Chapter 5

Celeste POV

Panic gripped me the moment I woke up. Where was I?

I pushed myself up on the mattress, my body sore all over. The last thing I remembered was collapsing—everything had gone black after that. But now, I was in what appeared to be a bedroom fit for only royal people.

The door creaked open, and I flinched. A middle-aged woman stepped inside, carrying a tray of food.

"You're awake," she said softly, setting the tray on a table beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Where am I?" I asked, anxious for a reply.

She hesitated before responding. "You're in Master Magnus’s villa. He arranged for you to be treated after you collapsed and returned from the hospital. You were severely malnourished and exhausted."

Magnus. The man who had accused me of being a spy, who had imprisoned me.

I swallowed hard, my heart thumping loudly in my ear "And my brother?"

The woman did not hesitate.

"He’s safe. His medical expenses have been covered."

My breath caught. "What?"

"Master Magnus has ensured that all his treatments will be taken care of. You have nothing to worry about."

A sharp breath lodged in my throat. Nothing to worry about? Did he really think a handful of word could put me at ease? I hadn't seen my brother in days. Was he really safe? Was he still fighting for his life, alone? The thought made my stomach churn.

My fingers immediately curled into fist. I had to see him.

The woman smiled gently. "I know this is new, but Master Magnus has given clear instructions. I am here to assist you with whatever you need. My name is Mariam, and I will be your nanny from now on."

"Nanny?" I repeated. "I don’t need a nanny, I am not some kid!. All I want is to see my brother. I need answers. Where is Magnus?"

My pulse pounded as I took a step forward, barely holding back the urge to shove past her. If Magnus had covered the medical bill, then he access to my brother. He controlled his fate, and this meant that I was on borrowed time.

I couldn’t afford to just wait here helplessly. If they let me out, even for a moment, I had to run away.

Mariam parted her lips to respond, but before ske could, the door opened again and speak of the devil.

"You’re awake," he said.

I forced myself to sit up straighter. "Why am I here?"

Magnus didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer. "Your brother’s medical expenses will be fully covered. He will receive the best care available."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "Why?"

He tilted his head. "You know why."

I shook my head. "I don’t. You accused me of being a spy. You locked me away, and now you're—what? Helping me?"

Magnus's face didn’t change. "Your situation has changed. I am willing to take responsibility for your well-being. In return, you will serve me."

Now he was speaking another language. "Serve you?"

"As my personal servant," he clarified.

The words felt like a slap. A servant? Was that what all of this was about?

I clenched my fists. "And if I refuse?"

"Then your brother's medical expenses will no longer be covered."

I inhaled sharply, my stomach twisting. He was backing me into a corner, leaving me no choice.

I wanted to scream, to fight, to tell him I wouldn’t be controlled—but I couldn’t. Not when my brother’s life depended on it.

My hands trembled as I tried to focus my eyes on him. "You’re forcing me into this."

Magnus didn’t deny it. "You can call it what you like. But this is the reality."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "What exactly do you expect me to do?"

"You will follow my orders, attend to my needs, and stay within these premises unless I say otherwise." His tone was final, leaving no room for negotiation.

I stared at him as he walked out of the room, my mind racing.

Trapped. I was completely trapped.

And there was nothing I could do about it.

Later that evening, as I sat on the bed staring blankly at the untouched meal Mariam had left for me, my phone buzzed. My heart leaped, I hadn’t expected anyone to contact me. When I checked the screen, I got up immediately.

Estel: Where the hell have you been?!

I exhaled slowly before typing back.

Me: I’ve been sick. Can you let the manager know? I don’t want to lose my job.

Estel’s reply was immediate.

Estel: Sick? You never get sick. Are you okay?

Me: Yeah, just exhausted. It was bad.

A moment of silence passed before my phone buzzed again.

Estel: Girl, you won’t believe what just popped up on my feed. Remember the big shot at the golf course? The one with the bodyguards?

I frowned, my fingers hesitating over the keyboard. I knew who she was talking about.

Me: What about him?

She sent a link.

Estel: Read this.

I clicked on it, and immediately, a news report with Magnus’s face splashed across the screen loaded.

"Magnus Devereux: CEO of Devereux Industries. Europe’s youngest billionaire business mogul, and the every ladies dream man."

My breath caught. CEO? I had assumed he was powerful, but I hadn’t expected this.

