y eyes immediately drawn to

deep, clipped, and his expre

e to his perfect facial structure. His hair was long but tied up in a bun. With a nice carved mustache and goatee, his pink lips sat between them. He w

rfection I didn't notice I had

led out again, snappin

ust call me Elena," I replied, f

He repli

," I though

e Lucas Vance?" I

u to the mansion and give you a tour if you need one. I have a meeting. We'd chat when I'm back," he said

nt, walked towards

please," he said, reach

eps, yet still strong and unbroken. On either side, wildflowers pushed through the grass, their colors bright against the deep

from their boats, a little farmers' market which we passed. I saw wome

nhabitants here," I started, trying t

before I came with Mr. Vance. They worked to keep the isl

he always that...cold?

huckled

romise he has a soft heart under that deep v

" I murmure

ut seven minutes, we ar

en larger than

, and they groaned softly on their hinges

iling, where a crystal chandelier glimmered with fractured sunlight. The floor beneath m

the entrance hall. Dark oil paintings lined the walls, landscapes of Erténa's coast, portra

nd table at the center of the room, their fragran

ve," I whispered

lace. Every piece of it was built with care. And now," he paused,

rawn to the chandelier's glittering light. For a brief

room, Miss Ha-" John bega

d, offering him a sma

olite nod. "Of

sed tall arched windows where the velvet drapes were tied back neatly. Outside, the evening sun spilled orange light over the s

cious room with soft cream walls, a canopy bed dressed in white sheets, and a carved wooden

said, setting my traveling box at the foot of the be

edpost. The room was beautiful, almost too beautifu

cas'

that sat on her cute face. Little freckles complementing her one-sided dimple. Her hair, long and s

that calmed my hard heart for

pulled t

r called from the driver's sea

o be where I am today. It wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, but I earned the robust life I live today, including

ena'

ck on the door. I sprung up, looking at my s

fall asleep

I answered,

e dining," a woman, supposedly in her

I'd be right th

ut on. I saw the cute black gown Uncle Frederick gave me three years ago for my 21st birthday. Still as lovely as

ast. Delicacies of different kinds filled the air with such a sweet aroma. I walked slowly towards the table, my eyes moving from one dish to anoth

ther end of the table. Grabbing a plate to fill with the dishes

for a year, I might as well try

ity to tell you it was nice meeting ya,"

ign

ated and got to know each other since we are forced to be cohabitants of this beautiful mansion,"

each other?" Lucas finally spoke, taking a

ing your arrogance on me, don't y

ards me. The air suddenly became thick. His gaze pierced thr

d in my chest. My throat felt tight, and m

figure casting a shadow across the table. He le

is breath warm against my ear, "liking m

walking away, leaving the faint echo of his words behind. I sat