Chapter 5: Shadows

Dante's phone buzzed loudly, cutting through the tense silence that hung between them in the room. His expression darkened as he glanced at the screen, and without a word, he turned on his heel and rushed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him. She was left standing alone, her heart pounding in her chest.

The room seemed to close in around her, the shadows deepening in the absence of Dante’s oppressive presence. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This was her chance. She moved quickly, slipping out of Dante's room and into the hallway.

The mansion was a labyrinth of dark, ornate corridors. She moved cautiously, her footsteps echoing off the polished wooden floors. Eventually, she found her way to the front of the house. The heavy front doors opened easily, and she stepped outside, drawing in a deep breath of the cool evening air.

She paused on the front steps, taking in the sight of the mansion. Despite its dark and gloomy vibe, there was something undeniably captivating about the place. The sprawling gardens were meticulously maintained, with pathways that disappeared into the shadows. The setting sun cast long, eerie shadows across the grounds, adding to the house's stark aura.

She began to walk, her feet carrying her toward the garden. As she approached, she noticed a group of maids gathered near a cluster of rose bushes. They were talking quietly among themselves, their expressions a mix of fear and curiosity. As she drew nearer, most of the maids scattered, casting nervous glances over their shoulders as they hurried away. Only one remained, her back straight and her eyes unwavering.

Ignoring the muttered curses and nervous giggles from the retreating maids, she continued forward, her focus on the one who stayed. The maid was young, with dark hair and pale skin. She looked at her with a mixture of defiance and curiosity.

"Hello," she said softly. "What's your name?" She said as she sat next to her.

The maid hesitated, then replied, "Adina."

They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them visible. Finally, she asked, "why did they run off?”

The maid paused and smiled “You're the first woman Dante has brought to his home.”

“Can you tell me about that man… Dante?" Now she was even more curious as to who he was and why he had brought her here. — “who is he? Does he have a wife? A family?”

Adina glanced around nervously before speaking. "There's a lot to tell, but not all of it is pleasant. He has no parents, they died in an accident, some say he killed them. He was raised by his uncle, a man even more ruthless than Dante himself."— “And he has never been with a woman, people say he had been married before and had a son with his wife but his whole family was murdered. He has had a tough life.”

She listened intently as Adina continued, her voice low and urgent. "There are stories—scary myths that have been passed down among the staff. They say Dante's uncle was involved in dark rituals, and that Dante learned everything from his uncle. Some say he’s cursed, that the shadows follow him wherever he goes."

Adina paused, her eyes darting around nervously. "Most of the staff are terrified of him. They say he has a temper and that those who cross him don't last long. But there are also stories about his kindness, about the way he protects those he cares about. It’s hard to know what to believe."

She absorbed Adina's words, her mind racing. The more she learned about Dante, the more complex he seemed. She was still processing this new information when she noticed Adina’s eyes widen in fear. She turned to see a maid and two guards walking towards them, their expressions stern and unyielding.

Adina quickly scooted away, leaving her standing alone. The head maid stopped in front of her, her expression unreadable. "Mr. Dante wants to see you now," she said coldly.

The two guards stepped forward, about to carry her there. She nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of her earlier encounter with Dante and the things Adina had told her. The stories and myths about him sent chills down her spine, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"I'll go with you," she said quietly avoiding the guards and also determined not to show her fear.

The guards followed her as she walked back into the mansion. The corridors seemed darker now, the shadows longer and more dark. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the house itself was watching her, its walls whispering secrets she was not yet privy to.

As they neared Dante’s room, her mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions. She remembered the cold calculation in his eyes, the way he had spoken to her as if she were a possession rather than a person. But there was also a strange affection towards him, after what she had heard from Adina about him not having any parent, she quickly shook off the feeling.

The head maid stopped in front of the door and knocked softly and one of the guards stepped forward and opened it. As she walks inside the room, the door shuts behind her making her jump in fear.

She could hear the footsteps receding from behind the door leaving her standing alone in the vast room.

Dante was nowhere to be seen.

The room was grand but had a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Dark drapes hung from the tall windows, barely allowing any light to penetrate. The furniture was large and ornate, carved with intricate designs that added to the room's gloomy grandeur. She wandered aimlessly, her eyes scanning the high ceiling and the dark corners that seemed to hold secrets.

Her gaze fell on a picture frame sitting on the bedside table. She walked over and picked it up. It was a photograph of a little boy and his mother. The boy's eyes were bright with innocence, and the woman beside him smiled softly, her eyes full of love. The picture was taken on a beach, it sparked a hint of affection in her heart.

Just as she reached out to touch the photo, a voice behind her made her jump. She fumbled with the frame, and it slipped from her hands, shattering on the floor.

"What are you doing there?" Dante's voice was cold, cutting through the heavy silence.