Encounter

Brielle's Pov

I squinted as morning rays filtered through the silk white curtains, birds chirping just beyond the windows. The light blitzed my vision, forcing my eyes shut again before they adjusted to the patterned ceiling above me and the intricately designed wall lights.

It took me a moment to register the unfamiliarity of this room. It was beyond splendor— I traced my gaze across the surroundings, trying to piece together how I ended up in such an aesthetic room.

Then it struck me— I jolted upright.

This is Killian's house!

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice. The one guy I skipped school for three days just to avoid, and somehow, the universe brought me to his doorstep. To live in his house!

How could things turn for worse?

My heart thundered in my chest and it dawned on me that I get to live in the same house with him. That I get to see his annoyingly handsome face everyday and the fact that those lips of his kissed mine. How was I supposed to live with such a memory? Or worse, escape it…..now we are roommates?

I couldn't digest it yet.

My memory darted back to the remnants of last night, how the wet surface I had fallen on turned out to him.

Killian? I almost yelped out his name— startled. Bewildered, but his callous palm clasped over my mouth, muffling me . His damp shirt clung loosely, revealing glistening abs beneath— under the moonlight. Casting a shadow on the rough edges of his face.

I gulped, eyes lingering on the trail of sweat that slid down his face to his neck, his chest. His damp hair was tousled and his body radiated heat— like he just finished a marathon. That earthy minty scent mixed with his sweats permeated my senses that I already forgot I was on top of him—--

“You're squishing my organs,” he grunted, his face contorting in mock pain.

The sound of his voice snapped me back from my trance. I jumped back. Mortified.

“I'm so sorry,” I stammered. My face reddened in embarrassment, clutching my night clothes tightly. The cold I had felt earlier had vanished.

I adjusted my glasses. “I— I— thought…….” My voice trembled. “I thought— that you were— a burglar……”

He snorted. “A burglar— in my own house? That's a new one.”

“Your house!” I almost yelped. Petrified. “This is your house?” My eyes tripled. Dazed.

“I should be the one asking questions,” he started towards me slowly, each stride deliberate. His unreadable eyes glued me on the spot. “What are you doing in my house? No one from school knows where I live. So how'd you find me?”

“I….I ... .my mom” she's the new— cook and housekeeper, she said we'd be staying here—” I muttered, dropping my gaze to the floor. “I didn't know this was your house. I'm sorry for trespassing—-”

“Why are you apologizing?” He asked, his voice unexpectedly soft.

I blinked up at him, stunned by the question.

I didn't say anything for a minute. Just stared at him.

“My mom mentioned we'd be working for Mr Allister and he offered that we could stay here for the time being……”

“Yeah, that's my father.” He cut in, casually, and turned away. Grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and downed it. “Mr Allister Lancaster is my father.”

“But I didn't see him,” I asserted innocently.

“That's because he doesn't live here. I'm the only one who stays in this house. My dad is out of town……”

His eyes hardened after saying those. His voice carried something bitter as he turned, muttering under his breath.

‘I can't believe he hired a housekeeper without my knowledge.’

I pretended not to hear the irritation in his voice. “You live here— alone?”

He looked at me. “You make it sound like a crime.”

“No— ,” I waved my hands in defense. “I meant that your house is big and beautiful. You have a beautiful home…..”

I smiled, awkwardly trying to be polite. He didn't smile back. His eyes scanned me, like I was some unsolved riddle. Then— traitorously—my eyes dipped to his lips. I remembered the softness, the pressure. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I snapped my eyes away.

I wanted to ask about the kiss. Why he did it, but I was too scared to ask or perhaps the answer I'd get from him.

Just like the others. He might be messing around.

“What are you doing late at night?” He queried. His eyes never leaving me.

“Umm.. I was feeling thirsty”

A pause. Silence stretched between us, and neither of us spoke.

“You….just getting in?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. My gaze narrowed at him. “You don't look like you spent the night here……”

I bit my lips. I shouldn't have said that.

He didn't answer my question. Just put the bottled water back in the refrigerator..

