Chapter 3

As soon as I opened the apartment door, I locked it. My back crashed against it breathing, deeply I try to calm my jittering nerves.

Tentatively I pulled the curtain and found him leaning on his car staring at me with a damn smirk as if he knew I would check it.

My wet hair bangs sticking to my face as I mouth Go home.

He shakes his head and my phone pings with the notification.

What if I say I don’t have any? His text appears.

My brows furrow ,this is not the time to joke it’s going to rain heavily and how did you even get my number? I, text back and stare at him but he stares at his phone for a few seconds, and then without a glance, he leaves.

Just like that, he turns around the car and leaves.

Well, that’s what you wanted Lily didn’t you?

Then why does that make my heart heavy?

Taking a shower, I change into my nightclothes and lay on the bed checking my messages, I see his text.

If I,say you were, my home will you believe it, darling?

What does he mean by that? Putting the phone aside I close my eyes hoping it will stop the turmoil within me but instead, it intensifies

An itch grows in me to know why he says what he says, to see him and hold his hands as if we are lovers but how can I? This is no fairy tale my mind warns.

I close my eyes and soon the darkness envelops me as sleep overtakes me.

At the morning-

Sunshine peaks through the window disturbing my sleep. I covered my head with the pillow but before I could go back to sleep doorbells rings making me groan aloud.

I stand up wobbly to open the door and find a man holding, a bag and flowers in his hand “For Miss Liliana.”

“It’s from Mr. Adrian,” he says when I stand there like a statue “Oh, thank you,” I smile awkwardly, taking the bag.

Closing the door, I put the flowers in a pot and open the bag. Sleep, long forgotten I open a box of delicious-looking donuts. Now, this, ladies and gentlemen, is heaven.

The perfect sight to wake up to at least for single people.

I smell the flowers like a fresh breath of air it makes me smile reminding me of the gardens full of flowers.

A little note is attached to it.

On a drunken night, I saw you, my lady give, me the pleasure to taint your cheeks red again but this time it won’t be the wine you will be drunk on.

My heart races as butterflies evade my stomach, Opening, another bag, I see another note.

This dress would look lovely on you please wear it for, me. l, will be there to pick you up at 6.

As the sun set, leaving pink horizons over the sky. I wore a black dress with a slit that could be called scandalous enough hugging my body like a second skin.

Walking out of my apartment I see him.

He wore a black suit that hugged his body in all the right places. His cologne is subtle and inviting.

The butterflies in my stomach were growing by the second as I walked toward him. I had never dated anyone except Jack the cheating Asshole, and I was admittedly a little nervous. But as soon as he saw me, his face lit up with a warm smile that immediately put me at ease.

His gaze roamed from toe to head and then his eyes never left mine. His hands hold a single red rose for me. “You, look beautiful”

“Just so you know I am here for the bracelet,” I said taking the rose.

He chuckles opening the car door for me “Really? Should, we test if these lips are speaking the truth later tonight?"

"Where are we going? " I, ask ignoring his teasing comments.

"I am taking you to a scary forest where no one can come and save you from me "I smile sarcastically rolling my eyes at his answer.

His eyes, narrow at my action "At the end of the night I am going to fix this attitude of yours baby."

“Sure baby,” I mimic staring at the window instead of his arrogant smirk.

He enters the huge metal gates and stops the car in front of the mansion that looks like it came, straight out of a horror movie. "Are you kidding me"?

"Just be patient lily." he replies

"Yeah, patient enough so ghost, can eat me out alive." I murmur

He laughs "I would love to be that ghost."

"Jerk. I mouth as he opens the door for me

"I am not going in, there."

"Your choice," he says leaving me alone.

My mouth opened "The audacity of this bastard"

"I can hear you." he yells

I stare at the spooky surroundings. An eerie silence there gave me the perfect time for making my, imagination run wild.

Hearing the crunch of leaves my head whipped to the right. My foot tap against the dusty ground. I, crouched below to see what is happening.

"Is anyone here?" I murmur

"Ahh. "I screamed when a cat suddenly jumped right in front of me and the cat's body shivered violently.

Okay I must seem like a monster from her point of view , I entered the Mansion hastily cursing him to hell.

Taking a left turn, I opened the huge door to find a whole different atmosphere there.

Inside the mansion, an extravagant table is set up for two people to enjoy a romantic evening. The table was adorned with different colors of roses, which complemented the warm lighting in the room. Candles were placed along the edges of the table, creating a romantic ambiance On, top of this, champagne was served in crystal glasses that glowed in the light of the candles.

Beautiful chandeliers hanging on the ceiling, soft music playing in the background.

My eyes narrowed at his tactics "You are crazy." I murmur

"Crazy for you." he mutters something under his breath.

"Please dine with me." he holds out the chair for me.

"Do you think it is all right to scare me like that I almost had a heart attack." I exhaled loudly

"Maybe you shouldn't have judged the place by looking at it from the outside" hjs grey orbs shining with mischievousness.

Why do I feel like these words hold a deeper meaning?

The waiter pours the wine into our glasses while all the time his eyes remain on mine even when the waiter asks, the question they never leave my eyes.

No one to back off at the staring contest

"Let's play a game of truth and dare. "he says twirling his glass of wine.

I shrugged” Truth or dare.”

"Truth" he replies.