I scrolled further.

"Known for his ruthless business tactics and political connections, Magnus Xiang is not just a businessman, but a force to reckon. However, his reputation isn’t all power and prestige. Sources confirm that the young billionaire cycles through ladies endlessly, never staying with a woman longer than a week."

My grip on the phone grew tighter.

A playboy?

Like my thoughts were sensed, Estel messaged again.

Estel: Did you meet him?! He was right there that night!

I knew the answer. I mean he was here few hours ago.

I wasn't surprised though —maybe slightly irritated.

My mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusion.

If he was that promiscuous… then… did he even bother getting tested?

I was going to question him. He had touched me without my permission and it was necessary to know how safe I was.

When Magnus returned home later that night, I was waiting.

He barely spared me a glance as he entered the living room, removing his suit jacket.

"You’re still awake," he noted.

I stood up and crossed my arms. "Yes I was waiting for you. I have a question."

He raised a brow but didn’t stop unbuttoning his cufflinks. "Ask."

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "Have you undergone a full physical body check recently?"

Magnus’s hands stilled. His golden eyes were on mine in an instant.

"Excuse me?"

I swallowed but held my ground. "You know… a check-up."

His head tilted slightly, as if trying to decipher my meaning.

"And why would that concern you?"

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "You own me now, don’t you? Shouldn’t I at least know if you’re… healthy?"

A slow smirk curled at his lips.

"Are you asking if I have an STD?"

I pursed my lips, refusing to back down. "Are you avoiding the question?"

"Would it make you feel better if I provided you with my medical records?"

I huffed. "I’d rather not be around someone who might be diseased."

Magnus chuckled.

"Rest assured, little rabbit," he murmured. "I’m perfectly clean."

I narrowed my eyes. "I’ll believe it when I see proof."

His eyes darkened slightly, but instead of getting angry, he simply took a step closer.

"You’re surprisingly bold for someone in your position."

I held my breath as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"But I like that."

“Okay. If you say so.” I said, moved back and found a place to sit.

***

Magnus POV

I nearly laughed. This girl had no idea who she was talking to.

"You think I would risk my well-being over something so trivial?" I asked smoothly, stepping toward her new position.

"It’s not trivial," she countered, her voice steady despite her reaction to my presence. "And I have a right to know."

Fascinating.

She was unlike any human I had encountered. Most trembled in my presence. They feared me, as they should. But her…she challenged me with every breath.

I took another step forward, closing the distance. Her scent filled my lungs, and suddenly, everything else faded.

My entire body went rigid.

What is this…?

A slow, searing hunger spread through me, burning at the edges of my control.

I had smelled blood countless times. I had tasted the essence of fear from my enemies.

But this—this was something else entirely.

Her scent was warm, rich, laced with a sweetness that made me crave her violently. It wasn’t just her blood that called to me—it was her.

My throat burned. My body got stiff.

I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the beastly instinct clawing at my sanity.

Not now. Not in front of her.

But she had noticed..

"Are you okay?" she asked, searching for my eyes.

I nearly groaned.

Even the way she moved, subtle, unintentional—set me off on another wave of desire.

Damn it.

I needed to get away from her.

Now.

But instead of retreating, I found myself doing the opposite.

I reached out, my fingers brushing her wrist before I could stop myself.

Her skin was warm. Too warm.

She inhaled sharply, but she didn’t pull away.

My other hand moved on its own, slipping to the small of her back, drawing her closer until there was barely an inch between us.

Her pulse thrummed against my fingertips.

"Magnus…?" she whispered.

That was a mistake.

Hearing my name on her lips sent a fresh surge of hunger coursing through me.

I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet me.

Her pupils were blown wide, her breaths shallow.

I could taste the tension between us.

Something snapped.

Before I could think, before I could stop myself..

I dipped my head, my lips brushing just below her jaw.

She shuddered.

And I lost all restraint. In one fluid motion, I lifted her up and placed her carefully on the bed. Her voice protested, but her body had a mind of its own. It responded to my kiss, my touch, my desires aligned with hers.

I spread her legs, positioning myself above her. I traced kisses on her neck, down to her pink nipples, until I could feel her body open Up to me totally. Then I went into her, a low moan escaped her lips. Each thrust made me yawn for her the more, each moan, the way she dug her nails into my back, everything about Celest belongs to me.