her arms. “Since you got me fired from my last job, I’ve been reassigned as your daughter’s new nanny.”

His eyes narrowed. “And who told you I’d ever let you work under my roof?”

“I never said you should,” she shot back. “I know you hate me, but I don’t exactly like you either. Your arrogant face disgusts me.”

His jaw tightened. “How dare you?” he half-yelled.

She smiled faintly, her tone laced with challenge. “Looks like fate has a twisted sense of humor. Who would’ve thought I’d end up in your mansion—working for your daughter?”

“You’re never going to work under me,” he said, voice low and final.

“I never said I wanted to,” she replied smoothly, a dangerous smirk curling her lips. “But if I walk out of this mansion right now, I’ll make sure every media outlet in the city knows about your cute little angel.”

He froze. “Are you threatening me?”

“Of course I am,” she said, her eyes glinting. “You cost me my job—it’s only fair you feel the same pain.”

Kingsley’s lips twisted into a smirk as he took a slow step toward her.

“What makes you think you’re walking out of here alive?”

Tessa’s breath hitched. Her blood felt like ice. But she refused to show fear.

“And what makes you think I came here without backup?” she said boldly. “If I don’t text my people in the next thirty minutes, your mansion will be crawling with reporters.”

He exhaled sharply and turned away, walking back to his desk. Why is there no way out of her trap? he thought bitterly. That brat is trying to manipulate me.

“Move closer,” he ordered.

She stepped forward hesitantly and bowed slightly.

“Here are the rules you’ll follow,” he said, sliding a file across the desk. “Break any of them, and don’t blame me for what happens next.”

“Fine,” she muttered, taking the file.

“Rule one: nobody must know where you work or who you work for. Rule two: you are never to mention the young miss to anyone. Rule three: you’re not allowed to leave the mansion except during your breaks. Rule four: everything about this job stays private. And lastly—never, ever enter the room behind the door on the second floor.”

She raised a brow. “Why is everything about her so secret? And what’s with the sacred room?”

He glared. “You’re breaking the rules already.”

“Sorry,” she said quickly, then added under her breath, “But you don’t get to set all the rules. I have some too.”

Kingsley stood, his presence towering. “Now you’re really getting on my nerves.”

“Good,” she said with a teasing smile. “That’s the plan. Rule one—I’m only Luna’s nanny. You have no right to boss me around like one of your maids.”

He chuckled darkly. “Then you don’t need your salary. I wasn’t planning to pay you anyway.”

“Just forget it,” she muttered, crossing her arms.

“Pay attention to Luna,” he said curtly. “She tends to wander off when no one’s watching. Good luck.”

With that, he left the room.

Tessa followed him out, only to be stopped by a maid.

“Sir?” the maid asked.

“Show her around and take her to her room,” Kingsley ordered before walking away.

Tessa glared at his retreating figure.

Arrogant bastard, she thought, her heart still racing with a mix of anger, fear—and something she couldn’t quite name.

~~TWO MONTHS LATER~~

Two months had slipped by quietly within the tall, silent walls of the mansion.

The days came and went like soft whispers — peaceful, uneventful. Tessa had grown close to the maids and especially to Luna. The little girl had become her shadow, her laughter echoing through the grand hallways that otherwise felt too empty.

Kingsley, however, was barely ever home.

It didn’t take long for Tessa to notice. She was told he only came when “less busy,” which made her wonder what kind of father saw his daughter as a part-time duty.

Tonight was no different.

The air was cool, the night quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on Luna’s wall. Tessa sat beside the little girl’s bed, reading from a worn storybook, her voice gentle and calm.

Luna reached out suddenly, her small hand wrapping around Tessa’s.

“Aunt Tess,” she said in a sleepy voice, “when will Daddy come see me again? Has he been so busy that he forgot about me... like Mummy?”

Tessa froze.

The question pierced through her chest like a shard of glass.

She looked at Luna — those big, innocent eyes filled with confusion and hope.

It reminded her too much of herself... the little girl she once was, waiting for a father who never came back.

She took a deep breath, pushing the ache down, and smiled softly.

“Who told you your mummy left you, sweetheart?”

“My classmates,” Luna murmured, her voice trembling. “They said my mummy forgot about me. They said nobody loves me. That’s why Daddy never comes to my school.”

Tessa’s heart twisted painfully. She brushed Luna’s hair gently.

“I don’t know much about your mother, Luna,” she said softly, “but I do know your father loves you — more than he can ever say. He’s just... not good with words. But I promise you, he’ll never leave you, bunny.”

Luna’s lips curved into a sleepy smile. “Thank you, Aunt Tess.”

“Now close your eyes,” Tessa whispered. “If you sleep early, you’ll wake up shining for school tomorrow.”

Within minutes, Luna drifted off, her breathing slow and peaceful.

Tessa tucked her in carefully, kissed her forehead, and turned off the bedside lamp.

The hallway outside was dimly lit — silent, except for the soft hum of the night wind brushing against the windows.

She started toward her room on the second floor... until she stopped.

Her eyes fell on the door.

The door.

The one she’d been warned about since the first day she arrived.

The one no one — not even the maids — was allowed to open.

They said Mr. Kingsley cleaned it himself.

Tessa stood frozen, staring at it. The air suddenly felt colder. The quiet too heavy.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She took a hesitant step forward. Then another.

The floorboards creaked softly beneath her feet.

“What could possibly be in there?” she whispered to herself.

Her hand lifted almost on its own, fingers brushing against the doorknob. It was cold — colder than metal should ever feel. A chill ran down her arm.

She pressed her ear to the door. Nothing. Not even a whisper of sound.

Curiosity burned stronger than fear.

She glanced around — no one. The hall was still.

Her hand tightened on the knob.

It wasn’t locked.

Her breath caught. Slowly, she turned it.

Click.

The faint sound echoed louder than it should have.

She pushed the door open an inch — the air that escaped was different, old, and icy, sending shivers crawling up her spine.

She could almost feel something watching her from the darkness beyond.

Then — her phone rang.

The sharp sound sliced through the silence.

Tessa jumped, heart pounding wildly, and slammed the door shut.

Her chest rose and fell quickly as she fumbled to check the caller ID.

“Mia,” she breathed out, half in relief, half in disbelief at herself.

“What the hell am I doing?” she muttered under her breath, still shaken.

She answered the call quickly and hurried down the hallway toward her room — never noticing the faint, lingering creak of the door behind her...

as if it hadn’t closed completely.