"So have you tried these tricks on other girls bringing them into a spooky mansion for a date not to mention what if a ghost lives here," I said

"Your description is cute darling" he smiles,sipping wine.

"But the answer to your question is no, I have never brought a girl to date."

"Are you implying that you have been single forever?" I asked.

He chuckled "I don't need to bring them to a date to have their heart"

I rolled my eyes “First of all stop calling me darling I am not your darling” I said not wanting to listen more about his arrogance.

“Careful , do you want me to punish you?" he tsks.

"Darling" he adds with a wink.

“Punish me” I scoff.

“So, you are going to spank me like a child huh,” I said in a childish voice trying to annoy him but instead he just grins " Well, I had something else in my mind but if my girl, wants to be spanked I can surely – “

I, cut him off “Stop it Adrian."

Oh lord, how blunt this man is.

“My turn,” he says abruptly.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Love

A feeling that every human needs even if they deny.

But do I really know what love is? An uneasy feeling evokes in me replying "No"

He nods as an awkward silence takes place. I, visibly notice his grip tighten on the glass as if he is controlling himself.

The waiters arrived to serve us food, I don't know why after listening to my answer he is awfully silent. "Have you ever fallen in love?" I asked him the same question curiously waiting for him to answer he stops eating and looked at me as if deep in thought.

After a moment he replies "Yes" his answer surprising me, how it would feel to be adored by him, to be touched by those sinful hands ?

"Let's make this game more interesting," I said

"I dare you to not touch me tonight." I smirk

He smirks" Nice play darling."

"I would but only if you would choose and complete the dare, I will give you."he continues

"Okay" I shrug.

"So, you have to take a round of this mansion alone."

Fuck I should have known.

Soon the food is over and the waiter takes the plates from our tables.

He is so fucking smart "What happened? Scared already?"

"No not at all." I lie smiling.

"Then you should go I will wait for you." his eyes glisten with amusement.

I smile as I walk out of the big hall. This fucking, moron, I will kill him once I return.

I walked into the big corridors of this mansion

Darkness surrounds me and the sound of my footsteps can be heard in the silence like not a single soul has ever lived here. Well not a living soul at least.

My steps halted as I heard a door open probably because of the wind. Continuing my steps, I hear the sound of something shattering on the ground.

Don't pay attention to it. You just have to walk around Lilyana.

I hear some hushed whispers in the air as if someone is talking raising goosebumps over my skin

"Come, here ."

That's the last straw.

I ran, panicked, not knowing where I am going I ,collide with someone.

I thrashed violently to get away as he holds me "Lily it's me Adrian" he said caressing my cheeks

"If you bring girls to fucking haunted mansions like this, they will curse you to death no matter how handsome you are ."I shout in anger

He laughs.

He is laughing while I think if I stayed alone there for one second my heart would have been out of my fucking ribcage. I, shrieked as he lifted, me bridal style.

"Okay let's get my feisty girl out of here before the ghost comes out and eats you before I can. "His eyes sparkle with mischief.

"Fuck you." I curse but my eyes stare at his lips

the sound of his laugh playing in my head again making my heart flutter.

Why did that feel so good to hear?

"Can't wait darling I am all yours. " his lips curved into a tight smile.

We both enter the car and he starts to drive"I, must say you look so cute when you are scared. "

He is talking too much.

"I think I should bring you to another spooky mansion so that I can - "I cut him off with a peck on his lips .

His face tilted as he slowed the car and in just a split second, I heard the sound of him unfastening the seatbelt.

My breathing quickened as his mouth fell on mine. Our, bodies pressed together I could taste our shared breath. His soft lips pressed against mine. My, mouth parted a little and he slipped his tongue in, making me feel like he wants me more than anything, that, he wants me not just my body.

Stop getting attached to him Liliana.He will leave you in a split second warnings raise in my head.

"Stop you promised, ."I said in a hushed whisper

He stops but doesn't move away, As, we breathe in each other ,his scent, oddly calms me.

My brows furrowed as I take in his expression. They say eyes are the window to the soul.

His eyes are filled with pain and before I could ponder on it like a flash those eyes become empty his face turned back to monotonous. He clenches his fist as he moves away from me fastening his seatbelt, he drives and drops me home.

Soon I, find myself in the familiar walls of my home.

I change the dress and wear an oversized shirt. My, hands searched for the red scrunchie on the glass shelf to find it empty.

Strange.

The last time I remember I kept it there. Taking, another hairband, I tied my hair into a bun

My hands flew to my neck caressing the area where his lips were there just a few moments ago. A, tear slipped past my eyes thinking about him .It feels like déjà vu.

The day when I went on the first date with Jack and came home all giddy but what did it led to.

Heartbreak

For trusting too easily.

For searching love in other people instead of myself.

What am I doing?

Am, I,doing the same mistake again?

Why am I thinking about him?

I look for my perfume. A scent that calms me when my mind couldn't stop overthinking.

"Where is it?" I groan

A smoky scent like a strong male cologne fills my nostrils. My brows furrowed, I don't have any perfumes with a scent familiar to this. I lie on the bed inhaling deeply and the smell is much stronger here.

My heart races with the thought of someone breaking into my home and the dread in me intensifies seeing a black note on the side of the table.

Ice grips me as I stare at the cursive words written in red.

Caged in a nightmare.

Fear the darkness,

Unknown to the eyes.

The flower spreads poison,

just as ocean drowned the love.