He moved a little closer to me, but created a distance between us. “You know you shouldn't be creeping around someone's house this late.….”

He brushed past me with that unfazed ease, leaving behind the scent of the night air and engine smoke.

My phone alarm broke the quiet, snapping me out of my haze. I glanced around the room, still amazed I had it to myself. Spacious. Luxurious. Unreal.

I climbed out of bed, ready for the day, also reminding myself that I have school. But the thought of running into Killian again made my stomach twist.

I exited my room into the hallway. Nerves bundled tight. If I bumped into him— so be it. He was just a guy, like any other. I drank in the beauty of the house as I marched my way to the sitting room. Every wall, every terrace, every ceiling and furniture were intricately and artistically designed with something ancient laced to it.

“Morning Miss, I trust your night was pleasant?”

I jumped at the sudden voice. Mr Vincent, the butler stood behind me with a polite smile, but for some unknown reason, that smile and the way he stared at me made my skin crawl.

“Certainly,” I answered, forcing a smile.

“Breakfast is ready. This way please.” He whizzed past me toward the dining area. I followed him sheepishly.

He led me into the dazzling dining room. My mom and brother were already seated there, indulging in a feast that looked like it belonged in a five–star restaurant.

My stomach growled in betrayal, mouth already watering at the sight of the steaming dishes.

“Bree, sweetheart, you're awake. Come sit and have breakfast.”

I sat beside my brother who was stuffing his face with meat in a bowl. “This tastes heavenly,” Caleb said.

I narrowed my gaze at the dishes, then at mom. “When did you prepare all this?”

She chuckled. “Oh, Bree, I didn't prepare this.” Everything was already made when we woke up.”

She passed me a dish. “Try this, seared salmon, lemon dill butter and wild rice. It's expensive at the diner but we get to eat here for free.”

“I hope everything's to your liking?” Mr Vincent asked, looking from me, mom to Caleb.

“it's awesome,” Caleb prompted.

“Mr Vincent, why don't you join us?” Mom offered him to the table.

“I'll eat later. Mr Lancaster wants you all to feel at home……”

“Umm,” I interrupted, feeling uneasy with everything. “Isn't it our job as the cleaner and cook…..why are we being treated like this—- like we're family…..?”

Everywhere went silent, and I could tell by the look that etched across the butler's face that he was startled by my sudden question. My mom pinched my leg under the table, giving me some eye language.

“Brielle…..” she gritted out my name.

“Well……” The butler smiled. “Mr Lancaster—-

“Is that how you show appreciation to someone who treats you to breakfast—-” A deep casual voice cut through the dinning, snatching the words from the butler.

I gulped. My stomach dropped. All the hair on my nape stood up as we all turned to the direction of the voice. He strolled in with effortless grace, clad in black shorts and loose polo, his tousled hair adding to the frustrating perfection. Sometimes, I wondered if it was legal to look that good in everything.

“Killian, I didn't hear you come in,” the butler asserted quickly.

Mom blinked at him. “You're….?”

“This is Killian, Mr Allister—”

“Your daughter knows me.” My breath hitched when he said that. My heartbeat thundered so loud, I was sure the entire room could hear it. Why would he say that—like that? “Why don't you introduce me to your mom…..”

●●●●●●●●●

After my mom learned that we go to the same school, she was all bubbly about it and it made me uncomfortable. I usually take the bus to school but for some weird reason, she insisted on me going to school with Killian—- riding on his bike with him….. or perhaps Killian offered to take me to school because my mom was running late to work. And she got to drop Caleb off at his school as well.

His bike halted four miles from the school gate.

“No one should know you're staying in my house.” His voice wasn't just commanding— it was the kind of voice that dared you to disobey, like a growl under the surface.

My spine stiffened without meaning to, a shiver crawling down it as I dismounted from his bike. I handed him his helmet, trying not to let my fingers shake.

He leaned closer, voice low. “Or that your family's living at my place. Got it?”

There was something feral in his eyes….not rage, not annoyance. Something darker, like a warning from a predator.