CHAPTER 5

Jas… I have to tell you everything,” I said. My voice shook slightly, betraying the excitement,

the fear, and the absolute chaos I felt.

Her voice was bright and cheerful at first, as always. “Sierra! What’s up? You sound…” She

trailed off, probably realizing the storm in my tone.

I inhaled sharply. “Jas, it’s… it’s him. The mansion, the car, the kitchen, the….” I paused, trying

to keep my breath from racing, “.....he’s… he’s there. And I’m… I’m working for him.”

There was a long silence on the line. Then, finally, she spoke back. “ Who the fuck are you

talking about? Calm the fuck down!”

“Katie’s Father!” I screamed unconsciously.

“Wait…..wait…..Katie’s Dad? Are you sure?”

I groaned softly, covering my face with my free hand. “Yes! I don’t know if he remembers me,

Jas. I’ve barely spent six hours in this house. And I…..” My words faltered. “I don’t know where I

stand. I’m… terrified and… and… I don’t even know how to deal with this.”

Her laughter came, nervous but incredulous. “Girl… oh man… I don’t even know what to say.

That is insane! I mean… wow. Just wow.I closed my eyes, letting the sound of her voice calm me a little. “Jas… I need a favor. I can’t

have Katie around while I figure this out. Can you… just take care of her for a while? I’ll figure

out a plan… I just… I need some breathing room.”

There was a short pause, and then her voice softened. “Of course, Sierra. Always. You just tell

me when, and I’ve got you. Don’t worry about a thing.”

I smiled faintly, feeling my chest tighten with gratitude. “Thanks, Jas. Seriously. I don’t know

what I’d do without you.”

We ended the call, and I set my phone down, staring at the ceiling. My mind was spinning, but

I could feel a strange, dangerous excitement simmering beneath the fear. I was trapped in this

mansion with him. Him. The man who had haunted my memories for years, whose presence still

made my stomach twist.

Before I could settle, there was a knock at my door. My body sprang up like a coiled spring. I

rushed to the door, barely pausing to think.

I opened it almost immediately.

And there he was.

Louis. Standing there, holding a folded pair of black lingerie in his hands.

My brain froze. I wanted to ask a hundred questions, each more ridiculous than the last. Why

does he have that? Is this some kind of mistake? Is he… And then my breath caught as

realization hit me. Of course. It's fucking HIMI forced myself to step back slightly, but he didn’t move. Instead, his gaze softened as if he

could read my thoughts. “It’s brand new,” he said quietly, as if reading the very question I wasn't

able to ask.

My stomach twisted. My fingers twitched at my sides.

I forced myself to step forward again, trying to act normal.

He set the folded lingerie on the edge of a chair, and I instinctively looked away, heart still

hammering.

“I… uh…” I began, but my words faltered.

He gave me a small, knowing smile, calm and unreadable. “Don’t worry. I thought you might

need it.”

I froze. Need it? My cheeks burned, and I couldn’t form a coherent thought. My pulse

hammered in my ears. I wanted to scream, to laugh, to run, all at the same time.

He tilted his head slightly, reading me perfectly, and then moved on, guiding me gently toward

settling in the room. His presence was overwhelming.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my hands twisting the sheets, my mind spinning. My new job,

the mansion, him, the memories, the intensity of the night…..it was all too much. I felt trapped,

dizzy, and at the same time… strangely exhilaratedI had no idea what I was doing. I had no plan, no strategy. And yet, I couldn’t deny that part of

me was already captivated, drawn in by him, by the power he held over everything in this house,

and over me.

I leaned back against the pillows, closing my eyes. My chest tightened. My mind whirled.

I don't think I can do this, my brain began to spiral.

But one thing was very clear, I was trapped with him.

And the worst part? I had no idea if I wanted to leave